Police says they hold serious concerns for the safety and well-being of an Auckland man who was last seen in New Lynn on 16 November.
Auckland man Atonio Finau, 65, who was last seen in mid November. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Atonio Finau, 65, who lives in Otahuhu, drove to Laingholm on Monday, 15 November, where he left his car – a black coloured Nissan Murano SUV/wagon.
The following day, he caught a bus from Laingholm to the New Lynn bus depot, arriving shortly before 3pm.
Police say that despite extensive enquiries, they have not been able to determine Finau’s movements after that bus journey, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
They have now released CCTV footage of his last-known sighting in the hope someone remembers speaking with him or recalls seeing him in the New Lynn or surrounding areas on 16 November or afterwards.
The footage shows the clothing and hat that Finau was last known to be wearing.
Detective Sergeant Rob Kerr said Finau has a son who lives overseas, who is understandably very distressed at his father’s disappearance.
“We are doing everything we can to work out what has happened to Atonio Finau to give his family answers.
“There is nothing to indicate that foul play is involved, however given that there has been no confirmed sightings of Atonio after he was at the New Lynn bus depot, he could have travelled anywhere and we aren’t able to focus on one particular area.”
Kerr said the investigation had been made challenging by the length of time Finau had already been missing before the matter was reported to police in early December.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105, quoting file number 211203/4366.
A homicide investigation is underway after two armed offenders entered a house in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill and a man was shot and killed.
Police received a report of an incident at an address on Glass Rd on Thursday evening. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Police received a report of an incident at an address on Glass Rd about 9.30pm last night.
Auckland City CIB Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the two offenders entered the house and an altercation took place with the people inside.
One of those inside the house, a man in his 20s, was shot and died at the scene.
“Two other people at the address have received non-life threatening injuries and were transported to hospital,” Beard said.
The offenders fled the scene and are still on the run, he said.
Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
“A scene guard has been in place overnight and police will remain present at the address today carrying out a scene examination.”
A Mt Roskill resident said he was shaken and concerned following the fatal shooting in his neighbourhood.
Wei Wang said he lived nearby and walked down Glass Road every night.
He said it felt like a safe, family area, but there had now been two shootings in a matter of weeks.
“It shouldn’t happen,” he told RNZ, adding that he hoped to see more of a police presence in the area.
Another resident said new tenants had just moved into the property where the shooting took place.
Mount Roskill’s MP Michael Wood said the homicide was distressing and upsetting.
Wood lives around the corner from the scene and said he heard police helicopters last night.
He asked people to support each other and the police.
“It’s really important that we do give the police the space and support that they need to help to keep us safe, to find the people who are involved and to take it from there.”
Wood also urged people not to get their information from rumours on social media.
Police are asking anyone with information relating to the incident or who saw suspicious activity in the area to contact them on 105, quoting file number 211224/4140 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The body of the Tongan father who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in the United States will be returned to Tonga for funeral and burial services.
Latu Moli
The family said on Facebook this was the deceased’s wish that his body be buried at his parents’ burial place.
The 45-year-old Latu Moli of Carmel Valley, Monterey County was killed after a crash on Southview Lane on his way to work on December 6.
According to reports, Moli’s vehicle veered off the road, past the guardrail, and down a steep hill for unknown reasons.
CHP responded and tragically pronounced Moli dead at the scene. Moli was an employee at Public Works Monterey Road District for 14 years.
Officials were conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
“Latu was a God fearing and God loving Man and he never wavered in his trust in God”, the family said.
“He has taught us to be strong and trust is God in all that we do! Following thru with this plan is challenging but with God and prayers all things are possible”.
A failotu service began yesterday and his wake was expected for today at Hiltop UMC, 1340 Hilby Avenue before his body will be prepared to be returned to Tonga.
Meanwhile, the friends and family of Moli made a GoFundMe page to help with costs during this devastating time.
Moli is survived by his wife and three daughters, the GoFundMe page said.
Acid rain from a large volcanic eruption in Tonga continues to threaten water tanks, as huge plumes of dust are thrust into the air.
Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai are two close volcanic islands in Tonga. Photo: NASA
Tonga’s head geologist Taaniela Kula told RNZ Pacific the “huge” eruption began on Monday morning, and by the afternoon ash had smothered the whole of Tonga.
He said ash clouds had since drifted north creating a spectacular sight, and leading to warnings.
“This morning it’s still continuing to emit gas and vapour into the atmosphere. This morning you can still see the white clouds, it is probably about 16km high.”
Matangi Tonga reported the eruption was at Hunga Ha’apai island, but a bright white gas cloud could be seen from Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, 65km north, and bursts of lightening played through the cloud on Tuesday evening.
People in Tonga were last night told to protect water tanks from possible acidic rainfall, until the eruption ends.
