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Tonga announces plans for national university

By
Kalino Latu
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This story by Kalino Lātū was first published by Te Waha Nui 

The challenges experienced by Tongan students having to study overseas will soon be over after the Government announced the establishment of the kingdom’s first national university.

Tonga has announced plans for a national university. Photo/Kalino Lātū

The news has been hailed as a solution to the financial, social and mental stresses Tonga’s international students have faced.

The kingdom’s Parliament is expected to process a bill which set out the details of the university later this week. The public had until today to make submissions on the Tonga University Bill 2021.

The university is expected to unite various institutions, including the Tonga Institute of Education, Tonga Institute of Higher Education, Tonga Institute of Science and Technology, Tonga Maritime Polytech Institute, Queen Salote Institute of Nursing and Allied Health, as well as the Tonga Police College.

It will offer academic, technical and vocational programmes and qualifications from certificate to post-doctorate level.

Former MP Lepolo Taunisila. Photo/Supplied

Former Tongan MP and government teacher Lepolo Taunisila said the proposal has been in the pipeline for a while and involved previous governments and Education Ministers such as the late Dr Hu’akavameiliku and Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki.

It had been “absolutely long overdue”, Taunisila told Te Waha Nui.

A former student at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Fīnau Leone said the move could help resolve the problems he and other Tongan students had encountered in the past.

Leone said he faced “frustrating challenges” studying in Fiji.

He said his family struggled to pay for his studies because he did not have a scholarship.

His parents could sometimes only afford to pay for his school fees and not for his shopping and living costs.

“I have no choice but to use all that money to pay for my school fees and begged for food from other Tongan students at USP and also asked them for a space to sleep in their apartment.

“Leaving home for the first time to stay with different people from various ethnicities were challenging especially I was just finishing from high school,” he said.

Leone said he still remembers an incident in which one of his best Tongan friends at USP was killed in Fiji while they were on a night out.

Tonga is one of the 12 Pacific Island countries which funds USP.

Two private universities currently operate in the kingdom – Atenisi University and Christ’s University in Pacific.

Live Covid-19 updates: AUT student among 10 total new cases

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

An AUT student who was at a lecture yesterday is among the 10 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the community today.

There were three new community cases of Covid-19 reported this evening by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s office. More details on the new cases will be revealed tomorrow.

The AUT student was at a lecture at the school’s City Campus between 11.30am and 1pm yesterday.

The university said in a statement that 84 other people who were at the lecture had been identified. Anyone deemed a close contact would be contacted by health officials.

Speaking to Checkpoint, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins also confirmed there had been new cases.

“We’re seeing more cases coming through, I don’t have details of those cases. But yes, I can confirm that we have further positive test results since the press conference today.”

Hipkins also said it was “almost certain” the first case announced yesterday, a 58-year-old Devonport man, is not the index case connected to the border.

“Almost certain they were given Covid-19 by someone else. What we’re trying to do is identify how many steps in that chain of transmission there are before we got to the Devonport case.”

He added that a decision on vaccinating people under 16 years old for Covid-19 will come soon.

“I’m not announcing something on your show tonight but you can expect to hear more very shortly on that.”

Meanwhile, Countdown is continuing to limit the amount of some products people can buy in Auckland and the Coromandel, as shelves empty in the latest lockdown.

The supermarket applied a limit of six on some products yesterday evening, which includes toilet paper, flour, bags of rice, dry pasta, UHT milk, frozen vegetables, baby formula and pet food.

It says it will monitor stock levels around the country and will make changes to limits if needed.

Countdown also says it has purchased an extra 2000 crates of fresh fruit and vegetables to boost its fresh produce supply.

 

Princess Pilolevu sues anti-drugs campaigner over drug lord allegation

By
Kaniva Staff
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Princess Pilolevu Tuita is suing an anti-drugs-campaigner alleging his claim that she was the leader of drug dealers in Tonga was untrue.

Princess Salote Pilolevu Mafile’o Tuita

A civil lawsuit has been filed in the Magistrate court in Nuku’alofa this week, Nepituno webpage reported.

The Princess is seeking TOP$10,000 of damages from Afimeimo’unga Hola who is also known by the name Pānuve over the allegation.

The Princess reportedly said Hola has defamed her and had been lying about her, which Hola publicly denied during a recent live Facebook show.

The court case came after Princess Pilolevu’s two sons-in-law, Sione Filipe Jr and ‘Epeli Taione had been arrested and charged in relation to illicit drugs. Taione who was charged with possession of Class A drugs received a 12-month suspended imprisonment sentence early this year.

