A 74-year-old grandfather has pleaded guilty after he had been charged with what has been described as giving advice to an underage child that was sexual in nature.
The granddaughter, 15, told nobody because she was scared until she had the courage to talk to authorities in her school recently.
Local reports described what the court has said about the convict’s action in Tongan as “tō’onga fulikivanu”.
The victim has moved
and stayed with a relative.
The judge reportedly warned
such action should receive jail terms, the Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper has
reported.
The judge has ordered the convict and the victim to undergo health assessment process.
The judge also ordered a pre-sentence report for the convict.
The grandfather was expected to be sentenced on November 29
In an attempt to tackle its chaotic traffic, Tonga Transport is planning more lanes on Taufa’āhau road in Tongatapu.
A long three or four-lane stretch from Pea Sipa’ilā junction to Tofoa Sipa’ilā junction are expected to be added.
Sidewalks are also planned to be built along the road, the Minister of Infrastructure, ‘Akosita Lavulavu said.
The plans included negotiations with landowners to acquire parts of their lands needed to widen the road.
These are parts of a proposal expected to be submitted to cabinet soon, Hon Lavulavu told Kaniva news.
Roadworks were currently underway at this section of the road which included resealing and widening it up to 1.5 metres. The minister has described the maintenance as temporary and aiming at reducing traffic build-up.
The suggestion came after a two-lane, one-way route along Vaha’akolo Road, from the Tofoa Sipa’ilā intersection to the roundabout at the Longolongo Police Training School was put into place last year.
The ministry said at the time it was “to avoid congestion/jamming on the way to town on weekdays every week and also safety of road users around this area.”
The planned cabinet proposal was part of the Tu’i’onetoa government’s priorities which focus on sealing all public roads with tar and filling roads to plantations, beaches, historical places and tax allotments with rocks.
Shipments which included a new backhoe loader, nine pallets of more than 400 cement sacks were expected to arrive in Niua Fo’ou this week as part of the government’s road construction project.
Ko e ongoongo’ ‘i he lea fakaTonga’:
Kuo ‘i ai ‘a e palani ke malava ‘o leini tolu pe fa ‘a e Hala Taufa’āhau mei he sipa’ilā Pea ki he sipa’ilā ‘o Tofoa’. ‘E tānaki ki heni mo e saitiuoka. ‘Oku kau he palani ko ‘eni ‘a e alea mo e kakai ‘o kinautolu e ngaahi ‘api tu’u ve’ehala he hala’ ni ke ‘omai honau kelekeleke’ ki he fakalahi ‘e fai’. Ko e konga kotoa ‘eni ‘o ha pepa fokotu’u kapineti ‘oku ‘amanaki ke fakahū atu ‘e he Minisitā Ki he Ngaahi Ngāue Lalahi’, ‘Akosita Lavulavu, ke alea’i. Taimi tatau ‘oku lolotonga lele ‘a e monomono mo e fakafālahi mita ‘e 1.5 ‘o e vaa’i hala ni he taimi ni ke fakafaingamālie’i ‘a e fefononga’aki’. Ko e ngāue ko ‘eni ‘oku kau ai ‘a hono monomo mo tanu mo valitā.
LOVE IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING WE DO Nofo au fifili kihe ngaahi ngaue fakaofo 'ae 'Otua vaka mai he vitio ne tukuange atu 'anepo fekau'aki moe ki'i 'a'ahi namau fakahoko kihe taha ki'i famili koe taha ia he polokalama 'oku mau fakahoko he ta'u kihe ta'u kihe ngaahi famili tukuhausia mo masiva.Koe fakatalanoa moe fa'e 'a Meleane na'a ne feinga ke fakama'uma'u to hono lo'imata ke 'oua temau 'ilo'i kae 'ikai lava ke mapukepuke mau 'asi atu 'ikai ha maheni 'e taha ka koe Laumalie ia 'oku tofa pe ia 'ae hala kemau afea ai lotofale 'ae famili ni Pea koe ngaahi tokoni 'eni 'ohovale pe finemotu'a ia he tatangi 'ae telefoni koe ta mei Australia ke ma'u puha moa 'e 2 'ikai ha Pa'anga ka koe ki'i puha moa pe kenau ma'u me'atokoni mei ai.'Oku fakafiefia pea fakamafana koe feongo'i'aki 'ae 'ofa 'ae Tonga neongo 'ikai ha felalave'i 'e taha Kae fakafeta'i ne fai hotau fakafehokotakinga 'ehe ki'i tamasi'i 'amanaki fakamanatua hono 'aho fa'ele'i 'ihe 'aho 25 Tisema.Pea kou lahi 'ae fema'u 'ae fika telefoni he 'ikai toe toloi ki 'apongipongi 'ae lele ki Ha'alalo ka koe tuku pe 'ae Lotu 'e fai e palavi atu kiai kihe famili ke 'eke 'ae ngaahi me'a 'oku fema'u
A father has
suffered a stroke, his wife’s left leg was amputated, and one of their daughters
was paralysed.
