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Timaru Police launch homicide investigation after three found dead

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Timaru Police have launched a homicide investigation after three people were found dead last night.

One other person has been hospitalised.

Emergency services were called to the address shortly after 10pm.

Police are speaking with people from the address and no-one else is being sought at this time.

Police are still in the very early stages of this enquiry and no further information is available at this stage.

 

Further information will be provided as soon as it is available.In the interim please contact the Police Media Centre for any queries.

Prime Minister could benefit as Democrat factionalism looks to split opposition vote

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga will go to the elections in November with the opposition strategically weakened by a split in the PTOA Party.

(L-R) Siaosi Pōhiva, Sēmisi Sika and PM Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa

The split will mean that the two PTOA factions will be fighting for the same vote while Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa PAK party will only field one candidate in each electorate.

The PTOA  – the Democrats who were led to two election victories by the late ‘Akilisi Pohiva – have split into two groups.

One PTOA group is led by ‘Akilisi’s son MP Siaosi Pohiva, who won a by-election for his father’s seat in 2019 by just 16 votes. He and MP Saia Piukala have defected and broken away from the PTOA Core team led by former Deputy Prime Minister and PTOA Leader MP Semisi Sika.

Sika has the support of six other PTOA MPs. Each group claims that they represent ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s party and manifesto.

The move  has been criticised heavily by PTOA supporters who see it as giving the Prime Minister and his party a dangerous advantage.

Cracks in the PTOA appeared publicly shortly after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s death. At the time Kaniva News quoted party member Dr Tu’i Uata, saying the spirit of party unity had disappeared when ‘Akilisi died.

The only way that seems possible for the Democrats not to be badly affected by a split vote is for the two factions to unite or for them to promise not to stand candidates against each other in the various electorates, something the Greens and Labour have done in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa should be on shaky ground after months refusing to deal with convicted criminal and Cabinet Member ‘Akosita Lavulavu.

He has also been roundly condemned for having too close a relationship with ‘Akosita’s husband, ‘Etuate, who was also jailed for fraud, but who seems to have maintained an unexplained influence on the Prime Minister.

He has been the subject of continuing criticism over apparent cronyism in the awarding of road building contracts.

The Prime Minister should be anything but confident.

However, he survived a vote of no confidence in January and knows that voters in areas with poor infrastructure are keen to have new roads.

With the election only weeks away, Tu’i’onetoa and his Cabinet are launching new projects in the outer islands, such as new weaving buildings and constructing roads.

He has been accused of campaigning unfairly by using the government’s projects to promote his election campaign.

Elections must be held by November 30 to elect 17 of the 26 seats to the Legislative Assembly.

Manurewa homicide victim was 16-year-old girl

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission. 

Police say the teenager at the centre of a homicide investigation in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa was 16 years old.

Unexplained death in Taita, Lower Hutt early on Sunday 26th January 2020. A Police cordon and crime scene invetsigation tent were in place Monday 27th January 2020. Police Emergency tape.

Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

The teenager’s body was found just off McVilly Road around 4.30pm on Saturday.

In a statement police said the teenager’s family had been notified of her death and were understandably devastated and struggling to come to terms with what had occurred.

The family have requested that police do not release her name at this stage and are seeking an interim suppression from the coroner’s office, the statement said.

Police said they were not in a position to comment on specific aspects of the inquiry as their priority is its integrity and releasing too much information at this stage may jeopardise that.

But they said they wanted “to reassure our community that our detectives are working hard and are piecing together what has led to this girl’s death”.

Detectives are continuing to look at CCTV footage and make enquiries as they try to work out what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via their 105 number and quote the file number 210911/6094 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Search for missing man Thomas Phillips and children focuses on Marokopa coastline

By
Sisi Latu
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission. 

Searchers are focusing on the Marokopa coastline in the mission to find Thomas Phillips and his three young children.

(clockwise from top left) Tom Phillips, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Callam-Phillips

(clockwise from top left) Tom Phillips, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Callam-Phillips Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Thomas Phillips, 34, and his three young children, Jayda Jin, 8, Maverick Callum-Phillips, 6, and Ember Phillips, 5, were last seen by family at Marokopa on Saturday evening.

Sergeant Sean Keeley told media at Marokopa Town Hall that Land Search and Rescue teams have no found evidence they are in the bush.

He says they are focused on searching the coastline, which includes the nearby bush and sea.

It is not known what any of them were last wearing.

Police vehicle parked at Kiritehere Beach.

A police vehicle parked at Kiritehere Beach. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Police, with the approval of family, today released photographs of Phillips and his children.

