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PTOA advocates mock Melino Maka as his death threats against Tonga’s PM complaint case closed

By
Kalino Latu
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The Chair of Tonga Advisory Council in Auckland Melino Maka has been mocked after New Zealand police announced his complaint has been closed without anybody being charged.

Maka has been also accused of attempting to make malicious allegations against the democrat supporters (PTOA) after he linked them to the online threats against Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

The PTOA supporters have denied any involvement.

Maka laid the complaint last week saying the threats had upset many members of Tonga’s community in New Zealand.

As we reported last week, the complaint was made after what appeared to have been part of a post on Facebook alleging there was a threat to also kill Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s political colleague ‘Etuate Lavulavu.

In a statement on Wednesday, police said they spoke to the person involved and found they were “remorseful and meant no harm”.

A police spokesperson said threatening a person was a serious crime that could result in prosecution.

“This is true regardless of who is making the threat or what medium they use. Making these threats can cause serious harm to the victims, whether it is acted upon or not.”

Maka took to Facebook last week and posted a comment which was accompanied by a screenshot of what appeared to be the original post on which he based his complaint to Police.

In that screenshot the threat was made by a person who goes by the name of Moana Fameitau.

Maka told his followers he had been busy that “morning with calls from our community here in NZ about this threat to kill Hon Tu’ionetoa (PM Kingdom of Tonga) and Lavulavu.” 

When Tonga Broadcasting Commission asked how many callers he received Maka said there were four of them.

He also accused the PTOA advocates of making the threat.

“To the NZ PTOA committee, like it or not you have to understand and respect democracy. So you have now deal with the police,” Maka wrote.

But a PTOA spokesperson in Auckland denied any involvement and said the poster was not a member of their group.

The PTOA advocates have applauded the closure with many saying the complaint was made in jest and it should have not been addressed by Police.

In the PTOA chatroom on Facebook, of which has been viewed by Kaniva news, the supporters welcomed the New Zealand police’s announcement that the case had been closed.

“It should have been thrown to the rubbish bin in the first place,” a messenger wrote.

“Shame on you Melino,” another wrote.

“Police should then investigate Maka,” a commenter wrote.

Princess Angelika named patron of United Nations’ organization for the Pacific

By
Kaniva Staff
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Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Tuku’aho has become patron of the United Nations Population Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) for the Pacific.

She’s also patron of the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, a high-level conference that aims to mobilize the political will and financial commitments necessary to implement the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action.

 â€œUNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”

Her Royal Highness led a Tongan delegation and Pacific participation to the Nairobi Summit and ICPD25 in Kenya on 12-15 November 2019, a statement said.  

It said the Under-Secretary General and Executive Director for UNFPA Dr Natalia Kanem visited Tonga in February 2019 and she personally sought the approval of the royal family and government for the princess’ new role.

 â€œHer Royal Highness, is looking forward to engaging and to champion the work of UNPA in Tonga and the Pacific to set of global commitments that would collectively advance the ICPD agendas and for sustainable development through genuine and durable partnership.”

UNFPA’s Pacific Sub-Regional Office, located in Fiji, assists 14 countries and territories: the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The office additionally provides technical assistance to Papua New Guinea.  

Princess Angelika served as Tonga High Commissioner in Canberra since 2012 and advocating for government to achieve National Plan TSDF II2012-2025, Samoa Pathway, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, in collaborations with other governments including Australia and partners.

Drama over Piukala sacking widens as he defends his stance on TBC staff suspensions

By
Philip Cass
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Sacked chair of the Shared Communication Boards Piveni Piukala said the Prime Minister had not provided enough evidence to justify his recommendation to suspend three TBC staff members.

The Tongan Broadcasting Commission has cited a letter of termination sent to Piukala in which his refusal to suspend the three officers was given as a reason for his sacking.

TBC said the grounds for the termination in the termination letter were incompetence, failure to assist the Public Enterprises to act according to its principal objective and acting in bad faith.

The  Broadcaster said the termination followed Piukala’s decision to decline to the PM order to suspend three staff members and investigate them for alleged misconduct.

The staff members are two news reporters Salamo Fulivai, Vilisoni Tu’inia and the Station Manager Setita Tu’i’onetoa.

Piukala said if sufficient evidence had been provided he would have sacked the staff members straight away.

The Prime Minister claimed that Piukala’s actions had caused the  broadcaster’s business to be carried out in a manner likely to create a substantial risk of serious loss to TBC’s customer’s and government.

This morning’s statement widens the controversy surrounding Piukala’s dismissil from several government positions.

Kaniva news reported yesterday that Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa said Piukala has been removed as chair of the Shared Communication Boards because of underperformance.

