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Immigration consultant vows to share “bread he has” with overstayers as concerns for their well-being amid coronavirus lockdown grows

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan consultant in Auckland said if any overstayer in New Zealand was in a very difficult situation and wanted help he would share his bread with them.

Kaniva News has interviewed a number of Tongans this morning through Facebook messenger in an attempt to delve deeper into the overstayers’ situation, which some interviewees described as distressing and devastating.

Pacific Immigration Consultancy Director Koliniasi Vānisi told Kaniva News he felt for these Tongans whose well-being, food, accomodation and financial supports were badly affected during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Vānisi said the Tongan cultural practice of fe’inasi’aki where families and relatives shared whatever they had in times of difficulty was the only hope for these overstayers.

He said there was no amnesty for the overstayers and as far as he understood the New Zealand policy and laws for these illegal immigrants still stood.

Any immigration overstayer must either “leave the country immediately, or make a request for a special temporary or resident visa under Section 61 of the Immigration Act, but only if you believe you have a special case.”

A woman who we chose not to name, said some people in the community should stand up and do something about these overstayers.

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She said although they were here in the country illegally, when it came to disaster like the Covid-19, every human being had a right to get access to all the benefits the government has offered as disaster relief.

She said three overstayers she knew about were working. However, when the lockdown was enforced they lost the jobs.

“They only relied on families and friends’ supports but now the country is on lockdown and it makes things worse for them,” the interviewee said.

Another interviewee told us he knew of a family of five and they have a baby.

“I know their situation was really bad and they urgently need something for their baby,” he said.

All the way down from South Auckland to Katikati in the northwest of Tauranga, our responders made dramatic pleas for helps for overstayers who were in a pitiful situation during the one-month nationwide lockdown.

“Any helps please donate,” another interviewee said.

As Kaniva News reported recently, the latest statistics on overstayers in New Zealand showed 2498 were Tongans.

Many of these people had little or no access to social welfare, justice or medical care. Simply  going to a public hospital could mean they risked being deported. This could also happen if they applied for a driver’s licence, or going to court.

Last month Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that those who held temporary visas in New Zealand automatically extended to late September.

“Travellers with a temporary work student visa and limited interim visa expiring before 1 April 2020, who are unable to leave NZ will be able to stay legally,” she said.

Tongan workers in New Zealand on Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme contracts are covered for medical costs and sick leave under New Zealand’s Essential Services package.

Under their own compulsory insurance, the workers costs for doctors’ visits and medicine are covered, but the government will pay for sick leave and self-isolation if caused by the coronavirus.

Portugal new immigration laws – model for New Zealand

As Kaniva News reported last week, one European country has introduced new laws on illegal migrants that could prove a model for New Zealand.

We said in that article that this would be good news for Tongans, who have traditionally made up the largest group of overstayers in New Zealand.

Laws recently introduced in Portugal are designed to regularise the status of illegal migrants more sympathetically.

Under new rules recently introduced in Portugal, illegal immigrants who have worked in the country for more than a year and paid taxes for the past 12 months may obtain a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

The new residency permit will be for two years and will help applicants to apply for legal residence in Portugal and act will help the country having more documented immigrants instead of illegal.

The Portuguese programme has been described as a more human approach to regulating immigration and helping the employment market.

Those who need helps with their immigration status can contact Koliniasi Vanisi on 0212941443

The main points

  • A Tongan consultant in Auckland said if any overstayer in New Zealand was in a very difficult situation and wanted help he would share his bread with them.
  • Kaniva News has interviewed a number of Tongans this morning through Facebook massenger in an attempt to delve deeper into the overstayers’ situation, which some interviewees described as distressing and devastating.

For more information

Tongan seasonal workers doing essential jobs qualify for help under NZ emergency package

Tongan seasonal workers doing essential jobs qualify for help under NZ emergency package

‘Ikai mo‘oni ongoongo fakamofele ‘e he 5G ‘a e Kōviti-19 mo fakavaivai‘i ‘ōkani malu’i sino e tangata’

By
Kalino Latu
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Kuo ma’ave’ave ‘eni hono sea holo he mītia fakasōsiale’ ‘e hotau kakai’ he uike’ ni ha ngaahi fakamatala hala mo ‘ikai mo’oni pehē tokua ‘oku lava ke puke ha ni’ihi he ivi ‘uhila kuo fa’u’aki ‘a e tekinolosia fetu’utaki ‘ikai fakafou ‘i ha uaea (wireless telecommunication technologies.)

