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Tongan young father dies unexpectedly in his sleep – now family trying to get his body home

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tongan Recognised Seasonal Worker (RSE) who we have reported his death this morning has died after a suspected heart attack while he was asleep.

Fuifuikula ‘O Lofakaitamaki ‘Ealelei. Photo/Supplied (cropped)

The death of Fuifuikula ‘O Lofakaitamaki ‘Ealelei, 36, from Haveluloto, Tongatapu was referred to a corona.

His co-workers attempted to wake him up on Sunday May 16 at 12pm before they realised he was dead, RSE Liaison Officer in New Zealand Sefita Hao’uli told Kaniva News this afternoon.

‘Ealelei died at the Mr Apple Tongan RSE worker’s accommodation at Williams St, Hastings.

Police and emergency services attended the scene.

The deceased’s family and next of kin were contacted in Tonga.

They got a chance yesterday to watch ‘Ealelei’s body on a live video stream, Hao’uli said.

His family are now working together with Tongan and New Zealand authorities to bring his body back home to Tonga.

The young father is survived by his wife and their two children.

A prayer vigil for ‘Ealelei is being conducted by the Tongan RSE workers in Hastings.

There are now 1162 Tongan workers in New Zealand.

Samoa court dismisses call for second election

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

Samoa’s Supreme Court has thrown out the Head of State’s decision to call a second election, clearing the path for the newcomer FAST party to form a government.

Samoa's parliament
Samoa’s parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Announcing the second election earlier this month, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II told Samoans it was the best way to break the political deadlock that emerged after last month’s election.

However the court today found that he had no constitutional power to call for the election while outstanding matters relating to April’s election were still unresolved.

This decision follows another ruling by the court earlier today which gave FAST an electoral majority, by voiding the addition of an un-elected extra women’s seat.

The sixth women’s seat had created the deadlock between FAST and the caretaker government HRPP party following last month’s general election.

It is expected that FAST’s leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa will call for parliament to be re-called so as she can declare a government.

Fiame would become Samoa’s first woman prime minister.

More to come…

Extra seat thrown out, FAST wins Samoa election

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

The Supreme Court in Samoa has thrown out the electoral office’s decision to appoint an extra woman member of parliament.

It means the decision breaks a month-long deadlock from the April election, handing the newcomer FAST party a majority.

The Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi party leader, Fiame Naomi Mataafa
The Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi party leader, Fiame Naomi Mataafa Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tipi Autagavaia

The electoral office last month added the extra seat purportedly to meet a provision in the constitution that 10 percent of seats are reserved for women.

That extra seat fell to the caretaker HRPP government, creating a 26-all deadlock.

But the Supreme Court today returned a unanimous verdict ruling that decision was unconstitutional.

However, this decision was the premise for the head of state’s controversial call for a snap election, scheduled for Friday.

Whether that call was constitutional is to be ruled on this afternoon by the Supreme Court.

All Blacks to play Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ and is republished with permission

The All Blacks will play at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland for the first time when they host Tonga in July.

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

Italy were originally scheduled to tour here, but cancelled due to concerns around travelling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The All Blacks will play Tonga at the Warriors home ground on July 3rd, the following Saturday they’ll play Fiji in Dunedin and then a week later they’ll meet Fiji again in Hamilton.

There are two double-headers with Mt Smart also hosting the Maori All Blacks against Manu Samoa, while Waikato Stadium will also host the World Cup qualifier between Tonga and Samoa.

It will be the first time the All Blacks have played back-to-back Tests against Fiji.

The All Blacks have played Fiji nine times before, but not since 2011 in what was the final Test match at Carisbrook in Dunedin. The first match against Fiji was in Suva in 1974, with the All Blacks pipping the home side that day 14-13.

New Zealand Rugby NZR CEO Mark Robinson said: “We know the passionate All Blacks and Māori All Blacks fans, together with the fanatical Pasifika fans, will make these game days very special occasions.”

Fiji Rugby Chief Executive John O’Connor said: “We would like to thank New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby for their support in giving us this great opportunity for our players and, likewise, our coaching panel.

