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Complete honesty and openness only option for government as controversy and questions continue to swirl around Lulutai

By
Kalino Latu
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Kaniva News editorial

One of the most important tenets of successful government is openness and transparency, but right now the public could be excused for thinking that the situation regarding the kingdom’s new airline is less than transparent.

PM Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva News)

Last month Kaniva News and other Tongan media reported that Maikolo Fa’asolo was no longer CEO of Lulutai airline. In response the government declared that this was not the case, only to fall completely silent when we published evidence that clearly showed this was not true.

The public needs to know what happened to Maikolo Fa’asolo who seems, on every indication, to have been eminently qualified for the job.

However, there are other serious questions that also need to be answered.

The public should also be told why the Tongan government appears to be attempting to set up its own aviation engineering works, thereby duplicating facilities owned by Real Tonga.

Questions should also be asked about why the government seems keen to restore its MA60 to airworthiness, despite concerns surrounding the type’s safety record.

The government should  also be asking itself what will happen, when border restrictions are lifted and the tourist industry revives, if the New Zealand government is not happy with the certification process for Lulutai.

It has been normal in the past for the government to debunk allegations against the government or the Prime Minister, but not in this case.

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Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said his government would respond to the serious concerns about Lulutai published  by Kaniva and other media. Since then, the only solid response has been a press release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

That press release went some way to throwing light on the situation by making it clear that PASO had no official involvement in the certification process of Lulutai. The work was done by a person connected to PASO working as a private consultant.

“In statements made by the Hon. Prime Minister of Tonga, and by the Hon. Minister for Infrastructure on the 23rd of September 2020, it was stated that PASO’s advice was sought, and that they were involved in the certification process. It is believed that this was a reference to Mr. David Tohi being a PASO consultant,” the press release said.

“It is hereby confirmed that PASO was not engaged by Tonga’s Civil Aviation Director, in any capacity whatsoever, for the certification process of Lulutai Airlines.”

The government needs to be aware that the situation has provoked public discussion that has encompassed comparisons with the failed multi-million pa’anga Royal Tonga Airlines project, the sinking of the MV Ashika, Tongasat and the scandal over Chinese loans.

Kaniva news is not suggesting for a moment that this is anything more than wild speculation, but the government needs to realise that with the internet, one person’s speculation can very rapidly become somebody else’s reality.

The government also needs to keep in mind that one day these people will be voters.

None of this is helped by the long history of dubious dealings that has tarnished the reputation of Tongan leaders.

Lies and suspicions of lies go back at least as far as the Nuku’alofa riots and the enquiry into what happens to the Chinese loan.

Even the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva disappointed people.

Given the tumultuous history of Tonga’s airline services, the government must realise that the controversy surrounding Lulutai is precisely the kind of situation that can seriously undermine public confidence.

Not only general members of the public, but experts familiar with the airline industry have expressed doubts about the level of due diligence involved after the government admitted PASO was not involved.

The government cannot keep trying to brush this issue off or hoping it will go away. Voters want to think they can trust their government to be completely honest. Travellers want to feel reassured that everything is above board with the country’s only airline.

It is time for the government to be absolutely open about every aspect of Lulutai’s situation, for the good of the public and the good of its own reputation.

Seasonal worker to be deported to Tonga after home detention sentence for drunken assaults

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tonga man is expected to be deported to the kingdom after serving six months’ home detention at an Auckland address for wounding with intent to injure and indecent assault.

His sentence conditions included a prohibition on consuming alcohol or enter licensed premises without prior written approval.

‘Atunaisa Kilikiti Vakalahi, 21, was sentenced in the Nelson District Court on Friday on four assault charges, Stuff reported.

He was in New Zealand working as part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

The court heard Vakalahi assaulted three people after a night drinking in Nelson.

Judge Jo Rielly​ told Vakalahi reports provided to the court showed his behaviour was “very out of character”. He had no previous convictions.

“It is also very clear that the level of intoxication that you were influenced by at that time was the key factor that caused you to offend as you did.”

On June 20, Vakalahi was on Bridge St Nelson after a night out drinking. The assaults occurred around 4.20am when a group of three people unknown to Vakalahi were waiting for a taxi, according to the Stuff.

“He forcefully groped the genital area of a 19-year-old woman and punched a 19-year-old man and 27-year-old woman in the head when they stepped in to intervene. One victim required eight stitches for a gash to her head.

“Judge Rielly said the repercussions of Vakalahi’s actions were significant. He had lost his orchard job and was served a deportation order.

“Vakalahi had expressed “very genuine and real sorrow and sadness” for his actions from the outset.”

Reports say ANZ Vava‘u branch closes as banks urged to follow ANZ lead on remittance costs reduction to Pacific

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
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The ANZ bank in Tonga is expected to close its branch in Vava’u in two months’ time, reports said.

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota claimed the closure process began yesterday Friday 2.

The bank could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd has temporarily removed the transfer fee for money transfers via ANZ internet banking from Australia and New Zealand to Tonga and several other Pacific Island nations.

Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) Board Chair John Fiso said all banks should do the same thing.

