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Fanongonongo ‘o ha ngaahi liliu mei he Poate Ako ‘a e Sutton Park, Mangere

By
Kaniva Staff
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SUTTON PARK SCHOOL

89 Vine Street, Mangere East, Auckland 2024

Telephone (09) 276 4560

Principal: Fa’atili Iosua Esera

26 ‘Epeleli 2020

‘Oku ou ‘ofa lahi atu kiate kimoutolu kotoa pē mei ‘api na.

Koe ongoongo fakafiefia’aupito ‘a ‘etau hao kotoa mo hotau ngaahi fāmili mei he Covid19.  ‘Oku ‘ikai ngalo ‘ihe ‘etau manatu ‘a e mahaki faka’auha koia ko e mofi Siamane na’a ne uesia lahi ‘a e ngaahi fonua ‘o e Pasifiki ‘a ia ko ‘e ta’u ‘aki ‘e teau ‘ene hoko ki he ‘Epeleli ‘o e ta’u ni.  Ko e ngaahi mou’i ne mole ai na’e fu’u tokolahi ange ‘ene hoko ki he ngaahi fonua ‘o e Pasifiki ‘i Nu’usila ni.  Koe kakai ‘e toko 38,000 na’e mole ‘enau mo’ui ‘i Ha’amoa pea koe kakai ‘e toko 6,400 pe na’e mole ‘enau mo’ui ‘i Nu’usila ni.  Pea te tau fakahoa ‘eni ki he toko 14 pe kuo mole ‘enau mo’ui ‘i he lolotonga ni.  Ko ia ai ‘oku tau ongo’i fiefia mo hounga’ia ‘i he ‘ikai lahi ha mo’ui ‘e mole.

‘Oku ‘iai ‘a e ngaahi liliu mahu’inga kuo fakahoko ‘e he Poate Talasiti ‘oku fiema’u ke mou ‘ilo kiai ‘i he taimi ko ‘eni ‘oku tau teuteu atu ki he fokotu’u ‘ae ako.

  1.   ‘E kei hokohoko atu pe ‘ae fakataputapui ‘o e ‘apiako Sutton Park pea koe fānau ako moe kau ngāue ‘o e ‘apiako pē, ‘oku ngofua ke nau hū ki loto ‘apiako.  Ko e keiti ‘e loka mei he 9 pongipongi ki he 2.30 efiafi.
  2. Kuo pau ke ma’u ha’o ngofua ki mu’a pea ke toki lava ke ‘a’ahi pe hū ki loto ‘apiako.

iii.             Kuo ‘osi vahevahe mahino ‘a e fanau ako ki he ngaahi taimi te nau kamata ai, taimi tuku ‘ae ako, taimi mālōlō si’i moe mālōlō lahi.

  1.             Kuo ‘osi tufaki atu foki ‘a e ngaahi me’a ngāue fakakomipiuta ki he fānau kalasi 5 kihe kalasi 8.  Kuo meimei tofuhia ‘a e ngaahi  famili kotoa ‘i he naunau fakakomipiuta ko ‘eni. ‘Okapau ‘oku ‘oatu ha naunau fakakomipiuta ‘e ua ki ho’o famili, kātaki ‘o tokanga’i lelei ‘eni he ‘e ‘ikai lava ‘e he ‘apiako ke toe ‘oatu hano fetongi.  Ko ia ai kātaki ‘o tokanga’i lelei ‘a e ngaahi naunau ko ‘eni.
  2.         ‘E lava pē ke vahevahe taimi ‘a e fānau ke nau ngāue kotoa ‘aki ‘okapau ‘oku ‘iai ha fānau mei he ngaahi kalasi iiki.
  3.       ‘E ‘iai ‘ae ngaahi ngāue ‘e teuteu’i ma’ae fānau ‘i he kalasi 1 ki he kalasi 4.

vii.      ‘Oku ‘iai ‘a e ngaahi polokalama ako ‘i he televisone ma’ae fānau.

viii.     ‘Oku fiema’u ke tui ‘e he fānau ako moe kau faiako ha me’a ke malu’i honau ngutu (face mask) ‘i he taimi kotoa te nau ‘i he ‘apiako ai.