“We want to acknowledge the family’s incredible strength at this very difficult time and thank them for their on-going help,” Waikato West Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin said.

There is still no sign of the missing family after 4-days of intensive searching.

”We are in a remote, isolated area, communications are hard, the weather hasn’t been favourable but it is a credit to everyone involved in the search that this hasn’t held them back at all and they have continued on in some pretty harsh weather conditions,” Loughrin said.

Sergeant Sean Keely, who is heading the search operation said the sea area covers a large portion of the King Country west coast from Tahāroa in the north to about 15 nautical miles south of Marokopa.

Surf lifesaving teams from Raglan and Taranaki prepare to enter the water at Marokopa to start a coastline search from the ocean.

Surf lifesaving teams from Raglan and Taranaki prepare to enter the water at Marokopa to start a coastline search from the ocean. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

He describes a sea search as dynamic and forever changing.

”We do have to go over that all of the time because as the tides come in and out our scene changes. Also in terms of the size of the search area because it is dynamic our search area continues to expand.”

He said land searchers have come up with nothing.

”We haven’t found any clues in sign cutting or tracking that would indicate that Thomas and the children have been through the areas we have searched.”

Loughrin said police are keeping an open mind about what has happened to Phillips and his children.

”We are exploring all viable scenarios.”

He was asked are police not then ruling out foul play.

”At this stage there is no indication of foul play.”

Detectives are running an investigation parallel to the search working on the family’s movements.

Loughrin describes it as wide-ranging.

”Bank inquiries, phone inquiries. We are speaking to family and friends, associates, anyone that knows Tom, the kids and the family. That allows us to build a really clear background and build up a profile of the family, which also informs our searching where possible locations could be.”

Keely said not ever being able to find the family is a possibility, but not one being explored at this stage.

”We are optimistic, holding out hope like the family. We have put a lot of resources into (it) and we will continue to find Tom and the kids and you would have seen that from staff on the ground and helicopters, drones, planes. We have put everything into the search to find this family.”

Loughrin said the search is being regularly re-assessed, but that they are not yet at the point where everywhere possible has been searched.

Police want to speak to anyone who was in the Marokopa or Kiritehehe Beach areas either Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 September.

“While you might not think you have seen something, we want to hear from you.

“This includes bach owners or visitors who may have left the area after the weekend.”

They ask people to contact the investigation team via 105 and quote file number 210913/1952.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Allan Mundy says there are currently 17 lifeguards on the water, including swimmers searching caves.

Surf lifesavers are using inflatable boats and a jetski in their search.

Mundy says the Rescue Co-ordination Centre is using the Galileo satellite system.

She said local knowledge on sea conditions is also a great help.

A childhood friend of Thomas Phillips has also joined the search for the family.

A childhood friend of Thomas Phillips, Murray Kawhena.

A childhood friend of Thomas Phillips, Murray Kawhena. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Murray Kawhena turned up at the search headquarters today wanting to lend a hand.

He describes his old friend as a quiet man with a big smile.

Kawhena says Phillips knew the sea conditions well and it would be a surprise if he had been swept out to sea.

He says members of the Ngāti Te Kanawa hapū are saying karakia that if that is the case Tangaroa returns him and his children to their families.

Woman convicted of receiving stolen goods after hiding plunder taken in raid on warehouse

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A woman has been convicted of receiving thousands of dollars worth of stolen goods in the Supreme Court.

Photo/Adiloa Store (Facebook)

Judge Niu, presiding, found ‘Ana Lenilisi Tauvaka guilty of receiving stolen washing machines, stoves and freezers from Kisione Tauvaka in June last year at ‘Utulau.

Kisione worked at a store business in Nuku’alofa named Adiloa’s. The store business had two warehouses where it kept its goods, one at Kolomotu’a and the other was at Havelu. The keys to the Havelu warehouse were kept at the Kolomotu’a warehouse, a fact of which Kisione was aware.

On or about May 2020, Kisione used the keys to open the Havelu warehouse and stole two stoves, three chest freezers and Chinese mats. He sent the stolen property to Niuatoputapu.

On or about 16 June 2020  Kisione raided the warehouse again and stole a number of stoves and freezers.

Two nights later he stole a number of washing machines, stoves, bicycles, freezers and lamps and they were again taken to and unloaded into Fatu Fatu Taulanga’s house.

Kisione and Tauvaka subsequently took all the goods from Fatu’s house into the bush behind his house. Some of these goods were then moved to other houses.

Kisione was seen breaking into the warehouse during the third robbery and he was arrested and charged.

Police raided three homes and recovered stoves, freezers, bicycles, kerosene lamps, mats, a microwave, a sewing machine and a washing machine.