Afemeimo’unga hola leading a protest march against illicit drugs in Tonga. Photo/Facebook

Hola said on a Facebook livestream seen by Kaniva News he was a former drug dealer and had been working closely with former business people involved with drug dealings.

The anti-drugs campaigner said he decided to quit his life of drug dealing to join Tonga’s war on illicit drugs.

His allegation against the princess came after he made several Facebook live shows promoting his slogan – Say No To Drugs!

Early this year he led a protest march against drugs in Nuku’alofa which attracted nationwide supports from churches and schools.

Kefu recovering after surgery

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story appeared on RNZ.co.nz

Rugby World Cup winner and Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has had surgery and is recovering well after suffering serious injuries in a violent attack by intruders in Brisbane, his daughter said.

The 47-year-old Kefu, who played 60 tests for the Wallabies around the turn of the century, was rushed to hospital with his wife and two of his children on Monday after they were injured during a home invasion at their Brisbane house.

“Both Josh and Dad had their surgery’s and are recovering well,” Kefu’s daughter Olivia said in a social media post, adding that her mother and sister Madi were having surgery on Tuesday. Josh is Kefu’s son.

“Thank you to everyone for all the kind messages and support, it means the absolute world to us all.”

Kefu was stabbed and suffered abdominal injuries during the home invasion, which police believed was a burglary gone wrong.

His wife and children suffered cuts and lacerations in the attack.

Police arrested two teenage boys in connection with the incident and are searching for a third suspect who absconded in a stolen car.

One of the boys was charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and assault and appeared in Brisbane’s Children’s Court on Tuesday, Australian media reported.

The second boy remained under police guard at a Brisbane hospital after he presented there with injuries.

Number eight Kefu was a mainstay of the Wallabies pack during the later part of Australian rugby’s golden era, helping his adopted country win the 1999 World Cup and hold onto the Bledisloe Cup for five successive years.

He coached Tonga at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and was reappointed to the job earlier this year.

-Reuters

Auckland case is Delta; four new community Covid-19 cases

By
Kaniva Staff
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By One News / TVNZ. Republished with permission

Genome sequencing overnight has confirmed the Covid-19 case detected in the community yesterday has the Delta variant.

There are also four new cases of Covid-19 in the community linked to the initial case, as the country wakes up to Alert Level 4 restrictions.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the news on Breakfast this morning.

The four cases are linked to the case announced yesterday: a man from Auckland’s North Shore. Genome sequencing for these cases is underway.

They include a co-worker of a man, and three household contacts of that co-worker. Ardern said one of the four new cases works in Auckland Hospital and is fully vaccinated. They are a healthcare worker.

Those who have worked or shared shifts with the health worker are being tested.

This brings the total number of active cases in the community to five.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said a 58-year-old Aucklander from Devonport tested positive for the virus.

 Reflecting on how quickly Delta outbreaks have spun out of control overseas, Ardern on Tuesday stated the country “only gets one chance” to stamp out the virus.

“We have made the decision on the basis that it is better to start high and go down levels rather than to go low, not contain the virus and see it move quickly,” Ardern said.

The man became symptomatic on Saturday August 14 while he and his wife were in Coromandel township, and visited his GP yesterday. He and his wife are both isolating.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the couple had travelled to Coromandel on Friday August 13 and returned on Sunday August 15.

The locations and times of interest related to the man are on the Ministry of Health’s website.

Bloomfield thanked the man for getting tested as well as being a frequent user of the Covid-19 tracing app.

The man was unvaccinated but had taken steps towards booking his vaccine. Bloomfield said the man had difficulties with the online booking system. His wife was fully vaccinated.

Auckland and the Coromandel will enter a seven-day Alert Level 4 lockdown, while the rest of the country will be in Alert Level 4 for three days.

The lockdown is the first in 169 days since Auckland went into lockdown in March.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kuo fakapapau’i ‘eni mei he fakatotolo hohoko  ‘o e fononga ‘a e vailasi Kōviti ne toki ma’u ‘i Nu’u Sila’ ko e fōtunga kehe ‘eni ‘o e vailasi’ ‘oku ui ko e Tēlita’ (Delta).

