The Tongan new Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet is Paula Ma’u.
He replaced former Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker, who retired last year.
Paula Pouvalu Ma’u and Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. Photo/PM Office
He was appointed by the Public Service Commission and has already signed his contract today for four years, a statement said.
“This morning he took his oath before the Honourable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku witnessed by members of Cabinet”, it said.
“He started with the Government of Tonga as Head of the Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance in 1993, before taking the Deputy Secretary post at the Prime Minister’s Office in 1996, a post he held for 16 years.
“He was appointed as the first Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) in 2020, and he is the longest serving Chief Executive Officer and has recently served at MEIDECC.
It is understood Ma’u has been acting in the role before his appointment.
Kiwis experiencing Long Covid often find that doctors dismiss, ignore, or downplay their unusual symptoms, a latest nationwide Covid-19 study has revealed.
One in five participants reported having symptoms of Long Covid including shortness of breath, muscle aches, brain fog and joint pain according to an article published today by Victoria University of Wellington.
However, co-leader of the research Dr Mona Jeffreys says these Kiwis are not feeling heard.
“About half felt the healthcare they received wasn’t adequate and reported not feeling listened to or understood,” says Jeffreys.
The results of this study has prompted recommendations that call for the Government to develop a consumer-led Long Covid service, integrated with primary health care services.
Those with a pre-existing heart disease or a high body mass index (BMI) were also found to be more at risk of developing Long Covid.
The study’s other major findings were around groups who reported feeling disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.
They found that Māori, Pasifika and disabled people faced more emotional and physical challenges due to Covid-19 than other participants.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone but it’s had much greater health, social, and financial impacts on populations that are already significantly disadvantaged,” says study co-leader Dr Lynne Russell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou).
These groups were reported more difficulty accessing their GP, higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic as well as financial stress resulting from Covid-19.
Information for the study was collected from people who caught Covid-19 before December 1st 2021 and included in depth interviews with 52 people, commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
Fakamatala faka-Tonga
Ko e kau Kiwi ko ia ‘oku nau fa’a puke he Long Covid ‘oku nau fa’a ‘ilo ‘a hono faka’ikai’i, fakatutkutuku’i pe fakama’ama’a’i ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga ‘ikai angamaheni ‘oku nau ma’u fakatatau ‘eni ki ha fakatotolo fakaako fakafonua ki he Koviti kuo toki tuku mai ‘i hano pulusi ‘e he ‘Univesiti Vikatōlia ‘i Uelingatoni.
Ko e ngaahi ola ‘o e fakatotolo ni kuo ne fakavave’i ha ui ki he pule’anga ke fa’u ha sēvesi ki he Long Covid kau atu ki ai ‘a e primary health care services. Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he fakatotolo ko kinautolu ne nau ‘osi puke he mahaki mafu pe toto ma’olunga ne nau ‘i he tu’unga laveangofua ange ke nau ma’u ‘a e Koviti Taungaloloa pe Long Covid.
Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he sitati ko ‘eni’ ha ngaahi kulupu na’e lipooti ‘enau ongo’i ‘ikai tu’otu’otatau hono ma’u kinautolu ‘e he Koviti-19.
Na’e ‘ilo ai ko e kau Māori, Pasifika mo e kakai mamatea’ ne nau fehangahangai mo e ngaahi pole ne loto ue’ingofua ange mo fisikale tu’unga he Koviti-19, ‘ia kinautolu kehe ne kau’.
Na’e uesia ‘e he penitemiki Koviti-19 ‘a e taha kotoa ka ne kovi ange i he falukunga kakai ne ‘osi fusimo’omo lahi ‘i he’ene mo’ui, sosiale mo ‘enau tu’unga fakapa’anga’.
Ko e ngaahi kulupu ko ‘eni na’e lipooti ‘a ‘enau faingata’a’ia ange ke lava sio ki he’enau GP, lahi ange ‘enau ongo’i lotomo’ua pea mo e loto ta’ota’omia kau ai mo e situlesi tupu mei he Koviti-19.
Police are conducting a new inquiry into the death of Francis ‘Iohasi Tu’amoheloa’s death.
The case was reopened after the deceased’s mother lodged an official complaint with the “Professional Standards Unit (PSU) stating their dissatisfaction with the result of the police investigation and the inquest”.
Talanoa Leakona Lemoto
Tu’amoheloa died after getting into trouble in the water at Vaipua Harbour, Vava’u. Police would not say when did the sea fatality happen.
“PSU further investigated the complaint and concluded that the inquest was improperly handled, following which was the direction from Police Commissioner to reopen the case”, a Police statement said.
“Meanwhile, the investigation into the matter continues with no significant person of interest at this stage. It is likely to be completed by mid-March and further updates will be provided if anything significant occurs”.
Talanoa Lemoto investigation
On a separate note, Police said an inquest on the death of 35-year-old Talanoa Leakona Lemoto of Hala’ovave whose body was recovered from underwater on Monday, December 13, 2022 was conducted on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
It concluded with three main findings:
1. The positive identification of the deceased as Talanoa Leakona Lemoto.
2. The cause of death was by accident after Mr. Lemoto’s vehicle fell into the water whilst he was intoxicated (Body sample has been sent to NZ for toxicology test).