From Fatu’s house police recovered four stoves, three freezers, three bicycles, glass lamps and a microwave.

When Tauvaka  was questioned by the police, she said the reason why she and Kisione had moved the goods from Fatu’s house to the bush at the back was so that Fatu would not be implicated if they had been kept in his house.

Kisione pleaded guilty to all charges and has already  been sentenced.

Focus turns to 22% of Kiwis not vaccinated against Covid

By
Sisi Latu
-

By tvnz.co.nz/ONE News. Republished with permission. 

The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is ramping up with attention turning to getting the unvaccinated on board.

The latest figures show 70 per cent of eligible Kiwis now have at least one vaccine, and 36 per cent are fully vaccinated.

 

But there is still 22 per cent of people who haven’t been vaccinated or booked in for a vaccine. Vaccine rates across the country differ but the Nelson Marlborough DHB has consistently performed ahead of the rest.

Nelson Bays Primary Health’s Charlotte Etheridge says “it’s actually about making it easy for people and not over complicating it”.

Seventy-six per cent of people in the Nelson Marlborough region have had their first vaccine, and 45 per cent are fully vaccinated.

For weeks now residents have been encouraged to turn up to vaccination centres in Nelson, Richmond and Blenheim without bookings. They’ve also been encouraged to brings and family.

“As easy as it is with Book My Vaccine [website], actually having the ability for someone to walk in with their whānau is really important,” Etheridge said.

From next week, Nelson Marlborough DHB will open up before work vaccinations from 7am and late night options too. It’s also planning on going into high schools to set up vaccination clinics.

Nelson Marlborough DHB’s Dr Nick Baker says teenagers are behind the rest of the population, mainly because they’ve had less time to be vaccinated.

“I don’t think we can just expect teenagers to do the same things as everyone else. We have to provide services tailored to their needs which is often convenient, easy, without too much hassle,” he said.

Southern DHB has had a high vaccination rate too with 76 per cent of people already getting a first jab and 40 per cent having had their second.

The ramped up vaccination roll out in Auckland is working, with 73 per cent of people already getting their first vaccine and 38 per cent fully vaccinated.

Dr Nikki Turner of the Immunisation Advisory Centre says every region is different and faces different challenges. She says some DHBs face staffing issues while others already had good systems in place.

“What we’ve noticed with the first round of vaccinations is you get a lot of people really keen to have their vaccines and then it gets a bit harder and harder,” Dr Turner said.

At the Auckland Airport vaccination centre, the incentives have begun with the vaccinated entering a daily prize draw, particularly targeted towards young people.

Auckland Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood says “we’ve got $70,000’ worth of vouchers for places like Torpedo 7, Noel Leeming and the warehouse.. we’ve got hundreds of mobile phones”.

Those getting vaccinated can also vote to support their local school. Three donations of $10,000 cash and $10,000 in Warehouse Stationery goods will be made to South Auckland schools.

 

Mother of missing children ‘holding out every hope’ they are safe

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

The mother of three children who are missing along with their father says she’s holding out hope during an incredibly difficult time.

Locals and Landsar personnel at Kiritehere Beach where Thomas Phillips' car was found.
Locals and Landsar personnel at Kiritehere Beach where Thomas Phillips’ car was found. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Thomas Phillips, 34, and his three young children, Jayda Jin, 8, Maverick Callum-Phillips, 6, and Ember Phillips, 5, were last seen by family at Marokopa on Saturday evening.

Thomas had custody of the children and had been looking after them for the past three years, after returning from the South Island when his marriage did not work out.

In a statement via the police, the children’s mother has pleaded for anyone with information as to their whereabouts to come forward.

“We are just asking that anyone who might have any information, no matter how small or insignificant they think it might be, to contact police and tell them,” the statement said.

She thanked all those who have offered support and who have been involved with the search.

Phillips’ vehicle was found south of Kiritehere Beach on Sunday by members of the public.

Police vehicle parked at Kiritehere Beach.
A police vehicle parked at Kiritehere Beach. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

In a statement the Phillips’ family said they immediately contacted authorities when they were advised that Tom’s vehicle had been found on Kiritehere Beach as this was out of character.

They said it was not unusual for the family to visit the farm where they were last seen so the children could visit cousins and grandparents.

The statement said that Tom loved to whitebait with his children and the family did not notice any noticeable change in Tom’s behaviour when they last saw him.

“It is possible that they were all swept off the beach as the sea was particularly wild over the weekend,” the statement said.

The Phillipps family said that they hoped Tom had taken the children camping somewhere and that they were safe – but that they had no knowledge that he planned to do this.

