A new plan to extend the Trans-Tasman travel bubble to include Tonga and Fiji in the Pacific islands has been part of a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to discuss allowing quarantine-free travel to other countries.
The details of the plan have yet to be released.
The two-day talks began in Queenstown on Sunday, the first time the two leaders talk in person since Covid-19 closed borders in 2020.
Ardern said she looked forward to “the next stage of writing the rulebook” on how both countries would approach reopening to the world after Covid.
“We are supporting our Pacific family and the idea of a bubble that goes beyond New Zealand and Australia is a real possibility,” Morrison told reporters.
The revelation came after New Zealand’s pause on the quarantine-free travel bubble with Victoria has been extended for a further seven days, with the Australian state going into lockdown to contain a growing Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne.
Tonga government said it planned to open its boarder to foreign nationals in March 2022.
It also revealed its plan for passengers to pay for their quarantine costs in Tonga which includes paying up to $4,000 if they will be isolated at Tanoa International Hotel.
He and his family were regarded as role model when in comes to education particularly teachings, parenting and discipline.
Fīnau Tūtone
Finau Tūtone, 82, has died in Tonga and his body is expected to arrive in New Zealand this week, his son Dr Viliami Tūtone has confirmed to Kaniva News this morning.
All of his four children have university degrees and most of them are specialists in their various professions.
Two of them were named duxes at Tonga High School, the school where top students from primary schools are taught.
They are nephrologist Dr Viliami Tūtone, and physician Dr Siosaia Tūtone. Both are currently working as specialists in Middlemore Hospital, Counties Manukau in New Zealand.
Finau’s daughter Senitila was dux at Teachers’ Training College, now known as Tonga Institute of Education (TIHE). She is now the principal of TIHE.
His daughter ‘Ana Tūtone Tu’alau has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in genetic.
As a teacher at primary and secondary schools and also an education officer in the Ministry of Education, Finau believed there were special blessings for teachers if they did the job well and to their best and if they have neglected it, it would put a curse on them.
He was instrumental in establishing Tonga teachers’ association known as The Friendly Islands Teachers’ Association (FITA). After he retired from teaching the association became a platform for his continued supports for teachers and giving advices on how to do the job well.
“Talk with your children and allow them to speak independently so that you can listen to what their opinions are,” was one of the common advices associated with Finau.
His teaching career began in 1958 after leaving Tupou College.
While there was general consensus in Tonga that physical discipline and smacking were some of the best ways of disciplining children Finau believed otherwise.
He said if a child at school or one of his own children misbehaved he just called them up and he stroke their hairs in a manner to persuade them to change their attitudes.
Political career
Finau was one of the six members of a group of Tongan students at the USP university in Fiji in 1976 who were known to be the first academics to formally meet and discuss a proposal to reform Tonga’s political structure.
Late Prime Minister and Opposition Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News in an interview the group members were him (‘Akilisi Pohiva), Finau Tutone, Lōpeti Senituli, ‘Uhila Liava’a, Sione Ma’ilei and Tēvita Kolokihakaufisi.
Pōhiva said they were interested in Tongan politics and wanted to pursue a proposal by former Minister of Education Late Dr Langikavaliku to the King’s Privy Council asking His Majesty to set up a commission to review the constitution so the government could be made more democratic.
They returned to Tonga in the 1980s and the group continued supporting Pōhiva in his attempts to pursue their political agenda.
In 2006 Late King George V agreed to relinquish his power to run the government to an elected-executive government. Tonga’s first democratic system of government came into fruition in 2010.
‘Amelia Fakahiku’o’uiha Fonua Helu has been officially appointed as honorary consul of the kingdom of Spain to the kingdom of Tonga , Friday 28 at the Prime Minister’s Office, St George building in Nuku’alofa.
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa (L), Honorary Consul ‘Amelia Fonua Helu. Photo/Supplied
Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa officially presented the letter of exequatur on behalf of His Majesty’s government granting full execution of authority to the honorary consul to exercise official duties throughout Tonga.
Helu is also the honorary consul of Finland to the kingdom of Tonga.
Helu attended Samabula primary school in Suva, Fiji then Tonga High School in Nuku’alofa for secondary school.
She was awarded with a bachelor degree from ‘Atenisi University and a Master of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Auckland.
She has other qualifications from various universities including ‘la Universidad Complutense de Madrid’ in Spain. She is fluent in English, Tongan and Spanish languages.
She worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the past years, including diplomatic posting to China and has vast experiences at regional and international level.
The Lavulavu couple knew they were misleading Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools funding by submitting fake names to support applications to claim money to which they were not entitled, a prosecutor told a Supreme Judge last week, in the defendants’ fraud trial.
‘Etuate Lavulavu and Minister of Infrastructure Akosita Lavulavu. Photo/Facebook
‘Etuate Lavulavu, who was representing himself, told Judge Nicholas Cooper he did not directly involve as he was away in Vava’u and in Fiji at the time of the incident and that prosecutors have failed to prove otherwise.
“What are the fake names that were added to the list? What went wrong with it and who were those fake names?” ‘Etuate asked at the end of the proceedings, local media reported.
Witnesses for Akosita told the court the names of students the prosecutor has submitted as fake were indeed students who were enrolled at Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute (UNRTI).
The prosecutors and the defendants were to finish their closing statements Friday 28, before Justice Cooper decides the Lavulavus’ fate.
The couple have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to knowingly dealt with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretences.
An investigation was prompted by the Auditor General’s office claiming hundreds of students supposedly attending the UNTRI could not be identified and that the Institute should repay TP$553,800 to the Technical Vocational Education and Training fund (TVET).
Police charged the couple with using forged documents to support an application to obtain supplementary government funding to assist students at their UTRI private school.
The grieving family members and friends of Fuifuikula ‘O Lofakaitamaki ‘Ealelei kissed his coffin in a heartbreaking service today in Tongatapu after it arrived from New Zealand.
The deceased’s body was placed in a closed coffin before it arrived in Tonga.
‘Ealelei, 36, died in his sleep in Hastings from heart attack. Also known as Munilaiti ‘Ealelei, he was in New Zealand as part of a group of Tongans who worked under the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) programme in Hawkes Bay.
Those who spoke during his service this morning described their heartbreak at not being able to kiss him goodbye.
His body was placed in a closed coffin before it was flown to Tonga on Wednesday. The family were not allowed to open it.
This meant they would have only been allowed to view, touch and kiss his casket.
A spokesperson told Kaniva News this was part of the government’s strict rules in an attempt to continue to keep Tonga Covid-19 free.
The emotional farewell was led by a church minister and it was livestreamed on Facebook.
In the clip, shared to Facebook by Broadcom Broadcasting, ‘Ealelei’s mother and wife can be seen touching and kissing his coffin while lamenting his loss.
His young children can be seen carried to the coffin by some of the mourners before they were told to watch before kissing it.
As Kaniva News reported last week, the deceased’s family were able to watch ‘Ealelei’s body via video link shortly after his death.
The livestream video was organised by Tongan RSE workers in Hastings.
The Minister of Finance denying a government proposal for returning passengers to pay up to $4,000 quarantine fees has sparked heated debates online.
(L-R) Minister of Health Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu, MEDECC CEO Paula Ma’u and Finance Minister Tēvita Lavemaau
His denial came after the Minister of Health and Communication (MEIDECC) CEO have confirmed the proposal.
Communication CEO Paula Ma’u has confirmed to Kaniva News this week the proposal is currently underway for passengers to pay their stay in managed isolation facilities from their own pockets.
In his email on Wednesday, in which the Prime Minister was copied, Ma’u told us the proposal included having passengers pay TOP$4,000 if they stayed at Tanoa International Hotel. He said other facilities would be cheaper.
Ma’u’s confirmation came after the Minister of Health Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu confirmed to local media in a press conference a week before it was true the government was working on a proposal for passengers to pay their isolation costs.
In a press release on May 12, Ma’u said work to create the proposal was endorsed by the National Emergency Management Committee and National Committee for Covid-19.
He said when the proposal is completed it will be submitted to the two committees and if they approve it the proposal will then go to Cabinet for final decision.
Ma’u said the proposal was initiated because the costs for the managed isolation facilities were too expensive for the government to pay.
He said it costs about $600,000 for the government to pay after passengers on one flight were isolated in Tonga for 21 days.
The Minister of Health shared the same information with local media.
Finance Minister denial
But the Minister of Finance Tevita Lavemaau has denied it in parliament on Thursday saying there was no proposal for the returning passengers to pay managed isolation facilities fees.
He said the government was still paying the passengers’ quarantine costs.