Kuo hope atu e fakamatala ni he mītia fakasōsiale’ ‘o pehē tokua ‘oku lava e vailasi kolona’ ‘o mofele mei he ngaahi tekinolosia 5G. ‘Oku toe ‘i ai mo e fakamatala hala ‘o pehē ko e Koviti-19 ne fa’u ‘i ha leepti ‘i ‘Iuhani, Siaina ‘o taumu’a ko e me’atau fakapaiolosia. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha fakamo’oni ki ai pea ne ‘osi fakahū ki he White House ‘a ‘Amelika ha lipooti ko e fakatotolo ‘a e CIA ki he tupu’anga mo e mofele ‘a e mahaki’ ni pea na’e mahino ai ngali ko ‘ene mofele ‘ana mei he monumanu ‘e ua ko e peka mo e pengikolini ‘i ‘Iuhani, Siaina.

Ko e ongoongo ko ‘eni, ko e to’oto’o pe mei he ngaahi fakamatala ‘a e ngaahi kautaha ongongo BBC, Aljazeera mo e CNN ke tokoni ki hotau kakai ‘oku manako laukonga fakaTonga’. Ko kinautolu manako lau ongoongo ‘i he lea ‘Ingilisi ‘oku tuva ‘ānoa e ngaahi fakamatala ko ‘eni he neti ma’a kimoutolu ke mou laulau ai.

‘I he ‘ātikolo’ ni te ke lau ai kau ki he:

  • Fakahalaki fakasaienisi pehē ‘oku fakatupu ‘e he 5G ‘a e Koviti-19 tu’unga he’ene uesia e ‘ōkani malu’i ‘o e tangata’
  • Ko e hā ‘a e 5G
  • Ko ‘Iulani ‘oku te’eki fokotu’u ha 5G ia ai ka ko e fonua ia kuo tō lahi ai ‘a e Koviti-19

Ko e ha ‘a e 5G?

Ko hono fakalea ‘e taha’ ko e 5 Generation pe ko e to’u ‘eni hono 5 ‘o e tekinolosia fetu’utaki ‘ikai fakafou ‘i ha uaea’ hangē ko e telefoni to’oto’o. ‘A ia ko e to’u fakamuimui taha ‘eni kuo a’usia ‘e he māmani ‘o e tekinolosia’ pea ‘i he ‘uhinga ko ia’ ‘oku mahino ko e lelei taha ia fakatekinolosia kuo a’usia ‘e he to’utangata ‘o e ‘aho ni’. Vave ange, faingofua ange, mālohi pea toe mohume’a ange ‘a hono fa’unga’.Te tau to’o mai pe heni ha ni’hi ‘o e ngaahi tali kuo pulusi ‘e ha ngaahi kautaha ‘iloa ‘i māmani kau ki he tukuaki’i’ ni.

Kuo ui ‘e ha ngaahi kautaha ongoongo fakamāmani lahi’ a e fo’i tukuaki’i hala ko ‘eni’ ko e conspiracy theory pe ko e tui ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e kaunga ‘a e 5G ki ha me’a ‘oku hoko hangē ko e Koviti-19 ka ‘oku ‘ikai lava fakamo’oni’i ‘a ‘ena fehokotaki’.

‘I he ‘aho ni, ne tuku ange mai ai ‘e he kautaha ongoongo fakamāmani lahi ko ia ko e Aljazeera ‘a ‘enau fakamaama ki he tukuaki’i hala ko ‘eni.

Ne nau pehē ne fakalalahi hono tufaki holo e tui ko ‘eni ‘e he kakai ‘iloa ‘o hangē ko e tokotaha ‘eti faiva ko ia ko Woody Harrelson, ‘oku lau miliona hono kau muimui’ he mitia fakasōsiale’. Taimi tatau, ne toe ma’ave’ave pe mo e fakakaukau ‘a ha kau fakatotolo fakaako ‘o pehē ko e fa’ahinga tui fakamahamahalo ko ‘eni’ ko hano keimipeini’i ‘o ha fakamatala ta’emo’oni mo takihala mo taumu’a tu’uaki.

