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Date set for MP Piveni Piukala’s electoral bribery hearing

By
Kaniva Staff
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The newly elected MP Paula Piveni Piukala will appear at Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on February 6, 2023 charged with electoral fraud.

Paula Piveni Piukala. Photo/Kalino Lātū

The allegations against Piukala are related to his successful campaigns in Tongatapu 7 during Tonga’s November parliamentary by-election campaigns.

The allegations included bribing voters.

Piukala won the by-election after he successfully sued former Tongatapu 7 MP Sangstar Saulala over electoral bribery. As a result, the Supreme Court declared Saulala’s election void in August.

The petition against Piukala was filed by a Tongatapu 7 rival constituent, Feleti Ulakai.

It came after three Cabinet Ministers including Saulala were convicted by the Supreme Court of electoral fraud.

The other two were former Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei and Minister of Finance Tatafu Moeaki.

Research underway to see if single-shot vaccine can prevent both Covid-19 and flu

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Scientists in New Zealand are working on a shot that could protect against Covid-19 and flu viruses.

The Wellington P3 Research experts are looking for people aged between 50 and 80 years old to take part in the clinical trial, which is investigating whether a single vaccine can effectively prevent both illnesses.

The company conducts research on behalf of a range of pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca – two major Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers.

Covid-19 and influenza were among the more common viruses leading to severe illness and hospitalisation in older adults, P3 Research said, and currently individual vaccinations provided the best protection against each disease.

As well as the age requirement, it was looking for participants who were in good health, and were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (with or without the booster).

They must not have had a Covid-19 infection in the last two months.

The study would require willing participants to receive a vaccination and then attend follow-up appointments for six months.

The new research in New Zealand came after scientists in the US were working on a shot that could protect against Covid-19, its variants, certain seasonal colds — and the next coronavirus pandemic.

The US researchers were starting to develop prototypes of a so-called pancoronavirus vaccine, with some promising, if early, results from experiments on animals. Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, thinks scientists should join together in another large-scale vaccine-creation project immediately.

“We have to get a real work force to accelerate this, so we can have it this year,” he said. Dr. Topol and Dennis Burton, a Scripps immunologist, called for this project on broad coronavirus vaccines on Monday in the journal Nature.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

‘Oku lolotonga ngāue ‘a e kau saienisi Nu’usila ki ha huhu ‘e ala malu’i fakataha ai ‘a e Kōviti – 19 mo e vailasi fulūu.
‘Oku lolotonga fakasiosio ‘a e kau fakatotolo mataotao ‘a e Wellington P3 ki ha kakai ‘i he vaha’a ta’u 50 ki he 80 ke fai ai ha ngaahi fakatotolo mo vakai’i fakapapau’i fakafaito’o, ‘a ia ko hono vakavakai’i pe ‘e lava ‘e ha fo’i huhu malu’i pē ‘e taha ‘o malu’i ‘a e ongo fokoutua ni.
‘Oku fakahoko foki ‘e he kautaha ‘a e fakatotolo ko ‘eni ‘i he malumalu ‘o ha ngaahi kautaha ngaohi vai mo fo’i ‘akau, kau ai e Pfizer mo e AstraZeneca – ko e ongo ngaohi’anga huhu malu’i lalahi ia ‘o e Kōviti – 19.
Na’e pehē ‘e he kau fakatotolo P3, ko e Kōviti – 19 mo e inifulūenisā ‘oku na kau kinaua ‘i he ngaahi vailasi anga maheni ‘oku ala ke tupu ai ha puke lahi mo e tokoto falemahaki ‘a e kau matu’otu’a, pea ‘oku hoko ‘a e huhu malu’i taautaha ko e malu’i lelei taha ia ‘o e mahaki ni.  
Neongo hono fiema’u ‘o e kau toulekeleka ka ‘oku toe fiema’u pē ke kau mai mo ha kakai mo’ui lelei, pea ‘osi kakato e huhu malu’i Kōviti – 19 [‘osi huhu booster pe ‘ikai].
Kuo pau ke nau hao he puke ‘i he Kōviti – 19 ‘i he māhgina ‘e 2 kuo ‘osi.
‘E fiema’u ‘i he ako ko ‘eni ke tali ‘e he kau ako ke nau huhu pea hokohoko atu ki ha ‘apoinimenti ‘i he māhina ‘e ono.
Na’e fakahoko foki ‘a e fakatotolo fo’ou ko ‘eni ‘i Nu’usila hili ia ha ngāue ‘a e kau saienisi ‘Amelika ki ha huhu ‘e ala malu’i fakataha ai pē ‘a e Kōviti – 19, mo hono kalasi kehekehe, no’ono’osia ‘o e faha’i ta’u momoko pea mo e vailasi kolona ka hoko mai.
Kuo kamata foki ke ngaohi ‘e he kau fakatotolo ‘Amelika ha kalasi faito’o fo’ou ‘oku ui ko e huhu malu’i pancoronavirus, mo ha ola lelei ‘aupito ‘i he ngaahi ola kimu’a ‘o e ngaahi ‘ahi’ahi ‘i he fanga manu. Ko e fakakaukau ‘a Toketā Eric Topol, ko ha palofesa ‘i he faito’o molekula ‘i he Ako’anga Fakatotolo Scripps ‘i San Diego, ‘oku taau ke ngāue fakataha ‘a e saienisi ke ngaohi ha faito’o fakavavevave ‘i ha toe tu’unga ‘oku lahi ange.
‘I he ‘aho Mōnite ‘i he fakamatala ‘a e Nature, na’e pehē ‘e Toketā Topol mo Dennis Burton, ko ha ongo matotao ‘i he ivi malu’i ‘o e sino ‘o e Ako’anga Scripps, ‘a e kolea ‘a e paloseki ko ‘eni ki he huhu malu’i vailasi kolona, ” kuo pau ke tau fakahoko ha ngāue lahi ke fakavave’i ‘eni, kae lava ke tau ma’u pē ia ‘i he ta’u ni.” 

