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Tonga borders to stay closed until March 2022, Health Minister says

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Minister of Health Associate Professor ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu said the country’s borders are expected to open to  foreign nationals on March 2022.

She said this was the best decision made for the safety of the country because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The repatriation and cargo flights will continue to arrive in the kingdom under special permits from the Ministry.

Tonga’s Covid-19 vaccination programme started last month on the main island, Tongatapu.

It began with 24,000 doses of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines which arrived on March 31.

This week the Ministry said it has broadened the vaccination roll-out to the people of ‘Eua island starting yesterday Thursday 19.

Prof Tu’ipulotu said 22,363 people have been vaccinated so far.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, a Tongan died after receiving her covid vaccination, but the Ministry said there was no direct link.

It said the 93-year-old elderly woman’s death was investigated and the results showed she died from non-communicable diseases including heart conditions.

The Ministry previously said that in regard to international reports raising concerns over blood clots as possible side effects from this vaccine, the Ministry would not make any decision to bring in a vaccine that will do more bad than good to our people.

“We rely on the records from our international stakeholders that it is safe as we have worked closely with them and trust their procedures. Getting the vaccination is vital to our people’s health because being vaccinated is our responsibility to not only protect ourselves but our family and people from the virus,” Acting Health CEO Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa said.

There were reports in New Zealand of people dying after receiving the vaccines but authorities said no link established.

Man accused of murdering human rights activist Polikalepo Kefu named

By
Kaniva Staff
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Vava’u man ‘Inoke Tonga, 27,  appeared in the Mu’a Magistrate Court today May 19 charged with the murder of Polikalepo Kefu, 41.

Tonga is expected to reappear at the Magistrate court in June 2.

It was alleged Kefu and the suspect were at the beach near Tatakamotonga on May 1 before the incident occurred.

Tonga turned himself into Police the same day after realising they have his identity.

Detectives identified Tonga as a person of interest after interviews and a canvass of the area.

Kefu was laid to rest last week after postmortem tests were completed.

His violent death has shocked the local and international community.

It has also triggered calls to redefine LGBT name according to its Tongan context and to revise laws about homosexuality which is still considered illegal. Though rarely enforced, it still carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Tonga does not recognize same-sex unions in any form.

Jamil Hopoate charged over cocaine supply

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Sarah Keoghan and Sarah McPhee, Sydney Morning Herald

Jamil Hopoate’s lawyer has vowed to take his client’s bid for freedom to the Supreme Court after a surety from Bulldogs NRL star Will Hopoate of $50,000 failed to release his brother from jail.

Jamil Hopoate, who is an off-contract NRL player, was charged with large-scale commercial drug supply on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the alleged importation of cocaine with a street value of $154.2 million.

Off-contract NRL player Jamil Hopoate is behind bars as he faces drug supply charges.
Off-contract NRL player Jamil Hopoate is behind bars as he faces drug supply charges. CREDIT:GETTY

Police allege Hopoate ran from police with an 8kg substance in his backpack, which he threw over a fence into a nearby backyard in Mascot.

The 26-year-old appeared via audiovisual link at Sydney’s Central Local Court on Wednesday and wiped away tears as his daughter waved to him through the court’s cameras.

His brother Will, was joined by his father John and mother Brenda, who signalled “I love you” multiple times to the cameras while the matter was being heard.

In court, Hopoate’s principal lawyer Greg James QC argued the substance in the backpack was a dummy drug that had been swapped out by police and therefore his client could not be charged under the charge of drug supply.

Australian Border Force had previously intercepted a shipment of toolboxes last week from the UK, which contained 514 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of nearly $155 million and had been investigating the matter since.

As part of the investigation, police switched the cocaine for a dummy drug. Mr James argued the former Brisbane Broncos player was therefore simply utilised as a delivery person for the material.

Magistrate Philip Stewart rejected the submission and said it could be inferred the defendant believed the backpack contained a prohibited drug.

“By taking the bag why did he throw it away … if not of the belief he was taking a prohibited drug,” Mr Stewart said.

Mohomed Abbas, another lawyer on Hopoate’s legal team, told reporters they would be taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

“We respectfully disagree with the submission, we do intend to take it to the Supreme Court,” Mr Abbas said.

Mr Abbas said Mr Hopoate was doing “fine” after spending the night in Surry Hills Police Station.

“When you get bail refused you spend time in custody, it is what it is,” he said.

Police allege officers stopped a truck in Botany on Tuesday which was being driven by Hopoate’s co-accused and friend Leanne Mafoa.

Police allege the duo were picking up the consignment and Ms Mafoa allegedly reversed the vehicle at speed, forcing a police officer to jump out of the way. She was arrested and charged with large commercial drug supply and using an offensive weapon in company to prevent detention after driving the truck at speed.

She also had her bail refused on Wednesday.

“We didn’t know the identity of the people who came to pick the consignment up until it happened,” he said.

Hopoate was initially taken to the hospital for a minor leg injury after the arrest.