Lavemaau was responding to a question from Vava’u 14 MP Saia Piukala asking the Minister of Health to clarify the proposal which was planned to start in July.
The Minister of Finance has been contacted for comment on the conflicting information.
Social media reactions
Social media users have accused the government of contradicting itself.
Some have said the proposal was inappropriate because the returning passengers were stranded overseas for quite some times and they did not have enough money to pay for their quarantine.
Some said the government should continue to pay quarantine costs for workers who returned from New Zealand and Australian seasonal worker programmes because these people’s incomes and remittances helped Tonga’s economy.
Critics accused the government of failing to manage the public finances in a prudent manner.
However, supporters of the government insisted it was doing the right decision to help the country’s economy survive on long term.
Two women recently appeared in a magistrate court in Nuku’alofa after being charged in relation to what has been described as illegal pyramid schemes.
Vaiola Tupa, 41, a female police officer from Ngele’ia and ‘Anaseini Siulua Pongi, 36, of Te’ekiu have been accused after members of a group, known to locals as ujamaa, lost hundreds of pa’anga.
The complainants alleged the accused were recruiters of a group which promised to pay back each person recruited their money together with a substantial amount of interest.
They claimed each of them were told to deposit $500 and after a short period of time normally 8 to 21 days they would receive $4,000 but this did not happen.
The Magistrate was expected to determine whether the case should go to the Supreme Court.
The case came after the National Reserve Bank of Tonga has warned people last year to stay away from a pyramid scheme that has cost its victims thousands of pa’anga.
Kaniva News understands that an initial group of eight people became involved in the scheme which lured them into paying hundreds of dollars with promises they would make hundreds of thousands in return.
“Such schemes promise quick wealth but only deliver misery with invested money lost in the get rich quick schemes”.
The alert came as the New Zealand Financial Management Authority warned there had been a rash of scams riding on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
It also came after the New Zealand Commerce Commission recently said it was investigating a number of possible pyramid schemes involving registered companies targeting Tongans in churches, community groups and families across Auckland.
Despite warnings by the government authorities Kaniva News understands some operators took to Facebook claiming they were not pyramid schemes, but were genuine businesses that could definitely pay their members in full.
While Tongans who believe they have been ripped off by recent schemes are trying to get a refund, they can lodge a complaint with the New Zealand Commerce Commission or with police in Tonga.
A Tongan man who lived in Papatoetoe, New Zealand and who was gunned down at Beatty Street, Ōtāhuhu Sunday 23 was laid to rest today Saturday 29 at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.
‘Aleki Moala (inset)
Two men , aged 26 and 28, charged with his murder have made separate appearances yesterday Friday 28 at the Manukau District Court.
Police were called to the house before ‘Aleki (Alec) Junior Moala, 31, was found with critical injuries and died at the scene.
Family and friends expressed their frustration during the farewell service today.
Many spoke about how they found it hard to see their loved one dying in such a brutal and violent way.
A church minister told mourners that having patience and pardoning each other is paramount.
“Let God rule in our life,” the church minister said in Tongan.
During the service which was also livestreamed on Facebook a man appeared and spoke via video link.
He was said to be one of Aleki’s brothers who is currently in one of the prisons here in New Zealand.
The deceased’s father told Herald his son died after he possibly went to help a woman who was being attacked.
Naeata Moala said he was not angry and believed his son died for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He also said several other stories were circulating, and it was difficult to know what to believe.
Neighbours described hearing three loud bangs about 2.15am Sunday 23.
“There were two quick shots, one after the other, then quiet, then another loud bang. Then we heard the screaming,” Si Allen, who lives on an intersecting street, said at the time, Stuff reported.
“I tried to tell myself it was just a car backfiring, but my wife said ‘no, those were gunshots’. So we just hid inside.”
He said it was “pretty scary” an incident like this could occur so close by.
Other residents speculated the killing was gang-related but they were unable to provide proof of this, the Herald reported.
The family of mixed martial arts fighter Liufau Tu’iha’angana Vake has reportedly been split over allegations about the four men involved in the assault that ended his life.
Liufau Tu’iha’angana Vake (inset)
It is understood that the claims have divided the fighter’s maternal family and part of the paternal family.
It is understood that some family members were barred from attending the funeral service.
Kaniva News has been reliably told that members of the paternal family arrived at hospital to see Liufau’s body, but were told to leave.