The Shared Communication Boards included the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), Tonga Communication Cooperation (TCC), and the Tonga Post & Fast Print Ltd (TPFPL).

The government had already revoked his appointment as head of the government’s electronics reform programme.

The main points

  • Sacked chair of the Shared Communication Boards Piveni Piukala said this morning the Prime Minister had not provided enough evidence to justify his recommendation to suspend three TBC staff members.
  • The Tongan Broadcasting Commission has cited a letter of termination sent to Piukala in which his refusal to suspend the three officers was given as a reason for his sacking.

For more information

Director of Shared Communication Boards Piveni Piukala fired, PM says he was ‘incompetent’

Director of Shared Communication Boards Piveni Piukala fired, PM says he was ‘incompetent’

Piveni Piukala responded to allegations made by Public Enterprises

Piveni Piukala responded to allegations made by Public Enterprises

Tongatapu bus driver pleads guilty to sodomy and awaits sentencing

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Ha’atafu school bus driver has pleaded guilty to sodomy.

Taniela Lelenoa remains in jail expecting sentencing this week.  

Lelenoa dropped off all his passengers except the victim, local media have reported.

He reportedly told the school boy he had a crush on him.

The court was told Lelenoa bought the victim food and gave him alcohol before sodomising him.

Arrests following assault outside Auckland bar that left Tongan man in coma

By
Kalino Latu
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(NZ) Manukau police have arrested and charged two men after a serious assault that has left a Tongan man in a coma.

The pair were arrested yesterday and will be appearing in the Manukau District Court on 3 December.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with wounding with reckless disregard for the safety of others, and a second man, aged 45, with assault.

As Kaniva news reported last month, the assault was caught on CCTV and was featured on Police Ten 7 programme and has also been uploaded to Facebook video clip.

Police said their first suspect “threw a cowardly punch, instantly knocking out the victim.”

He was then seen walking off down the East Tamaki road, Papatoetoe.

The second suspect saw the victim  on the ground and slapped him on his head while the victim was still unconscious, Police said.

Kaniva news can reveal that the victim’s name was Sioeli ‘Otukolo.

Investigators appealed through Police Ten 7 earlier this month about the incident which happened outside Weighbridge bar in Papatoetoe in the early hours of Sunday, 13 October.

” Information from Police Ten 7 viewers combined with detective work has led to the arrests of two men in relation to an alleged serious assault in Papatoetoe which hospitalised a man with head injuries. “

Police thank Police Ten 7 and the public for their help.  The victim has been advised of the arrests.

Trees cleared on Vava‘u International Airport runway

By
Kalino Latu
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Trees that blocked the Lupepau’u airport runway this afternoon have now been cleared.

The airport services are returning to normal tonight, a statement said.

It said a suspension to airport services had been due “to trees and obstacles infringing the approach areas from the sides of the runway (i.e the Leimatu’a and Holonga side).”

Works conducted to remove these trees and obstacles are now confirmed to be completed, it said.

“The Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure wishes to thank the people of Leimatu’a and Holonga for their cooperation and support that enable this project to proceed smoothly till the end.”

Online attack on Electoral Commission ahead of Thursday’s by-election “a fabrication”

By
Kaniva Staff
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An online attack on the Tongan Electoral Commission was designed to disrupt Thursday’s by-election, the Commission said today.

It described the attack on the commission as a fabrication.

The commission said a Facebook post by somebody using the name Takaeafe alleged impropriety  by the supervisor of elections.

“It is a blatant attempt to interfere with and disrupt the democratic process on the eve of a Parliamentary by-election in the Tongatapu 1  constituency,” the commission said.

It is also a libelous and untrue attack on the integrity and independence of Tonga’s Electoral commission.”

The commission said the Facebook post had been referred to the police.

The election is being held to fill the vacancy left  by the death of former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Mr Pohiva’s son Siaosi is standing against environmental scientist Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua, who lost to the former Prime Minister in 2017.

Dr Taufatofua is a Director of the Climate Change Programme at the regional environmental group, SPREP.

A total of 4,382 voters have registered for the election.

This is 126 more than registered for the general election in 2017.

Director of Shared Communication Boards Piveni Piukala fired, PM says he was ‘incompetent’

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Pƍhiva Tu’i’onetoa said the chair of the Shared Communication Boards is getting the axe for underperformance.

An official statement sent to media outlet said: “The grounds for the termination are incompetence; failure to assist the Public Enterprises to act accordingly with its principal objective; acting in bad faith, and failure to follow the due process in appointing of CEO for Tonga Broadcasting Commission.”

The Shared Communication Boards included the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), Tonga Communication Cooperation (TCC), and the Tonga Post & Fast Print Ltd (TPFPL).