Kuo fakapapau’i mai he pongipongi’ ni ‘e he palēmia’ Jacinda Ardern ko e toe keisi ‘e fā ‘o e Kōviti’ kuo ma’u he komiunitii’ pīhia kotoa ‘eni mei he tokotaha ta’u 58 ne mu’aki ma’u mei Tivenipōti’. ‘Oku kei hoko atu ‘a hono hohoko’i fakasaienisi ‘o e toko fā ko ‘eni pe na’e ma’u ‘e ha toe kakai ‘a e vailasi’ meia kinautolu. ‘Oku kau ai ha neesi he potungāue mo’ui pea ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e manavasi’i na’a kuo tō e mahaki’ he kau ngāue’ ni ka ‘oku te’eki lava ke tala. ‘Oku kau ai mo e toko tolu ko e ma’u he ‘api ‘o e tokotaha ne ‘uluaki ma’u’.

Ko e tokotaha’ ni ne ‘osi huhu malu’i’aki e  Pfizer vaccine tu’o taha pe te’eki hoani. Ko hono uaifi’ ne ‘osi huhu malu’i ia pea kuo ma’u hono sivi mo’ui lelei’ ‘ona ‘o mahino ‘oku nekativi pe hao ia ‘ikai ma’u ‘e he vailasi mei hono mali’.

Ko e founga hono fakatotolo’i ‘aki hono hohoko e fononga ‘a e vailasi’ mei ha taha’  ‘oku ui ko e hohoko sēnome’ (genome sequencing).

 

Updated: Locations of interest released for latest Covid community case

By
Kaniva Staff
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By One News / TVNZ. Republished with permission

There are a number of locations of interest after an Auckland man was confirmed to have Covid-19 today.

The man and his wife, from Devonport, visited the Coromandel over the weekend.

Eleven locations of interest have been identified so far including an Auckland cafe, the Star and Garter Hotel (August 13 and August 14), Umu Cafe in Coromandel (August 13), BP Gas station in Coromandel (August 14) and Taras Beads in Coromandel on August 15.

The list will be updated on the Ministry of Health website. 

Location name Address Day Time  What to do
Crumb Grey Lynn Ariki Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland, 1021 Thursday 12 August 10.00 am – 10.10 am Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.
Star and Garter Hotel Coromandel 5 Kapanga Road, Coromandel 3506 13/08/2021  6:39 pm – 7:40 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Umu Cafe Coromandel 22 Wharf Road, Coromandel,3506 13/08/2021 7:40 pm – 8:30 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
BP Gas Station Coromandel BP Gas Station, Tiki Road, Coromandel, 3056 14/08/2021  9:30 am – 9:40 am Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Driving Creek Railway Tours Coromandel 380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel, 3506 14/08/2021  10:30 am – 10:50 am Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Jaks Cafe & Bar Coromandel 104 Kapanga Road,Coromandel, 3506 14/08/2021 10:50 am – 11:30 am Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Hereford ‘n’ a Pickle Coromandel 2318 Colville Road, RD 4, Colville, Coromandel 3584 14/08/2021 1:25 pm  – 2:15 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Taras Beads Coromandel 1/75 Kapanga Road, Coromandel, 3506 14/08/2021 3:00 pm – 3:10 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Richardsons Real Estate Coromandel 151 Kapanga Road, Coromandel, 3506 14/08/2021 3:30 pm – 3:35 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Umu Cafe Coromandel 22 Wharf Road, Coromandel,3506 14/08/2021  6:17 pm – 7:11 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.
Star and Garter Hotel Coromandel 5 Kapanga Road, Coromandel 3506 14/08/2021 7:11 pm – 9:00 pm Please self-isolate at your home or your accommodation, call Healthline on 08003585453 for advice.

Why vaccinated must lock down too – Delta’s speedy transmission

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

People who are fully or partially vaccinated in New Zealand will still need to follow Level 4 rules after a new community case was discovered.

People in Queen Street Auckland, wearing masks.
Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen

At the moment, scientists are still trying to determine just how much more transmissible Delta is, but preliminary guidance indicates it could be as much as 90 percent more infectious.

Just today, it was revealed that the Delta variant of Covid-19 was transmitted when doors were simultaneously open for just seconds at a quarantine facility.

Globally, both the World Health Organisation and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have changed their guidance on masking as Delta has spread.

The CDC has also advised that Delta can spread among the vaccinated.

The World Health Organisation recommended at a 25 June press conference that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks and practice other safety measures.

” People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, the physical distance, avoid crowding, WHO official Dr. Mariangela Simao told reporters.

“What we’re saying is once you’ve been fully vaccinated continue to play it safe because you could end up as part of a transmission chain,” Dr. Bruce Aylward said at that press conference. “You may not actually be fully protected.”

The CDC updated their guidelines 27 July recommending that even fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in most public indoor settings.

“Preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others,” the CDC noted in that advice.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Ko e hā e ‘uhinga ‘oku kei kau ai pe ‘a e kakai ne ‘osi huhu malu’i Kōviti’ ‘i he fakataputapui hono loka ‘o e kau’āfonua ‘i Nu’u Sila’ ni’?

Ko e ‘uhinga’ he ‘oku kei feinga e kau saienisi’ ke fakapapau’i e ivi malava mo e vave e pipihi  ‘a e fōtunga fo’ou ‘o e Kōviti’ kuo ‘iloa ko e Tēlita’. Ko e ngaahi faka’ilonga kuo hā mahino mai he taimi ni’ ‘oku ‘i he pēseti  ‘e 90 ‘a e lahi ange ‘o ‘ene pipihi mei ha taha ki ha taha.

‘I he ‘aho’ ni pe kuo fakahā ai ko e mafola ‘a e Tēlita’ ‘o ka ava fakataha ha ongo matapā sio’ata ‘i ha feitu’u fai’anga kolonitini, ‘oku lau sekoni pe.

Kuo liliu ai ‘e he Kautaha Mo’ui ‘a Māmani’ pehē ki he Senitā ‘a ‘Amelika ki hono Pule’i mo Malu’i mei he Mahaki’ ‘enau fakahinohino ki he māsaki’ (mask) koe’uhī ko e mafola ‘a e Tēlita’.

Koe’uhī ‘oku malava ke toe ma’u pe ‘e he Tēlita’ ia ‘a e kakai kuo nau ‘osi huhu malu’i Kōviti’ kuo fakahā ai ‘e he Kautaha Mo’ui ‘a Māmani’ ‘i he ‘aho 25 ‘o Sune’, kuopau ke kei tui māsaki pe mo e kakai ia kuo nau ‘osi huhu’.

Live updates: Covid-19 community case in Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

There is a new community case of Covid-19 in Auckland which health officials are now investigating.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry of Health said further updates would be provided once some more information was available.

Ministers will be meeting later today to establish the next moves.

The link between the case and the border or managed isolation has not been established.

The Auckland Regional Public Health unit is now undertaking interviews with the case so that it can begin tracing contacts.

Aucklanders are being encouraged to social distance and exercise caution.

“While we collect more specific information all New Zealanders are reminded of the basic public health measures of mask wearing and hand washing,” it said.

“In particular anyone in Auckland catching public transport this afternoon or who cannot socially distance in public spaces should wear a mask as a precaution.”

Treatment for Mum’s deadly anaemia leads to birthday party for Tongan family

By
Kalino Latu
-

This story by Kalino Lātū was first published by Te Waha Nui

A Tongan family in Auckland is celebrating the second birthday of its youngest member after thinking for years another child in the family wouldn’t be possible.

THE PAONGA FAMILY (FROM LEFT): SIMAIMA (NAITE) PĀONGO, VEILI PĀONGO, SIONE MO’UI HE KELESI PĀONGO, SELA PĀONGO (CARRYING FIFITA VAVA’U TŌNUNGA KI WELLESLEY PAONGO), SYLVIA PĀONGO AND AKOSITA PĀONGO. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Thirteen years ago, Sela Pāongo was forced to have a medical abortion in Tonga because her anaemia meant she was at risk of losing her life, together with her unborn child.

Sela’s condition, caused by a lack of healthy red blood cells, can be deadly for pregnant women and she had been told to avoid further pregnancies since her condition could not be treated in the kingdom.

Sela and her husband Veili Pāongo, who have three girls, including twins born by caesarean delivery, and a son, thought their hopes of having more children were at an end.

But after moving into New Zealand in 2014, Sela visited their family doctor in Panmure for a routine check-up.

During a brief consultation, the doctor revealed the good news and said her condition could be cured.

Sela said the doctor gave her some medication for her anaemia.

“I was so excited after the doctor said there is a remedy for my condition,” Sela told Te Waha Nui.

On July 23, 2019 she gave birth to her youngest daughter, Fifita Vava’u Tōnunga ki Wellesley Pāongo.

A big family celebration was staged last year at their Pakuranga home to celebrate Fifita’s first birthday.

Last month, the family and their kāinga gathered again for a second celebration after Fifita turned two years old.

“I just wanted to share the news with our community because I know some people in Tonga have experienced this same problem especially it stopped them from having children,” Sela said.

Her husband Veili also welcomed the great news.

Veili said: “It is a blessing for us, and we are fortunate to come to New Zealand and be able to have Sela’s health issue resolved.”