  1.       ‘E ‘iai ‘a e ngaahi me’a ‘e fakamamafa’i ke muimui pau ki ai ‘a e fanau ako.  Ko e ngaahi kalasi kotoa pē te nau ngāue fakafo’ituitui ki he ngaahi me’a te nau felotoi ke fakahoko.
  2.     ‘E tāpuni ‘a e Canteen, Breakfast club, Lunch time club, SKIDs ‘i he lolotonga ni.
  3.       Koe me’atokoni kotoa pē ‘a e fānau ke ‘omai mei ‘api.  ‘Oku toe fiema’u ke nau taki taha ‘omai ha hina vai ko honau inu.

‘E kei hokohoko atu pē ‘emau vakai’i ‘a e ngaahi liliu ko ‘eni ‘o fakataumu’a ki he mo’ui lelei moe malu ‘a e fānau ako, kau ngāue ‘o e ‘apiako moe komiuniti foki.  ‘E fu’u fiema’u ho’o tokoni ke fakahoko lelei ‘aki ‘a e ngaahi liliu ko ‘eni, pea te mau toe vakai’i ‘eni ‘i he faka’osinga ‘o e teemi.

‘Oku fiema’u ke mou ‘ilo ki ai, ‘okapau ‘e ma’u ‘e ha taha ‘o e fānau ako pē koe kau ngāue ‘o e ‘apiako ‘ae vailasí, kuo pau ke tapuni ‘a e ‘apiako ‘o toe loloa atu.

Ko e ma’u ako ‘a e fānau ‘i he levolo 3 ‘oku makatu’unga pē ia ‘i he loto ki ai ‘a e mātu’a.  ‘Okapau ‘oku ke ongo’i ‘oku malu ange pē ho’o fānau ‘i he nofo ‘i ‘api, pea ‘e ‘iai ha taha ke ne tokanga’i kinautolu, pea ‘e lelei ‘aupito ke nau nofo pe ‘i ‘api.  ‘E kei hokohoko atu pē ‘a e kau faiako hono tuku atu ‘a e ngaahi ngaue fakaako ‘i he on-line pea mo ha ngaahi ngāue ma’ae fānau ‘oku nau nofo ‘i ‘api.

Ka ‘i he lolotonga ni, ko ‘api pē ‘a e feitu’u malu taha ki ho’o fānau.  ‘Oku mau feinga ke fai ha ngaahi liliu mahu’inga ‘o fakataumu’a pē ki he malu mo hao ‘etau fānau moe kau ngāue ‘o e ‘apiako.  Ka neongo ia, ‘e ‘ikai lava ‘a e Poate Talasiti ‘o e ‘apiako ke ne fakapapau’i atu ‘e malu ho’o ki’i tamasi’i pē ta’ahine mei he vailasi ‘o e Covid-19 ‘i he ‘ene ha’u kihe ako.

Ko e fakataputapui foki ko ‘eni koe faingamālie lelei taha ‘eni ke ke feohi vāofi ai mo ho’o fānau.  ‘Oku lelei ‘a e fa’a pōtalanoa ‘o vahevahe ‘a e ngaahi tukufakaholo ‘o e famili, ako ke tā ha me’alea, vahevahe ‘a e ngaahi talanoa fakatonga motu’a, koe ako ki he feime’atokoni hangē koe fei’umu.  ‘Oku lahi ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ke lau ha ngaahi talanoa, lau ‘a e Tohitapu, lava ke fai ha lotu, lea fakamālō, fa’u ha maau pē hiva, faitohi pē tohi ha’o kaati talamonū ki ha taha na’e puke.  Ko e toe faingamālie lahi ‘eni ke ako ai ‘ae fānau meiate koe.  Ko e ngaahi me’a kotoa ko iá, ‘e tauhi ia ‘e he fānau ko ‘enau mata’ikoloa ki he kaha’u. ‘Oku toe mahu’inga foki ke ‘oua na’a ke ongo’I mafasia mo ho’o fanau ‘i he ngaahi ngāue fakaako ‘oku tuku atu ‘i he online pē ko e ngāue ‘oku ‘oatu ‘e he faiako fakakalasi.

