By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
A 29-year-old woman and an 11-year-old child are still missing in the Manawatū River in Palmerston North.
The pair went underwater on Wednesday afternoon, near the end of Maxwells Line, and haven’t been seen since.
Police said the search for the missing pair was ongoing after the police dive squad joined the effort on Thursday.
The river was high on Wednesday afternoon after heavy overnight rain, but the weather on Thursday has improved.
The bodies of late Deputy Prime Minister Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi and Roman Catholic Priest Fr Seluini ‘Akau’ola have arrived back in Tonga from Auckland.
The initial flight schedule had a few delays due to current volcanic eruption in Tonga.
No family members in New Zealand were allowed to accompany the bodies of the deceased as part of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Lord Ma’afu’s wife Lady ‘Uluakimata Tupou was in New Zealand along with his children from his first marriage to late Princess Mata ‘O Tāone Ma’afu.
His two children with Tupou were in Tonga and they were at the airport today along with Queen Nanasipau’u as well as dignitaries including the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers to welcome their father back home.
It is understood, Cardinal Paini Mafi was at the airport to receive the body of Fr ‘Akau’ola.
The Air New Zealand special flight landed at about 12.30pm. Lord Ma’afu had been receiving hospital treatment in Auckland while Fr ‘Akau’ola was treated medically in Australia. He died there on November 29 before his body was brought to Auckland on December 13.
Lord Ma’afu was the nineth to hold the chiefly Ma’afu title.
Livestream footage showed oncoming traffic stopped by the roadsides to show their respect to Lord Ma’afu’s body as the cortege left the airport and proceeded along Taufa’āhau Road.
As the procession arrived at Lord Ma’afu’s estate of Vainī his residents were seen sitting silently by the roadsides to show their last respect to their beloved noble. The livestream broadcasters described some of these mourners as being emotional and in tears.
The king’s noble will be buried at his Tokomolo estate’s Huelo Hangaitokelau royal cemetery after a state funeral at Vaiola mortuary. However, the date remains in doubt.
By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission
The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano continues to erupt intermittently, and ash has been detected in all directions up to 30km away.
The head of Tonga Geological Services, Taniela Kula, said that the ash cloud had risen to heights of 12km and the direction of ash had varied with the wind conditions.
“On Tuesday, ash was drifting east but shifted directions last night to north east and has continued to drift in a northerly direction today,” he said.
Overall, the amount of ash, steam and gas being spewed from the volcano has reduced, in comparison to last week, Kula said.
He noted that the volcano was about 60km away from uninhabited areas, and that no earthquakes had been detected on their seismometers.
This indicated that the magma chamber, which is feeding the eruption, is unlikely to be deeper than 7km below the ocean floor.
Currently the danger grade for the ash fall is orange, with red being the most severe. While no one has reported ash falling on houses yet, Kula advised that the public should take measures to protect their rainwater catchment and storage systems, should ash make landfall.
Kula said that people need to make sure they continue to sanitise and maintain their rainwater tanks, to stop the growth of a particular algae bloom that results from ash contamination.
Meanwhile, the flight from New Zealand that was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday was cancelled due the volcanic activity at Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai.
Matangi Tonga online reports the flight was meant to bring in the funeral cortege of the late Lord Ma’afu.
Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afu, died on 12 December at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.
Air New Zealand’s flight to Tonga on 21 December was also cancelled due to the same volcanic activity.
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni taking on the police portfolio is to assure the public his commitment to the country’s top agenda of fighting against drug abuses on all level.
It was to ensure the Prime Minister was there whenever there were communication and urgent requirements involved with tackling of synthetic drugs, sources who were familiar with the formation of the new Cabinet told Kaniva News.
Hon Sovaleni wanted to show the government is “more willing to commit to its war on drugs”.
The Prime Minister earlier this month said the government’s agenda for fighting against illicit drugs was one of his top priorities.