3. There is no evidence indicating any foul play or criminal activities related to the death of Mr. Lemoto. The inquest panel was Chaired by Magistrate Salesi Mafi with independent members of the Ma’ufanga community including the pathologist, CEO Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola who conducted the autopsy, and the deceased’s wife and family. The autopsy reveals no signs of any internal or external injuries or bruises in the deceased’s body. The car was also preserved and forensically examined.
The Supreme Court has ordered former parliamentary election candidate Mele ‘Amanaki to file her election expenses or face $200 fine or a one-month imprisonment term.
Mele Teusivi ‘Amanaki
‘Amanaki was required by law to file election expenses after she unsuccessfully contested the 2021 general election.
She was a candidate for the Tongatapu 7 Electoral District seat.
On May 25, 2022 a Learned Magistrate found Ms ‘Amanaki guilty and convicted her of failing to deliver a signed statement of her election expenses within 14 days from the date of the election.
On June 1, 2022 she was sentenced and discharged without conviction under section 204 of the Criminal Offences Act.
Police appealed that sentence.
“The Crown argues that the Learned Magistrate ought not to have discharged Ms ‘Amanaki without conviction and his doing so was a misapplication of s.204 of the said Act. The Crown said the appropriate sentence was a fine ranging from $100 to $200”, a Supreme Court document said.
“Ms ‘Amanaki argued that the Learned Magistrate correctly applied his discretion in discharging her without conviction and that I should not allow the appeal”.
In her decision on January 11, 2023, Supreme Court Judge Petunia Tupou said:
“The Appeal is allowed. The order discharging Ms ‘Amanaki without conviction is quashed.
“Ms ‘Amanaki is convicted of failing to deliver a signed statement of her election expenses within 14 days from the date of election under s.24(4) and (5) of the Electoral Act and is fined $200 to be paid within a period of 1 month or on failure to pay, 1 month imprisonment”.
The Tongan Parliament has approved former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa’s request for an extension of his medical leave.
Prime MInister Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva News)
Tu’i’onetoa is seeking medical treatment in the United States.
His medical expenses are being paid for by his family and not funded by Parliament, the Parliament said.
The former Prime Minister’s request was granted using a circular, which was sent to all Members.
As Kaniva News reported in recent days, the use of the circular has generated controversy.
The House issued a press release on Wednesday following our story on Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s request for longer medical leave and how this might generate a by-election for Tongatapu 10.
Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Australia
The caption of the story when it was shared on Facebook says in Tongan that if Tu’i’onetoa’s medical leave extension request was approved by the House, the taxpayers could continue paying for Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses.
We made our comment based on taxpayers previously paying for Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Australia in about 2017.
In an e-mail to Kaniva News on May 2018, the former Prime Minister said he had been sent to St George’s Private Hospital in Sydney after he suffered an injury while Minister of Finance in ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Cabinet.
He said he underwent spinal surgery after suffering a slipped disc, which compressed the spinal nerves.
Surgeons fused the third, fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae together and replaced the disc between vertebrae four and five.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa confirmed that the government paid for his medical expenses. He told Kaniva News that he e-mailed his Acting Minister of Finance at the time, Poasi Tei, and told him his medical treatment had been successful, although he had to use a walking stick to help him walk for some time.
Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga
He said he told Tei that even though he was Finance Minister at the time that he could not have afforded to pay for the medical expenses.
In Tongan he said: “ Pea na’e ‘ikai pe ke u mei lava ia ‘e au ‘o totongi a e fakamole ko’eni neongo ko e Minisita Pa’anga au, ka ne ta’e’oua hono totongi ‘e he Pule’anga.”
Details of who is paying for Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s current medical expense was also made by Hena Tu’i’onetoa, who identified herself as his wife.
However, some supporters of the former Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa accused Kaniva of lying about Tu’i’onetoa because we questioned his medical expenses.
Travelling allowance
Parliament’s press release about Hon. Tu’i’onetoa sparked calls for the Speaker to also clarify whether or not the former Prime Minister was still receiving his travelling allowance and salary.
It is understood that MPs are entitled to these if they are on medical leave overseas.
Critics believe that Parliament’s Wednesday press release opened a door for the public to ask for more information from the House, including Tu’i’onetoa’s Travelling Allowance records. Kaniva News has asked the Speaker to release Tu’i’onetoa’s salaries and Travelling Allowance records while he is in the USA and confirm whether he is still receiving them.
Kaniva News also asked the Speaker why its press release did not mention that the government previously funded Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Sydney. It reminded the speaker that if the press release was intended to independently inform the public transparently and accountably it should release both Tu’i’onetoa’s Australian and US medical leave records.
Critics also asked whether this was a new means of communication used by the Parliament to reveal to the public which MPs’ medical expenses were paid for by the government and who pays for their own.
Some critics have asked why Parliament did not make the same kind of statement when taxpayers were funding other MPs, including former MP Lord Fusitu’a’s medical expenses and medivac flight from Tonga to a New Zealand hospital. Others to have benefitted include former MP and Minister Viliami Hingano and Semisi Fakahau.