Pehē ‘e he tokotaha fakatotolo ko Marc Owen Jones mei he ‘univēsiti ‘o Hamad bin Khalifa ‘i Qatar ki he Aljazeera, toko taha ‘eni ‘oku mataotao makehe ‘i he ‘ilo ki he ngaahi fakamatala taki hala mo ‘ikai mo’oni ‘oku fai he ‘initaneti’ na’a’ ne ‘analaiso ‘e ia ‘a e fo’i fakamatala ‘e 22,000 ki mui’ ni he Tuita’ ‘oku ‘asi ai ‘a e 5G mo e kolona’. Na’a’ ne ‘ilo ai ko e lahi taha ‘o e ngaahi ‘akauni ko ‘eni’  ko e ha’u mei he ngaahi ‘ekitivitī ta’emalava ke fakamo’oni’i. Na’a’ ne pehē ‘oku mālohi ‘aupito ‘a e mahino mai ko e ngaahi fakamatala ko ‘eni’ ko e ha’u mei he tufaki’anga fakamatala ta’emo’oni.

Faka’ikai’i pule’anga Pilitania’ e fakamahalo’ ni

‘I he uike kuo ‘osi’ na’e vela ai ha taua ki he telefoni to’oto’o ‘i Pamingihami, Pilitānia. Ne oma ‘aupito ‘a hono tukuaki’i ne ‘i ai ‘ene fekau’aki mo e Koviti-19 ‘e ha ni’ihi ‘i he Feisipuka’, Tuita’ mo e ‘Iūtiupi’. Ka ne oma ‘aupito ‘a e tali ki heni ‘a e taha kau minisitā kapineti ‘a e fonua’ ko Michael Gove ‘o ne pehē ko e fo’i laulaunoa fakatu’utāmaki ‘a e fakamatala hala ko ia’. Toe ta’ota’o atu  mo e lau ‘e taha mei he Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport he BBC ai pē ‘o pehē ‘oku hala mo ha fakamo’oni ‘e taha na’e ‘i ai ha’ana fekau’aki ‘a e 5G mo e vailasi kolona’ pea ‘oku fakatu’utāmaki ‘aupito ‘a e fa’ahinga tui tu’umaumau mo telelouniu ko ‘eni’.

‘I he māhina Fepueli ne hili pe mafola holo ‘a e fo’i telelouniu ko ‘eni ne tuku mai ai ‘e he BBC ‘enau ongongo ‘o ‘ulu’i tohi’aki ‘a e fakalea ‘o pehē – Oma e mafola ‘a e ongoongo fa’u’aki e fakamatala ta’emo’oni (Fake news is spreading fast.)

Ko e ta’au ‘o e 5G ‘e malava ai ke liliu e anga ‘e tō’onga mo’ui lahi ‘a e kakai mo e me’a kuo nau angaheni ki ai. Ko e aake ‘i hotau kuonga’ ni ‘a e netiueka’ ni ‘e malava ke  fa’u ai ‘a e ngaahi motokā ‘oku ‘ikai toe fiema’u ha tangata ia ke faka’uli, pule’i atu pe ia mei ha feitu’u e halafononga ke lele holo ai’, fakahoko e ngaahi tafa ‘e ‘ikai ‘i loki tafa ai ‘a e kau toketā faitafa’ ia nau nofo pe kinautolu mei he feitu’u mama’o ‘o fakahinohino mai pe ki ha toketā faitafa ‘e taha ‘a e me’a ke ne fai ‘i ha fetu’utaki vitiō fakafou he netiueka 5G. Kuo kau ai foki ki heni mo e ngaahi ngāue’anga fa’u koloa lahi ‘e ‘ikai toe fiema’u ha kakai ka ko e komipiuta pe te ne fai ‘a e ngāue’.

Ko e hā kuo fakafehokotaki ai ‘e he kakai’ ‘a e 5G moe Koviti-19.

Na’e kamata hono ngāue’aki ‘o e netiueka 5G ‘i he ngaahi siti mo e ngaahi fonua’ he 2018 pea lahi ‘aupito hono ngāue’aki ‘i he 2019, ta’u tatau ‘eni ne mafola mai ai ‘a e mahaki vailasi kolona’ mei ‘Iuhani, Siaina’. Ne vave hono hoko’i ‘e he kau tui fakamahamahalo’ ‘a e netiueka’ ni heni mo e vailasi’.

