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Video: Foul-mouthed female brawlers in brutal bush allotment brawl caught on video

By
Kalino Latu
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A violent fight has been caught on video and is being shared on social media.

The video, which appears to show it was shot in a tax allotment in Tongatapu, shows two girls –  throwing punches and pulling hair, surrounded by onlookers.

It is understood there were more than one video clips being shared.

One of them shows several boys whoop and cheer, laughing as the two female brawlers wrestle each other to the ground and exchange blows and foul language.

It appeared this was a group of youth who had been drinking together before the fight broke out.   

A bystander’s video of the fight, seen by Kaniva news, has gone viral since it was posted on Facebook last week, racking up more than 9000 views, 226 reactions, 197 comments and 129 shares by Monday afternoon.

At one stage, one of the girls could be seen in one of the clips appearing to repeatedly punching a man but he managed to break free and ran away before he fell over.

While the brawlers were on the ground, a man could be seen appearing to push his buttock against the head of one of the girls.

One of the group members can be heard saying he managed to intervene and broke up the fight but others urged them to fight again.

It was not clear whether or not police were called out to the incident.

Vava‘u firefighters battle first house fire of 2020

By
Kalino Latu
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The Vava’u firefighters battled the first house fire of the year early Friday morning.

Vava Lapota, the town officer of Neiafu has reported on Facebook that the house belonged to Fakaanga Hopoi of Kāmeli.

There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is still under investigation.

Tributes flow for Tonga seasonal worker who died in Australia

By
Kalino Latu
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Kāinga and friends have paid warm tribute to a Lapaha father who died while in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program.

Vaha ‘Ova, 41, was employed to work on a Robinvale farm for nine months. We mistakenly reported last week that Vaha was working in a farm in Mildura.

Australian media have reported that Vaha’s “death is unexplained.”

They said Vaha’s death did not occur on the farm.

Weekly Times Now has quoted an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman as saying that paramedics were waved down by people in a passing car at 2.15am on Friday 27.

A video clip shared on Facebook by members of the Tongan community in the area showed paramedics and an ambulance with Tongan bystanders standing nearby.

A person can be heard on the clip saying the paramedics were transferring Vaha into the ambulance.

“Still can’t believe that you’ve gone too soon Vaha,” a commenter wrote on Facebook.

The commenter said they were looking forward to welcome him back home and to continue on enjoying their kava sessions.

“Toka ange pe ha ‘aho tetau toe felongoaki fiefia ai, kake toka aa ‘i he nonga mo e fiamalie ‘a e ‘Eiki. ‘Ofa atu kiho fofonga,” they said in Tongan.

His sister who goes by the name Mary Jaiala Ova on Facebook wrote that Vaha sent her a Merry Christmas Wish before he died.

She said Vaha wanted her to help him got to Australia so he can work and save money to build a house for his family in Tonga.

“This morning is strange as I have not seen a post on Facebook or live streaming from you,” she wrote.

In Tongan she wrote: “Ala si’oku tuonga’ane Vaha Ova na’a ke tohi mai pe ‘o Fakamonu’ia mai he Kilisimasi pea tala atu hoku ‘ofa ta ko ena ke teu koe ki he feitu’u ‘e taha…mate ‘ofa atu ki ho mata ho ta si’i kole mai ke tokoni atu ke ke si’i ‘alu ki Australia ke feinga’i hao ki’i motu’i fale moe famili ‘ofa atu ki he tafa’aki ‘e taha ki he famili hono katoa…Pongipongi fo’ou eni ikai keu sio ki hao post pe live R.I.L my dear brother.”

Vaha’s death has become the 16th person to die while working on the controversial scheme

The Courier-Mail revealed 13 workers had died on the Seasonal Worker Program, with extreme neglect allegedly contributing to a number of deaths and serious injuries.

Tropical Cyclone Sarai to pass over Tonga today

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ. RNZ’s news is shared with Kaniva by arrangement.