Family thanks public after missing Tongan father found safe

By
Kaniva Staff
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The family of Tupou Pasina in New Zealand said on social media he was found Wednesday and is safe and sound.

His heartbreaking wife Sinisa Pasina reported him as a missing person on Monday, two days after he disappeared on Saturday December 24.

As Kaniva News reported last night, Tupou was last seen after leaving his home in a vehicle.

“Friends and family if you happen to see my beloved husband Tupou Pasina please contact me. He has been missing since Saturday in our van and he has not returned home since then”, the wife, Sinisa Pasina wrote on Facebook in Tongan.

“I really need your help”.

The family said they reported Pasina’s missing to Police.

This morning Sinisa took to Facebook to reveal the great news.

“May I take this opportunity to thank the prayers and love that had been shared towards my husband. He is still alive (“kei ma’u pe manava mo’ui”)”.

She said that there are no words great enough to express her thankfulness to all searchers and supporters who spent times to search for her husband.

Mango island tsunami victims get keys to new homes

By
Kaniva Staff
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Dozens of Mango families who lost their houses in the tsunami 11 months ago now have a new village and houses to call their own. 

Mango Island victims ready to board the VOEA Ngahau Koula

Since the January 15, 2022 tsunami, the families have been staying in emergency buildings and relatives in the main island Tongatapu. 

About 62 people living on Mango island were evacuated after the tsunami.

One of the residents Telai Tutu’ila​, 65, died in the tsunami which destroyed all homes on the island.

Ash and the tsunami triggered by the eruption of the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai volcano affected an estimated 84 per cent of the population of Tonga.

“The tsunami engulfed some of the low-lying coastal areas on Tongatapu and Ha’apai and sent waves across the Pacific Ocean as high as 15 metres.”

The new village for the island community of Mango was rebuilt at the royal estate at Tā’anga in ‘Eua Island.

The victims were handed the keys yesterday to new homes built for them with money from the Natural Disasters Fund, partly donated by New Zealand and Australia.

His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ vessel VOEA Ngahau Koula transported the kāinga from Tongatapu to their new village yesterday.

The transportation has been described as ‘emotional’ and ‘truly amazing’.

Wife’s heartbreaking plea to help find her missing husband Tupou Pasina

By
Kaniva Staff
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Four days on since the disappearance of Tongan man Tupou Pasina his heartbroken family in New Zealand have made an appeal to help them find him.