Ka ne ‘ikai ke nau tokanga ki he lau ‘a e palōveape ‘oku pehē: ‘Oku ‘ikai ke hanga ‘e ha hoko fakataha ‘a ha ongo me’a ‘o tala mai na’e fakatupu ‘e ē ‘a ē.

Kuo fokotu’u ‘e he kakai’ he ‘initaneti’ ha mape ‘e ua ‘o ‘Amelika ‘o pehē ko e ongo feitu’u ia ‘oku lahi taha e tō ai ‘a e Koviti-19 pea ko e ongo feitu’u ‘eni kuo ‘osi fokotu’u ai ‘a e netiueka 5G.

Ko e toe me’a ‘e taha ‘oku tatau ai ‘a e ongo feitu’u ko eni ko hona fu’u tokolahi pea mahino ne tōmu’a ‘enau ngāue’aki ‘a e 5G.

Te’eki ha 5G ‘i ‘Iulani ka fele ‘a mate ai he vailasi kolona

‘Oku toe ‘i ai mo e ngaahi ‘uhinga kehe ‘oku ‘ikai mo’oni ai e tukuaki’i ko eni. ‘Oku te’eki ai ke ‘i ai ha 5G ia ‘i ‘Iulani, ka ko e taha ia ha fonua kuo tō lahi ai ‘a e mahaki ko eni Koviti-19.

Ko e taimi ko ē ne fai ai hono hiki e me’angāue tekinolosia’ ki he uaealesi’ na’e ‘i ai e tukuaki’i loi ‘o pehē te ne fakatupunga ha mahaki, pea ko e toe me’a tatau ‘eni ki he vailasi kolona’. Ko e lahi taha ‘o e kau taukave tui fakamahalo ko ‘eni ki he 5G/Koviti-19 ‘oku ai ‘enau fekau’aki mo e ngaahi kulupu ‘oku nau pehē ko e peau’ea mei he ngaahi tekinolosia uaealesi’ ‘oku fakatupu kanisā, neongo ‘a e ‘ikai ha fakamo’oni ki he tukuaki’i ko ia’.

Kuo mahino mei he ngaahi fakatotolo fakaako, ‘oku ‘ikai mālohi fe’unga ‘a e ivi ‘uhila fakaletiō ‘i he telefoni’ ke ne maumau’i ‘a e DNA pe tīsiu ‘i he sino ‘o e tangata’ – ‘oku ma’olalo pe honau lēvolo fakaivi ‘o hangē ko e maikoloueivi’ mo e televisone’.

Fakahalaki fakasaienisi

Kuo ‘i ai ha ngaahi fakakaukau kuo’ ne fakafehokotakinga ‘a e 5G mo e Koviti-19. Fokotu’u mai ‘e he fakakaukau e taha ‘o pehē ‘oku fakatupu ‘e he netiueka 5G ‘a e Koviti-19, pe faka’ilonga ‘o ha puke. Fakakaukau ‘e taha ne pehē ‘oku tuku ange mai ‘e he netiueka 5G ha ivi faka’uhila ‘oku ne fakavaivai’i e ‘ōkani he sino ‘o e tangata’ ke ne tali teke’i ‘e mahaki’ pe ha kona pea ‘oku lahi ange ai e faingamālie ke puke ‘a e kakai’.

Ko e kautaha ko e The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) ko e sino ‘o ha kau saienisi mataotao tau’atāina ‘oku nau fakamaau tuku e anga hano uesia ‘e he ivi makineti ‘uhila’ mei he fa’ahinga me’a ngāue ‘a e sino ‘o e tangata’. Kuo nau fakapapau’i mai  ‘oku ‘ikai ‘aupito ha fekau’aki ia ‘a e 5G mo e vailasi kolona’.

Pea ‘oku ‘ikai ‘aupito, fakatatau ki he ngaahi fakatotolo fakasaienisi’, hano uesia ‘e taha ‘e he 5G ‘a e ‘ōkani ‘o e tangata’ kuo fa’u ke ne tali teke’i ha mahaki pe kona, pea tokua te nau puke ai he Koviti-19, ko e fakamatala ia ‘a Eric van Rongen, ko e Sea ‘o e ICNIRP ki he kautaha ongoongo CNN.

