Tonga Police have paid a solemn tribute to their colleague, saying he had left an “unwavering” commitment to promoting police trust in the community.
As we reported previously, ‘Ifalemi Tupola Mala’efo’ou, 31, died in a car crash at about 12.40am on Wednesday 2 on Vuna Road in Nuku’alofa.
The Police have officially acknowledged Mala’efo’ou for his outstanding service and commitment to the Tonga Police and the local community.
“He exemplified the true spirit of professionalism, always going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of our citizens”, a police statement said.
“His unwavering integrity, compassion, and resilience inspired those around him, instilling a sense of unity and trust within our community.
“As we reflect on his contributions, let us not only remember his outstanding work but also his kindness and compassion.
“CFC Mala’efo’ou had a unique ability to connect with people, making everyone feel valued and understood.
“May his memories continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the values he embodied.
On behalf of Tonga Police, we thank CFC Mala’efo’ou for your service, your friendship, and your lasting impact on Tonga Police and the community we serve. You will always be remembered and deeply”.
A man has been charged after allegedly throwing a wrench at a bus driver during a road rage incident in Auckland yesterday afternoon.
Person driving a bus. (Source: istock.com)
Police were called to the scene near Onehunga Mall in Onehunga following a report a person had been injured at around 2.20pm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said the wrench was allegedly thrown at the driver during the incident.
“The wrench went through an open bus window and hit the driver in the head, resulting in an injury above his eye,” he said.
The driver was taken to hospital and is now “recovering at home”.
A man was arrested at a home in Randwick Park this morning.
Friend said police are aware of the impact a recent spate of incidents on buses have had on the community.
“I want to reassure the public that there is no place for this type of violence in our community,” he said.
“No one deserves to come to work and be subjected to this type of behaviour.
“Police will continue to identify and hold offenders to account for these of brutal crimes.”
A 30-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless driving, and driving while suspended.
Today’s arrest comes after a man was arrested following an “unprovoked” attack on a bus driver in the Auckland suburb of Kingsland last week.
Russia has suffered some 600,000 casualties in its war with Ukraine — more than its losses in every conflict since World War II combined, according to U.S. officials.
Ukrainian forces have inflicted some 600,000 casualties on Russian forces. (Reuters/Lisi Niesner)
This September was the deadliest month of the entire war for Russia, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters on a call Wednesday.
“Russian losses, again both killed and wounded in action, in just the first year of the war exceeded the total of all Soviet losses in any conflict since World War II combined,” the official said.
However, the steep casualties are not a “definitive metric” of success for Ukraine, the official warned. Ukraine has also suffered mass casualties, though the U.S. has not disclosed how many.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in February that some 31,000 troops had been killed.
The U.K. Ministry of Defence put Russia’s daily casualty count at 1,271 in September, and said some 648,000 Russians had been killed or injured in the war.
Ukrainian forces have inflicted some 600,000 casualties on Russian forces. (Reuters/Lisi Niesner)
“It’s kind of the Russian way of war where they continue to throw mass into the problem, and I think we’ll continue to see high losses,” the U.S. military official said.
South Korea warned earlier this week that North Korea was sending its forces to fight alongside the Russians.
Russia has also lost two-thirds of its pre-war inventory of tanks to Ukraine, along with 32 medium-to-large naval vessels.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is “trying to avoid a mass mobilization because of the effect that would have on Russia’s domestic population,” the official said.
“At this point, he has been able to significantly increase the pay of these voluntary soldiers, and he has been able to continue to field those forces without doing a major mobilization.”
“And I think we’re just watching very closely how long that stance can actually be one that he can maintain, and I think it’s an important one for all of us to watch very closely,” the official added.
Ukraine’s military said it struck a base in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region storing nearly 400 strike drones on Wednesday.
Russia has made some progress in the Donetsk region, taking the town of Vuhledar earlier this month and pressing toward Povrosk, a key railroad hub and supply station for Ukraine.
A woman stands in the backyard of her house destroyed by a Russian air strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday. (Reuters/Stringer)
This September was the deadliest month of the entire war for Russia, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters on a call Wednesday. (Reuters/Viacheslav Ratynskyi/File Photo)
The U.S. official said the Russian strategy around Vuhledar and Povrosk had brought “substantial casualties” for minor gains.
Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukraine invaded in August, is also in the midst of heavy fighting. Ukraine had hoped to divert Russian troops from the front line to defend Kursk. Russia has since recaptured some of the region, though the military official said that Ukrainian troops could hold onto the Kursk region for months or longer.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to pour billions into Ukraine’s defense. Last month, President Biden announced an $8 billion package for Kyiv to supply it with military equipment through January. It is the last of the $61 billion that Congress approved in April for Ukraine.
Despite Zelenskyy’s calls, Biden has resisted authorizing Ukraine’s use of U.S.-given long-range missiles, known as ATACMs, to strike inside Russia and take out its stores of weapons capabilities, for fear of escalation.
Many U.S. lawmakers have backed Zelenskyy’s request, but the U.S. official said the Biden administration is not considering reversing its policy. He said many of the arms that Ukraine is looking to take out, like Russia’s deadly glide bombs, have been moved out of range of ATACMs.
Auckland will trial a fortnightly general waste rubbish collection for 10,000 households for seven months, costing up to $1.7 million.
Auckland’s general waste is collected every week. Photo: Stuff / Ricky Wilson
The decision was reached at a Planning and Policy Committee meeting on Thursday – where 14 councillors voted for, and four against.
The trial was one of three options for councillors to decide on, with the other two being to proceed with moving to a fortnightly rubbish collection or the retention the weekly collection.
According to discussion documents, the trial was estimated to cost between $1.4m and $1.7m to run, based on 10,000 households (covering two to three geographical areas of between 3000-4000 households).
The location and size of where the trial would be implemented was yet to be determined, however south Auckland councillors Alf Filipaina, Lotu Fuli and Angela Dalton all volunteered their wards.
Council staff recommended a consultation with affected households to begin in October-November 2025, and the trial to start from February 2026 till August 2026.
But first, the Policy and Planning Committee would need to decide in December 2025 on whether to initiate it.
During the debate, Manukau councillor Lotu Fuli said the change of rubbish collection was not an easy decision to be made.
“In principle, I am really supportive of where we are trying to go, I am supportive of the aspirations here and I’m supportive of the end goal of trying to reach zero waste or closest to zero waste,” she said.
“But I am also mindful that we have to take our community with us on this journey, I’m really mindful that this is a very complex issue – we’re trying to change cultural norms, we’re trying to change behaviour, we’re trying to ask our community for quite a big transformational cultural shift.
“That takes time and it’s not easy.”
The trial would inform a future decision on a regional roll out of a fortnightly rubbish collection service.
An assessment of the trial would be carried out in September 2026, before a decision on a regional fortnightly rubbish collection from 2028.
The four councillors against the trial were Waitematā and Gulf ward’s Mike Lee, Ken Turner from Waitākere, Howick’s Maurice Williamson and Manurewa-Papakura’s Daniel Newman.
“I am astonished frankly that despite a clear majority of submissions opposed to a move from a weekly service, and without the clear agreement from any community that they will participate in a trial, the majority of the council are embarking on an experiment,” Newman said in a statement.
He said there was not a single community of Aucklanders where the majority wanted to move to a fortnightly collection service.
During the consultation process, 12 local boards were unsupportive of the change, while five boards did not support for specific areas or without further measures being in place.
Three boards did not state a position and only one board supported the proposal.
“This decision is beyond shocking, and I have no doubt that it will see even less Aucklanders supporting this council. This decision will offend Aucklanders, and it will garner community opposition, not support,” Newman said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Methamphetamine seized by police. (Source: NZ Police)
Seven people have been arrested after police dismantled a criminal syndicate’s operation involving the alleged importation and distribution of illegal substances using empty rental homes and storage units.
The group were arrested after officers — with support from the armed offenders squad — carried out 12 searches of homes across Auckland and Waikato today under ongoing Operation Banner.
A man alleged to be a “key player” in the operation was also arrested after getting off a domestic flight at Auckland Airport.
Police seized $800,000 in cash, 4.5kg of methamphetamine, 300 LSD tabs, 250g of cocaine, and 250g of ketamine, Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Dunhill said.
Money seized by police. (Source: NZ Police)
Dunhill said the syndicate allegedly distributed the illegal drugs across Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.
“We will allege this organised criminal group used a range of delivery methods to try and outwit law enforcement agencies in New Zealand and abroad,” he said.
“This included allegedly using vacant rental properties or storage units to facilitate importations and deliveries.
“Our investigation is also examining where the profit of this misery is ending up.”
