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‘Iunisitani Toluta‘u faces life in prison following Sydney airport drug bust

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man is now facing up to life in prison in Australia after he was arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) for drug trafficking on Thursday, 7 March.

AFP arrested ‘Iunisitani Toluta’u, 32, with another man and have seized approximately 38 kilograms of methamphetamine trafficked through Sydney airport.

Both men were scheduled to appear before Sydney Central Local Court on Thursday to face charges relating to their alleged involvement in this criminal enterprise.

Toluta’u of Campsie was an employee of an airport service provider – allegedly used his access to secure areas at Sydney Airport to offload two rucksacks from the luggage hold of an incoming flight from Canada on Wednesday, 6 March 2019.

The bags were later found to contain approximately 38 kilograms of a substance that presumptively tested positive to methamphetamine. Further forensic testing will determine the exact weight and purity of the substance.

It will be alleged the Campsie man transferred the bags containing methamphetamine through the international terminal to the domestic terminal, where he arranged for them to be placed on a baggage carousel.

The bags were then collected by a 26-year-old man from Travancore, Melbourne, who had arrived on a flight from Melbourne yesterday morning. This man was arrested as he attempted to leave the domestic terminal after collecting the bags.

AFP acting Commander Nathan Barron, a/State Manager NSW, said the AFP is committed to investigating those seeking to corruptly benefit from their access to the aviation security environment.

“Yesterday’s arrests include a man who has abused the trusted access he has to ensure the smooth operation of Sydney’s international airport, and instead sought to exploit it for the greed of all those involved,” acting Commander Barron said.

“The AFP is committed to upholding the principles of trust and integrity among those working in the airport environment, and in disrupting criminal syndicates who seeking to peddle dangerous drugs in the community.

“This investigation is a fantastic example of how intelligence-led, proactive policing can damage the activities of organised crime groups.”

The AFP will continue investigations in concert with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and overseas partner agencies to identify others involved, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

The Campsie man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The Travancore man was charged with one count of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.

Armed Forces say they are apolitical in wake of Noble’s comments on petitions to king

By
Kalino Latu
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His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) were apolitical, the  Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Fielakepa said today.

The Brigadier’s comments came in a press release about what it called “misleading information released via social media.”

While the Armed Forces’ statement did not say what the misleading information was, or which social media platform the information was being shared on, it emphasised that the armed forces could not take sides in politics.

The statement appears to be linked to recent statements by Noble MP Lord Fusitu’a to Radio New Zealand.

Lord Fusitu’a told Radio New Zealand there had been hints of trouble if Parliament was dissolved.

The king’s noble was talking about three petitions which were presented to King Tupou VI two weeks ago calling for the removal of the ‘Akilisi Pohiva-led government.

“I have heard murmurings that should a dissolution occur the supporters of the current government have threatened violence,” the noble told Radio New Zealand.

“That’s been posted all over social media. They have shown actual photos of themselves with illegal arms.”

Two men were arrested and jointly charged last month with various offences including possession of prohibited weapons and hand grenades.

Critics of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s government have used the arrest as a weapon to attack the government alleging that the arrestees were democrats.

Last year Police Minister Māteni Tapueluelu claimed the importation of ammunition by the Forces after the king dissolved Parliament in 2017 was unlawful. At the time, HMAF claimed that after a meeting with the Police Minister to clarify the issue, the ammunition and weapons were returned to the control of the Police.

Today’s press release said: “HMAF does not support or promote any political belief or opinion of any group or people. HMAF is strictly under legal command not to participate in any political activity. HMAF adheres to maintaining its apolitical position at all times.

“HMAF’s primary responsibility is to carry out its functions and duties as prescribed under the laws of Tonga. On that note, the Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Fielakepa and all members of HMAF do not support or participate in any activity of a political nature.”

Radio New Zealand said Hon. Pohiva meanwhile had slammed the petitions as trouble making.