Tonga’s drug abuse situation was said to have infiltrated all level of the society.
A Guardian report described it as the “… country was in the grip of a methamphetamine epidemic that was ripping families apart and overrunning the country’s hospitals and jails”.
Last week’s police drug raids which linked to bust of a property and arrest of a member of the nobility showed police were sending a strong message to drug dealers that they were coming after them no matter who they are.
Cabinet line-up
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, Sovaleni has brought Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu from outside parliament into the fold, while a former unsuccessful parliamentary candidate Dr Pita Faiva Taufatofua was appointed as new governor for Ha’apai.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources was Lord Tu’i’āfitu from the nobility bench.
Meanwhile, MP Tēvita Puloka and MP Veivosa Taka who were ardent supporters of Sovaleni in his successful campaign for the premiership vote decided to remain outside Cabinet.
“It was their own decision not to be given any portfolio”, another source said.
It is understood, MP Puloka was busy with his construction businesses and his parliamentary task was already enough for him. MP Taka wanted to make sure everyone else in the Sovaleni camp got some kind of portfolio assurances before the premiership election.
Taka was previously a Chair of the Whole House Committee.
As we reported previously, here’s what the new government looks like.
Cabinet Ministers
Siaosi ‘Ofa Ki Vahafolau Sovaleni (Hu’akavameiliku)
Poasi Mataele Tei
Tatafu Toma Moeaki
Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu
Seventeen Toumoua
Saia Ma’u Piukala
Sēmisi Tauelangi Fakahau
Viliami Manuopangai Hingano
Dr Viliami Uasikē Lātū
Lord Tu’iāfitu
Sione Sangster Saulala
Sāmiu Kiuta Vaipulu
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
Ko e loto pe ia ‘o Tēvita Puloka mo Veivosa Taka ke na ‘atā pe kinaua mei he Kapineti’ taimi tatau na kei poupou fefeka pe ki he pule’anga ‘o Sovaleni’. ‘Oku lahi pe ngaahi fatongia ‘o Puloka ki he’ene pisinisi langa’ pea ‘osi fe’unga pe mo hono lakanga faka-Fale Alea’. Ko Taka ne loto ia ke ‘uluaki fakapapau’i kuo ‘i ai ha fa’ahinga fakatotofu papau ‘o e kau fakafofonga kehe ne nau kaungā poupou kia Sovaleni ‘i he ngaahi lakanga’ . Taimi tatau kuo to’o ‘e he PM ‘a e lakanga minisitā polisi’ ke fakapapau’i ‘a hono māteaki’i ‘o e ‘asenitia ki hono tau’i ‘o e faito’o konatapu’ pea ke ne ‘i ai tonu ko e taki ‘o e fonua’ ki ha fiema’u fakavavevave. ‘Oku vāhenga pe ‘e taha a e minisitā kotoa a’u ki he palēmia, neongo ha lahi ‘o ha toe ngaahi potungāue ‘e tānaki kia kinautolu.
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has appointed his Cabinet Ministers and held his first official meeting with them this morning in Nuku’alofa.
During the ministers’ appointment ceremony Mr Sovaleni also appointed Dr Pita Taufatofua as Ha’apai new governor.
The ceremony included a prayer service led by by the Secretary General of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Rev ‘Alifeleti ‘Atiola.
“The Prime Minister’s Office has the honour of advising members of the public, that His Majesty, King Tupou VI, upon receiving recommendations from the Prime Minister, the Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, has appointed the new Ministers of Government, with effect from 28th December, 2021,” a Prime Minister’s Office statement said today.
It said the Prime Minister “presented the letters of appointments to all of the Cabinet” today Wednesday 29.
As Kaniva News reported last night, here’s what the new government looks like.