He added that, despite Fiji facing a second wave of COVID-19, Flying Fijians Head Coach Vern Cotter was trying everything possible to assemble the best Fijian team to take on the All Blacks, after a lapse of ten years.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding said: “The Tonga Rugby Union is proud to be presented with the opportunity to play the All Blacks. The connection between the two countries is very strong and this connection is amplified through rugby.”

The All Blacks last played Tonga in Hamilton in 2019 ahead of the Rugby World Cup and have played ‘Ikale Tahi six times.

Meanwhile, Manu Samoa will also play a second RWC 2023 Qualifying match against Tonga, with further details on that match to be confirmed at a later date.

The All Blacks schedule for The Rugby Championship, as well as an additional Bledisloe Cup Test, will be announced in due course, with Eden Park and Wellington’s SKY Stadium expected to host a number of games.

All Blacks vs Tonga, Saturday 3 July, 7.05PM, plus Māori All Blacks vs Manu Samoa (kick-off TBC), Mt Smart Stadium, AUCKLAND

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 10 July, 7.05PM, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 17 July, 7.05PM, plus Tonga vs Samoa (kick-off TBC), FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON

Tongan seasonal worker dies in Hawkes Bay

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan Seasonal Worker has died in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, it has been confirmed to Kaniva News this morning.

No further details were provided.

The death comes about nine month after New Zealand authorities said they were concerned about the well being of Pacific Island workers still unable to return home and says Tongan authorities must help out.

At the time, it was reported that some 487 workers from Tonga and 763 from Vanuatu were registered as requiring urgent repatriation.

Johnny Appleseed director Paul Paynter reportedly said it was not acceptable that young vulnerable men had been left in New Zealand. He said the Tongan government needed to be more pro-active.

READ MORE:

As we reported in August last year, about 7000 Tongans became stuck overseas because of the border closures.

CEO Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Kaniva News at the time the government could not just prioritise RSE workers.

He said the number of rooms in the quarantine facilities and the number of front line workers at the isolation facilities were also a significant issue.

Meanwhile, two repatriation flights are planned for June from Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia.

Tongan authorities said a plan has now been in place for repatriated passengers to start paying for their quarantine starting on 28 July.

Each passenger is expected to pay TOP$4,000 for their quarantine.

Tongan suspect sought after man killed in Melbourne drive-by shooting

By
Kaniva Staff
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Melbourne Police said they are still looking for the suspect who killed a father-of-five in a drive-by shooting on Westwood Drive in Ravenhall in February.

Detectives have released CCTV of the ute believed to be involved in the incident. (Supplied Nine)

Police believed it may have been a case of mistaken identity as police probe whether bikie gangs or community groups were involved in the crime “gone wrong”.

Deer Park man Ikenasio Tuivasa, 33, known to family and friends as ‘Sio’ was standing outside the All Star Lounge on Westwood Drive in Ravenhall with his two younger brothers, cousins and family friends, when he was shot dead by a moving vehicle just before midnight on February 27 this year, 9News reports.

“Investigators have been told a Toyota Hilux SR5 ute approached the group and stopped on the roadway, with a passenger calling out in Tongan language to gain their attention, before producing a gun and “firing a number of shots”, it said.

Sio died from his injuries and a 24-year-old Endeavour Hills man who was standing nearby was also injured.

The ute then sped away towards Ballarat Road and was last seen travelling on the Western Highway towards Rockbank, in the city’s west.

Despite “extensive enquiries”, Homicide Squad detectives are yet to establish a clear motive for the shooting, prompting theories of mistaken identity in a feud between bikie gangs or Pacific Islander groups.

“Homicide detectives have made extensive enquiries into Mr Tuivasa’s background, along with the other people who were present that night and found no discernible motive for the crime,” Detective Inspector Tim Day said.

“There is nothing in his background that suggests that he would have been targeted.

“They’ve either mucked it up targeting the wrong group, or fired indiscriminately into the crowd.”

Police have identified a number of other altercations leading up to the shooting involving Pacific Islander community members near the billiards lounge and other similar venues in Melbourne’s north.

Covid-19: King and Queen receive vaccinations

By
Kalino Latu
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The king and the Queen of Tonga have received Covid-19 vaccinations, the Ministry of Health has said.

Photo/ Ministry of Health (cropped)

It said the vaccinations were administered this morning Saturday 15 by the Ministry’s vaccination team led by the Minister for Health, Honourable Associate Professor ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu.