The Tonga Meteorological Service is warning people in the kingdom to be vigilant as it forecasts Tropical Cyclone Sarai to reach Tongatapu this afternoon.

Formerly a category two system, the cyclone has now been downgraded to category one, although it is still generating sustained winds of 85km/h with gusts reaching up to 120km/h.

Sarai’s centre is expected to be about 15km west of Nuku’alofa at 1pm local time today.

The storm is moving east southeast at 12km/h.

Authorities in Tonga are urging all islands to be prepared as the cyclone’s track could change at any moment and mariners are strongly advised not to venture out to sea especially in smaller fishing boats.

“They said the track of this tropical cyclone is uncertain so we have prepared the whole of the island groups, get ready and prepared for this cyclone,” Tonga National Emergency Management Committee chief executive Paula Ma’u said.

Meanwhile, flights to Tonga have been disrupted by the approaching cyclone in Nuku’alofa with many returning family members and visitors travelling from the United States and Australia via Fiji stranded in Nadi.

A direct flight from Australia that was supposed to have arrived on Sunday was also suspended with the airline saying it would not be considering rescheduling it for 48 hours.

Authorities estimate about 300 incoming and outgoing travellers have been affected by the cancellations.

‘Tornado’ tears off roofs, causes vehicle crashes as Tonga braces for cyclone Sarai

By
Kalino Latu
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A tornado has torn off roofs and causing vehicle crashes in Ha’ateiho near ‘Atele this morning.

A government spokesperson confirmed homes and a church have been damaged by a tornado. He said the destruction comes after the tornado whipped through Fanga’uta lagoon and rolled across the Ha’ateiho town.

There have been no reports of injuries.

He said two vehicles crashed at two separate spots after they attempted to avoid the tornado.

Tonga is expecting category two tropical cyclone Sarai to start affecting the islands later today and tomorrow.

RNZ has reported that Tongan authorities are on standby as tropical cyclone Sarai heads towards the outer islands.

It said the tropical cyclone has been battering Fiji for more than two days.

Two people have died during Sarai in Fiji, where the body of a man was found after he went missing in a river during the storm, and another drowned while swimming.

A third person has been hospitalised after being hit by a falling tree.

At it’s centre, Sarai’s winds are reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour, with some gusts to 170 kilometres per hour.

The cyclone is predicted to make landfall over the Vava’u island group on Monday or Tuesday, as a category one storm.

The chief executive of Tonga’s National Emergency Management Committee, Paula Ma’u, said the public was bracing for the impact of Sarai.

Mr Ma’u said his agency had been preparing people with information via radio and social media.

“They said the track of this tropical cyclone is uncertain so we have prepared the whole of the island groups, get ready and prepared for this cyclone, and yes, with emphasis on Ha’apai and Vava’u at this stage.”

A Red Cross Disaster Management Coordinator, Anaseini Iotebatu, said evacuation centres were already being set up with emergency supplies.

“We have groups of volunteers in the community where they have been on standby as well,” she said.

“Our relief supplies was replenished in November … relief supplies in Tongatapu are also on standby.”

Iotebatu said the Red Cross was attending regular briefings alongside other agencies including police, and the Fire and National Emergency Management Office.

Live television and radio feeds had also been set up, to keep locals informed about the unfolding situation.

“The evacuation centres have already been opened … and welcome anybody or families who would like to make way to the evacuation centres,” she said.

Two dead, child critically injured after serious incident in Papatoetoe, NZ

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police are currently at the scene of a serious incident on Sunnyside Crescent, Papatoetoe.

Shortly after 9.50am, Police received a report that a body was located inside a property.

Police attended the address and located the body of a woman inside a bedroom.

A child was also located in the room with critical injuries and he has been transported to Starship Hospital.

A further search of the address revealed the body of a man who was located deceased inside the property’s garage.

Police are working to establish the circumstances and piece together what has occurred.