His Majesty’s cabinet decided on 22 November, 2019 to terminate Piukala’s contract.

It came after a direction by the late ‘Akilisi Pƍhiva government to appoint Piukala to lead its electronic government reform process has been recently revoked.

In that termination, it said “the proposed appointment of Mr Piveni Piukala was handpicked and without proper due processes.”

It said there was “no agreed Terms of Reference in place,” a cabinet statement said.  

“Mr Piukala did not meet the set criteria of the World Bank, the funding agency for the project i.e. the educational and professional work achievements stipulated by the World Bank policy that the Lead Consultant should have.”

Supreme Court hands down fully suspended sentence in what judge calls “unusual case”

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has handed down a fully suspended two year sentence to a married couple who stole TP$62,000 worth of artefacts from a relative.

Ana Moala Tu’itavuki and Malakai Tu’itavuki  pleaded guilty  before Lord Chief Justice Whitten  on a charge that they stole the artefacts from Tangiloto Po’oi,69, of Tongatapu, who is ‘Ana’s grandmother.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten described it as an unusual case in which the victim showed a rare level of forgiveness.

The grandmother became ill and moved to Vaini to stay with ‘Ana’s family.

While she was away the couple stole the artefacts.

These included finely woven mats and other items that were described as family heirlooms. Because Mrs Po’oi can no longer weave the mats are irreplaceable.

The stolen items were then sold to a trader who was identified to police.

However, the items have not  been recovered.

When she discovered the thefts the grandmother complained to the police in order to teach the thieves a lesson.

She tried to persuade the police not prosecute them, but the Crown proceeded on the grounds that the theft was a serious one.

She then paid for a lawyer to defend her thieving relatives.

“I will suffer twice in this matter,” Po’oi said.

“Not only has my property been stolen, but now I am financially responsible for defending my own granddaughter and her husband
at the end of it all I will bear all the consequences
particularly if my granddaughter is convicted.”

Lord Chief Justice Whitten said that in sentencing the couple he took into account the extraordinary forgiveness on the part of Mrs Po’oi towards her granddaughter and her husband, as well as the immediate confession of guilt and cooperation of the accused.

He sentenced them to two years jail and then suspended the sentence completely on condition that, among other things, they perform 100 hours community work, including repairs, maintenance and improvements on the grandmother’s property and attend a Salvation Army Life skills course.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has handed down a fully suspended two year sentence to a married couple who stole TP$62,000 worth of artefacts from a relative.
  • Ana Moala Tu’itavuki and Malaki Tu’itavuki  pleaded guilty  before Lord Chief Justice Whitten  on a charge that they stole the artefacts from Tangiloto Po’oi, 69, of Tongatapu, who is ‘Ana’s grandmother.

‘Amelia Fonua Helu appointed Finland’s new honorary consul in Nuku’alofa

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Mrs ‘Amelia Fakahikuo’uiha Liliu’okalani Fonua-Helu has been appointed the new Honorary Consul of the Republic of Finland to the Kingdom of Tonga. 

A ceremony this afternoon at the Prime Minister of Tonga’s office , St George Building, The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa presented the Letter of Exequatur on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga to Honorary Consul Mrs ‘Amelia Fonua-Helu granting authorisation to exercise honorary functions, conduct official duties and to access provisional benefits stipulated in the 1963 Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations. 

Honorary Consul Mrs ‘Amelia Fonua-Helu  is currently a businesswoman whom owns with her spouse various businesses for more than ten (10) years, including, JH Electrical Contractor & Supplies, JH Mortuary Freezer Hire,  JH Heavy Machinery Hire Pool; AJ Fabric Store, and a Finance company. 

The Honorary Consul Mrs ‘Amelia Fonua-Helu graduated from The University of Auckland in New Zealand with a Master of Arts degree in Literature plus various graduate qualifications from the Australian National University of Canberra, Australia. Mrs Helu also holds a Diploma qualification in Spanish Language from The University Complutense of Madrid in Madrid, Spain. 

She previously worked for the Government of Tonga as a Senior Officer at the Tonga Ministry of Foreign Affairs , including overseas posting as a Diplomat of the Kingdom of Tonga to The People’s Republic of China in Beijing.  

Mrs ‘Amelia Fonua-Helu was one of the  first Justice’s of the Peace appointed in the Kingdom of Tonga in 2014 and still carries this official duty to date.  

Present at the occasion were senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Honorary Consul  was accompanied by her spouse, Mr Sosaiah Soyuz Helu, CEO of JH Electrical businesses so as her twin son. 

Installing of the Honorary Consul and officiating of Finnish Consulate office is confirmed to take place in December 2019 upon official visit of The Ambassador of Finland to Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

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