Kapau ‘oku ke toe fiema’u ha tokoni makehe pea ke fetu’utaki mai kiate au ‘i he tu’asila principal@suttonpark.school.nz pē tuku mai ha fekau ‘i he telefoni 021-250-6684.  Fakatauange pē ’e kei hokohoko atu ‘etau nofo malu mo hao ‘i he to’ukupu ‘oe ‘Otua Māfimafi, kae ‘oua leva kuo tau toe fakatahataha mai koe famili pe ‘e taha.

Faka’apa’apa atu,

Fa’atili Iosua Esera

Tumuaki/Pulea’oga/Puleako

Master of Education [Merit]

 

 

 

Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of sunrise to sunset fasting, is scheduled to begin tonight

By
Kaniva Staff
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Ramadan is scheduled to begin in Tonga tonight. It will end on May 23.

Ramadan is the Islamic month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

It is regarded as one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar and marks the month when Muslims believe Allah revealed the first chapters of the Q’uran to Prophet Mohammed.

Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from sunrise to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims, but there are exceptions, such as for those who are ill, travelling, elderly or pregnant.

The evening meal that breaks the fast is called iftar, which Moslems traditionally begin by eating dates.

The predawn meal is referred to as suhur.

Ramadan is normally a time for large family gatherings, but the de restrictions caused by the Covid-19 crisis means that in many countries  these are not possible this year.

According to the Pew Research Centre there were about 1000 Muslims in Tonga in 2010 out of a population of about 108,000.

The first Islamic association was established in the country in 1992.

In May 2010 , the Pacific Islands Committee of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth helped establish an Islamic center named after Prophet Mohammed’s first wife, Khadija, in Nuku’alofa.

The main points

  • Ramadan is scheduled to begin in Tonga tonight. It will end on May 23.
  • Ramadan is the Islamic month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

For more information

Tagata Pasifika: Tongan Muslim leader Imam Kalisitiane Iliasi Manu

Coronavirus: Air New Zealand passenger quarantined in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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An Air New Zealand departing passenger was placed in coronavirus quarantine at the Fua’amotu Taliai Camp after Tongan authorities were contacted by New Zealand Immigration.

The man was provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before disembarking according to approved procedures and transported to Taliai Camp quarantine facility, Health Ministry said.

The man boarded the aircraft yesterday Thursday 23 at around 2.20pm before it departed Tonga after 3.10pm with 132 passengers.

The Ministry of Health said the person’s “risk of being infected with COVID-19 is extremely low.”

‘’We are just being extra careful and activated our quarantine process yesterday so that this particular person will be at the quarantine facility at Taliai Camp for the next 14 days,’’ says CEO for Health Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola.

‘’The risk of infection is very, very low because he has not had any contact with a confirmed or even a suspected case and there are no incoming passengers and all crew on the flight are required to provide a medical certificate clearing them before they fly here. Still, we are being extra careful and put him under quarantine and have staff to monitor this person as this is our standard response with the given situation,’’ added Dr. ‘Akau’ola.

Tonga is still COVID-19 free and continues to implement procedures to mitigate any risk of the introduction and spread of COVID-19 to Tonga.

The public has been advised that departing passengers double check with New Zealand Immigration if they are planning to travel to New Zealand.

“Current advise from New Zealand Immigration says that New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, residents with valid travel conditions and their immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) can still travel to New Zealand. Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can also return to New Zealand.”

Coronavirus: Tonga extends emergency measures nationwide until May

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga has extended its emergency coronavirus measures, which include travel and gathering restrictions, to the entire country, with another week until 8pm May 1, Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has announced today Friday 24.

This means, the night time curfews remain in force across Tonga until next month.

The kingdom is still Covid-19 free.

The government set new rules governing public behaviour to help stop the spread of Covid-19 that came into force last week.

Under the rules, the boarder will remain closed until June 12 and there is a night time curfew from 8pm to 6am.

Liquor licensed night clubs and kava clubs must close.

All public facilities, events and gatherings such as a religious, bingo, sports clubs, gyms, sporting events and activities, celebrations of birthdays, marriages and other recreational or related gatherings are prohibited.

Kava clubs are defined as two or more people consuming kava at a public location; or a group of two or more people consuming kava at a private location.

