Home Blog Page 393

The soul of Tongan Rugby: New CEO on finances, fixtures and the future

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

The new CEO of the Tonga Rugby Union is on a mission to restore confidence in the country’s national sport.

Peter Harding spent four years as General Manager of High Performance with the TRU, before departing in 2016 when a new administration was voted in.

The 'Ikale Tahi perform the sipi tau during the Pacific Nations Cup.
Photo: Tonga Rugby Union

Since then he worked as a rugby consultant in Africa and Asia but said his passion for Tonga never left.

“My family’s been in Tonga since 2012 and my son’s nine and he’s basically grown up here. He spent a bit of time in Australia, six or seven months of his life, but the majority of his time is here. My wife’s settled with friends, we’re quite settled here – it’s a fantastic place to live and we’ve got a lot of really good friends here.”

The TRU signed a tripartite agreement with World Rugby and the Tonga government six months ago, after the global governing body pulled its financial support because of governance and administration issues.

Harding, who is contracted until the end of 2023, said the Board has already agreed to undergo a full governance review.

“If you notice that both Samoa and Fiji are on the (World Rugby) Council – that’s because they welcomed the governance review…which was put together after the World Cup in 2015. They’ve been through that process and they’ve had a rewritten constitution, rewritten review and so has Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea…[the] Cook Islands have done it.

“We’re basically the last people in the Pacific to do it so one of the first things we passed in the first board meeting was that we need to have that governance review.”

Peter Harding, new CEO of Tonga Rugby Union
Peter Harding, new CEO of Tonga Rugby Union Photo: World Rugby

Harding said it was a collaborative and consultative process with stakeholders in Tonga.

“We need to do that to update the constitution and also to get on the treadmill so that in future we can potentially get on Council and have a member there who can speak up for us.”

Harding had no illusions that his job would be easy and was looking forward to many robust discussions in the boardroom and on the streets of Nuku’alofa.

“I know most of the players: I’m sort of plugged into most of those guys, I talk to them. I know the former coach Toutai (Kefu) pretty well and there’s something that is a bit addictive about island rugby…so seeing I was here and I’d just done four years in Africa with various nations trying to sort out governance and management there so I thought I had the expertise so I put my hand up and I was lucky enough to get it,” he said.

“Because rugby in Tonga is like it’s in people’s souls, it’s part of the country and part of people and…people tend to have very strong views on how things are to be done and how they’re to be run and it does occasionally lead to arguments or lead to issues and lead to problems.”

Harding said the public were passionate about things they believed in.

“I struggled with that as a palagi when I first came up…that was a challenge which to be honest I’m looking forward to now.”

Hire Power

Meanwhile the Tonga Rugby Union was close to confirming a new ‘Ikale Tahi coach, after the preferred candidate was signed off by the TRU Board on Thursday.

38 people applied for the role which has been vacant since Toutai Kefu’s contract expired after the 2019 World Cup, including a number of former Tongan internationals.

No caption
Tonga’s 2019 RWC squad Photo: Tonga Rugby Union

Peter Harding said it was important to get a coach and support staff in place as soon as possible, with two Rugby World Cup qualifying matches against Samoa looming in July.

“We’ve only just been reconfirmed as getting funding (from World Rugby ) so we haven’t been able to do anything about staff at this stage, because we didn’t have any money. There’s no point putting people on if there’s no money in the bank to pay them so we’ll start doing that now,” he said.

“The first person we’ll get is a head coach so we can start getting ready for July but after that staff here (in the TRU office) will be put on…now there’s got to be a negotiation to make sure that the coach is going to fulfill all of the requirements that we need, because part of our requirement for the coach is to spend at least four months on island to be a suppose a Director or Rugby type position and to assist and educate local coaches.”

Additional staff would follow, with Harding largely alone at the TRU offices.

“We’ll be looking at staff on-island like administrators and accounts because we’ve had a lot of problem with the money, but after that the first really on-island staff we’ll be looking at will be a development manager and a couple of development staff to come on in and get stuck into what we need to do up here – get some energetic people to really start looking at the schools and looking at the development of the kids.”

Change of venue for Rugby World Cup qualifiers

Tonga and Samoa will play their upcoming Oceania Rugby World Cup playoff series in New Zealand because of the ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19.

The ‘Ikale Tahi and Manu Samoa were meant to play home and away in July, with the aggregate winner to join England, Japan, Argentina and a qualifier from the Americas in Pool D in 2023.

Peter Harding said the games would now take place in New Zealand in mid-July.

“New Zealand Rugby have been very good and they’re going to help us out, for both teams, and get those games with Samoa there on the 17th and 24th of July…then the loser will play the highest ranked Asia-Pacific team to qualify directly to the World Cup,” he said.

Tonga were also pencilled in to play a warm up test against Ireland in New Zealand the week before, although Harding admitted that was looking unlikely.