Fanongonongo ki he Ngaahi Mātu‘a ‘o e ‘Apiako Sutton Park, Aokalani, NZ

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Aho 9 ‘Epeleli 2020

Ngaahi Mātu’a ‘o e ‘Apiako Sutton Park

‘Oku ou ‘amanaki pē ‘oku mou mo’ui lelei pea tokamālie ‘a e ngaahi fatongia mei ‘api na.  Koe ngaahi me’a ‘eni ‘oku toe tānaki atu ki he fanongongo koia na’e ‘osi fakahā atu ki mu’a.

Ko e uike faka’osi ‘eni ‘o e tutukú pea ‘e kamata ‘a e teemi hono 2 ‘i he ‘osi ‘a e ngaahi ‘aho mālōlō ‘o e Pekia.  Ka neongo ia foki, ‘oku kei hokohoko atu pē ‘a e ngaahi fakataputapuí.

Koia ai, koe ako ‘etau fānau ‘e kei hokohoko atu pē ia ‘i he ‘onilaini (on-line).  ‘Oku lolotonga ngāue ‘a e Potungāue Ako mo ‘ene kau ngāue ki hono fokotu’utu’u ‘a e ngaahi founga ‘e lava ke tokoni ki he ako ‘onilaini ‘ae fānaú.

‘Oku ou fakamālō atu kiate kimoutolu kotoa pē ne mou kau mai ki he savea na’e ‘oatu ke fakapapau’i ai ‘a e ngaahi famili ‘oku lava ke ngaue’aki ‘e he fānau ‘a e ‘initaneti ki he ‘enau ako mei ‘apí.

Ko e ngaahi fāmili ko ia ‘oku ‘iai ‘ae ‘initaneti, ‘oku lahi ‘ae ngaahi ngāue fakaako ‘e ma’u atu mei he website moe facebook ‘a e ‘apiako pē.

Ko e ngaahi fāmili ko ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha ‘initanetí, ko e faingamālie lelei ‘eni ke mou ako’i ai ‘ae fānau ke nau lava lelei ke ngāue’aki ‘etau lea faka-Tonga.  ‘I he kamata ‘o e teemi hokó, ‘e ako ‘a e fānau ki he ‘Mo’ui lelei’, ko ia ai kātaki ‘o ngāue’aki ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie kotoa pē ke tokoni ki he ‘etau fānau, ke fakalahi ‘enau ‘ilo ki he ngaahi founga ‘o e faka’ehi’ehi mei he mahaki Covid19. ‘Oku mahu’inga foki ke nau ‘ilo koe fakakātoa ‘o e Mo’uilelei ko e mo’ui lelei honau ‘atamai, mo’ui fakasōsiale moe mo’ui fakaēloto, pea mo e mo’ui fakalaumālie.

‘E ‘iai ‘a e polokalama ako ma’ae fānau ‘e toki fakahoko mai ‘i he televīsoné.

‘Oku ou faka’amu ke mou tokanga ’o talangofua ki he ngaahi fakahinohino mo e fale’i mei he Potungāue Mo’ui moe Pule’anga, ko e ‘uhi ke mou hao ai mei he mahaki Covid19.  ‘Oku ou ‘amanaki ‘e vave ni pē ha tau toe fakatahataha mai koe fāmili ‘o e ‘Apiako Sātoni Paaka.

‘Okapau ‘oku ke toe fiema’u ha fakaikiiki pē ha tokoni,pe a Kātaki ‘o fetu’utaki mai ki he tu’asila  principal@suttonpark.school.nz pe tuku mai ha fekau ‘i he telefoni 021-250-6684   Fakatauange pē ke mou hao mo malu mo homou ngaahi fāmili kotoa ‘i he ‘aofinima’ofá ‘o e ‘Otuá.

‘Ofa lahi atu moe hūfaki,

Fa’atili Iosua Esera

Pulea’oga

Number of new cases of Covid-19 in NZ plummets to 29

By
Kaniva Staff
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New Zealand has recorded just 29 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, but the prime minister says a decision on changing the alert level will only be made two days before the lockdown ends.

It is the fourth day in a row there has been a day-on-day drop.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there are 23 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and six probable cases in New Zealand today. That brings the total number of cases to 1239.