Cabinet Ministers
Siaosi ‘Ofa Ki Vahafolau Sovaleni (Hu’akavameiliku)
Poasi Mataele Tei
Tatafu Toma Moeaki
Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu
Sevenitini Toumoua
Saia Ma’u Piukala
Sēmisi Tauelangi Fakahau
Viliami Manuopangai Hingano
Dr Viliami Uasikē Lātū
Lord Tu’iāfitu
Sione Sangster Saulala
Sāmiu Kiuta Vaipulu
UPDATED: Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku is expected to unveil his new Cabinet line-up on Wednesday 29, with one woman outside Parliament being elected as Minister
However, the list of ministers and their various portfolios was leaked to Kaniva News this evening.
The unofficial line-up appeared to show the Tongan diplomat and the United Nations High Representative Fekita ‘Utoikamanu, who was not elected by voters to Parliament has been named as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.
The Prime Minister is allowed by the law to elect up to four Ministers from outside Parliament.
The list also appeared to show the new Deputy Prime Minister was Poasi Tei.
Here’s what the new government looks like.
Cabinet Ministers
Siaosi ‘Ofa Ki Vahafolau Sovaleni (Hu’akavameiliku)
Poasi Mataele Tei
Tatafu Toma Moeaki
Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu
Seventeen Toumoua
Saia Ma’u Piukala
Sēmisi Tauelangi Fakahau
Viliami Manuopangai Hingano
Dr Viliami Uasikē Lātū
Lord Tu’iāfitu
Sione Sangster Saulala
Sāmiu Kiuta Vaipulu
A father who drowned trying to save his son from a rip current has been hailed as hero as tributes flow in.
Faasila Tali Fatafehi was on a community picnic with his family where tragedy struck at Tongatapu’s White Sands Beach.
As we reported yesterday, the picnic took a dangerous turn after his son found himself caught in a rip current. Fatafehi jumped into action and his son was rescued.
Despite efforts of first responders, Fatafehi died at the scene.
As stunned friends and kāinga come to terms with the tragedy, his devastated family this morning released a video showing how a beach outing ended up claiming their father’s life.
Tributes posted on Facebook are describing his final moments as heroic.
“Oh dear father we cannot withstand seeing you struggling at sea please talk to us look at our mum and my brothers dad when we were hungry you fed us we love you so much,” a tribute appeared to have come from one of her daughters said in Tongan.
“He drowned yesterday a hero, whilst saving one of his children”, another wrote.
“RIP Fatafehi, you were one terrific guy who was well respected in our community.”
“It’s a pity to see your wife crying Faasala Tali Fatafehi she did not expect this is your last day. My deepest Condolences to this family,”
By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Less than a month after reopening to the world, Fiji is bracing for a third wave of the coronavirus outbreak.
Since its last update on 24 December, Fiji’s Health Ministry today confirmed 208 new cases of Covid-19 in the community with 20 reported on Christmas Day, 109 on Boxing Day and 79 in the past 24 hours.
Fiji reopened its borders to international travellers on 1 December and thousands of tourists have arrived from its partner countries such as New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
While it is not clear how many of the latest cases are tourists, RNZ Pacific is aware some tourists at a Fiji resort are being isolated after testing positive to Covid-19.
In a message dated 27 December and obtained by RNZ, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa in Nadi had advised its guests that “there are currently several guests at the resort who have returned positive Covid-19 tests”.
Intercontinental said these guests were “isolating in a dedicated area of the resort, as per Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols”.
“While these guests are isolating and do not pose a risk to other guests, we remind you to remain vigilant and to advise the resort team immediately if you develop any symptoms.
“Please refer to the welcome letter you received upon arrival which outlines the government isolation requirements for any guests who test positive for Covid,” InterContinental said.
All travellers to Fiji are required to present proof, on arrival at Nadi Airport, of a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure.
They are also required to spend three days at any Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) hotel or resort, undergoing a Covid-19 test on day two of their stay. If they return a negative result, they are released on day three.
Wearing of face masks in enclosed spaces is mandatory as well as at outdoor locations where groups of people can gather.