It’s also unclear if their best players will be able to take part.

“To get the best people in that’s going to depend on the MIQ places in New Zealand…We’re putting all our applications together at the moment, which is difficult without a coach because he hasn’t picked a team,” he said.

“But if we’re going to bring people from overseas – if it’s from Australia hopefully there’s a travel corridor between those, that’s been on and off, but if they’re from Europe we’re going to have to find MIQ places.”

Peter Harding said Tonga and Samoa would still be able to select strong teams from eligible players based in New Zealand.

Samoa beat Tonga 30-10 in Apia during the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup.
Samoa and Tonga do battle during the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup Photo: Renee McKay/SRU

Tongan discus star aiming to lift off in new sport

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

Former New Zealand discus star Siositina Hakeai is looking to snatch records in a new sport.

Former New Zealand discus star Siositina Hakeai is looking to snatch records in a new sport.
Former New Zealand discus star Siositina Hakeai is looking to snatch records in a new sport. Photo: RNZ / Talei Anderson

The 27-year-old is a five time New Zealand women’s discus champion and placed fourth at the last two Commonwealth Games, but after entering the Auckland Strongman Series, the New Zealand-born Tongan said she was hooked on a new sporting challenge.

“I’ve been doing track and field for quite a long time, since I was 12-years-old. I started travelling the world at 14 [and] it just got to a point where my love for the sport started fading away,” she said.

“I decided to enter the Strongman Series because I knew I was strong, I just didn’t know how strong, and my love for the sport and lifting heavy just grew ever since.”

Hakeai entered her first New Zealand Strongman Series competition in 2019 where she picked up a New Zealand record for lifting 237kgs. By the end of 2020, she broke the New Zealand and Oceania women’s deadlift record at 270kgs.

But with the women’s world record sitting at 290kgs, Hakeai said the work was not over.

“Prior to that competition I only ever lifted 260kgs and I sit back now and I regret not putting 280kgs on the bar because the movement of the 270kgs was quite quick,” she said.

“I kind of regret not going [for] 280kgs but touch wood this year I can go for a 290kg world record or maybe even 300kgs.”

Afraid of how they might respond to her new found passion, Hakeai refrained from telling her parents about her participation in the the record-breaking competitions.

However a video posted online quickly gained attention and it wasn’t long before her secret was out.

“They found out through a video on Facebook,” she admitted.

Hakeai lifts 107.5kg log at the 2020 New Zealand Strongman Record Breakers competition.
Hakeai lifts 107.5kg log at the 2020 New Zealand Strongman Record Breakers competition. Photo: Facebook / New Zealand Strongman Series

“At first my parents weren’t too happy because I’ve been doing athletics for such a long time and me doing well in athletics isn’t just for myself but it’s for my parents and my family.”

“It kind of took a toll on them but then when they saw the potential I had in lifting, they’re a lot more supportive now. Mum’s always checking up to see if my back is all right or if I need extra massages, and dad is just making sure that I’m not overdoing it and I’m not trying to smash it so hard where it’s going to affect me long-term.”

Hakeai said Pacific Islanders were naturally strong, and it was encouraging to see more Pasifika participating in weightlifting sports.

“I see a lot of islanders getting into lifting and so they should be because it’s in their nature, they’re naturally strong, [and] that’s what we’re good at,” she said.

“I love seeing females throwing those irons around in the gym and not being afraid to go in there and lift, and not sticking to the cardio machines… I like that I can inspire people, especially girls, to give it a go and just showing guys that us girls can do what they can do, sometimes even better.”

While Hakeai aimed to break new records, she indicated her time doing discus wasn’t over yet, with hopes to one day represent her island nation.

“I’ve always wanted to represent Tonga in discus, in track and field, and my goal was to represent Tonga in the next Commonwealth Games, but with Covid-19 I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

“If I can represent New Zealand in lifting and Tonga in track and field, that’s my ideal goal…I don’t know if I can represent both, but that’s definitely something I’m going to be looking into.”

King signs bill to counter internet abuses into law

By
Kalino Latu
-

King Tupou VI has signed Tonga’s new cyber bullying bill, known officially as the Electronic Communication Abuse Offences Act.

It is now an offence to abuse, harass or otherwise harm another using electronic communication.

An offender could be fined not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both.

A person that is convicted of any repeated serious offence under this Act will be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

Service providers

Under the government’s bill a service provider must prevent communications networks and facilities from being used in, or in relation to, the commission of offences in this Act.

A service provider must assist Tonga Police in inquiries regarding this Act.

A service provider who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply commits an offence punishable to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

Disabling order

Under the law a victim can apply for a court order to remove any information they deemed causing them any harm if the court is satisfied the respondent, service provider or relevant person or party has sent, or caused the electronic communication to be published.