“Given the situation with COVID-19, the announcement made by ANZ is a sigh of relief for Pacific families here in New Zealand who often send money to their relatives back in the Pacific region,” Mr. Fiso said.

Mr. Fiso said PCF was talking with New Zealand Ombudsman Nicola Sladden and Chair of the Transparency International New Zealand Board, Suzanne Snively.

ANZ’s Regional Executive for the Pacific, Tessa Price said removing the fee would help boost the Pacific economies by encouraging people to go online and send money quickly and cheaply to their family and friends.

“Money sent home by family and friends is a stable source of income for many Pacific families. In some cases, it can be up to 25 per cent of a household’s disposable income,” Ms. Price said.

“So, it’s really important that we keep costs as low as possible, especially given the economic conditions in the Pacific which are tough due to COVID-19 and the impact it has had on tourism.”

ANZ Pacific Economist, Kishiti Sen said no matter the circumstances, Pacific families would continue to send money home.

As government financial support  was reduced there would probably be a reduction in remittances during the  next four months.

This story has been updated with additional information from ANZ Bank.

Police officer faces court today, charged with rape of teenage girl in police custody

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongatapu police officer has been charged with rape and indecent assault of a teenage girl while she was in police custody.

The 29-year-old officer has been suspended from duty.

He appeared in a Magistrate Court today Friday 2 and was remanded in custody.

In a statement released this afternoon, Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said the alleged offences occurred  on Sunday while the 18- year-old young woman was in police custody.

“It was reported to Police on Tuesday 29 September and after a criminal investigation an arrest was made on Thursday 1 October 2020,” Caldwell said.

“The matter is also a subject of a separate Professional Standards investigation.

“Commissioner Caldwell suspended the police constable prior to his arrest.

“This matter is now before the Court and we wish to protect the privacy of this young woman and her family. Full victim support services to the young woman and her family have been put in place.”

Supreme Court suspends two year sentence for school teacher charged with growing cannabis

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Supreme Court has sentenced a former school teacher to two years in prison for cultivating cannabis.

The sentence has been fully suspended for three years.

Tinitale Finau was found guilty by a jury of growing  54 cannabis plants, at ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua.

Judge Niu said two police officers, Hungalu and Fa’asolo were led by a little girl into the bush area near the ‘Eua High School at ‘Ohonua and showed them where she had pulled out three cannabis plants which her father had brought to the police station.

The area shown to them contained several other well weeded and maintain cannabis plants.

“The little girl left and the two officers hid nearby and waited to see if anyone would come to tend the plants, but no one did and so they left at about 9 pm,” Judge Niu said.

“The next morning Officer Hungalu and Officer Tu’ivai went back about 6 am and hid and waited. About 9am you arrived. They then came out and arrested you and charged you with possession of the plants.

“Then together with you they searched in the bush and found two other plots of cannabis, and you told them of a fourth plot. Later on you told them of another three plots, making a total of 54 cannabis plants.”

Finau was head of the maths department at ‘Eua High School until he was charged.

“I agree with the Crown counsel that the appropriate sentence for your offence is two years imprisonment,” the judge said.

“I agree with the probation officer that your sentence be suspended.”

Juidge Niu said Finau had led a productive and useful life and continued to contribute to the community.

“You have rehabilitated yourself and have got on with your kava farming to maintain yourself and your family. This offence is out of character for you and I believe you will resume your law-abiding life in the years to come.”

The judge sentenced Finau to two years’ prison fully suspended for three years, on condition that he not commit another offence punishable with imprisonment during the period of suspension and serve 80 hours of community service.

Earthquake shakes Neiafu, felt in Nuku‘alofa

By
Kalino Latu
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A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck offshore from Tongatapu this afternoon, according to the Earthquake Track (ET).

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota told Kaniva News the shakes were quite strong in Neiafu and it took about 40 seconds.

Some residents in Nuku’alofa told us  they had felt a tremor, which the ET said occurred at around 1.13 UTC, at a depth of 10 kilometers  and 64 kilometres south east of  Neiafu, Vava’u.

USGS ENS reported that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1.13 UTC at depth of 35 km, 40.0 km north north east of Pangai, Ha’apai and 210.7 km north north east of Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

No reports of Tsunami warning or damage.

High Court dismisses murder charges after ruling outnumbered man fought to defend his brother and himself

By
Philip Cass
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The New Zealand High Court has dismissed charges of murder that arose from a fight between two groups in Auckland in December 2018.

Joshua Tongia was charged with murder and attempted murder.

In his summing up of the case Judge Edwards said that Joshua Tongia had been found unfit to stand trial.

Joshua was assessed as having an extremely low intellect and other cognitive difficulties which meant he could not give instructions to his counsel or effectively participate in the trial process.  He also suffers from paranoid schizophrenia which was diagnosed some time ago.  His condition has been successfully treated with medication for a number of years.  There was no suggestion that Joshua’s disability was connected to the offending in any way.

A finding of unfitness meant the court had to determine whether he was involved in acts that led to murder or attempted murder.