Tonga Geological Services said residents should remove guttering systems from rainwater tank storage until the eruption finishes. These should not be reinstalled until after the next rainfall, to reduce the risk of contamination.
Symptoms of exposure to acid rain are itchiness and skin irritation, and blurry discoloured vision. If skin or eyes are exposed to acid rain people should see a doctor.
Air New Zealand cancelled a flight from Auckland to Tonga that was due to fly yesterday, because of concerns about the ash cloud.
The flight included the funeral cortege for Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, the late Lord Ma’afu. Matangi Tonga said the funeral programme was postponed as a result.
In 2015, Tongan government officials said eruptions at Hunga Ha’apai had formed a new island more than a kilometre long, joined to the existing island. It has reportedly become a home for plants and birds.
The frequent discovery of dead bodies and the increase in the number of missing people in Fiji is a concern, says a human rights advocate.
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Police reported a dozen people missing in the past month and several bodies have been found.
Shamima Ali, of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, said she was also concerned that the majority of these cases were young women and children.
Ali said often in restrictive environments where human rights and democracy and the rule of law spaces were shrinking, there was often an increase in violence within communities, murders and anti-social behaviours.
Ali said in an already patriarchal society, authoritarian leadership encourages the lack of debate, consultations and violence and bullying were the only answers to settling arguments and disputes.
“Our communities are impoverished and many people are struggling for their own and their family’s survival,” she said.
“This also gives use to mental health issues and many are again struggling for lack of a robust system that caters to their needs.”
Ali said many were resorting to alcohol and or self-harm, and the social fibre of our communities seemed to be disintegrating and had worsened by the Covid-19 and poverty crises.
The majority of victims are the most vulnerable, she added. “The poor and the disfranchised.”
.. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Ali said it’s important for people to act responsibility to avoid such tragedies.
“We often do not know the outcomes of these reports – has the missing person been found, the circumstances of the bodies found- murder’s accidental or suicide.
“There have been a couple cases where there have been allegations against police and corrections officers.”
We need answers to these, Ali said, adding that Fiji did not have a robust national human rights institution that’s proactive and acts on its own violations.
“The police need to update and the media needs to follow up. Civil society also needs to raise concern and not just let it be the topic of conversation.
“Families and friends will also know what to look out for – troubled teens, family members behaving oddly and seeming troubled.”
Ali said alcohol use was an issue in the country and would get worse during this festive season.
“Let us all take responsibility and look out for each other, especially families and friends.”
.. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
Ali is urging Fijians to ‘make this Christmas a caring one for each other’.
Fiji police said they had ruled out foul play in some of the discoveries they made following the post-mortem examinations.
Police said some cases of people found dead were linked to alcohol.
And as Fiji enters into the festive season, Police are calling on the need for people to enjoy responsibly.
Police said based on past trends cases of assault and other serious offences increased during this period.
“As we are well into the festive season a few of the cases were linked to alcohol which is why at the beginning we had stressed the importance of enjoying responsibly as cases of assault and other serious offences based on past trends increased during the festive season due to the excessive consumption of alcohol,” police said in a statement.
Police also said other cases had been dealt with and those responsible were charged and produced in court.
Outgoing Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa reportedly said the Auditor-General has conducted an inquiry into what had been described as an alleged breach of Tonga Power Ltd spending rules.
Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa (L), Lord Lasike
Mr Tu’i’onetoa confirmed the high-level investigation to Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper this week and warned the media to wait until the investigation outcome was released.
Mr Tu’i’onetoa, who had been accused of refusing for months to take action against his fraudster Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu claimed the investigation involved “due process” after what he described in Tongan as an independent accusation “tukuaki’i tau’atāina”.
As Kaniva News reported last week, Mr Tu’i’onetoa suspended Lord Lasike, the chairman of Tonga Power Ltd pending investigation after allegations he had misspent the company’s fund to support Sovaleni in the lead up to the premiership vote last week. Lasike denied this.
The former Speaker claimed Mr Tu’i’onetoa failed to follow due process over his suspension with pay.
He told Tnews the “due process wasn’t done”.
The king’s noble believed the due process should have involved giving him a chance to respond to his accusations before any further action.
“There is always a process for hiring and firing,” he said referring to the normal dismissal rule in which an employer may end their employee’s employment via a dismissal, but a proper process must always be followed.
“I was just ordered to leave and go home and never come back to the workplace while being investigated”, Lord Lasike said in Tongan. He said he received the letter of his suspension.
He said he has been let down by the situation and he will take legal action against the government’s sole electricity provider.
Lord Lasike was barred from parliament in 2012 following his conviction on weapon offences. The Court of Appeal overturned his conviction.
Prime Minister-Designate Siaosi Sovaleni has urged Tongan parents to embrace the COVID-19 vaccination for young children, as the latest official data shows a low percentage rate of vaccinations for this age group.