The king signed the bill into law on February 25 after it was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 10 December 2020.

Commentary: ‘Akosita Lavulavu got it wrong after call for her resignation; Opposition and media have roles to hold her to account

By
Kalino Latu
-

COMMENTARY The Minister of Infrastructure has wrongly attacked Kaniva News and Democratic Leader Semisi Sika in an article published by the VPON webpage yesterday.

Former Minister of Infrastructure ‘Etuate Lavulavu and wife former Minister of Internal Affairs. Photo/Akosita Lavulavu (Facebook)

‘Akosita claimed we attempted to interfere with the judiciary system after Sika called on her to resign ahead of her two separate fraud trials which are expected to start next Monday March 29 followed by another on April 12.

She also questioned Sika’s ground for comments saying no court has “proven beyond reasonable doubt” that she has committed any crimes.

She also criticised Sika for using Kaniva to echo his concerns saying he should understand “separation of powers”.

She told us there was no legal basis for her to resign and that she can’t wait for the day to come so she can make her case in court.

‘Akosita was responding after we ran an article yesterday headed: Sēmisi Sika: “Infrastructure Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu should ‘volunteer to resign’ ahead of her two separate fraud trials”

READ MORE:

It has to be underlined that there was no suggestion in the article that ‘Akosita was found guilty by any courts or committed any offence or that we criticised any decision by the court over her two fraud charges. Her court cases have yet to be heard and for her to say we attempted to interfere with the judiciary in dealing with her cases was utterly baseless and a mere attempt to mislead the public.

The Opposition & Media roles

The Opposition’s main role in democratic countries is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable. The Opposition utilises the media to reach voters “with its views and to establish an identity as an alternative government.”

The call by Sika for ‘Akosita to resign was part of his responsibilities as the Leader of the Opposition to hold her to account for the accusations against her because she is required to be accountable to the public and the people who have elected her to Parliament.

Earlier this month the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lord Fakafanua launched the first ever Parliamentary Reporters’ Handbook for the Tongan media.

The Lord Speaker said “that Parliament and the Media in Tonga share a mutual symbiotic relationship; one where the Assembly relies on the media to deliver their messages, opinions, and decisions to the public. This is while the media closely follows and scrutinizes the work of MPs”.

‘Akosita appears to have downplayed attempts by our Parliament of which she is a member to upgrade and gave more space to media freedom in Tonga.

Separation of power & Checks and Balances

‘Akosita should know that media is the fourth estate or pillar of democracy along with judiciary, executive and legislature.

Our roles included checking on each other through “procedures set in place to reduce mistakes, prevent improper behavior, or decrease the risk of centralization of power”.

“Media of today has an all embracing role to act against the injustice, oppression, misdeeds and partiality of our society”.

We do not suggest that ‘Akosita has committed any offence but we act “as watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and create public awareness.”

The Minister should understand better as she and his husband ’Etuate Lavulavu owned a newspaper and a radio station in which ‘Etuate used to attack the government’s critics and held the Opposition to account.

Resignations vs court judgement

The Minister is absolutely correct in saying that she never broke any laws in relation to her fraud cases. That is a matter for the courts to decide.

Unfortunately, that is not the point. There does not have to be a court judgement to be made for a Cabinet Minister to resign once they came under the spotlight. And the Tongan courts have no constitutional power to order her to resign. The mere fact that she has been accused and charged with two separate fraud cases, not just one, was enough for her to resign.

Cabinet Ministers’ credibility is a pivotal asset. Meaning they have to be honest. It means avoiding any activities, work or nonwork, that may harm the reputation of their office or the State services. And they have to do their best to protect that reputation.

Lessons from New Zealand & Australia

Being regarded as an honest and trustworthy Minister is not just about avoiding criminal activity or being cleared by a court decision. It is about understanding the difference between corruption and accusations and acknowledging that what is seen as the potential to cause the public to lose trust is just as great a concern than actually being found guilty in a court.

Most of the Cabinet Ministers in New Zealand and Australia who resigned because of any connection to corruption, accusations, allegations or indictments did so without having to wait until a court decision was made on their cases.

They wanted to step down as soon as they can possibly do to keep any criticisms and concerns against the government at bay.

This was seen when the New Zealand Health Minister David Clark formally resigned last year after “controversies in his handling of the Covid-19 response”.

Clark said: “”But it has become increasingly clear to me that my continuation in the role is distracting from the government’s overall response to COVID-19″.

In 2010, a New Zealand cabinet minister Phil Heatley resigned voluntarily “after finding an error in his expense accounts”. At the time, PM John Key offered him a chance to stand down but Heatley wanted to resign.

Key told media at the time, he would return Heatley if an investigation would clear him. And it happened. The investigation cleared him and Heatley’s ministerial role was reinstated.