“His Majesty King Tupou VI, reigning King of Tonga and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine today, Saturday 15 May 2021, 10am at Vaiola Hospital,” it said.

The team included Acting CEO for Health Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa, Royal Physician Dr Sione Latu, lead vaccinator Sr Afu Tei and supporting physicians and nurses.

King Tupou VI receives vaccination. Photo/Ministry of Health (cropped)

“This is a historical event for Tonga and the Ministry of Health is proud to have achieved this milestone during the national vaccination rollout here in Tonga. Long may Your Majesties live!”

Meanwhile, New Zealand has promised to top up the amount of Tonga’s Vaccination programmes using vaccines from the global COVAX programme.

“New Zealand is following up its commitment to equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines by donating enough for 800,000 people through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment. These doses will go to developing countries, with a focus on the Pacific,” said New Zealand’s Associate Health and Foreign Affairs minister Aupito William Sio.

Tonga is still Covid-19 free.

Tongan woman who didn’t know she was pregnant delivered a preterm baby midflight. NICU nurses happened to be onboard.

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Star Advertiser, Hawai’i

Lavinia “Lavi” Mounga had no idea a baby was coming when she went into labour on a flight from her home in Utah to Honolulu last week.

Lavi Mounga, 38, with physician Dale Glenn, 52, after she unexpectedly gave birth to her son, Raymond, on a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Honolulu. Mounga did not know she was pregnant. (Hawaii Pacific Health)

“I just didn’t know I was pregnant, and then this guy just came out of nowhere,” Mounga said during a video interview with Hawaii Pacific Health.

The baby boy, Raymond Mounga, arrived early at just 29 weeks while mom was traveling to Hawaii for vacation with her family.

Dr Dale Glenn, a Hawaii Pacific Health family medicine physician, along with Lani Bamfield, Amanda Beeding and Mimi Ho — neonatal intensive care unit nurses from North Kansas City Hospital — were also on the plane and helped the new mother and baby.

“Yeah, just overwhelming and just nice that there was three NICU nurses on the plane and a doctor that were able to help stabilize him and make sure that he was OK,” Mounga said.

When deciding on a name, Mounga’s father suggested “Glenn,” in honor of the doctor who helped her during the flight.

“Names are pretty important in our culture,” said Mounga, who is Tongan. “I didn’t really want to name him Glenn.” Instead she asked Dr Glenn, who gave his adopted children Hawaiian middle names, for a suggestion.

He offered “Kaimana,” which is now one of the boy’s middle names.

The child will have to stay in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit he is full term, about another 10 weeks, Mounga said.

“The aloha spirit is definitely felt here,” she said about the care she has received in Hawaii.

“It’s very different from the mainland,” Mounga said. “It just feels comforting, and everyone is willing to help.”

Former All Blacks, Wallaby in line to play for Tonga

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

Four New Zealand and Australian rugby internationals have put their hands up to represent Tonga at next month’s Final Olympic Sevens Repechage tournament.

The Tonga men's sevens team reached the semi finals at the Tailevu Sevens in January.
Tonga is among 10 teams vying for the final men’s qualifying berth in Tokyo. Photo: Supplied

The Tonga Rugby Union announced last month it would only select players based in Europe for the qualifying tournament in Monaco, because of travel difficulties caused by Covid-19.

Tonga men’s sevens coach Tevita Tu’ifua said an initial list of 43 names had been trimmed to 23, which includes two ex All Blacks and a former Wallaby.

“We have got a few (high profile) names pop up and we still need to rank our priorities list and then we work from there to finalise our selection,” he said.

“…there’s a lot of things behind the scenes that we all collaborate together on the management side of things and even coaching and playing.”

Tonga men's sevens coach Tevita Tu'ifua.
Tonga men’s sevens coach Tevita Tu’ifua. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Talei Anderson

Players can switch their international allegiance by playing in an Olympic qualifying event, provided they have a passport for the second country and have completed a stand down period of three years.

Tu’ifua said he has been working with ‘Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu to determine which players they can to cap via the sevens programme.

“I still take on board his input for people we need to consider on selection to make them available for Tonga, the guys who need to be capped.