Watch the media conference here:

Number of new cases of Covid-19 in NZ plummets to 29

11 minutes ago Share this 

New Zealand has recorded just 29 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, but the prime minister says a decision on changing the alert level will only be made two days before the lockdown ends.

It is the fourth day in a row there has been a day-on-day drop.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there are 23 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and six probable cases in New Zealand today. That brings the total number of cases to 1239.

Watch the media conference here:

There have been no additional deaths, but 14 people are in hospital, with four in ICU at North Shore, Middlemore and Dunedin hospitals.

Dr Bloomfield said 317 people have now recovered from the coronavirus, with 35 recovering in the past day.

He said 41 percent of cases are travel-related, 44 are related to close contacts and 2 percent are community transmission. Thirteen percent are still under investigation.

There are still 12 clusters, the three largest are the wedding in Bluff with 87 cases, Marist College with 84 and Matamata with 66.

“Our ability to contain those clusters has been greatly enhanced because we are in the alert level 4 lockdown situation, so we are confident now that we are on top of those clusters and that any additional cases are largely within the bubbles within each of those clusters.”

The daily numbers of new cases of Covid-19 have been slowly dropping this week. There were 50 new probable and confirmed cases reported yesterday, with 54 on Tuesday and 67 on Monday.

Dr Bloomfield said he expected case numbers to stay low, with a few bumps up and down.

Despite the drop in new cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made it clear the lockdown will not end before the four-week period is up.

She said any decision on changing the country’s alert level will be made on 20 April, two days before the four-week lockdown ends.

She said this meant businesses will have two days to prepare for any move into alert level 3.

But Ardern said the country’s response to the lockdown over the past two weeks had been “huge”.

“In the face of the greatest threat to human health that we have faced in over a century, Kiwis have quietly and collectively implemented a nationwide wall of defence.

“You are breaking the chain of transmission and you did it for each other,” she said.

Ardern said initial modelling showed New Zealand was on a similar trajectory to Italy and Spain, but current modelling showed the lockdown measures were working.

“As we head into Easter, I say thank you to you and your bubble,” Ardern said.

Doctors’ criticisms against gov’t allocation of TP$60 million coronavirus stimulus package “ill-advised, untrue and confused,” says PM Tu‘i‘onetoa

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has rejected claims the government was not properly preparing for a potential arrival of the deadly coronavirus.

Some Vaiola hospital doctors claimed the government’s allocation of its TP$60million Economic and Social Stimulus Package announced last week to combat Covid-19 crisis “was not very smart.”

Prime MInister Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva News)

The claims on Matangi Tonga Online said the doctors, who spoke to the webpage under condition of anonymity, alleged the Tu’i’onetoa “government has gone completely off-track when it should be throwing all resources to prepare for a flood of patients.’

The doctors reportedly said: “They have no doubt that when Covid-19 hits Tonga, the Ministry of Health will need thousands of beds.”

The doctors said it was “most urgent for Tonga to get our health facilities in better shape to try and cope with  Covid-19 when it reaches Tonga.”

“Because it will get here, sooner or later.”

READ MORE:

They criticised the decision by the government to use the hospital at Mu’a as an isolation facility ,saying it was “unsuitable because it was small and is very far away from Vaiola and the specialist radiology facility and laboratory.”

The doctors suggested using buildings at Tonga National Centre, which is situated across the road from Vaiola Hospital and is currently occupied by the Legislative Assembly.

PM Tu’i’onetoa’s response

Hon Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News the doctors’ claims were heedless, untrue and ill-advised. He said the doctors were utterly confused about the allocation of the package.

He said the funding package was correctly allocated according to proposals and recommendations submitted by nine government committees which determined what should be regarded as urgent needs for Tonga at this stage of the pandemic.

The Prime Minister said there was an allocation for the Ministry of Health’s urgent needs and if they needed more at any time that would be a top priority and must be provided.

“Because of that the claims by the doctors were untrue,” the Prime Minister said.

He said it was unfortunate these doctors were not being identified in the article so they could explain the government’s procedures. The Matangi Tonga online did not seek the government’s side of the story.

He said these doctors wanted to build a new hospital that could house thousands of beds in preparation for the Covid-19 once it arrived, but at this stage the government did not believe that should be first priority.

Government’s priority

The government’s priority was to stop the disease from entering Tonga, Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said.