Last year Three South Australian ministers and the state’s Legislative Council president resigned over the State Government’s expenses saga.

One of them was Premier Steven Marshall who said after he resigned: “The distractions of the past week have been extraordinarily disappointing and unacceptable.

“I don’t believe there has been deliberate dishonesty … but it’s very clear this is a distraction the Government doesn’t need”.

Whale watching licenses case

The Minister insisting that we should leave it to the courts to make decision in which she implied would be the only way to justify a resignation was balderdash.

Last year the Supreme Court warned ‘Akosita  to follow the law and reinstated whale watching licenses she denied to a group of companies

The Minister was ordered to pay the plaintiffs’ costs.

If this was a case in New Zealand or Australia it is believed she was told to resign.

But what is most important here is that she was tried in court and she was found to have broken the law and she never resigned.

Now she is telling us after she had been charged for frauds and knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses she would not resign because the courts have yet to make decisions against her cases.

FAKAMATALA NOUNOU FAKATONGA

‘Oku totonu ke mahino ki he Minisitā ‘O e Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi’ ko e fatongia mu’omu’a ia mo mahu’inga ‘o e Fa’ahi Fakaanga ‘o ha Fale Alea pea tatau mo e mitia ke nau ‘omai ‘a e kau minisita pe kau fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo fai hanau tukuaki’i ke nau fakamatala mo fakahoko  ‘a e me’a ‘oku totonu ke nau fai’ ‘ke vakai ki ai ‘a e kakai’. Ko ia ai ko e lau na’e fai ‘e Semisi Sika ‘i he Kaniva ‘o ne ui kia ‘Akosita ke fakafisi tu’unga he’ene ongo hopo lalahi ‘e ua ‘oku hanga mai’ ko e fatongia totonu ia ‘o ‘ona. Pea na’e fai ‘i he laumalie lelei he na’e ‘i ai ‘ene poini’ ko ‘ene pehe ke malu’i e ngeia ‘o e kapineti’. Ko ‘ene ngāue’aki ‘a e mitia’ ki hono fatongia ko ia’ ‘oku toe totonu pe mo ia he ko e ngafa ia ‘o e mitia’ ke nau fakaongo atu e fakakaukau mo e lau ‘a e kau taki ‘o e fonua’ kau ai ‘a e Fa’ahi Fakaanga’. Ko e pehē ‘e ‘Akosita tokua ‘oku kei tonuhia pe ia te’eki fakahalaia’i ia ‘i fale hopo ‘oku ta’e ‘uhinga ia he ‘oku ‘ikai ko e angamaheni ia ‘o e fakafisi ‘a ha minisitā pe Fakafofonga Fale Alea ke toki tu’utu’uni ha fakamaau’anga pea nau fakafisi’. Pea ‘oku ‘ikai ha mafai pehe ia ‘o e fakamaau’anga’. Na’e ‘osi mo’ua  ‘a ‘Akosita i he Fakamaau’anga lahi ‘ ‘i hono faka’ilo ia  ko e ‘ikai ke ne foaki ‘a e ngaahi laiseni mamata’anga tofua’a ki ha kulupu ‘o ha ngaahi kautaha. Pea na’e tautea ai ia ke ne totongi ‘a e fakamole ‘a e ngaahi kautaha ki he hopo ko ia’. Ne ‘osi totonu ke fakafisi pe ia he fo’i keisi ko ia’ he kuo’ ne maumau’i e lao ‘a e pule’anga’. Ko ‘ene lave ‘o pehē ‘oku feinga ‘a e Kaniva’ mo e taki ‘o e Fa’ahi Fakaanga’ ke kaunoa ‘i he fakamaau’anga ‘oku hala mama’o mo ia mo ta’e ‘uhinga. ‘E lau ia ko e ta’efaka’apa’apa ki he fakamaau’anga kapau te mau kaunoa ka na’e ‘ikai ha fakamatala pehe ‘e taha ‘e ha atu ‘i he Kaniva’. Ko hono mo’oni ko ‘ena feinga mo e uepi ‘a e VPON ke fakangali kovi’i e fatongia totonu pe ia ‘o e Kaniva mo Semisi Sika. Ko ‘ena tukuaki’i ne ‘ikai  hano makatu’unga pea ‘ikai te na lava ‘o kuouti pe to’o hangatonu mai mei he ongoongo na’e pulusi’ ko e fe ‘a e me’a ai ‘oku mau kaunoa ai he fakamaau’anga. Ko Nu’u Sila’ mo ‘Aositelēlia ko e ongo fonua ia ‘oku na toutou fai ha ngaahi uekasopu mo e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga ‘i hono feinga’i ke fakahinohino ‘a e founga ngāue ki hona ongo Fale Alea’. Pea ko e founga ‘i Nu’u Sila’ ni mo ‘Aositelēlia ko ‘ene tukuaki’i pe ha minisitā ko e lahi taha’ fakafisi pe minisita ko ia ‘iate ia ‘ikai toe tali ia ke ō ‘o fakatonutonu ‘i ha hopo. Pea ‘oku fakafisi e ni’ih kae lele e fakatotolo pea ‘osi ange ‘oku nau tonuhia pea ‘oku fakafoki pe kinautolu ki honau lakanga’. Ko e me’a totonu ia ke fai ‘i Tonga ke taau mo e lotu ‘aukai ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘oku fua hono fakamole mei he tukuhau ‘a e kakai’. ‘Oku totonu ke ho’ata mai ‘a e lotu ko ia’ ‘i he to’onga ‘a e kau minisitaa’. ‘Oku totonu ke fakafaikehekehe’i ‘e ‘Akosita ‘a e me’a ‘oku ui ko e tukuaki’i’ pea mo e me’a ‘oku ui ko e halaia ‘i fale hopo ko e ongo me’a kehekehe ‘aupito ia ‘i he pule fakatemokalati. Ko e tukuaki’i pe ‘iate ia ko e halanga ia ki he pau ke fakafisi. He ‘oku ‘ikai fiema’u ke kei nofo hu’uhu’u e kau totongi tukuhau mo mahalo kovi he’ene kei ma’u ‘a e mafai ke ala holo he’enau koloa mo nofo honau ‘ofisi mo fai e ngaahi  sevesi ma’a kinautolu lolotonga ‘oku’ ne fe’ao holo mo hono  fu’u tukuaki’ mamafa. ‘Oku totonu ke fai mo a’usia ‘e Tonga e maama fakasivilaise ko ia’. He ka ‘ikai ‘e fakatupu ai ‘a e ta’emelino mo e ta’efalala ki he pule’anga fakalukufua o hange pe ko ‘eni ‘oku ma’ave’ave he taimi ni he tukuaki’i ko ‘eni ‘o ‘Akosita’. Pea ko e ‘uhinga ia ‘oku ‘ai ai ‘e mamani mo e ngaahi pule’anga sivilaise ke fakafisi ha minisita pe ‘oku tukuaki’i koe’uhi kae ‘atā pea ma’a pe fatongia’ ke hoko atu ngāue mo fai tau’atāina ma’a e kakai’.