Japan helps Tonga become better prepared for disasters

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand

The Japan International Cooperation Agency will install the disaster communications system known as NEWS for the whole of Tonga including the two Niuas.

The project includes radio communications for disaster-focussed agencies, early warning sirens, loud speakers and remote activated radios.

Improvements to Tonga’s AM broadcasting service, and training for the disaster office and met service are also part of the plan.

Tonga’s Minister for the Environment Poasi Tei said the help is timely given that Tonga is second most-at-risk country in the world for natural disasters.

He cited Polynesia’s 2009 earthquake and tsunami, and last year’s Cyclone Gita, as examples of devastating disasters endured by Tonga, saying the Japanese project will help save lives.

This article is republished under Kaniva’s partnership content agreement with Radio New Zealand.

Kingdom could join ranks of Pacific Islands with direct airline services to China

By
Philip Cass
-

A direct service from China to Nuku’alofa could start before the end of this year.

Tongan tourism authorities have been in talks with Chinese authorities about the possibility of a service operated by China Southern Airlines.

Representatives of China southern are expected in Tonga later this month.

The Ministry of Tourism said in a press release the delegation would  meet with government officials.

If negotiations are successful, a weekly direct service could start later this year.

The Ministry said a direct service would bring more tourists to the kingdom and increase foreign exchange earnings.

It is understood no additional airport expansion works were being planned for Nuku’alofa airport.

The airline is Asia’s biggest carrier, with its main hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing.

If the project service to Tonga goes ahead, the kingdom will join a number of other Pacific Islands which have established direct services to the Chinese mainland.

China Southern already flies to Fiji and the Solomon Islands, as well as to New Zealand and Christchurch.

Papua New Guinea, the largest Pacific island economy, launched a direct service to Shanghai with Air Niuginui last year.

Tourism

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Chinese tourists account for 21 per cent of global travel spending.

In 2017, 145 million Chinese tourists travelled overseas, the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute said.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the annual number of Chinese travellers was forecast to continue to grow, with overseas trips expected to almost triple to 400 million by 2030.

However, the Chinese government decides which countries are on its approved list for lucrative state-run package tours and last year banned the tiny north Pacific nation of Palau because of its support for Taiwan.

The main points

  • A direct service from China to Nuku’alofa could start before the end of this year.
  • Tongan tourism authorities have been in talks with Chinese authorities about the possibility of a service operated by China Southern Airlines.
  • A number of other Pacific Islands have already established direct services to China.

For more information

Alipay and ‘zero-dollar’ packages: How Chinese tourists are reshaping tourism around the world

First cousins in love with each other petition to get legally married in Utah

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By LAUREN FRUEN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Two Utah cousins are petitioning for the right to get wed in their home state after being forced to drive to Colorado to get married. 

Michael and Angie Lee, 38, say they have been in love since they were children but were made to cross state lines to make their union official this week. 

Angie’s dad is the oldest of 12 children, Michael’s mom is his younger sister. 

The couple say their love began with a crush in second grade but they only decided to make things official after reuniting following 10 years apart. They now say they do not care what the rest of their family thinks. 

Michael, 37, told ABC4: ‘I remember I stopped her mother and said, “I’m going to marry Angie”. And she said, “No, I’m sorry, you can’t, but you can be friends”.

‘This is something I’ve always felt very – life was unfair. Why did the person I want to be with the most and had the most attraction to and the most natural feelings for? Why did you have to be my cousin?

‘No one I’ve ever been with will make me feel as perfect as she does. Her being my cousin and some of the responses is a small price to pay. I’ve always loved you, Angie. You know that.

‘As soon as we crossed over the state border, we’re not married anymore.

‘We would like to have enough exposure to where we can go into a congressman or senator, someone with political clout and present a case sound enough to get the law changed.’ 

The couple – who have no children together – say the reaction to their relationship has been mixed. 

They decided to make things official in January of this year, telling their friends and family.  