A scene examination is underway and the address has been cordoned.

Police are expected to remain at the scene for the rest of the day.

We are currently speaking with a number of individuals in relation to this tragic event.

Detective Inspector Colin Higson says at this early stage in our enquiries, Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

Police are working to confirm the identities of the deceased and begin next of kin notifications, however we believe the two deceased were known to each other.

We are unlikely to have a further update today unless there is a significant development.

Tongan authorities are preparing as tropical cyclone Sarai approaches

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ. RNZ news is shared with Kaniva by arrangement.

Tongan authorities are on standby as tropical cyclone Sarai heads towards the outer islands.

The category two storm has been battering Fiji for more than two days and is expected to start affecting Tonga later today and tomorrow.

Two people have died during Sarai in Fiji, where the body of a man was found after he went missing in a river during the storm, and another drowned while swimming.

A third person has been hospitalised after being hit by a falling tree.

At it’s centre, Sarai’s winds are reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour, with some gusts to 170 kilometres per hour.

The cyclone is predicted to make landfall over the Vava’u island group on Monday or Tuesday, as a category one storm.

The chief executive of Tonga’s National Emergency Management Committee, Paula Ma’u, said the public was bracing for the impact of Sarai.

Mr Ma’u said his agency had been preparing people with information via radio and social media.

“They said the track of this tropical cyclone is uncertain so we have prepared the whole of the island groups, get ready and prepared for this cyclone, and yes, with emphasis on Ha’apai and Vava’u at this stage.”

A Red Cross Disaster Management Coordinator, Anaseini Iotebatu, said evacuation centres were already being set up with emergency supplies.

“We have groups of volunteers in the community where they have been on standby as well,” she said.

“Our relief supplies was replenished in November … relief supplies in Tongatapu are also on standby.”

Iotebatu said the Red Cross was attending regular briefings alongside other agencies including police, and the Fire and National Emergency Management Office.

Live television and radio feeds had also been set up, to keep locals informed about the unfolding situation.

“The evacuation centres have already been opened … and welcome anybody or families who would like to make way to the evacuation centres,” she said.

Four Tongatapu men convicted over assaulting soldier

By
Kalino Latu
-

Four Tongatapu men who charged with assaulting a soldier in September last year have been convicted on charges the Supreme Court found them guilty on.

In his ruling, Justice Laki Niu said Walter Fangatua was guilty of the charge of serious causing bodily harm brought against him and he convicted him of that offence.

The alternative charge of assault against him was dismissed.

Mr Niu said Lisiate Fonua was guilty of the charge of assault against him and he has convicted him of that offence. The alternative charge of serious causing bodily harm brought against him was dismissed.

Siope Niusini was found guilty of the charge of assault brought against him and Mr Niu convicted him of that offence.

The three accused have been tried together in a joint trial after they assaulted Lehopoame Tu’utafaiva.

A fourth accused, Semisi Tu’ineau, has already pleaded guilty to one charge of assault in respect of the same person in the same incident.

Fangatua struck Tu’utafaiva repeatedly with a hoe blade, and alternatively, assaulting him by striking him with a hoe blade.

Fonua struck Tu’utafaiva with a hoe blade and injuring his head, and alternatively assaulting him by punching and kicking him repeatedly.

Niusini was charged with assaulting Tu’ufaiva by punching and kicking him repeatedly.

The court was told Tu’utafaiva was in the Tongan army and he and some of his army friends were having a few drinks at the home of an army couple friend in Havelu.

Late at night, two boys came into their drinking, namely Fonua and Niusini. The court was told that as the two accused were leaving, they threw a piece of brick which hit the bonnet of the vehicle which was parked at the front of the house.

Tu’utafaiva and another soldier chased after them followed by some other five soldiers and three women from their party. The two boys escaped.

As they were walking back, a motor vehicle came up and stopped and boys got out of it and fought with them. Tu’utafaiva told the court he was hit on the head by someone from behind with a pipe and he fell down and he was then kicked and punched whilst he was down.