Manager found quilty of indecent assault of married woman on yacht in Vava‘u

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 33-year-old married woman was subjected to a nightmare when her boss indecently assaulted her on a yacht at Vaipua in Vava’u last year.

Limoni Tito Siasau was charged after he committed serious indecent assault by fondling a woman’s vagina outside her clothing without her consent.

Three Crown witnesses were called to give evidence during the trial namely the victim, her husband and a co-worker of the victim. Siasau didn’t call any witness.

A copy of the verdict shows the offender and the victim had known each other as workers for the Sunsail company before the incident.

On February 20, 2020, the victim and Siasau with two other workers were at the company’s yacht yard at Vaipua.

They boarded Kepa, a catamaran with two hulls.

After sending the other two workers to work on another yacht, the Europia, Siasau told the victim she wanted to talk to her about work matters.

At one stage the victim told the court Siasau asked if she still wanted the work in which she said yes.

She said Siasau went down into the cabin and told her to come down so he can show her the work to do.

The work was to scrub the wall with janola and scrape it with silicone.

She said she had her back to a bed in the cabin while looking at what Siasau instructed her to do.

It was at this time Siasau pushed her backwards onto the bed and lifted both her legs and touched her on her vagina through her under garment and tight pants she wore.

She said that he pushed his fingers with the fabric of her pants and undergarment into her vagina before she said: “What are you doing?” in which he said: “ for us to have sex and to make you climax”.

She said she struggled and that she pushed him off before he got up.

She said she made him think that she was not afraid and she told her she had not had a bath and whenever he would ring her at any time, she would be sure to be ready for him the following day.

She said he asked her if she was being truthful and she said that she was.

She said Siasau walked up the stairs before he stopped, turned around and put his pant down and held out her penis and told her to come and suck it in which she refused.

She said she pushed the door of the cabin to shut but that he pushed it open and pulled her hand to hold his penis and told her to make him climax.

But just then, his phone rang before he answered it.

She said after talking to someone on the phone he pulled her hand off his penis saying: “No one will climax that way”. He then masturbated himself and ejaculated onto the floor. She said he told her to get a pillowcase from the bedroom and wipe the semen off.

Siasau left before she heard him got to his vehicle and started up the engine. She then called her husband and asked him to come and pick her up straight away.

Her husband took her to the Police station the following day and filed a complaint.

Denial

Siasau denied his charge saying the victim was lying.

Justice Niu in summing up his verdict said Siasau has admitted that he did what the victim has said about him.