Their eldest
daughter Meleane, 13, has left school to look after them.
This is the family of Sēsili and Maile Pāhulu of Ha’alalo.
It is
understood the family often received financial donations from neighbourhood in
exchange for chores done by Meleane.
This was the
only source of income for the family who had been for years relied pretty much
on people’s donations.
Patimiosi Ngūngūtau
of the Pakipaki Mā charitable service said they met the family last week.
The service,
which operated by the Felafoaki Facebook group allocated $2000 to buy groceries
for six families including the Pāhulu family.
Ngūngūtau has uploaded video clips and photos of their meetings to Facebook.
He wrote that he had a broken heart when he saw the way how the family live.
He told Kaniva news he received several calls from overseas asking for the family’s telephone number and address, after he shared the video and photos on Facebook.
(AAP) Brisbane NRL star David Fifita has been arrested in Bali after an alleged brawl at the same nightclub where Nelson Asofa-Solomona landed himself in trouble last month.
The Broncos on Saturday confirmed Fifita was in jail. The club has immediately flown an official to meet their key forward.
“The Brisbane Broncos have today been made aware that David Fifita has been detained by authorities in Bali after an alleged incident involving a security guard,” a Broncos statement read.
“The club is working with representatives in Bali to provide David all the support he needs, and a Broncos official is travelling to Indonesia today.”Advertisement
The Seven Network reported Fifita, holidaying with Broncos teammate Payne Haas, allegedly assaulted a security guard early at La Favela nightclub. It is the same nightspot where Melbourne’s Asofa-Solomona was involved in a wild brawl, which resulted in a three-game ban and a suspended $15,000 fine.
A police report obtained by Seven alleged the security guard was hit in the face by a foreigner who was riding a motorbike taxi.
“The perpetrator jumped from the motorbike and tried to approach the victim, but was prevented by ojek driver,” the police report reads.
“The victim felt pain in his face and made a report at Kuta police station. Based on report, police went to the crime scene, asking witnesses and the victim. A bule (foreigner) that was allegedly the perpetrator was arrested.
“The perpetrator was taken to Kuta police station for further investigation. The alleged perpetrator could not be interrogated yet as he is still under the influence of alcohol.”
It is understood Fifita can be detained for 24 hours before being named as a suspect or freed by police.
“So the alleged perpetrator was nabbed straight away and taken to the police station,” Kuta police chief Teuku Ricki Fadlianshah told the Seven Network.
“Witnesses said that he hit La Favela’s security. An ojek driver tried to separate them and he tried to hit the security again. It is still being investigated. Based on witnesses, the perpetrator spontaneously hit the security without any reason. But we are still facing difficulties to interrogate him.”
The incident comes a fortnight after Fifita captained a Junior Kangaroos team to a win over France in Wollongong.
The 19-year-old is also set to enter the final year of his current contract, and is widely considered arguably the hottest free agent available for the 2021 season. He has been linked with a number of rival clubs, including South Sydney.
A son of a Tongan family in Auckland is fighting for his life in hospital after he was allegedly knifed in a party last night in Manurewa.
‘Ofa Kaifa told Kaniva his son Tali’eiki received five stab wounds, three were inflicted in his back and two in his ribs.