These restrictions do not apply to people living in the same household.

The Ministry of Health said the government made its decision based on the fact Tonga was still Covid-15 free.

The schools and public transport reopened on Tuesday, April 14.

Americans planned occupation of Tonga, but forgot to tell Queen Salote they were coming

By
Philip Cass
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As Anzac Day is commemorated on Saturday, Kaniva News looks back at the American invasion of Tonga

The Japanese invasion of the Pacific never reached Tonga, but the kingdom had to cope with another invasion.

In May 1942, after three years of war,  7800 soldiers and 862 sailors, sailed into Nuku’alofa harbour.

Before the Americans arrived, Queen Salote had wholeheartedly supported Britain’s stand against Nazi Germany, despite her opposition to what she perceived as British interference in her kingdom’s affairs.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this year,  Tonga raised enough money to buy three Spitifres for the RAF.

Queen Salote provided land for an airfield and established the Tongan Defence Force, whose soldiers eventually fought the Japanese in the Solomon Islands campaign.

The Americans decided to set up a base in Tonga as part of a defensive chain across the Pacific to keep supply routes open to Australia and New Zealand.

According to American historian Charles Weeks who taught at the ‘Atenisi Institute as a Peace Corps volunteer, the US military planned to establish an Army and Navy force that would be strong enough to repel a Japanese invasion of Tonga.

But as Weeks pointed out, neither the Americans, the British nor New Zealand had bothered to consult with Her Majesty about the plan.

The American commander, General Lockwood, was sensitive, at least in the initial stages, to local sensitivities. Soldiers and sailors were warned:

—Buy fruit only through the government market.

—Do not pick growing fruit or vegetables. It is all private property.

—Do not disturb or injure the flying foxes [bats]. They are harmless and are reverenced by the native Tongans.

—Be courteous to the native Tongans. Treat grave yards with respect. Sunday recreation will be conducted away from the churches. Tongans will not be invited to play on Sunday. The golf course is not open on Sunday.

—Walk and drive on the left of the road.

While Queen Salote was friendly with the Americans and made sure fresh flowers were placed on the graves of U.S. servicemen killed in the Battle of the Coral Sea, she kept her distance from the occupying forces and dealt largely through Lockwood and the British Consul.

She ordered her subjects, especially young women, to move inland or to the outer islands, away from American influence.

Official American reports described her as a “magnificent woman  [who] has given Tonga an administration which almost everyone admits has been wise and productive.”

American naval officers were required by their superiors to wear dress uniforms at official functions. This contrasted sharply with the behaviour of some New Zealand troops who refused to salute Tongan officers.

The Americans spent prodigiously. Using Tongan labour New Zealand had completed 80 percent of Fua’amotu airport for a cost of about US$56,000. When the Americans arrived they spent US$498,000 to complete the remaining 20 percent.

American spending disturbed the Tongan economy. The Americans paid such high prices for coconuts and bananas that Tonga had none left for export. At the same time American servicemen threw money around so freely that soon consumer goods began to disappear from the shops.

The price of souvenirs, including woven mats and skirts, sold at 400 percent above normal prices. So much money could be made from the Americans that some Tongans stopped working their land to make tourist trinkets.

By the end of 1942, US forces had landed in what was then the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and Australian forces had inflicted the first land defeats on Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea on the Kokoda Track and at Milne Bay.

The value of the American base in Tonga diminished and troops were sent to other parts of the Pacific. What had once been seen as a strategic base became an isolated backwater where those troops left behind began to suffer from what the US  military referred to as “bush fever.”

In January 1943 two Tongan men were murdered, apparently because of their involvement in the “bootlegging and procuring” business of soldiers of the 77th Coast Artillery

Vast numbers of the American troops were illiterate and black troops were segregated. As morale collapsed problems arose, with prostitution, venereal disease, sexual assault and theft.

US troop set up home with Tongan girls,  something that horrified the girls’ families and was regarded as bringing shame to their villages. Others gave away  goods from the military depot and generally sowed confusion in the conservative society.

The American presence in Tonga introduced the isolated kingdom to many new ideas and practices, many of which contrasted wildly with island traditions.

While Tonga was doubtless happy not have been invaded by the Japanese, they may also have breathed a deep sigh of relief when  the last American troops left.