LSD tabs seized by police. (Source: NZ Police)
He said officers also seized “numerous devices” for forensic examination, and will form part of the ongoing investigation into money laundering offences.
“The connection between money and drugs in the criminal environment remains of strong interest to police, as these organised criminal groups continue to profit off the misery that they are selling into communities.
“Their operations are far from innocent given the far-reaching impacts drugs have on the wider community, from health through to further criminal offences being carried out.”
Methamphetamine seized by police. (Source: NZ Police)
Six men, aged between 26 and 41, are due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.
Most of the group face “serious drug offences”, Dunhill said, including importing controlled drugs, possession for supply of methamphetamine, and conspiring to import a class B controlled drug.
Milton brought dangerous winds and heavy rains Wednesday evening on Florida’s Gulf Coast, making landfall near Sarasota and making its way across the state overnight with ferocious winds and heavy rains.
The USA state is being lashed with flash flooding, 200 kilometre an hour winds, torrential rain, tornadoes and a devastating storm surge.
The monster storm came ashore as a category three hurricane.
It’s made a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area – where there are warnings of catastrophic flooding and reports of possible fatalities, CNN correspondent Leigh Waldman spoke to Lisa Owen.
As Milton moves east, some counties in western Florida have begun to assess the damage from the storm and clearing debris.
Authorities in the neighboring Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, on the Gulf Coast, said they had started recovery efforts early Thursday.
People were trapped under rubble and in overturned vehicles in the Wellington, Acreage and Loxahatchee areas of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said.
Five people were transported to hospitals and many more were treated for minor injuries, it said.
The number of customers without power in Florida is rapidly increasing, rising to nearly 2.7 million customers around 2 a.m., according to the site poweroutage.us.
More than half a million customers have lost power in less than two hours.
Meanwhile, Tongans on social media have called for prayers for Tongans in Florida.
Tonga has no diplomatic missions in Florida, and we do not know any official record indicating whether any Tongans reside there or how many.
However, social media prayers have been dedicated to any Tongan in the state.
A post titled “Prayers for all Tongans/people in Florida to be safe from this strong hurricane Milton” was shared this morning on Facebook.
Commenters responded, with one saying, “Love and lots of prayers for you all Tongan in The Sunshine State.”
A New Zealand work visa application form (file image). (Source: istock.com)
An unlicensed immigration advisor has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after providing advice to vulnerable immigrants over a decade — including after charges were filed.
Romney Lavea provided advice to vulnerable immigrants in the Samoan community and continued to do so even after being warned by the Immigration Advisers Authority in July 2011, and after charges were filed in May 2022, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said today in a media release.
He had previously been sentenced to two years in prison for immigration-related offending.
Earlier this year, a jury found Lavea guilty of six counts of giving immigration advice without a licence or being exempt, and four counts of receiving a fee or reward under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 (the Act).
Seven of his victims gave evidence at his trial, including a client he advised to get married to regularise her partner’s immigration status. The woman’s husband left her once the visa was granted soon after the marriage.
Another victim, who was staying in the country unlawfully, was advised to remain in New Zealand despite contradictory advice from Immigration New Zealand.
He also endorsed the idea of one of the applicants adopting out his children in New Zealand to increase their chances of getting a visa.
“Mr Lavea benefitted financially by exploiting vulnerable migrants, mishandling their applications, providing wrong advice at times, and creating false email accounts to conceal his identity and involvement,” MBIE’s investigations manager for occupational regulation Jyoti Issar said.
“While Mr Lavea was completely aware that he was required to be licensed to provide immigration advice, he took no steps to comply with the Act by applying for a licence.”
Lavea was yesterday sentenced in the Auckland District Court to two years and nine months in prison.
He has also been ordered to pay three of his victims a total of $1600 in reparation.
Issar said the sentence “sends a message to people that this type of wilful and deliberate offending is not only unacceptable, but unlawful and will not be tolerated”.
“In cases like these, we will not hesitate to press criminal charges.”
Hezbollah’s call for a ceasefire today shows the terror group is on the back foot and “getting battered,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tells a regular briefing.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem said in a televised address the Iran-backed group’s capabilities are intact and its fighters are pushing back Israeli ground incursions, despite the “painful blows” inflicted by Israel in recent weeks.
Qassem said the group supports the efforts of Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, to secure a ceasefire, without providing further details on any conditions demanded by Hezbollah.Tel Aviv cafe brews resilienceKeep Watching
“For a year, you had the world calling for this ceasefire, you had Hezbollah refusing to agree to one, and now that Hezbollah is on the back foot and is getting battered, suddenly they’ve changed their tune and want a ceasefire,” Miller says.