The fight that led to the charges took place after 11pm on December 7, 2018.  It involved two groups, the Siu group and the Tongia group.  The Siu group comprised six men, including Rima, who had been drinking all afternoon at the Lovelock Community Centre car park were quite drunk.

The Tongia group comprised Joshua and his brother, Misi,  Joshua’s sister, Emily and Misi’s partner, Kalina.  They were at home with two children asleep in one of the rooms.  The two women were having a few drinks in a carport at the front of the property.  Joshua was in his room, and Misi was around the front of the property.

Two of the Siu group, brothers David and Taufa, drove from the Community Centre back towards their home.  They pulled up and began yelling out to Misi.

Kalina and Emily were standing on the edge of the Tongia property yelling at the Siu brothers to leave.  Kalina was waving a baseball bat.  The altercation caused a neighbour to call the police.

The Siu brothers returned to the Community Centre and gathered the others before returning to the Tongia house. Misi came out and smashed in the front passenger window of one car with a baseball bat.  The Siu group got out of both cars.  One fled and the others  rushed to Misi and punched him  to the ground.  At any one time there were at least three, and up to five men beating Misi.

Kalina dragged one of the men off Misi.  Kalina saw Rima lying on the driveway.  He had been stabbed by this time.  She called out to the Siu group to stop fighting and look after him.  One of them stopped beating Misi and cradled Rima in his arms.

Taufa was stabbed while he was beating Misi.  After being stabbed, he drove home in one of the cars. One of the Siu group grabbed the baseball bat and used it to smash up Kalina’s car.

The police arrived shortly afterwards.  Joshua was not located at the house, but returned early the next morning and was spoken to by police.  He directed police to the knife which was found in his room and told police he was trying to protect his brother.

The court found that Joshua stabbed both Rima and Taufa.

When Joshua came out of the house holding a kitchen knife, his brother Misi was being kicked and punched. The judge described it as a vicious and potentially life-threatening attack.

The judge said there was no dispute that Taufa was beating Misi on the ground at the time he was stabbed.

“Joshua was outnumbered,” the judge said.

“Using his fists and pulling off one man at a time was neither a realistic nor effective alternative for stopping the attack.  Retreating to the house and calling the police was not an option either.”

Judge Edwards found that Joshua was acting to defend his brother, and himself, from the attack.  It was not a pre-meditated stabbing with an intent to kill.

“Nothing I say should be understood as condoning the use of a lethal weapon, such as a knife, in a fight,” the judge said.

“But in the particular circumstances that existed that night, I consider the way Joshua used that knife was proportionate to the existence and threat of very serious harm.”

The defence of self-defence applied to both charges. It was therefore found that Joshua was not involved in the acts that formed the basis of the charges of murder and attempted murder and the charges against him were dismissed.

Auckland Harbour Bridge open after strong winds forced rush hour closure

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story originally appeared on TVNZ and is republished with permission

The Auckland Harbour Bridge has reopened after strong wind gusts forced its closure earlier this morning as the peak hour commute was underway.

The bridge was closed for a bit over an hour, reopening just before 8am.

Three lanes in each direction are now open on the bridge.

Waka Kotahi NZTA advises motorists to delay their journey until congestion on either side of the bridge eases.

State Highway 18 and State Highway 16 are alternative routes to State Highway 1.

Last week, a temporary fix was put in place after high winds blew a truck into a rivet causing damage on September 18.

Auckland Harbour Bridge closed during morning rush hour as strong wind gusts hit city

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story originally appeared on TVNZ and is republished with permission

The Auckland Harbour Bridge has been closed this morning due to strong wind gusts, with this morning’s peak hour commute underway.

Waka Kotahi NZTA says the bridge is “temporarily closed to all vehicles in both directions. Bridge lanes will re-open as soon as possible once wind gusts ease”.

“Significant wind gusts of more than 80km/h have been recorded on the bridge and a decision has been made to close all lanes on the harbour bridge to look after the safety of drivers and the bridge whilst the structure is still damaged and in a compromised state,” NZTA says.

Motorists urged to take care with strong winds, snow forecast around much of NZ

“The full bridge closure will remain in place until further notice. The bridge team is working closely with MetService to get advice on when it is safe to re-open the lanes.”

Motorists are advised to delay their journey or use the SH18 or SH16 as an alternative to SH1.

Last week, a temporary fix was put in place after high winds blew a truck into a rivet causing damage on September 18.

Tongan woman death: 45yo man suspect appears in court

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan man is expected to appear in court this morning, charged with assault after  a Tongan woman died in an incident in Manurewa, South Auckland on Sunday.

The 45-year-old man was expected to appear at the Manukau District Court. The accused and the deceased cannot be named for legal reasons.

Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander, Counties Manukau CIB, said a post mortem examination is due to be completed today.

“Police carried out a scene examinations at two addresses yesterday on Smedley Street and Hobman Place,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander.

“We have also been speaking with a number of people present at the Smedley Street address at the time as part of our enquiries.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander says Police have since charged a man who was arrested nearby on Hobman Place on Sunday morning.

“However, our investigation is still ongoing and for that reason Police cannot rule out further charges being laid at this stage,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander.

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