Police said further ground-based coastline searches were conducted today in the Marokopa and Kiritehere areas, but an air search could not be conducted due to unfavourable weather.

Police said Raglan Surf Life Saving Club began a shoreline search this afternoon using inflatable rescue boats and a jetski and it’s hoped conditions will allow this to continue tomorrow.

Teen’s death investigated but no evidence of link to vaccine – Chief Coroner

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission.

The chief coroner says there is no evidence an Auckland teenager’s death is linked to their Covid-19 vaccination.

Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall

In a statement, Judge Deborah Marshall said so far only one death had been associated with the vaccine.

She said she was aware of “ongoing speculation” about the death of the teenager which was recently referred to the Coroner’s Court.

“Based on the information available to date, it does not appear that the death in question is linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

“However, this issue will be investigated carefully by the coroner and pertinent information will be requested from various agencies, including the Covid-19 Vaccination Independent Safety Monitoring Board.

“It could be a number of months before the final post-mortem report is received and all information relating to this death is obtained from relevant agencies.”

Six arrested in Tonga, New Zealand following 30kg meth seized in shipping container

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga police have arrested and charged a 45-year-old man from Nukuhetulu in connection with the seizure of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine found in a shipping container from Tonga in Auckland.

Meanwhile, New Zealand authorities have arrested five suspects and charged them with importation of methamphetamines from Tonga, Detective Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Tāufa said.

The illicit drugs, with approximated street value of NZ$15 million, were concealed in a refrigerated food container.

They were intercepted through a joint operation by the New Zealand Customs and Police in early August,  Tāufa said.

“Through a strong partnership between law enforcement in New Zealand and Tonga, the Tonga Police DET conducts parallel investigations in Tonga that led to the arrest of the accused person who has been placed on remand while investigations continue,” Taufa said.

“Law enforcement from both countries will continue to work together and share
information to ensure these transnational drug trafficking organisations are identified,
dismantled and those responsible held accountable.

“New Zealand Customs’ recent arrest of five people in New Zealand for importing methamphetamine from Tonga with further arrest in Tonga is an excellent example of this trans-pacific law enforcement partnership in action.

“Please contact Police on phone 740-1660 or 922 if you have any information on any drug related activity.”

The New Zealand and Tonga arrests came after an estimated 14kgs of cocaine washed up on beaches in Vava’u.

Tongan police seized the haul and an ongoing investigation has seen 21 people charged so far including three foreigners.

Petition aims to change official name to Aotearoa

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission. 

Te Pāti Māori has launched a petition to change the official name of New Zealand to Aotearoa.

Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Te Pāti Māori leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Māori Party co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer today launched the petition which aims to change the name to Aotearoa and use te reo Māori names for all towns, cities and places by 2026.

“It’s well past time that te reo Māori was restored to its rightful place as the first and official language of this country. We are a Polynesian country, we are Aotearoa,” Waititi said.

“Our petition calls on Parliament to change New Zealand to Aotearoa and begin a process, alongside whānau, hapū and iwi, to identify and officially restore the original te reo Māori names for all towns, cities and places right across the country by 2026.

“Tangata whenua are sick to death of our ancestral names being mangled, bastardised, and ignored. It’s the 21st Century, this must change.

“Article 3 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi promises tangata whenua the same rights as British citizens, that te reo Māori me ōna tikanga katoa be treated and valued exactly the same as the English language – ko te mana ōrite tērā,” Waititi said.

Ngarewa-Packer said name changes over the whenua and the imposition of a colonial agenda in the education system in the early 1900s meant that te reo Māori fluency among tūpuna went from 90 percent in 1910 to 26 percent in 1950.

“In only 40 years, the colonisers managed to successfully strip us of our language and we are still feeling the impacts of this today,” she said.

“A year ago today Te Pāti Māori launched our te reo Māori policy which addresses the dire fact that current estimates show that only 20 percent of the Māori population and 3 percent of people living in Aotearoa can speak te reo Māori.

“It is the duty of the Crown to do all that it can to restore the status of our language to where it was when the moment they arrived and interrupted our natural development. That means it needs to be accessible in the most obvious of places; on our televisions, on our radio stations, on road signs and maps and in our education system.”

Asked about the petition this afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would not commit to supporting such a move, but said place names could continue to be used interchangably as te reo Māori is an official language.

“We’ve got no plans to go through an official process to change the name of New Zealand, but I would say at the same time that actually I’m encouraged by the fact that people are using place names interchangably and I think that will only continue to grow.

“Te reo Māori’s an official language and so therefore we use those names interchangably and I think we should continue to do so.”

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