Prime Minister-Designate Siaosi Sovaleni. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga
Mr Sovaleni has urged parents on Facebook yesterday to take their children for their second jabs.
He said the vaccination rate for children aged 12 – 17 was still low.
His appeal came after the Ministry of Health officially announced on Monday that 96 percent or 73, 748 of the population aged 12 and over had their first vaccination dose done while 78 percent or 59,834 had taken their second shots.
World Health Organisation (WHO) record showed that as of 12 December 2021, a total of 130,236 vaccine doses had been administered in Tonga.
The kingdom recorded its first Covid-19 case in October after a person who was one of 215 people who arrived in Tonga on a repatriation flight from Christchurch, New Zealand tested positive.
Awaiting king’s appointment
Meanwhile, Kaniva News understands the official release of the full list of Sovaleni’s new Cabinet is awaiting the new Prime Minister’s appointment by the king.
Tonga’s constitution states the King has to appoint the Prime Minister-Designate for the election to come into effect.
The king normally appointed former Prime Ministers just before or after Christmas or on the first week of January the following year.
In 2010, after the election of Lord Tu’ivakanō as Prime Minister under the new democratic system of government on December 21 he was officially appointed by the king on December 22.
After the election of late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva to be the new Prime Minister on December 18 the king officially appointed him on December 30, 2014.
Pōhiva was re-elected on December 18 as Prime Minister after the snap election of 2017 and was later appointed by the king on January 4, 2018.
There are 28 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, and no new Omicron cases in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said of the new cases, 21 are in Auckland, five in Bay of Plenty, and two in Taranaki.
Four in Bay of Plenty are in the Tauranga area and one in Murapara, who is a household contact of a previously reported case.
One of the cases in Taranaki is linked to the Eltham cluster, while the other is linked to a case in New Plymouth.
There are 57 cases in hospital, 10 in North Shore, 25 in Auckland, 19 in Middlemore, one in Northland, and two in Waikato. Seven cases are in ICU or HDU (one in North Shore; two in Auckland; three in Middlemore, one in Northland).
The ministry has also revealed that a recent returnee who left Middlemore Hospital without discharge, after being transferred from MIQ, also took their child with them.
The child was transferred in the ambulance with the parent because it meant they could not be left unattended in managed isolation due to their age.
Police are currently investigating the incident which happened early on Monday morning.
The parent tested negative twice; first on day zero in managed isolation and second in a rapid antigen test when arriving at hospital on Sunday night.
“We want to reiterate the importance of the pair returning to managed isolation to complete their isolation period and to have further testing on Day 3 and Day 6.”
There were also five cases detected at the border. They arrived between 15 and 19 December, with one from Tanzania, two from the United Kingdom, and the rest have yet to confirm their travel history. Four are in Auckland, one is in Christchurch.
Also, the latest round of MIQ room releases has been postponed for 24 hours due to the Omicron situation.
Three previously reported cases in Canterbury were reclassified as ‘under investigation’ and have now subsequently been reclassified again as confirmed cases.
Nelson-Marlborough DHB is expected to become the tenth DHB to hit the 90 percent fully vaccinated milestone later today based on uptake among its eligible population, with just 246 doses to go as of 11.59pm yesterday.
For Māori vaccinations, Wairarapa DHB has just four doses remaining to reach 90 percent partially vaccinated for its population.
Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal this morning released a scathing report into the government’s Covid-19 response, finding several Treaty breaches.
It said the government’s decision to go against its own expert advice put Māori at a disproportionate risk in the Delta outbreak.
The flight for Tonga scheduled for today by Air New Zealand has been grounded due to fresh volcanic eruption reported near the kingdom yesterday.
Lord Ma’afu. Photo/Tonga Parliament
This means, the bodies of Lord Ma’afu and Fr Seluni ‘Akau’ola which were booked to be flown to Tonga this morning continued to remain with their families and kāinga in New Zealand.
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai started letting off steam on Sunday night, around 8:30pm (Tonga’s timezone is the same as New Zealand’s), Newshub reported.
“A plume rose about 15km into the air, with varied reports on whether it contained ash or was just steam”, it said.
“The explosion could be heard up to 170km away, Volcano Discovery reported, citing social media reports”.
The body of Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Lord Ma’afu was scheduled to depart Auckland International Airport this morning at 9:40am on Air New Zealand Flight 1172.
Fr Seluini ‘Akau’ola
It was expected that Her Majesty’s Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho and dignitaries would welcome Lord Ma’afu at the Fua’amotu International Airport VIP lounge at 12pm, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Lord Ma’afu was farewelled yesterday from the Morrison Funeral Directors in Auckland by the New Zealand Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio and New Zealand Defence Force personnel.