Detectives also arrested a 28-year-old man during a vehicle stop on Williamson Drive in Macquarie Fields about 5pm on Tuesday. A home in Minto was raided a short time later.

The Minto man was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

“Police will allege in court that the man collected the consignment from Matraville and delivered it to Pagewood, before leaving the area,” police said.

He was refused police bail.

Chief Superintendent Bennett said based on social media, the trio appeared to be friends.

Ha’apai governor fined $12,000 for unlawful possession of huge amount of turtle meat

By
Kaniva Staff
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Ha’apai governor Viliami Manuopangai Hingano was today fined in the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court after he was convicted of unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat.

Ha’apai governor outside the Supreme Court. Photo/Kakalu ‘O Tonga Newspaper (cropped)

The judge fined him a total of $12,500, the editor of the Kakalu ‘O Tonga Newspaper reported this morning.

Hingano, 46, was in possession of the turtle meat out of the shell, without it being certified by an authorised officer that it came from a turtle of legal size.

He pleaded not guilty and elected trial by judge alone.

Hingano told the court that he had no guilty intent to commit this offence and that he did not know that the law required that there be prior approval to kill a turtle.

But Judge Niu didn’t buy it.

Judge Niu said: “Having heard the accused‘s background, he being a director in the Ministry of Public Enterprises, and he had been a member of Parliament representing District 12 of Ha’apai which included Lofanga, and having grown up and living in Ha’apai, I do not believe his evidence that he did not know that an approval was required before a turtle was killed”.

Family pleads to keep MMA fighter Liufau Vake on life support

By
Kalino Latu
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The family of Liufau Vake, a 25-year-old promising Mixed Martial Art fighter is advocating to keep him on life support after consultations with doctors at Auckland hospital.

Family rally to support Vake while he’s in comma. (Inset) Vake and his daughter. Photos/Supplied

His maternal aunt has confirmed this to Kaniva News this morning saying Liufau’s mother was optimistic and wanted more time while she and her whole family were praying for her son.

Vake who was in comma for three days now since Sunday 16 was put on ventilator but he allegedly never recovered consciousness.

He was rushed to hospital after he was allegedly attacked on Symonds St just before 3am.

It is alleged Vake fell after being hit from behind.

Police and St John emergency services were called to the scene, near the intersections of Khyber Pass Rd and Newton Rd in Eden Terrace, at 2.55am.

Two people were initially taken into custody.

Police later charged a total of four men who appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday.

One is charged with common assault, another is charged with two counts of assaulting with intent to injure, while the other is charged with wounding with intent and injuring with intent.

The fourth man is a 32-year-old who has been charged with common assault.

Police say inquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the incident.

However, they are not looking for anyone else in relation to it.

Vake’s family, friends and kāinga as well as the mixed martial arts community have rallied to support him and his family.

Death of Tongan after receiving Covid vaccine reported; no link established says Health Minister

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan has died after getting a Covid-19 vaccination, but the Ministry of Health says there is no direct link.

The death of the  93-year-old woman a day after receiving her Covid-19 vaccination was “due to non-communicable diseases including a heart condition”, the Minister of Health Prof ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu was quoted by local media as saying.

The Minister reportedly said the death was investigated.

The elderly woman was given the jab together with members of her family.

The Ministry previously said it remained confident the vaccine was safe and effective.

Meanwhile, it said it is working to make sure more of the vital vaccines do not go to waste by lowering down the vaccination ages from 35 to 30.

It has also broadened the vaccination roll-out to the people of ‘Eua island starting today Thursday 19.

Prof Tu’ipulotu said 22,363 people have been vaccinated so far.

“This means that about 80% of Tonga’s first vaccines batch has been used with none gone to waste”, she said.

“Don’t miss out on the last few weeks of the national rollout. If you are aged 30 and above, aged 18 with an NCDs or disabilities, come get vaccinated this week – Digi Square or NCD Centre”.

New president confirmed at Tonga Rugby Union meeting

By
Kaniva Staff
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Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was elected as new president of the Tonga Rugby Union.

PM Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Tonga Parliament

He replaced former president MP Siaosi Pohiva.

The renewal of the union’s presidency comes after a new Chief Executive Officer, Peter Harding was confirmed in January.

Meanwhile, the ‘Ikaletahi will face the All Blacks at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland in July.

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the dates and venues for the Tests against Tonga and Fiji.

The All Blacks will play Tonga at the Warriors home ground on July 3rd.

Former All-Black, Malakai Fekitoa, is poised to return to Tonga’s 15-a-side ranks, after committing to play for the national sevens team in next month’s final Olympic qualifier in Monaco.

“We’ve done the documents for him and New Zealand have released him back to Tonga who he originally played for when he was 18,” TRU Chief Executive Peter Harding has told Pacific Beat.

“We have probably two others, (who’re ready to make the switch) we’re just confirming at the moment who will be playing for us, but that’s about the maximum we have at the moment because of the fixture clash with the big European club competition finals.”