Mr Niu referred to a telephone call between Siasau and the victim’s husband in which Siasau said:

“Have your wife checked because she is not mentally well. In any event, there was no witness”.

Justice Niu said: “ He thereby confirmed that he was alone with the complainant and had done what she said he had done to her but that no one, other than himself, would support her story because no one else was there.”

“Taking into consideration, together with all the evidence I have heard in this trial, and the exhibits which have been produced, and agreeing with Mrs. Kafa as counsel for the Crown with the submissions which she has made, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed serious indecent assault upon the complaint on 20 February 2020 at Vaipua as he is charged in this trial, and I convict him accordingly”.

Sēmisi Sika: Infrastructure Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu should ‘volunteer to resign’ ahead of her two separate fraud trials

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Minister of Infrastructure ‘Akosita Lavulavu should step down ahead of her two separate fraud cases due next week and next month, said PTOA Leader Sēmisi Sika.

(L-R) Sēmisi Sika, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, ‘Akosita Lavulavu

“She should volunteer to resign,” Sika said.

Sika said ‘Akosita should quit to keep the “dignity of the Cabinet”.

“Obviously, she is there looking for job.”

“If somebody holds an important position and has court cases in which they had been accused of committing fraud and forgery they should resign immediately,” he said.

‘Akosita was contacted for comment.

READ MORE:

The Minister along with her disgraced husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu are due to appear in a Magistrate Court next Monday 29 March 2021 to face a lawsuit brought against them by a landlord in Vava’u.

In that case, Sione Tui of Ha’alaufuli accused the Lavulavus of creating and signing a letter on his behalf to the Ministry of Lands and Survey without him knowing about it. The Lavulavus denied this.

In April 12, two weeks after their Magistrate Court appearance, the Lavulavus are due to appear at the Supreme Court to answer charges brought against them by the Auditor General.

In that case, the Lavulavu couple is charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses, after irregularities in an audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.  Akosita was the director of the school while ‘Etuate was the president.

The couple holds positions in the Prime Minister Tu’ionetoa’s Cabinet and People’s Party which are regarded as highly influential.

‘Etuate and Tu’i’onetoa were founding members of the Party before Tu’i’onetoa was appointed as Party Chair and ‘Etuate was Deputy Chair.

The right-hand woman

Following her arrest in March 2018 the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva dismissed ‘Akosita.

It was reported that her dismissal came after the Prime Minister tried to convince her to resign voluntarily from Cabinet because of her criminal charges but she refused. She was later reappointed as Cabinet Minister by the Tu’i’onetoa government in 2019.

‘Akosita’s infrastructure ministerial roles puts her in a position in which she has been seen as the Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa’s right-hand woman.

She is the minister who oversees the Prime Minister’s controversial multi-million new road project.

It was estimated that once the project is completed in four years’ time since it began last year it costs taxpayers $300 million.

Critics believe such a big project for a small country like Tonga should have been given more times to be discussed and planned on national level.

Conflict of interest 

Not only we have reported that there was a conflict of interest surrounding the awards of the project’s contract works to companies with strong links to the Tu’i’onetoa government, the government has stopped one of its contractors from New Zealand saying there was an issue with its contract agreement. It was the same contractor which failed to pay about more than $100,000 freight debts to a New Zealand based-Tongan freight company which we reported in December.

Sika, a former Minster of Infrastructure previously criticised the project saying it opened a door for the country to face a possible financial crisis.

As Kaniva News reported recently, heavy rain and flooding have destroyed most of the newly constructed roads in Vava’u and part of Tongatapu. This means more money was needed from the taxpayers’ coffers to reconstruct these roads. Meanwhile, most parts of the kingdom have yet to have their roads repaired or constructed.

Concerns about contractors’ background

As we said previously,  there is no doubt most Tongans want the road project and see it as a priority. However, they are deeply concerned about the background of the people who have strong links with government and these contractors.

‘Etuate’s company the Inter Pacific was one of the contractors the Tu’i’onetoa government has awarded with a contract to supply rocks and construction services under the Prime Minister’s road project.

‘Etuate previously denied any involvement with any activities which link him to the road project’s contracts.

But it has been recently reported by local media that ‘Etuate was the CEO of his company overseeing the road works currently conducting in Vava’u.

He has been regarded as the mouth piece of the Prime Minister and he has his own newspaper the Kalonikali Tonga and a radio station FM 89.5 in which he attacked the opposition and the government’s critics.

‘Etuate’s past

In 2016 Tonga’s Supreme Court convicted ‘Etuate of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign. He was later dismissed from his Parliamentary and ministerial posts.

The judge said ‘Etuate was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.

‘Etuate was also arrested in Utah in the United States in October 2003 over a 1997 immigration scam. In 2004 he was convicted after pleading guilty to two counts of illegal use of a birth certificate.