Anzac Day commemorations

Anzac Day commemorations in Nuku’alofa will be restrained this year.

Because of the state of emergency there will be no public celebrations.

Instead, the New Zealand High Commission has invited people to observe a minute’s silence while standing in their homes, driveways, gardens or workplace at 7am on Saturday  morning.

Pasifika Television in Tonga and Radio New Zealand on the internet will be providing coverage of Anzac Day in New Zealand. With the end of daylight saving, New Zealand is now one hour behind Tonga.

The main points

  • The Japanese invasion of the Pacific never reached Tonga, but the kingdom had to cope with another invasion.
  • In May 1942, after three years of war, 7800 soldiers and 862 sailors, sailed into Nuku’alofa harbour.

For more information

The United States Occupation of Tonga, 1942-1945

New Zealand High Commission, Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Queen Salote, Prince Tungi Tonga II and Tupou I: The story of Tonga’s Spitfires

Supreme Court suspends prison sentence for Lord Tu‘ivikano after finding him guilty

By
Philip Cass
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Lord Tu’ivikano has escaped jail after the Supreme Court suspended two two year sentences.

The former Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament was sentenced to two years for making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport and an additional two years for perjury.

The sentences would have been served at the same time, but Lord Chief Justice Whitten suspended the imprisonment on condition that the Noble be placed on probation and perform 100 hours community service.

He was also fined TP$2000 for possessing an unlicensed firearm and TP$2000 for possessing unlicensed ammunition.

Former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano was found guilty last month.

The offences in what was known as the Chinese passport scandal were committed in 2015, but he was not charged until 2018.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, six charges of bribery and money laundering in relation to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals had been dropped.

It was originally alleged that between 2013-2014, while serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs, he accepted money to issue Tongan passports to various Chinese nationals.

Lord Tu’ivikano was charged with making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport.  The particulars of the charge were that on or about 17 July 2015, at Nuku’alofa, with the purpose of obtaining a passport for Hua Guo and Xing Liu, and with intent to deceive the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Defendant wrote a letter to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that Hua Guo and Xing Liu were naturalised as Tongans on 29 October 2014.

Evidence tended to the court showed that the persons naturalised that day were Singkei Lou and Shanoi Kam. Viliami Lolohea gave evidence that he did not accept the applications in the names of Hua Guo and Xing Liu because they were incomplete and he had identified them from photographs as Singkei Lou and Shanoi Kam.

On the charge of perjury the court was told that on or about Decembe21, 2015, in Nuku’alofa, the Defendant made an oath in an affidavit a material statement to his knowledge staing that “Mr Hua Guo and Ms Xing Liu were naturalised during my tenure as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry” and “after naturalisation Tongan passports were then issued to these two”, knowing thee statements were false.

On the firearms charges, the court was told that during the execution of a search warrant at the Lord Tu’ivikano’s house, the defendant told police officers he had a .22 firearm and ammunition and no licence for them. He directed the officers to the boot of a vehicle owned by a friend.

There, the police found a .22 rifle and a total of 212 rounds of ammunition in a large box. The Defendant had a licence for the rifle for 2016. He maintained that he had renewed the licence for 2017, and around December that year, gave it to his driver to have renewed. The 2017 licence was never produced in evidence, nor was there any record in the relevant registers of a licence having been issued for 2017.

The prosecution said Lord Tu’ivikano was in a position of trust and authority, as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

His actions had impugned the integrity of the passport regime which was fundamental to the administration of Tongan passports to be used as evidence of identity and  nationality of Tongan subjects travelling internationally and undermined the capacity of Government to administer passports and the Passport Act.

The prosecution noted that the defendant is 67, had suffered a heart attack in 2013 and was a first time offender.

The defence said he was 68 and had “hitherto lived the life of a hardworking, honest and trusted person.”

The Supreme Court found Lord Tu’ivikano guilty.

The court ordered that the fines it imposed were to be paid within three months, in default  two months imprisonment;

The rifle was confiscated and the ammunition was to be handed over to the armed forces.