It is believed that two separate prayer, cultural and farewell services were conducted this week because of the row.
It is understood the paternal family held their own prayers and vigils in Manurewa while Liufau’s body was on view at his residence in Kelston before it was buried.
When contacted, a family member told Kaniva News they did not want to report the feud out of respect for their elderly and mātu’a.
Kaniva News would like to remind social media users that they are subject to the same rules governing libel and slander as everybody else.
Burial services
Liufau’s body was buried today, May 28, at the Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland.
Speeches delivered during his memorial services last night showed how hard it was for his family to see one of their members who had been described as a rising star in his field dying in a very brutal and violent way.
He was described as “always quick to offer a hand of help to another.”
Some recalled the tough moment at hospital when they asked doctors to continue to keep Liufau on life support to give them more chance to pray to God for a miracle and that he would live, but it did not happen.
The church minister at the service acknowledged the grief of losing someone so young and someone who had much to live for.
But he told mourners to remember where their loved one is now – free from pain.
“Liufau is truly, truly free now.”
Hundreds of mourners said their final goodbye to the fallen promising mixed martial arts fighter today.
His black casket was decked with the Coat of Arms of Tonga and the symbol of his gym, City Kickboxing.
Champion Israel Adesanya and Tongan boxer Junior Fa were two of New Zealand’s top fighters who attended Fau’s funeral services.
The 25-year-old died at the weekend, a week after allegedly being assaulted in central Auckland in the early hours of Sunday, May 16.
Additional charges yet to be made
Vake’s funeral comes as Police said they were due to lay more charges in relation to the incident in due course.
Four men have been charged and appeared in the Auckland District Court on the Monday after the incident on Symonds St.
One was charged with common assault, another with two counts of assaulting with intent to injure, another charged with wounding with intent and injuring with intent, and another is also charged with common assault.
Three of the men are aged 29. The fourth is a 32-year-old.
It is understood any additional charges will be filed before the next court date on June 8.
Aotearoa New Zealand is working in partnership with Pacific countries to support their COVID-19 responses and build resilience for the future.
New Zealand High Commissioner HE Tiffany Babington handed over a signed Grant Contribution letter of NZ$1,600,000 to Tonga’s Ministry of Health (MoH) Acting CEO, Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa and Medical Superintendent, Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola, for the construction of a new Central Pharmacy Warehouse under Tonga’s National Deployment and Vaccine Plan (NDVP). Photo/Supplied
New Zealand, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is providing this contribution in response to Tonga MoH’s request to fund its National Pandemic Deployment and Vaccination Plan for Pandemic Influenza Vaccines (NDVP), which includes the construction of a Central Pharmacy Warehouse as part of its COVID-19 preparedness and response activities.
The Central Pharmacy Warehouse will provide a central location for receiving and distributing medicine and medical supplies across Tonga’s health facilities in all island groups. The warehouse will also store vaccines in refrigeration. The warehouse will be fit for purpose and keep stock safe from natural hazards and climate change risks.
This funding support is in addition to support that has already been provided by New Zealand, including:
NZ$4 million in budget support for the Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package.
NZ$100,000 from our Emergency High Commission or Embassy Fund to the Ministry of Health for a medical waste collection truck.
NZ$1 million to MoH’s pandemic preparedness and response plan.
NZ$550,000 worth of PPE
NZ$1 million to support implementation of the WHO Pacific Regional Preparedness and Response Plan
NZ$1 million to support WHO purchase GeneXpert machines and cartridges which have given Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, COVID-19 testing capability
New Zealand COVID-19 vaccine support for Polynesia and the Pacific including through COVAX
This funding contribution for the construction of a new warehouse is made available under the New Zealand Aid Programme’s COVID-19 Preparedness & Vaccines Fund.
Keeping safe has been the driving principle behind Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response at home, and in our region.
Closing borders and protecting our people has come at a cost to the region. We are contributing funding support to Pacific countries on a country-by-country basis. Governments are able to determine where this is needed most according to their individual circumstances, to help alleviate the health, economic and social challenges resulting from the pandemic, and drive recovery and resilience.
Throughout the pandemic, Aotearoa New Zealand is continuing to adapt its economic and health system support to meet country and regional needs.
New Zealand is committed to working with Tonga to respond to the immediate economic and social impacts of COVID-19, to assist Tonga be well prepared should COVID-19 enter the Kingdom, and to build resilience for the future.