Pasina was last seen on Saturday evening December 24 after leaving his home in a vehicle.

“Friends and family if you happen to see my beloved husband Tupou Pasina please contact me. He has been missing since Saturday in our van and he has not returned home since then”, the wife, Sinisa Pasina wrote on Facebook in Tongan.

“I really need your help”.

The family said they have reported Pasina’s missing to Police.

The New Zealand Police have yet to announce Tupou’s missing publicly.

“Tupou I wish that you could be able to see how your wife is being devastated by your missing”, a cousin of the wife wrote.

“Please come home”.

The news came after Police found the body of a canoeist who went missing since his canoe capsized in Lake Roto Kohatu on Monday.

Arrest after teen injured in ‘Ohonua ‘hit-and-run’

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 71-year-old man has been arrested after a pedestrian injured when he was hit by a vehicle.

The 15-year-old victim was struck by the vehicle while crossing a road in ‘Ohonua at 1.30pm December 22.

Police van in Nuku’alofa. Photo/Kalino Lātū

“Police responded and arrested the driver, a 71-year-old male from Houma village for reckless hit-and-run”, a Police statement said.

The teen sustained injuries to his face and chest before he was rushed to Niu’eiki hospital.

“He was discharged from hospital following examination by the doctor who recommended for the victim to undergo x-ray in Tongatapu”, the Police statement said.  

Police investigation on the incident continues.

“ Police continues to urge drivers to drive responsibly especially in this holiday season where roads are busy and crowded. Be cautious for your safety and the safety of other road users to avoid causing unnecessary harm to yourself and or others”.

Tonga Police investigating after driver returns from ATM withdrawal to find car gone

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga police are investigating after a car was allegedly stolen at  an ANZ Bank ATM machine this morning December 26.

The Police said a white Toyota Wish car was stolen in Nuku’alofa after the owner left the keys in the ignition before they popped into the ATM machine to grab some cash.

ANZ Tonga. Photo/Kalino Lātū

After completing the withdrawal the driver returned to find his car had been stolen.

Two iPhones and a passport were in the car with plate number C37740, Police said.

Police are searching for any information that could help them locate the person or people involved.

Anybody who saw the car is urged to call Tonga police on 922 or 741630 or 7401632.

Tongan ministers convicted of electoral bribery appointed CEO, bank governor

By
Kaniva Staff
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Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku has upgraded his rewards of one of his convicted and ousted Cabinet Ministers who helped him won the premiership election.

Former convicted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei and former convicted Minister of Finance Tatafu Moeaki

In the latest twist, ousted Minister of Finance Tatafu Moeaki has been appointed as governor of the Tonga National Reserve Bank.

He was unseated by Parliament recently and lost his ministerial position after the Supreme Court convicted him of electoral bribery.

Ousted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei has been appointed as chief executive of the government’s notorious Lulutau Airlines.

Tei’s election to parliament was declared void after the Supreme Court convicted him of electoral bribery. It is understood Tei’s appointment as chief executive was made effective shortly after his dismissal in August while Moeaki was re-employed as a Project Manager at the Ministry of Infrastructure.

In appointing Moeaki early last week on December 20, the reserve bank said the appointment was made following an open recruitment process and recommendation by the Hon Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister of Finance in consultation with the Board of the Reserve Bank.

“Mr Moeaki’s experience will enable him to accept the important responsibilities associated with position as head of the Reserve Bank of Tonga”, a statement said.

READ MORE:

His appointment comes after the former National Reserve Bank Governor Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa resigned in July.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Kioa was told in April that members of the bank’s board of directors queried Moeaki’s appointment of Lord Sevele as Chair of the Bank. Moeaki was the Minister of Finance at the time.

Lord Sevele’s appointment drew strong criticisms from the public with critics arguing that his record while in government as Prime Minister and chairman of a number of boards and committees is open to question.

The noble has been accused of being involved in the illegal transfer of millions of dollars from a Chinese grant to Princess Pilolevu Tuita and Tongasat. The Supreme Court has declared the transfer as illegal.