“We continue to ultimately want a diplomatic solution to this conflict,” Miller says
Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala was in Auckland, New Zealand, to represent the Tonga government at the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).
The Prince’s presence comes amid growing concerns over apparent conflicting information and uncertainty regarding who Tonga’s current Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister is.
The meeting at Devonport Naval Base on October 1, attended by Ministers, Secretaries, and Chiefs of Defence from member countries, helps shape partnerships in the Pacific on important topical issues like security and disaster relief support, the New Zealand Defence Force told Kaniva News.
A statement from His Majesty Armed Forces said the Prince was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa.
“The Crown Prince highlighted Tonga’s commitment to ensuring Pacific-led solutions remain central to our regional defence efforts, ensuring our shared values guide all decisions”, the statement said.
It also said: “Tonga is proud to stand with our partners to address shared challenges, and we look forward to our continued efforts to strengthen security and resilience across our beautiful Pacific region”.
Foreign Affairs uncertainty
There is an ongoing dispute and deadlock regarding some top positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the ministerial portfolio and the king’s appointed Secretary, which have yet to be resolved.
It follows King Tupou VI’s withdrawal of confidence and consent in the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, as Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and in Fekitaloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism in February.
Utoikamanu was later reassigned and became the Minister of Communication (MEIDECC).
PM Hu’akavameiliku denied in August that a foreign affairs ministerial portfolio standoff poses a threat to the then Pacific leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa.
A Radio New Zealand report quoted him as saying that “he is the acting minister of foreign affairs.”
It was normal practice for the Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces to also become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In April, the Crown Prince led a government delegation to the second Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue. Members of his delegation included the Prime Minister’s defence advisers as well as officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
There was no official public statement explaining why the Crown Prince led that delegation.
The ministerial issues arising from the King’s withdrawal of confidence took another turn after the Hu’akavameiliku government attempted to replace the king’s Secretary, who was appointed by the King as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary.
The king’s secretary, Viliami Malolo, has filed a lawsuit against the government, and the case is currently in court.
More than half a tonne of methamphetamine concealed in steel beams was seized earlier this month in what police called New Zealand’s “second largest” importation of the drug.
The steel beams which were allegedly used to smuggle methamphetamine into New Zealand (Source: Supplied)
Five men were arrested in relation to the bust.
Earlier this month, Customs uncovered the 515kg of methamphetamine hidden inside “hefty steel beams” after being sent from the United States.
The items were x-rayed and examined by customs officers after “inconsistencies” with some of the beams were noticed. This led to the discovery of a large amount of methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine concealed in the steel beams. (Source: Supplied)
Detective Inspector Colin Parmenter estimated that the shipment would have produced 25.7 million doses of the drug.
Customs and police identified several people allegedly responsible for the shipment and executed several warrants across Auckland and Waikato.
Two men, visiting from Australia, were arrested at a rural Waikato property on October 4, allegedly in the process of deconstructing the beams.
The methamphetamine concealed in the steel beams. (Source: Supplied)
In total, five men aged between 31 and 51 were arrested in connection with the shipment.
One appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday, facing charges related to the importation and supply of methamphetamine.
Another was charged with unlawful possession of firearms after a military-style semi-automatic rifle was found.
The firearm seized by police. (Source: Supplied)
The two men arrested in Waikato were New Zealand passport holders who lived in Australia.
“Investigations will continue, and further arrests cannot be ruled out,” police said
Parmenter called the bust a “significant disruption” to the wider drug market operating in New Zealand.
“The significant amount seized in this operation is another demonstration of the Police and Customs partnership and commitment to the disruption and dismantling of transnational organised drug networks,” he said.
“The organised criminal groups looking to profit from this type of offending will continue to be a key focus of our attention and resources.”
The methamphetamine concealed in the steel beams. (Source: Supplied)
Customs’ group manager intelligence, investigations and enforcement, Terry Brown said the arrests an seizure prevented more than $570 million in social harm.
“The method and scale of this smuggling operation clearly illustrate the amount of efforts organised crime groups are willing to go to, but our seizure and the arrests Police have made equally show the skill and determination investigations and enforcement teams will apply to detect, disrupt and dismantle these criminal efforts,” Brown said.