One of the stab wounds showed the knife almost punctured his lung, he said.
He said it appeared the knife was short, something he believed, it saved his son’s life.
‘Ofa said his son mostly sleeps all day today.
It is believed Tali’eiki was having a party with friends before the alleged attack.
‘Ofa said Police were still trying to piece together events surrounding the incidents.
He took to Facebook this morning and shared photos taken of his son in hospital.
He wrote that he
wished he could share his son’s pain.
He prayed that Almighty
God gave his son calmness and serenity.
His post on Facebook
has shocked friends and relatives.
“Divine Mercy we lift up these Person to you
Jesus we Trust in You yr Merciful n yr Miracle to healing his wound n also for
those who are on the beds of illness Amen!” one wrote.
Police are seeking the man in the blue shirt, who allegedly knocked a man out with an unprovoked punch.
Police have appealed for help in identifying two suspects who were allegedly overheard speaking Tongan during a brutal assault at a south Auckland bar.
The
assault was caught on CCTV and was featured on this week’s 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.
He was wearing a blue t-shirt, a pair of black trousers and had a distinctive hairstyle worn to his shoulders.
The second suspect saw
the victim on the ground and slapped him
on his head while the victim was still unconscious, Police said.
The second suspect was wearing a Bulldogs rugby league jersey and a Fila satchel bag across his chest, a Raiders baseball cap and blue chains.
It looked like he wanted
to continue the assault but the bouncer intervened, they said.
The incident happened
outside Weighbridge bar, which is frequented by Tongans who hold fundraisings
and performing music there.
One of the witnesses
described the suspects as regulars of the bar, Police reportedly said.
Police believed the
suspects arrived together at the bar in a Honda Odyssey, which was parked at
the car park directly behind the Weighbridge bar.
They also believed the suspects left together in the same vehicle at about 2.43am October 13.
According to the clip,
the bouncer phoned paramedics immediately after the king hit punch while some
members of the public placed the victim in the recovery position.
It took several minutes before
paramedics arrived and during this whole time the victim did not regain
consciousness, Police said.
“The second suspect was
around the scene watching the commotion. After the first police unit arrived
then he decided to leave and walked in the same direction as the first suspect.”
The victim, who appeared
intoxicated, was hospitalised for three days after suffering a brain bleed,
Police said.
He was placed in a
medically induced coma and required six weeks off work.
He is having issues with
his eyesight as well as balance.
“He is in a long road to
recovery,” Police said.
No arrests had been made
and the police investigation was ongoing.
Weighbridge bar was
previously known by the Tongan name Hala Vuna bar at the corner of East Tamaki road
and Great South road.
The main points
Police have appealed for help in
identifying two suspects who were allegedly overheard speaking Tongan during a
brutal assault at a south Auckland bar.
The assault was caught on CCTV and
was featured on this week’s Police Ten 7
programme and has also been uploaded to Facebook video clip.
Two men described as leaders of a drug syndicate smuggling methamphetamine from California have been given lengthy prison terms.
In the High Court in Auckland this morning, Tevita Sitanilei Kulu was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment and Tevita Matangi Fangupo to 17 years.
The pair sneaked meth in from California over a period of seven months, between June 2017 and January 2018.
Both were found guilty of numerous charges of importing meth, as well as conspiring and attempting to import the drug.
They pleaded guilty for firearm offences.
Justice Downs said that all the offending was reasonably sophisticated and had a pattern.
“All of the methamphetamine came here by post. All came to Auckland. Each package had a similar consignment note. Each package declared clothing, most with reference to the Nike label. Most packages desribed their contents as a gift [and] most contained Nike footwear,” he said.
Five packages were caught at the New Zealand border and contained 14.8kg of meth, two were caught at the United States border an contained at least 4.1kg of meth and four other packages were not detected by officials.
Justice Downs told both men they were motivated by profit.
“Mr Kulu, you had $215,000 in your apartment when you were arrested, photographs on your phone show bundles and bundles of cash,” he said.
“In one conversation you said you had never dreamt you would count so much.”
Justice Downs said while Mr Fangupo was not found with large amounts of cash, there was evidence he hoped to make millions.