Tongan man dies in motorcycle crash while escorting father’s funeral procession in US

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan man was killed in a motorcycle crash in the US while escorting his father’s funeral procession, his family said.

Siupeli Lauaki  of Los Angeles died in Oakland this morning Wednesday 22 US time.

The deceased Siupeli Lauaki (R) with his wife Fātima

Siupeli and his wife as well as their three children recently arrived at an Oakland address to attend his father’s funeral, his wife’s sister told Kaniva News.

It is understood the deceased was riding a motorcycle escorting his father’s funeral procession before he allegedly lost control and hit a post.

It has been reported that he died at the scene.

The details about the fatality have yet to be officially made public.

A video showed the moment his heartbroken wife Fātima and their children lamented his sudden death.

Tributes had been paid to a ‘true gentleman’  after news of his death emerged.

“We are profoundly saddened for your loss Fatima may you RIP bro Siupeli Lauaki didn’t know you were leaving too on the same day you lay your dad to rest our family is keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time’, a commenter wrote on Facebook.

“So sad! Love you Fatima Lauaki si’i mole ho hoa! He didn’t even realize he’s recording his own death”, another wrote.

Thousands to miss Christmas thanks to Covid-19 – how to avoid making it worse

By
Kaniva Staff
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    By RNZ.co.nz

    Thousands of people will be cancelling their Christmas Day plans thanks to the invisible grinch, Covid-19.

    A woman missing out on Christmas.

    About 85,000 Kiwis will be in isolation for Christmas. Photo: 123RF

    Leading epidemiologist Michael Baker estimates 85,000 people will be in isolation in three days’ time.

    He says gathering outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces is key to limiting the Christmas spread of Covid – and testing beforehand.

    “No-one will thank you for turning up and infecting other people, particularly if there are vulnerable people there. This is a time to be responsible and test if you have got symptoms, and then act accordingly.”Covid-19: Jacinda Ardern defends settings amid wave of reported cases

    Crunching the numbers, Baker said we could expect about 12,000 new infections on Christmas Day, based on the daily average of reported cases, plus the same number again of unreported ones.

    Covid Modelling Aotearoa programme co-leader Dion O’Neale agreed.

    “We’re sitting at the peak of a relatively decent-sized wave at the moment, so definitely lots of people will end up missing Christmas because they’re a confirmed case and will have to isolate.”

    He expected reported case numbers to decrease, but reminded people not to rely on that as a signal the wave is over.

    “They just don’t report a case when they’re having a fun time, that’s almost certainly happened this week with schools knocking off and a bunch of people leaving work.”

    ‘We have had to actually cancel Christmas’

    One Auckland man, who wished to remain anonymous, said Covid had slipped through the chimney at his house – he had two family members who tested positive this week.

    “Sadly we have had to actually cancel Christmas. We had been really looking forward to getting together with my sister and her kids for a big family get-together… and I had to phone her yesterday and say, ‘Look, I’m really sorry we can’t do it, it’s all off’.”

    They would take Christmas Day as it came and delay their family gathering.

    “We’re just going to have to try and make it as nice as we possibly can, depending how people are feeling. It could be that some people are feeling unwell.”

    Auckland woman Melanie Bruges will get out of isolation in time to celebrate Christmas Day with family.

    “We’re having family over on Christmas Day on Sunday, so I’m going to keep a really low-profile until then. We’ll probably test on Christmas Day before everybody comes over.”

    If her husband or their seven-year-old tested positive, they would postpone.

    “We’ve got five grandparents around for Christmas Day and we wouldn’t want them to be exposed to anything just for the sake of a meal. We can always put it off.”

    Free biscuit not worth the risk

    For the thousands who were flying to their Christmas Day destination, O’Neale said it paid to be cautious and mask-up.

    “Is it really diminishing your travel experience if you don’t get your free glass of water and a dry biscuit on the plane? Would you rather have a dry biscuit or Covid?”

    No caption

    Michael Baker. Photo:

    He and Baker did not want the grinch to steal Christmas.

    “It’s absolutely essential for your health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life to get out and reconnect with your family and friends and have an enjoyable summer, that is so important,” Baker said.

    “Covid should not get in your way at all, and it’s a matter of making small changes in how you do things just to make it a lot safer for everyone.”

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