Tu’utafaiva said he did not know who hit him or who kicked and punched him on the ground (the road) but that he received two cuts to the back of his head, one of which measured 2 centimetres long and 1centimetre deep and it was stitched at the hospital that same night. He said he also had a split lip. The cut to the head bled profusely.

In cross-examination Lawyer Sunia Fili, who acted for Fangatua, said Tu’utafaiva admitted that he had shouted out to the people at the home of Teivi, “We are soldiers, come and fight”, and by Atalasa Pouvalu who acted for Niusini said Tu’utafaiva admitted that both groups of boys had consented to fight each other.

Mr Niu did not accept Fangatua’s self defence claim and that there was consent to be assaulted.

Mr Niu Said: “As I have stated, such fight was unlawful and any punch or kick thrown by any of the fighters was unlawful, and it cannot be justified by the fact that the person complaining had consented to fight in a fight in which the punch or kick was delivered.”

Mr Niu also said that having “considered the law and the evidence as I have stated above, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that” the trio had committed the offences.

Tonga seasonal worker dies in Australia; agent reports absconders to police

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan man has reportedly died on an Australian farm while working in that country’s Seasonal Worker Program.

It is understood the deceased was working in a farm in Mildura, Victoria.

A relative told Kaniva news the man was from Lapaha in Tonga.

According to reports on Facebook the deceased was rushed to hospital over the weekend before he died.

The cause of his death was still unknown.

The country’s hot weather and how hot it was for workers has been a major challenge for Tongan farm workers.

On a separate note, an unconfirmed report on Facebook says seasonal workers in Victoria who have just arrived from Tonga have absconded from a farm, angering Tongan agent who sponsored them to come to Australia.

Melise Haukoloa claimed she has cancelled their contracts and police had been contacted.

The reported death came after Kalolo Kuea passed away at the Driscoll berry production company in Tasmania in October.

Fifteen Pacific islanders have reportedly died in the program since it began 10 years ago.

Brisbane’s Courier-Mail reports extreme neglect was a factor in the earlier deaths.

Flights cancelled as Cyclone Sarai batters Fiji, takes aim at Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ

Hundreds of people are taking shelter in evacuation centres in Fiji as cyclone Sarai hammers the country.

The category two event is bringing wind speeds of around 100km/h, gusting up to 140km/h.

The storm is expected to pass close to the Kadavu island group today, and a flood warning has been issued for major rivers and streams in the western and central division.

Metservice Meteorologist Micky Malivuk said New Zealand was unlikely to experience any effect.

Meanwhile, more holiday makers will have their travel plans disrupted today.

Travel agency Flight Centre said hundreds of its customers had been affected by flight cancellations as Fiji braced itself for the storm.

A number of flights between Nadi and New Zealand were cancelled yesterday and more flights have been cancelled again today.

All flights in and out of Nadi have been cancelled, including from Auckland, until at least midnight tonight.

Flight Centre New Zealand general manager of product Victoria Courtney said the agency was working with airlines to re-accommodate passengers within the next week where possible.

Courtney said passengers should check with airlines or travel agents for the latest updates.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office this morning said 15 evacuation centres were open and 361 people had sought shelter last night.

The body also assisted people living in low-lying areas as strong storm surges started to enter some villages along the coastal areas in the western division.

The cyclone’s forecast track shows it will pass adjacent to the main island Viti Levu and then across Fiji’s southern islands, before heading towards Tonga’s Ha’apai Group.

Tonga’s Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre has been activated as Tropical Cyclone Sarai is expected to cross into Tonga waters today.

The Cyclone Warning Centre will continue to provide Tropical Cyclone advisories, alerts and warnings for Tonga on the developments of the cyclone every six hours. Advisories will be updated more often prior to its track closing into Tongan waters.

Kaniva Tonga news has a content sharing arrangement with RNZ.

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