Dr Uata claims Tapueluelu’s craving for Deputy premiership caused Party to lose gov’t; Movement calls for transparency on Leader Sika’s forgiveness decision

By
Kalino Latu
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Claims and counterclaims continue to fly over allegations about who was responsible for the PTOA losing power and assertions that the wrong advice was given to the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

Former Cabinet  Minister Dr Tu’i Uata has alleged that MP Mateni Tapueluelu hungered to become Deputy Prime Minister before the 2019 premiership election, even though the Party decided that that position must be given to Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, the current Prime Minister.

Dr Uata claimed Tapueluelu’s persistence had enraged Dr Tu’i’onetoa who was already satisfied with being nominated as Deputy Prime Minister.

He claimed  Hon. Tu’i’onetoa advised them in a meeting to stand together to make sure they won the next premiership election to fulfill their late leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s four-year term.

Dr Uata claimed the spirit of unity the party had in their first meeting after ‘Akilisi died turned sour after Hon. Tapueluelu made a speech during their second meeting.

READ MORE:

Dr Uata also claimed Dr Tu’i’onetoa scolded Hon Tapueluelu during that meeting, accusing him of being bad-mouthed and two-faced [“tamasi’i hūhūkia mo ngutu mālie.”]

Dr Tu’i’onetoa finally left the Party before he reportedly approached by the Nobles to form the People’s Party, for which he won the Premiership.

Dr Uata alleged a last-ditch effort to bring back Hon Tu’i’onetoa to the Party before the premiership election failed because Hon Tapueluelu refused to join them in a meeting planned to be held with Hon Tu’i’onetoa.

Hon Tapueluelu claims / Dr Tu’i Uata denial

Dr Uata was responding to an allegation by Hon. Tapueluelu in a leaked letter seen by  Kaniva News. The letter named him as one of a number of people alleged to have engaged with MP Siaosi Pōhiva in a power struggle and giving wrong advice to Prime Minister ‘Akilisi.

Dr Uata was nominated from outside Parliament by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi as  Minister of Trade and Economic Development.  Hon. Tupueluelu alleged in the leaked letter that the nomination of Dr Uata did not conform to the Party’s manifesto. He also alleged Dr Uata felt uncertain about whether he would keep his office if the Prime Minister died.

Hon. Tapueluelu alleged that because of this, Dr Uata and others advised against ‘Akilisi’s plan to resign with dignity five months before he died in September 2019.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed this was why the Party lost the government after ‘Akilisi’s death.

Hon. Tu’i Uata denied this and claimed Hon. Tapueluelu told him during a meeting also attended by PTOA frontliner Paula Piveni Piukala, that ‘Akilisi has nominated Former Deputy Sēmisi Sika to be the next Prime Minister and Tapueluelu to be the Deputy Prime Minister.

Dr Uata’s response was livestreamed last week and shared to some of the PTOA movement’s Facebook pages and other news sharing groups. The share by Ngaluope group, which has more than 60,000 followers seen by Kaniva News garnered about 93,000 views, received 3,700 reactions, 223 comments and 416 shares.

Movement calls for transparency

Meanwhile the Party’s movements and overseas supporters have called on Party Leader Sika to be open about what discussion and arguments the Party’s core team had and the ground for forgiving Hon. Tapueluelu on their Monday’s meeting.

There has been a public online outcry over Leader Sika’s handling of the situation after he announced on Monday in a statement that the core team had decided to  forgive Hon. Tapueluelu. No further details were given.

The Movement’s Facebook Livestream broadcaster, ‘Asiata Masima, who interviewed Dr Uata told Kaniva News the core team’s decision was not transparent.

He said the core team now was worthless.

United States PTOA Movement frontliner Sharon Mina Sekona said Hon. Tapueluelu had “courted” the core team members.

Meanwhile, support for Hon. Tapueluelu has been strong with many saying  they would still vote for him.

Ngalo’afe ‘Ulupano, a strong supporter of Tapueluelu from Tongatapu 4 said if the Core Team had dismissed Tapueluelu his constituency would still have voted him in.

Leader Sika, Tapueluelu and Siaosi Pōhiva had been contacted for comment.

Tali‘eva bar murder-accused to reappear in court

By
Kalino Latu
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Five men facing murder charges after the death of a 49-year-old man at Tali’eva bar will reappear later in August.