He said that was the government’s main focus at this stage.

He said this was not a stage for the government to prepare to welcome the Covid-19 and prepare a place for it no matter what.    

This was the basis for the allocation of the social and economic stimulus package, he said.  

The Prime Minister said the government did not believe in what other countries had done. They waited and after their people contracted the disease they moved to impose controlling measures.

“The government believed it should put preventive measures in place first and in timely manner and way ahead to block any chance for the Covid-19 to come in,” Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said.

He said the doctors were free to express their opinion and that was their constitutional right, but the government did not agree with them because many countries had followed those ideas and the outcome backfired on them.   

Enough facilities and equipment

The Prime Minister said the Tonga National Centre could not be used as an isolation facility because it was being used as temporally Parliament.

“The government’s first priority was to make sure the people are safe, sound and healthy and protected from Covid-19,” he said.

He said if the government agreed with what the doctors claimed the people of Tonga would have already been infected and many would be dead.

The Prime Minister said the facilities the government had prepared and medical equipment it had purchased amid Coivid-19 crisis were sufficient at this stage.

He said the situation was being handled wisely to make sure Tonga did not lose its emphasis on what should be done first.

Border control measures

The Prime Minister said Covid-19 could only come into Tonga through the airports and the wharves.

“It cannot come into Tonga by itself,” he said.

“This was why the government was strict in controlling its borders and banning  Tongan-bound international flights to make sure no passengers can arrive in Tonga from overseas.”

The Prime Minister said all countries dealt with the disease differently and for Tonga it relied pretty much on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.   

He said Tonga observed a national fast last week which would continue on every weekend after the Easter break.

The main points

  • Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has rejected claims the government was not properly preparing for a potential arrival of the deadly coronavirus.
  • Some Vaiola hospital doctors claimed the government’s allocation of its TP$60million Economic and Social Stimulus Package announced last week to combat Covid-19 crisis “was not very smart.”

Tonga braces for possible direct hit by Tropical Cyclone Harold tomorrow morning Thursday 9

By
Kalino Latu
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Warnings are being issued in Tonga with fears the kingdom is in line to be directly hit by Tropical Cyclone Harold.

“Harold could make a direct hit as a “Severe” cyclone – Category 3 or 4. However modelling suggests, like Fiji, the Tropical Cyclone will pass just to the south of the island – limiting damage,” Weather Watch New Zealand reports.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau said Cyclone Harold could make landfall in Tonga at 7am.

Boat owners and fishers were being urged to stay away from waters and Taumopeau reminded the public about the Mormon Church evacuation centres saying they have been made available to those who wanted them.

Tonga Met Services reported the cyclone at 6pm this evening on its tropical cyclone advisory number nine saying a hurricane force wind warning remains in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas and coastal waters.

It described Harold as tropical cyclone Catefory 4.

A gale wind warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau land areas and coastal waters.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas and coastal waters.

A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for all of Tonga.

A small craft advisory remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.

A heavy damaging swell remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters.

An extreme high tide is now in force for all of Tonga coastal waters for tomorrow and Friday.

This afternoon at 3pm the Weather Watch New Zealand reported Tropical Cyclone Harold remains a powerful Severe Category 4 storm as it begins to slowly move off from Fiji.

It said the centre of the storm crossed over Fiji’s Kadavu Island early this afternoon but didn’t cross over the main island of Viti Levu, sparing Nadi and Suva from the worst part of the storm.

Significant storm surge is expected to have caused – and still be causing – widespread damage along parts of Fiji’s western and southern coastlines.

Kadavu Island and surrounds are in a well known ‘cyclone path’ and are prepared for events like this, however the power of Harold is strong enough to cause significant damage there along with catastrophic coastal flooding in vulnerable areas.

Coronavirus: Tongans overseas urged to take advantage of tax-free before June 30

By
Kalino Latu
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The Ministry of Revenue and Customs said Tongans overseas have been offered an opportunity to send foodstuffs and personal consumer goods not for commercial purposes to Tonga without tax and duty.

The exemption which came into force on April 6 was put in place for two months amid Covid-19 crisis and will end on 30 June 2020.

The Ministry’s CEO Kelemete Vahe said he understood most overseas countries were on lockdown but for those who could have a chance to send goods to Tonga this was an opportunity for them.