Former exotic dancer Angie, who has three children from her previous marriage, added: ‘We said OK this is crazy but we’re adults now, we’re single now, we’re just going to go for it and who cares what our family thinks.’

Michael, who says he is a full time model, told DailyMail.com: ‘It has been a really mixed reaction. My dad is completely fine with it. My mother had some reservations but she is ok now. The rest of the family has been really mixed.

‘We told each other how we felt when we were younger and were even caught kissing a couple of times. But we kept it hidden and we just drifted apart. We both married other people and didn’t see one another for ten years.

‘Then it was only after we reconnected at our gran’s Christmas party last year that I could see she was looking at me in the same way and something was still there.’ 

The pair would only be allowed to get married in Utah when they are 65 years old or 55 years old if they can prove they are infertile. 

First cousins share 12.5 percent of their DNA, research from Columbia University shows. It means their children face a up to a seven per cent chance of their child having a genetic disorder. For the average couple it is between three and four per cent.  

Michael, who was married previously, added: ‘The genetic consequences, the biological consequences are very small. It’s more what people might think and say.

‘Children of our own is certainly not out of the question. The reaction from Angie’s children has been mixed. One thinks it is weird, another is happy for us.’

The couple have now started a petition to get the law in Utah regarding first cousins and marriage changed. 

On it they write: ‘My first cousin and I have been in love with each other our whole lives but we are prohibited from marrying in the state of Utah where we live. 

‘We believe that the law is outdated and it needs to be changed so that we can socially legitimize our love.’ 

In the U.S. 24 states do not allow marriages between first cousins, 19 allow and seven states allow some marriages between first cousins. 

Talented rugby player Tēvita Tāufa’s life cut short in Hihifo car crash

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tēvita Tāufa of Nukunuku was looking forward to a remarkable future with New Zealand’s rugby industry.

He had a dream of attending a rugby union club in Timaru in the south island.

He was expected to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday last week, two days after he was killed in a car crash at Fatai.

A Tongan community leader in Timaru, Sina Mānoa Lātū talked to Kaniva about the arrangements for Tāufa to come to New Zealand.

Lātū was reeling after she received the news.

“ Very sad, gone too soon,” she said.

She said there was a number of rugby players coming from the village to Timaru.

Tāufa was described by friends and relatives on Facebook as “matakainga” and “mata’ofa”.

As Kaniva news reported last week, Police said speed and alcohol were thought to have contributed to the crash which killed Tāufa.

Early that evening Tāufa and his friends have shared photos on Facebook which appeared to show they were having a party.

A Police release the following day said the deceased was with friends on a night out, drinking alcohol in Nuku’alofa before they returned to Nukunuku at about 1am in two cars.

The car in which Taufa was a passenger in crashed and killed him.

Read more:

Man killed in Tongatapu crash

Ancient Tongan tattooing tools are oldest in region; predate recent American discovery

By
Philip Cass
-

Nearly 60 years after it was found, a set of tools discovered on Tonga has been identified as the region’s oldest tattooing kit.

And it’s older than an ancient American tool whose identity was announced last week.

The multi-toothed tools were found on Tongatapu in 1963.

The tools, made from human bone, have recently been dated as 2700 years old using the latest radiocarbon techniques.

Tonga was the first group of islands in Polynesia to be settled about 3000 years ago.

Researchers from the Australian National University said they were the oldest in Oceania.

Associate Professor Geoffrey Clark said four bone tattoo combs had been found.

Two of the combs were made from the bones of a large birds, while the other two were most likely made from human bones.

The tools have been in storage for decades.

Clark and his co-researcher from Griffith University, Dr Michelle Langley, said the basic design of the tattooing tools had remained the same for thousands of years.

The evidence indicated that this particular design spread from western Polynesia to the rest of the Pacific.

Older than America

The Tongan tattooing kit is 700 years older than what was described only a few days ago as the oldest tattooing needle in western North America.

According to a report in Science magazine on March 1, researchers determined a pair of cactus spines stained with ink were 2000 years old.