In a case in 2000, Lavulavu was sued by the Late Prince Tu’ipelehake for damages and unlawful cultivation of his land. In his summing up of the trial, Lord Chief Justice Ward said Lavulavu “was willing to say almost anything that seemed to suit the moment with a repeated disregard for the truth.”

Tonga’s prisons can’t cope with drug crime surge

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This story by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission

Authorities say Tonga needs two more prisons and many more psychiatric beds to cope with offenders.

Huʻatolitoli Prison and Correctional Facility

RNZ Pacific correspondent in Nuku’alofa, Kalafi Moala, said this was the view of the Commissioner of Prisons, Semisi Tapueluelu.

He said the issue of psychologically-disturbed prisoners had soared as the country battled a surge in drug offences.

A newly established psych unit at the Hu’atolitoli Prison already had 14 inmates. The unit was built for a maximum capacity of eight people.

Tapueluelu said there were many others who needed the services.

Kalafi Moala said there was a corresponding surge in the number of convictions being suspended by the courts.

“There have been so many court cases, particularly of people tried for drug use and their sentences get suspended and of course we asked the reason ‘Why are these sentences suspended’ and the Superintendent of the Prisons [Semisi Tapueluelu] gave the answer is because they don’t have any room to take in new prisoners.”

Over the years mental health officials in Tonga have drawn attention to the need for more facilities.

The local Mental Health and Disabilities Association said in the past that close to 10 percent of Tongans suffer from mental illness, yet the government had not always provided the necessary support.

Earlier Tonga’s head psychiatrist, Mapa Puloka, said the sector was in dire need of attention with some psychiatric patients sleeping on hospital floors or not in official facilities at all.

He also pointed to a growing drug problem and a lack of help for addicts.

Man gets five years’ jail for housebreaking, theft; fully suspended sentence for meth possession

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The man charged after $32,000 worth of goods stolen from ‘Ana Kama’s house on 19 February 2019 has been sent to jail.

On the charge of serious housebreaking, Lafitani Mahe was convicted and sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment.

On the charge of theft,  he was convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Both sentences were to be served concurrently.

On the charge of possession of a Class A drug he was convicted and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The sentence is fully suspended on conditions.

The court heard, ‘Ana Kama returned home and discovered that some louvers from a window at her house had been removed.

Upon inspection of her house, she discovered the following items were missing:

  • 1 x 40 ft Fihu loua valued at TOP $4000;
  • 4 x 15 ft Paongo mat valued at TOP$4000;
  • 5x 8’5ft, 1×6’4 & 3×4’3, 2x Ngafingafi mats valued at TOP$20,000;
  • 1x20ft Tapa valued at $2000
  • 2xBluetooth speakers valued at TOP$500;
  • 1 !phone valued at TOP$500;
  • 1 Ipad valued at TOP$500
  • Cash of $500; 8.

She notified police who were able to successfully lift a fingerprint from the louvers that were removed.

On 20 February 2019, ‘Ana’s son found the stolen bluetooth speakers on Facebook being advertised for sale by a man identified as Viliami Ongosia.

Mr. Ongosia told Police Mahe had approached him that day and asked him to advertise the speakers online for sale.

Mahe was then arrested and charged with housebreaking and theft. Police fingerprint expert analysed the fingerprint found on the louvers and confirmed that they belonged to Mahe.  Apart from the speakers, none of the items that were stolen were ever recovered.

Mahe did not cooperate with the Police and he has previous convictions.

Drug arrest

On 8 July 2019, Police received reliable information of potential drug dealing at the residence of Talia’uli Fatongiatau at Pili.

At approximately 5pm, the police went to the resident and saw Mahe sitting inside a car with Fatongiatau and Ue’ikaetau Tapa’atoutai. When Mahe saw the police he ran and Officer Vaka chased after him before he stopped and returned back to where the Police were standing.

Officer Vaka walked to the area where Mahe had stopped running and found a plastic packet containing four small packets of methamphetamine. Mahe admitted to the Police that the drugs were his. The drugs weighed 1.4 grams. He has previous convictions.

Justice Langi sent Mahe to jail on his drug charge for 12 months, which was wholly suspended on conditions that he is  not to commit any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of 1 year upon his release and be placed on probation during the period of his suspension.

Mrs Langi also activated the suspended sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment imposed on 5 December 2018 to be served cumulative to his sentence on house breaking and theft.

“If my calculation is correct, the Accused will therefore serve a total of 5 years and 6 months’ imprisonment,” Justice Langi said.

“As requested by the Crown, I order that the drugs seized are destroyed and all items associated with drugs such as the weighing apparatus and plastic packs and cash are forfeited to the Crown.”