The revelation was made during a press conference on Thursday last week in which the government announced an economic and social stimulus package worth TOP$60 million to help the country through the impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement came after the Minister of Finance told constituency meetings in Tongatapu last month work was underway to extend tax and duty free on building materials until December.

Tonga to use rapid new viral coronavirus test machines

By
Kalino Latu
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Laboratory machines worth TOP$137,000 which were used in New Zealand and the UK  to test whether a patient has contracted the coronavirus were expected to start arriving in Tonga tomorrow April 8, the Ministry of Health said. 

But the machines could not be used until later this month when the PCR testing machine from the UK was expected to arrive in New Zealand on April 17 before it was transported to Tonga, Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola, was quoted in a statement as saying.  

Known as Polymerase Chain Reaction testing or PCR, the machines can be used for detecting coronavirus and other complicated viral diseases.

Reports said these machines would help ramp up the testing process by analysing 1,000 samples, if run for 12 hours continuously and 2000 samples in 24 hours.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said the TOP$90,000 machine from New Zealand could analyse 96 samples, probably within an hour while the TOP$47,000 machine from the UK analyses 17 samples.

She said lab professionals in Australia offered to help in setting up the machines and providing assistance.

Tonga is one of 18 countries in the world that is CoViD-19 free after the Minister of Health announced yesterday the latest group of five people to be quarantined on suspicion of having Covid-19 had been cleared and released.

Despite this the government has put the kingdom on lockdown, curfew and in a state of emergency in a bid to stop the introduction or spread of the coronavirus disease.  

Monster Cyclone Harold wreaks havoc in Vanuatu, Tonga may be next

By
Kaniva Staff
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This article originally appeared on Weather Watch New Zealand website.

Updated Tues AM: Cyclone Harold remains Category 5 and last night made a second landfall in Vanuatu. Now Tonga may now also be directly impacted later this week.

The tropical storm made landfall on Monday afternoon on the island of Santo. Shortly after WeatherWatch.co.nz said a second landfall was possible later, because Vanuatu is made up of many islands not one single land mass.

The second landfall was around 8 to 9pm NZT (7 – 8pm Vanuatu time) Monday on Pentecost Island.

Unfortunately, this historic storm still remains Category 5 this morning as it slowly pulls away from Vanuatu and back into open waters. The island chain of Vanuatu was not big enough to weaken the powerful tropical cyclone.

Damage is likely to be significant on both islands where landfall occurred and unconfirmed reports says there has been complete devastation in the affected areas.

One positive is that Cyclone Harold is likely to depart quite fast today out to the east to south east, it will then track towards Fiji but the centre will remain well offshore from Nadi and Suva, tracking further to the south.

TONGA & FIJI
Those in Tonga should now be preparing for a possible Severe Tropical Cyclone later this week with latest tracking suggesting HAROLD could impact the nation directly, or very close by. However this far out it cannot be locked in.

People on islands south of Suva and Nadi, along with the nation of Tonga should be closely monitoring Cyclone Harold this week.

All our updates on Cyclone Harold can be found here: www.WeatherWatch.co.nz/category/TROPICS

8PM MONDAY NZT Infrared Satellite (Himawari) showing the eye of Cyclone Harold (Cat 5) making a second landfall, on the island of Pentacost.

Expired bags of flour seized in Neiafu after complaints, Town Officer says

By
Kalino Latu
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Law enforcement officers in Vava’u have seized about 100 bags of expired flour from a number of Chinese owned retailed stores in Neiafu this morning, the town officer of Neiafu Vāvā Lapota told Kaniva news.

He said the seizure was made following complaints from customers after they allegedly found the flour had been infected by insects.

Lapota previously told us bags of expired flours and rotting salted beefs were previously seized and destroyed.

Authorities concerned could not be reached for comment.

The seizure came after authorities confiscated and destroyed around 400 boxes of rotting chicken in Vava’u after an inspection of a refrigerated container at a Chinese shop in Neiafu last month.

In that incident, Lapota, said inspectors from MAFF have found the chicken to be unfit for consumption and were destroyed.

Lapota said the inspection came after complaints from customers.

He said they believed the owner of the container intermittently turned off the electricity in an attempt to save power but since the container was 40 ft long  this could not help kept the meat frozen from time to time.

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