Sione Feimoefiafi was fatally injured after being repeatedly punched and kicked at the bar in the capital Nuku’alofa, before being dragged outside onto the road in broad daylight on February 4, 2019.

Feimoefiafi was pronounced dead soon after the incident at Vaiola hospital.

He was living in the city of Portland in the United States, and was in Tonga to attend his father’s funeral.

The accused were Sione Bloomfield ,51, of Fatai, Vilaketi Bloomfield, 48, of Sopu, Kona’ī Bloomfield,43, of Sopu, Siafā Nai ,39, of Tofoa and Tangi Tiufilusi Nai, 42, of Fua’amotu.

They appeared in court on Tuesday 21 before Justice Charles Cato declared the trial date, the Kele’a Voice livestreaming updates report this evening.

They all pleaded not guilty to their charges on December 17 at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Tonga police make 568 virus lockdown violation arrests

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga Police have arrested 568 people to date since the Covid-19 lockdown, curfews and state of emergency announced on 28 March 2020.

Of the 568 arrested, 357 were arrested for breaches of the National Emergency Lockdown Notice/Restriction Notice and the obstruction of authorised officers, 77 were arrested for being drunk in public places, 33 for possession of illicit drugs, 28 on domestic violence charges and the rest on other crimes including assault, theft and housebreaking.

The total number marked a drop by 37% (-298 offences) compared with the number of crimes recorded in the same period last year, Police said.

“Our mission is to support the Government, to support our Ministry of Health in keeping our citizens well and safe. We do that by educating the people but when that approach falls on death ears, we will enforce the full extent of the law in this National Health Emergency,” said the Commissioner of Police Stephen Caldwell.

“We urged people to respect the law, respect our officers as they go about their duty. This is a difficult time, but we need the public to follow instructions and comply with directions. People need to stay home during the curfew hours.

“There may be difficult times ahead, and we must steel ourselves to the task ahead and work together.

“Our Role as always is to uphold the rule of law, keep the peace, protect our citizens, and do our duty to King and Country to the best of our ability.”

Police are working together with His Majesty’s Armed Forces and the Tonga Fire & Emergency Services to enforce the curfew.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action on those who continue to ignore the curfew.”

You can contact the Police Operation Centre on 23713 or email opcc.covid19@police.gov.to, to report a crime or anyone who is breaching the curfew hours.

Extended ban on flights into Tonga “very disappointing.” Stranded Tongans not happy

By
Kalino Latu
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About 4000 Tongans are believed to be stranded and in lockdown in New Zealand and around the world and not all of them are happy about the extended ban on flights entering the kingdom.

International flights into Tonga remain banned until June 12.

There were international flights available for those wishing to return to other countries but were subject to the Government of Tonga’s approval.

The Minister of Health said today Air New Zealand would fly to Tonga once a week, but would  not carry passengers.

The CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said the ban was to help prevent the introduction of Covid-19.

Not everybody is happy about the situation.

One woman, Fehoko Bloomfield ‘Ōkusitino, told Kaniva News in Auckland  the decision to extend the ban on Tonga’s boarder was “very disappointing.”

She said the government should allow them to quarantine here in New Zealand for 14 days before allowing them to fly to Tonga.

“I don’t mind if I take another 14-day quarantine in Tonga that’s fine as long as I am there,” she said.

Bloomfield said she was concerned about her 93 year old mother in Vava’u.

It would be devastating if something happened to her while she was  stranded in Auckland.

Bloomfield lives in Australia but moved to Tonga recently to stay with her mother.

She flew back to Sydney, but on her return journey to Tonga she got stuck in New Zealand when the country’s lockdown came into force.

The government first imposed the ban in the last week of March.

Some flights have been allowed in to take foreign nationals out of Tonga.

An Air New Zealand repatriation flight was scheduled to leave Tonga on April 15.

While the flights remain banned, restrictions on movement and gatherings in the kingdom have been relaxed, with schools reopening last week.

The main points

  • About 4000 Tongans are believed to be stranded and in lockdown in New Zealand and around the world and not all of them are happy about the extended ban on flights entering the kingdom.
  • International flights into Tonga remain banned until the middle of June.
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