“Aotearoa New Zealand was deeply saddened by the death of The Right Honourable Colonel Lord Ma’afu”, a statement posted to Facebook by the NZ High Commission office in Tonga said.
“Condolences were passed in person to Lord Ma’afu’s family by both Minister Sio and New Zealand Defence Force Commodore Williams,” the statement said.
“The farewell was a combination of military ceremonial and traditional Tongan marks of respect”.
Meanwhile, the body of the Roman Catholic priest, Fr Seluini ‘Akau’ola remains in Auckland for a couple more days.
Fr ‘Akau’ola was the first chairman of Tonga’s Pro Democracy Movement in 1992.
He reportedly died after he suffered from what appeared to be an incurable disease.
OP-ED The apparent four-five split in the nobility MPs’ vote during last week’s vote for the premiership represented a strong dislike for what the outgoing Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa had done during his two year’s tenure as leader of the kingdom.
While the balloting for the new Prime Minister was kept secret, it is hard to deny the fracture happened, given the revelations before the election that Prime Minister-Designate Siaosi Sovaleni had already garnered the support of 12 MPs while the remaining five MPs stood by Dr ‘Aisake Eke. Both groups vied to get the nobility MPs’ votes so they can make up the 14 number required to win.
The nobles’ split decision marked a political milestone in Tongan history, the first time any nobles had sided with people’s representatives in a move that would not really benefit all of their nobility MPs in the House. The most interesting twist in the nobility’s split was the fact that they did not meet with Sovaleni’s group before the election as they did for Dr Eke’s group. Tu’i’onetoa said few days before the election the nobility MPs met with them and they agreed to support Dr Eke. Sovaleni’s group said they did not meet with the noble MPs.
The obvious lack of horse trading between Sovaleni and the nobility MPs appears to show the nobles’ move was not political, but a mere show of rejections and refusal of some of the second highest social class in the kingdom to allow Tu’i’onetoa to be part of the new government. Tu’i’onetoa was a staunch supporter of unsuccessful rival premiership candidate, Dr Eke. We also suggested in the run-up to the vote that Dr Eke’s government would be no different from the Tu’i’onetoa government.
The situation showed that Tu’i’onetoa’s repeated attacks against democracy by campaigning to return the country to its former political structure before the 2010 political reform was in vain. His repeated attempts to mislead the nobility into believing that the PTOA (democrats) allegedly plotted to dethrone the king and form a government without the nobles were fruitless. Tu’i’onetoa was obviously defeated on all fronts and on all counts. Before the nobility MPs’ split and moved to support Sovaleni, Tu’i’onetoa complained about being dumped by his own Cabinet Ministers. He said he just found out after the November 18 general elections that their unity was untrue.
Before the general elections on November 18 the nation was already divided politically and Tu’i’onetoa not only appeared to have failed to do anything to fix it, he appeared to have incited it. He was the first Prime Minister to have announced publicly his ambition to take revenge on the Opposition MPs by excluding them and their individual constituencies from the government’s economic and social development policies. He made it clear to Kaniva News that he would support only those MPs who voted for him to become the Prime Minister in 2019.
Tu’i’onetoa was accused of using religion for political and economical gains. Just after he announced his national fast and prayer services to protect Tonga from Covid-19, the media revealed the Tu’i’onetoa government had spent hundreds of thousands of pa’anga from the government budget while conducting the fasting services in ‘Eua. This was followed with the revelation that all the Cabinet Ministers’ spouses were paid by the government while they joined the Ministers on tour to the outer islands for the fast programme. The wide publication of the fast on radio, television and Facebook livestreams was heavily criticised as pharisaical and hypocritical, a reference to Jesus Christ’s advice in Mathew 6-16: “Do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting”.
Tu’i’onetoa was also criticised for showing no compassion after it was revealed his tours around the outer islands for his fast programmes and opening new government’s facilities mostly came with cultural obligations, which meant the poverty-stricken locals had to donate fish, shellfish, food and handicrafts. While these were normal cultural duties, Tu’i’onetoa was seen as a person who would make a change to that. His PAK Party manifesto said his mission was to “set up practical and meaningful poverty reduction programs at community levels, that meet the priority needs of the people”.
He maintained an apparently close relationship with fraudster ‘Etuate Lavulavu, who Tu’i’onetoa seemingly allowed to write his regular radio shows and response to media, even though he was not a parliamentarian or a civil servant. Tu’i’onetoa was regularly mocked by his critics when he appeared to be in difficulties in trying to read out from written documents and his slips of the tongue during live broadcasts.
Tu’i’onetoa was also accused of refusing for months to deal with convicted criminal and Cabinet Member ‘Akosita Lavulavu at the same time he acted quickly to threaten and sack his critics who appeared to have stood in his way. He has been the subject of continuing criticism over apparent cronyism in the awarding of the government’s multi-million road building contracts.