Migrant says unjustified benefit refusals and delays keeping numbers down

By
Kaniva Staff
-
Gill Bonnett, Immigration Reporter of RNZ.co.nz. This story is republished with permission

A migrant who was refused government support when he lost his job says unjustified rejections and delays are being used to keep benefit-application numbers low.

05072016 Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King. Ministry of Social Development on Willis Street in Wellington.
The migrant is pursuing an appeal with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) against the Work and Income decision on a point of principle. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Fewer than 600 migrants received a Work and Income benefit in the three months after it was introduced, compared with almost 11,000 under a scheme run for five months last year by Internal Affairs (DIA) and the Red Cross.

The government announced in November that migrant workers who had lost their jobs because of the pandemic – as well as student and visitor visa holders who were facing financial hardship and could not get home – could apply for the emergency benefit.

Government figures show about four in 10 people’s requests for help under that programme and the DIA/Red Cross Manaaki Manuhiri scheme were rejected.

A migrant, who asked not to be named, lost his hospitality job in August and was twice supported under Manaaki Manuhiri.

But that changed when he applied for a final month’s support, and he said DIA staff became “vitriolic” when he challenged the reason.

He was then refused Work and Income’s emergency benefit, which began in December, while he waited for his new job to start.

It was only after he insisted on a reconsideration of his case with senior staff and an MP that the DIA decline decision was overturned.

He has since started his new job, but is pursuing an appeal with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) against the Work and Income decision on a point of principle.

Emergency benefit - immigration dole. To go with Gill's copy
An image of the letter from MSD. Photo: Supplied

“I was supposed to receive a review process, which was supposed to go through a review committee,” he said. “This was back in January, I’ve gotten no follow-up, I’ve been calling every other day. It’s become like a battle of attrition, to eventually make this process so delayed, that you just give up on asking for the benefit in the first place.

“What I find galling is they didn’t give me a reason to disqualify me. There isn’t any reason for any entity who has government funding and authorisation to not render emergency benefit for those migrants who qualify. People are probably being discouraged, not to apply.”

He supplied a letter, which said “because you do not meet the qualifications for this benefit you don’t qualify for this benefit”.

He believes others will have been wrongly refused help, and that the reason behind it is to keep the numbers low.

“How many of these people are not able to defend themselves, how many are not getting the help that they need, and it’s not safe to go back to Bangladesh, India, all the rest of it. That team of five million had a lot of ‘us’ involved, and we are proud that we got our new home back to safety.

“We will continue to work hard, and want to take care of our own, just like you do. In that five million were foreigners: some ‘others’ that were among you. It is time to reflect that reality with a more fair and open approach by the social development department and the powers that be.”

In December, January and February, 579 applications for emergency benefit by temporary visa holders were granted.

That compares to 10,855 applications granted in the five months from 1 July until 30 November 2020 under the DIA/ Red Cross/Manaaki Manuhiri scheme.

‘Lower than expected’ up-take

DIA said it was proud to have helped more than 12,700 people. “We were committed to ensuring those eligible and most in need received assistance and that those who didn’t meet the eligibility requirements were provided with information and resources for other avenues of support.”

In a statement to RNZ, the Ministry of Social Development said it could provide comment on the migrant’s case, if he gave permission through a privacy waiver.

Some reasons why benefits could be refused were if visa holders were able to return home or had enough money to support themselves.

“Lower-than-expected take up could be due to a range of factors, such as Emergency Benefit being a relatively low level of support compared to the greater range of costs covered through the joint programme between the Department of Internal Affairs and the New Zealand Red Cross,” MSD’s client service delivery manager, Kay Read.

“Other possible factors for lower than expected take up could include: lower level of need than anticipated, different contexts of support, and improvements in seasonal work opportunities in the summer months.”

She added that recognised seasonal employer workers accounted for almost half of applicants under the programme.

The statement also announced that the benefit had been extended until 31 August. “Those receiving the Emergency Benefit for temporary visa holders prior to 17 February 2021 and require ongoing payments, do need to visit a Work and Income service centre for a face to face appointment.”

Second heavy truck carrying rocks for gov’t road construction works crashes into property fence

By
Kalino Latu
-

A heavy truck carrying rocks smashed into a church minister’s residence in Houma this afternoon.

Another heavy truck arrived at the scene to tow the truck which crashed into the fence. Photo/Supplied

The truck which belongs to one of the contractors which conducted road works under the Prime Minister’s multimillion road project crashed right into a billboard before it damaged the Free Wesleyan Church residence’s stone fence.

An eyewitness told Kaniva News there were no injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Another vehicle from the company was seen arriving at the scene to tow the truck.

The crash came after about a month when a truck carrying rocks, which appears to be from the same company, has gone off the road and crashed into a fence before it landed in a front yard in Ha’alalo.

1...392393394...951Page 393 of 951