“That’s a priority for us as well for our programme, (players) who need to be available for ‘Ikale Tahi post Monaco.”

As previously reported by RNZ Pacific, former All Black Charles Piutau will not feature in Monaco as the Olympic qualifier clashes with the English Premiership semi finals.

Another two former New Zealand internationals had also indicated their desire to wear red but are likely to be involved in the French Top 14 playoffs on the same weekend.

Tu’ifua said a 15-man training squad will be named shortly, from which the final 12 players will be selected.

“We’re at the stage of cutting down the squad to finalising probably in the next few days or within a week,” he said.

Trying for Tokyo

Tonga has been handed a tough draw in Monaco, with Samoa and Ireland – who are both core teams on the Men’s World Series – also in their pool, alongside Zimbabwe and Mexico.

10 men’s and 12 women’s team will contest the repechage event in Monaco on 19-20 June, where one men’s and two women’s teams will seal the final spots in the main draw.

Tevita Tu’ifua said Tonga will give it their best shot.

“We still need to go in with the mindset of doing well,” he said.

“The result will look after itself if we are able to put a good plan that fits the profile of the players and making sure they prepare well for this tournament.”

The Auckland-based Tu’ifua will not travel to the repechage tournament but said he has already arranged for another coach and team manager who will support the team in Monaco.

He said Tonga’s New Zealand based sevens players are instead focusing on the 15-a-side game, with loose forward Solomone Funaki called into the Highlanders Super Rugby squad this week as injury cover.

While the core squad will miss the Olympic Repechage, Tu’ifua said some of them are in contention to play for the ‘Ikale Tahi during the July window.

“That’s always been part of my goals for the sevens programme since day one is just building that bridge as a pathway to our main fifteen-a-side ‘Ikale Tahi.”

A New Zealand squad recently played against the All Blacks Sevens.
A New Zealand squad recently played against the All Blacks Sevens. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Talei Anderson

Fourth Covid-19 death in Fiji

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

A woman has died of Covid-19 and three staff from Fiji’s Centre for Disease Control have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Dr James Fong.
Dr James Fong. Photo: Fiji govt

In a statement to the nation on Thursday night, Fiji Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong said the latest death was a woman from the recent cluster detected at Makoi, a suburb north of Suva, which has been the centre of multiple cases this week.

Dr Fong said she was taken to intensive care after her condition began deteriorating rapidly.

“Tonight, I offer the nation my ministry’s total commitment to spare as many families as we can from the tragedy of seeing loved ones lost to this terrible disease,” he said.

Dr Fong announced four more new cases: another woman from Makoi and three who are administration staff at the Fiji CDC.

One of the staff members, also a resident of Makoi, had been tested after returning to work this week from annual leave.

Two other Fiji CDC staff had tested negative during routine testing earlier this week, but returned positive results when tested again during contact tracing for their colleague.

“Our investigations so far indicate that this cluster originated outside of the Fiji CDC and the virus was then brought in – as would be an expected consequence of community transmission,” Dr Fong said.

“Apart from these three cases, all other Fiji CDC staff have tested negative so far, including all of the laboratory and medical staff in the centre.

“We know that there was limited contact between administration staff and the lab personnel due to existing protocols, however, as a result of these cases, Fiji CDC has been sequestered, with staff onsite, or placed in quarantine facilities.”

Testing at the facility has temporarily halted while decontamination is conducted and the permanent secretary assured operations would continue after that with frequent testing for staff to follow.

Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama visit Fiji's Centre for Disease Control.
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama visit Fiji’s Centre for Disease Control (file photo). Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt

This second death of this wave brings the total Covid-19 Fiji death toll to four.

It is the first time a patient has succumbed to community transmission of Covid-19 without having an underlying condition or having imported the virus.

“The war against this virus is still winnable. Many thousands of lives can still be saved. Today, tomorrow, and every day after, for all of the foreseeable future, we will tell you what steps you can take to protect yourself and protect the ones you love. Listen often, listen well, and please adhere to every word of the advice we have to give,” Dr Fong said

The Suva and Nausori corridor, home to three towns and to approximately one-third of Fiji’s population goes into a lockdown from 11pm Friday night to 4am Wednesday.

The government has positioned emergency food rations to be distributed later in the lockdown period.

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