Dr Saia Piukala at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa said abortion is prohibited in Tonga except when it comes to health condition like anaemia which could put the life of the mother at risk.

“That’s when we have medical abortion,” he told TWN.

Anaemia

According to a research, published in The Lancet Global Health journal, pregnant women with anaemia are twice as likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy compared to those without the condition.

The study  of over 300,000 women across 29 countries was led by Queen Mary University of London.

It said the disease affected 32 million pregnant women worldwide, and up to half of all pregnant women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

“Women in LMICs are at increased risk of anaemia due to higher rates of dietary iron deficiency, inherited blood disorders, nutrient deficiencies and infections such as malaria, HIV and hookworm,” it said.

Teenager charged with attempted murder after alleged attack on Toutai Kefu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By ABC. This story appeared on RNZ.co.nz. Kaniva republishes RNZ stories under partnership agreement.

Queensland Police have charged a 15-year-old boy with four counts of attempted murder, after an alleged violent attack on former Wallabies No.8 Toutai Kefu and his family in Brisbane.

‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach Toutai Kefu

The boy has also been charged with three counts of grievous bodily harm, and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enter, burglary and deprivation of liberty.

Another 15-year-old boy is in custody.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said it was understood one of the family members woke to noise about 3.15am and went to investigate.

He said the “brutal and violent” attack was allegedly carried out with an axe, knife and machete.

Police have alleged the person was accosted by at least one of the offenders in the premises on Buena Vista Avenue in Coorparoo and they were threatened with being stabbed if they did not hand over vehicle keys.

“Other members of the family then came to that person’s aid and during that time very significant injuries occurred to the family,” Detective Superintendent Fleming said.

Kefu, the Tongan national team coach, underwent surgery for very serious wounds to his abdomen after being stabbed.

“His initial condition was described as critical, but expected to survive,” Detective Superintendent Fleming said.

“The mother has suffered very, very serious lacerations to her arm and I’m told her wounds are very significant.”

The Kefus’ children, his 21-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, were also injured.

Their son sustained significant wounds to his arm and back and one of his daughters has cuts to her hand and arm.

Police told media they located a knife and axe and believe a machete was also used.

They do not believe the attack was targeted.

Police said three juveniles were involved in the incident.

Police said Kefu’s family remained in hospital.

“Mr Kefu is out of surgery and is stable now,” Detective Superintendent Fleming said.

“His son is still receiving treatment as I understand and there’s more treatment for Mrs Kefu and their daughter that will continue tomorrow.”

Neighbours came to family’s aid, apprehended suspect

Detective Superintendent Fleming said neighbours came to the family’s aid and assisted in apprehending one of the alleged offenders, who was armed with a knife.

“All credit to those neighbours for coming to the aid of the family,” he said.

Police arrived shortly after and arrested one suspect.

He was taken to the watch house but has since been transferred to hospital to be checked for Covid-19 after coughing.

Another suspect presented at Princess Alexandra Hospital with cuts and has since been arrested and is under police guard at the hospital.

Officers have since attempted to intercept a silver Hyundai i35 they allege was used by the offenders to travel to the scene.

Police alleged the car was stolen from Forest Lake where a woman had tried to stop the car being taken and was “shoved over”.

Detective Superintendent Fleming told ABC Radio Brisbane that police were still searching for the vehicle.

“This Hyundai iX35, a silver one, remains outstanding at the moment, we’d really appreciate any members of the community who find that,” he said.

“It did have registration 435 VJP on it, it was seen shortly afterwards in the Goodna area, we believe it then headed towards the Inala area but where it is now, we don’t know.”

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said a third person of interest had been located.

“Whether they’re sufficient to charge him remains to be determined but the investigations are ongoing there,” he said.

Forensic officers remain at the scene as investigations continue.

Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) said it had been made aware of “a shocking incident” involving Mr Kefu.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Toutai and his family at this time,” the QRU said.

“We offer our support to them and the wider Queensland rugby community who are affected by the incident.”

Kefu played 60 tests in the forwards for Australia in a seven-year international career.

The 47-year-old made his debut for the Wallabies against South Africa in 1997 in Pretoria.

In 2001, he scored the match-winning try against the All Blacks that also gave Australia victory in the Bledisloe Cup.

He finished as the most capped Wallaby number eight of all time (58 tests).

He was appointed head coach of the Tongan national rugby side in 2016 and coached the squad through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

He was reappointed Tongan head coach earlier this year.

Kefu is also assistant coach of the first 15 at Iona College at Wynnum West on Brisbane’s bayside.

– ABC

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