“We’re going to put out a very good side of professional Europe-based players over there. Everyone’s incredibly keen to play. I’m not sure whether we’ll qualify, but I’m not sure we won’t qualify either,” Harding said.

Prosecutor recommends $10,000 fine for Ha’apai governor who was convicted of unlawful possession of turtle meat

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The crown prosecutor has recommended a fine of TOP$10,000 for Viliami Manuopangai Hingano after he was convicted of unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat.

Ha’apai governor Viliami Manuopangai Hingano

But the governor’s lawyer has argued a $1,000 fine was appropriate, the Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper reports.

The Supreme Court is expected to sentence Hingano tomorrow Wednesday 19.

Hingano, 46, was in possession of the turtle meat out of the shell, without it being certified by an authorised officer that it came from a turtle of legal size.

He pleaded not guilty and elected trial by judge alone.

Hingano told the court that he had no guilty intent to commit this offence and that he did not know that the law required that there be prior approval to kill a turtle.

But Judge Niu didn’t buy it.

Judge Niu said: “Having heard the accused‘s background, he being a director in the Ministry of Public Enterprises, and he had been a member of Parliament representing District 12 of Ha’apai which included Lofanga, and having grown up and living in Ha’apai, I do not believe his evidence that he did not know that an approval was required before a turtle was killed”.

Tonga hoping for sea of red fans against All Blacks, Samoa

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga is hoping the famous sea of red will turn out in force when they face the All Blacks in their first rugby test in almost two years.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 25: Tonga fans during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final match between Tonga and England at Mt Smart Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The ‘Ikale Tahi will take on the three time world champions at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium on 3 July in their first match since the 2019 World Cup.

Tongan fans have previously packed out the South Auckland stadium for rugby league tests against England, New Zealand and Australia.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding is hoping their loyal supporters will turn up en masse.

We’re hoping that we get everybody there…a sea of red. There might be a little bit of black in there at some stage but we’re hoping for as much red as we can possibly get in there,” he said.

“Our fans are very very passionate and they’ll get out there and support the team no matter what, so what we want is a full stadium, everyone turning up and everyone dressed in a red jersey.”

Manu Samoa will face the Māori All Blacks in the curtain raiser at Mount Smart Stadium, before Samoa and Tonga clash in two Rugby World Cup qualifying matches on consecutive weekends.

Peter Harding said he discussed with ‘Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu whether playing the All Blacks would help or hinder the kingdom’s World Cup hopes, before deciding it was an opportunity they could not afford to turn down.

“We have to take that game to give the players the opportunity to test themselves against the best team over the last ten years and it’s not really for us to decide to take that opportunity off them. How many times do we get it? We don’t get it very often. We wanted to make sure they got the chance to play the All Blacks.”

Despite the excitement of playing New Zealand, Tonga’s main focus remained the two-tests against Samoa on 10 and 17 July, from which the aggregate winner will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023.

“Our one objective this July is to qualify for the World Cup again,” Harding stressed.

“Once we qualify then we can really get stuck into preparing for it: blooding new people, blooding new players, blooding new staff, but until that’s done then everything is up in the air. It has to be the number one priority.”

Most of Tonga’s European based players will not be able to travel to New Zealand for the qualifying matches, because of the requirement to quarantine for 14 on arrival, but Toutai Kefu and his staff were working hard to put together the strongest squad possible, Harding said.

“All the original planning was done about the majority of the squad coming from Tongan qualified players living in New Zealand and the majority of the squad will be based around those sort of players.

“We’re in this situation that we can’t control so we’re doing whatever we can to make sure we get a good team and a good bunch of staff out there on the day.

“With the talent around, if you look through ITM Cup (NPC in New Zealand) and Super Rugby teams there’s a lot of Tongans who can play and play well, and we’re doing our very best to convince them to play for Tonga.”

A venue for the first test between Tonga and Samoa on 10 July is yet to be confirmed, with the All Blacks hosting Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on the same day.

All four teams will take part in a double-header the following weekend at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Tongan ‘rising star’ MMA boxer fights for his life in hospital after central Auckland brawl; family asks for prayers

By
Kaniva Staff
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The family and cousins of a Tongan young father who is currently fighting for his life in Auckland hospital are asking for prayers and positive thoughts for their son.

Liufau Vake. Photo/Supplied

Liufau Vake is being treated with serious injuries after he was attacked in central Auckland early Sunday morning May 16.

Police said officers responded to reports of a group of people fighting on Symonds St in central Auckland at about 3am.

The incident happened near the intersections with Khyber Pass Rd and Newton Rd in Eden Terrace, just south of the CBD.

Two people were taken into custody. Police said they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter.

Vake’s uncle-in-law Veili Pāongo shared photos of the victim’s family and friends rallying at his bedsides this evening and asking for prayers.

He said members of the UFC Tongan Mixed Martial Art (MMA) fight community including coach Lolo Heimuli were at the hospital.

Vake is a talented fighter and people around him looked up to him because he was “a rising star” in his boxing field, Pāongo said.

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