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Health Minister reiterates govt’s ‘proposal’ for travelers to pay  thousands for Tonga quarantine facilities

By
Kalino Latu
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The Minister of Health once again told parliament yesterday the government is working on a proposal for travelers having to stay in quarantine facilities in Tonga to be charged up to $4,000 for their stay.

The measure, which is expected to come into force in July, apply to Tongans stranded overseas and foreign nationals wanted to come to Tonga.

It is the latest twist in what has been described as conflicting answers coming from the government last week with the Minister of Finance denying there was such proposal.

The government is currently paying up to $4,000 to managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ) per traveler. It pays about $600,000 to isolate passengers arriving per repatriated flight.

Communication (MEIDECC) CEO Paula Ma’u has confirmed to Kaniva News last week the proposal is currently underway for passengers to pay their stay in MIQ from their own pockets.

He previously 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 after the costs for the managed isolation facilities were too expensive for the government to pay.

The planned quarantine fee was raised in parliament last week by former Minister of Health Saia Piukala.

The plan sparked heated debates online with critics calling on the government to withdraw the proposal.

Critics argued that the Tongan returnees were people who got stuck overseas because of Covid-19 and most of them were on visitor’s visas.

They said this was not a good proposal for people who returned from New Zealand and Australian seasonal worker programmes because the quarantine fees would be an equivalent of up to eight-week working in the farms.

South Auckland community leaders question police response to Harbour Bridge cycle protest

By
Kaniva Staff
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By One News / TVNZ and is republished with permission

Some South Auckland community leaders are questioning the official response to a weekend cycling protest on Auckland’s Harbour Bridge.

Only one arrest was made after more than 1000 cyclists forced their way onto the bridge. Source: 1 NEWS

Hundreds of bikers forced their way through a police cordon to ride over the bridge yesterday.

But, with just one arrest Auckland Councillor Efeso Collins is asking whether the group was shown leniency not shown to others.

“When you’re handling poorer people out south you’re treated one way by the police and when you’re managing people who are wealthy and in lycra you’ve got a completely different approach by the police,” he told 1 NEWS.

“You look at Ihumātao as an example, you had police in riot formation who’d turned up there, and then you get half a dozen cops trying to hold a gate together at the harbour bridge.”

Collins also equated it to what he believes was a heavy-handed police presence during the Rugby League World Cup in 2017 when Tongan supporters celebrated in the streets.

Manurewa’s Rowandale School principal Karl Vasu agrees.

“Imagine if this was a different group who pushed their way through a police cordon.

“There are people out there with other passionate issues and sometimes they’re not met with the same leniency or treated the same.”

1 NEWS asked police about allegations of bias.

In a statement they didn’t address the issue, but said they are continuing inquiries and a 47-year-old man arrested yesterday has now been cautioned.

Tonga, New Zealand and Australia ‘travel bubble’ plans revealed

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

Education icon and democratic activist Fīnau Tūtone dies aged 82

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

First Tongan woman to hold two honorary consul positions – Finland and Spain

By
Kalino Latu
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‘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.

Closing arguments in fraud trial of Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu and husband ousted former MP ‘Etuate

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

Family, kāinga of RSE worker kiss his coffin in emotional moment at Tongatapu service

By
Kaniva Staff
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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.

Gov’t conflicting answers over proposal for passengers to pay up to $4,000 quarantine fees cause confusion

By
Kalino Latu
-

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.

Police officer and a woman appear in Tongatapu court after illegal pyramid schemes

By
Kaniva Staff
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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.

Family, friends say goodbyes to Ōtāhuhu shooting victim ‘Aleki Moala as accused appear in court

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

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