“You made a note saying you hoped to make $12.9 m in a single year, the note contains calculations on how you would do so, essentially by importing kilogram after kilogram of methamphetamine to New Zealand,” he said.
Justice Mathew Downs said both men would have to serve half of their sentence before being eligible for parole.
Two others who were lesser involved in the drug syndicate were also handed prison sentences today.
Toni Rajendra Finau, 28, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and Halene James Ikiuia, 28, was sentenced to three years and four months.
The public gallery was packed with friends of family supporting the four men.
Police are
appealing for help to identify two suspects following a brutal assault at a
south Auckland bar.
Police said their first suspect “threw a cowardly punch
instantly knocking out the victim.”
The second suspect saw the victim on the ground and he slapped him on his head whilst
the victim was still unconscious, Police said.
The second suspect was wearing a bulldogs rugby league jersey
and up filler sexual bag, a raiders baseball cap and blue chains.
It looked like he
wanted to continue the assault but the bouncer has intervened, they said.
The first suspect was then seen walking off down the East
Tamaki road.
He was wearing a blue t-shirt, a pair of black trousers and
has a “distinctive hairstyle.”
The incident happened outside Weighbridge bar, which was
frequented by Tongans who held fundraisings and performing music there.
One of the witnesses described the suspects as speaking
Tongan.
Police believed the suspects arrived together at the bar in a
Honda Odyssey which was parked at the car park directly behind the Weighbridge
bar.
They also believed the suspects left together in the same vehicle
at about 2.43am October 12.
They had been regulars at the bar, according to witnesses.
No arrests had been made and the police investigation was
ongoing, a spokeswoman said.
The bouncer phoned paramedics immediately and some members of
the public placed the victim in the recovery position.
It took several minutes before paramedics arrived and during
this whole time the victim hasn’t regained consciousness.
The second suspect was around the scene watching the
commotion. After the first police unit arrived then he decided to leave and walked
in the same direction as the first suspect.
The victim, who appeared intoxicated, was hospitalized for three
days after he suffered a brain bleed, Police said.
He was placed in a medically induced coma and required six
weeks off work.
He’s having issues with his eyesight as well as balance.
There is fear of a significant escalation in a Chinese
business feud following protests and disputes that got out of hand last week in
Tofoa.
A lawyer, the Chinese Ambassador’s office and police were
called in an attempt to disrupt the demonstration.
A group of Chinese arrived and protested outside the Tonga De
Xing Construction Hardware store at Tofoa.
Photos circulated on social media showed what appeared to be three Chinese holding a banner in front of De Xing building.
Texts written in the banner read: “De Xing Construction Owner
Wenhao Lin. Cheat Investors’ Money and Deny Repayment.”
A source at the company who did not want to be named, described the protestors’ actions to Kaniva news as “instigating a fight” and “causing disturbances.”
He said a protest of the same nature was staged last year and
it ended up with some people being charged and eventually appearing in court.
He described that protest as “huge” and “threatening.”
The source said the company’s lawyer, Hon Samiu Vaipulu, who is also the Minister of Trade and Economic Development attempted to intervene but to no avail.
Police arrived but they did not immediately have the required
warrant to be able to clamp down on the demonstrations.
The source said there was serious concern raised about the repeated protests and they had to be stopped.
No further details of the protest were made available to Kaniva news.
Public reaction
Meanwhile, there was a public reaction to photos which
appeared to have been taken at the scene and shared on social media
One photo appears to show Hon. Vaipulu about to get into his
van while a loud speaker and a stool were shown lying by the vehicle with the
stool at the back and the loud speaker near the front of the van.
Some online users alleged that the minister disrupted the
protest and threw away the protesters’ loud speaker and stool.
However, our source denied this and claimed the loud speaker
and the stool were thrown away by those involved in the incident.
The Chinese Ambassador office, the protesters and Hon. Vaipulu could not be reached for comments.
The
main points
There
is fear of a significant escalation in a Chinese business feud following
protests and disputes that got out of hand last week in Tofoa.
A
lawyer, the Chinese Ambassador’s office
and police were called in an attempt to disrupt the demonstration.