While in Fiji, tourists are also encouraged to use CFC-approved excursions and tours.
Intercontinental is situated behind the popular public Natadola Beach and it has advised its guests to book their tours, massages, horse-riding and other excursions within the resort at the Rosie’s Tour Desk and Concierge.
“This is for your own security and safety,” InterContinental said.
Fiji’s Health Secretary James Fong said cases of Covid-19 continue to be identified among travellers into Fiji.
He said these cases were in fully vaccinated individuals who tested negative on their three-day pre-departure PCR test and they are currently in isolation within hotels.
“All their positive samples will be sent to our partner laboratory in Australia for genomic sequencing,” Dr Fong said.
“If a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the Covid-19 virus.
“To protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country, we must all get vaccinated when it is our turn and continue to be strict with our covid safe measures.”
Dr Fong said the Covid-19 cases were increasing rapidly globally and “especially so in the European and Americas region and throughout Africa”.
While he did not confirm if any of the latest cases were the Omicron variant, Dr Fong said the “new highly transmissible variant is contributing significantly to this increase.”
“We anticipate an increasing number of cases from border quarantine facilities,” Dr Fong said.
“Increased and sustained surveillance and testing at our borders, communities, and maritime islands are vital to monitor and detect Covid-19 cases for early intervention.
“This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the second wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021.
“For this second wave, there have been 52,953 cases recorded, with 71 percent of the cases from the Central Division, 28 percent from the Western Division, and 1 percent of the cases were from the Eastern and Northern divisions.
“Of the 208 cases, 145 cases were recorded in the North; 32 in the West and 31 cases were recorded in the Central Division.
“Our national seven-day rolling average is eight daily cases calculated for 23 December, 2021.”
Dr Fong said 91.9 percent of the adult population had been fully vaccinated, while 97.7 percent were yet to receive their second dose of the vaccine.
He said 39,857 children aged 12 to 17 were also fully vaccinated, while 58,260 teenagers in Fiji were yet to get their second injection.
Fiji has a total of 487 active cases of Covid-19 in isolation, with the death toll at 697.
Dr Fong said 21 Covid-19 patients are in hospital in the Central Division.
By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
One person has died from the coronavirus and there are 18 new community cases of Covid-19 today.
A woman in her 70s has died from Covid-19 last night at Middlemore Hospital.
It is the 51st death in New Zealand of someone with the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
Of today’s 18 cases, 13 are in Auckland, three in Waikato, one in Bay of Plenty, and one in Lakes.
In MIQ, there are 16 new cases, of which five are of the Omicron variant. That takes the total number of Omicron cases in the country to 54.
The Ministry of Health said 6363 active contacts are being managed.
There are 54 people in hospital, including eight in ICU or HDU.
There have been no unexpected wastewater detections.
Siaosi Sovaleni who is also known by his chiefly title Hu’akavameiliku has been officially appointed prime minister of Tonga today by King Tupou VI.
He replaces Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa who withdrew his candidacy for premiership vote last month.
The King was in ‘Eua when parliament elected Hu’akavameiliku Prime Minister.
He returned to Tongatapu last week, and made the official assignment today at the royal palace in Nuku’alofa.
Hu’akavameiliku worked as a public servant for Tonga’s Ministry of Finance from 1996 to 2010, before working for the Pacific Community and Asian Development Bank. He returned to Tonga in 2013 to work as the Chief Executive in the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
He was first elected to parliament in 2014 and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Communications in the Cabinet of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.
He was sacked in 2017 after he was accused of trying to undermine the government, something he vehemently denied.
He was later re-elected to parliament in 2017 and subsequently contested the premiership with ‘Akilisi, but was defeated by 12 votes to 14.
Following the death of ʻAkilisi, Hu’akavameiliku supported Tuʻiʻonetoa for Prime Minister and was appointed as Minister for Education and Training.
His cabinet ministers are expected to be given royal confirmation in the coming days.