Like the Tongan tools they had been collected decades ago and had been sitting in a bag of artefacts at Washington state University for 40 years

The main points

  • Nearly 60 years after it was found, a set of tools discovered on Tonga has been identified as the region’s oldest tattooing kit
  • The tools have been in storage for decades.

For more information

World’s oldest tattooing kit in Tonga

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/worlds-oldest-tattooing-kit-in-tonga/news-story/32ba7a90a054afe7b587c107943b085b?nk=0b00bf77870b324172467e046cf20733-1551772264

Ancient tattooing in Polynesia

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331458590_Ancient_Tattooing_in_Polynesia

This is one of the oldest tattooing needles in North America

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/03/one-oldest-tattooing-needles-north-america

Kiwis to play British Lions, Tonga in 2019

By
Kalino Latu
-

By Radio New Zealand

The Kiwis will compete in the inaugural Oceania Cup and face the British Lions for the first time in 12 years as part of the 2019 International Rugby League calendar.

New Zealand will play Mate Ma’a Tonga on 22 June at Mt Smart Stadium in the first match of the new Oceania Cup.

The Kiwi Ferns will also play against an unnamed opponent in the double header – they’ll play a second match against Australia in October.

The Oceania Cup will be played in June and November during the international Test windows.

Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Fiji and Australia make up the six-nation competition.

The tournament will be split into two pools – in Pool A are New Zealand, Australia and Tonga while Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea are in Pool B.

In October the British Lions will tour New Zealand, playing Tonga first, then New Zealand twice and Papua New Guinea once in November.

It’s the first time the British Lions have toured in the Southern Hemisphere since 2006.

The British Lions thrashed New Zealand 3-0 the last time the two sides met in the UK in 2007.

On Saturday 2 November, Eden Park will host a triple header – featuring the Lions vs New Zealand, Australia vs Tonga and Samoa vs Fiji.

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters said: “New Zealand Rugby League is delighted to be bringing such an incredible array of matches to New Zealand that will also benefit the teams throughout the Pacific.”

Rugby League Players’ Association chief executive Ian Prendergast said: “It’s fantastic that there will be significant international content in 2019.”

The events are being supported by the New Zealand government through the Major Events Development Fund.

This article is republished under Kaniva’s partnership content agreement with Radio New Zealand.

Businesswoman and Finland consul in Tonga dies suddenly

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan successful businesswoman died suddenly in Nuku’alofa this afternoon.

Adiloa Fifita Lātū, 59, of Kolomotu’a allegedly collapsed while having lunch with a relative.

She was rushed to hospital but she allegedly died on the way to Vaiola.

Mrs. Fifita Lātū owned two One-Stop-shops at One Way road in Nuku’alofa which sold clothing, shoes, fabric, giftware, homeware, hardware and jewellery for more than two decades.

Mrs. Fifita Lātū was Finland’s honorary consul in Tonga.

She is survived by her husband ‘Atonino Lātū and two children from a previous marriage.

She previously married to businessman Naran Prema.

Two face jail after Supreme Court hands down sentences for “degrading,” “dreadful” rape

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two youths who engaged in what the supreme Court described as a “humiliating, wanton and degrading” sexual assault on a woman have been sentenced to eight and seven years’ jail.

Heneli Valele and Timote Kaufusi were found guilty on a series of sexual assault charges and other counts involving housebreaking and theft.

The incident happened on July 18 last year at Holonga.

“This offending involving two youths may be described quite simply as dreadful,” Mr Justice Cato said.

The judge said the starting point for calculating sentences for rape needed to be revised upward.

“The starting point which has been applied for rape offending since about 1996 in Tonga is five years,” he said.

“In my view, revision of this starting point upwards is required to adequately reflect the seriousness of rape in the modern age.

“Rape in Tonga carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The victim was cruelly treated by these youths who had no respect or regard for her at all.”

Offences of this kind must be denounced as reprehensible by this Court.

“Sentences must reflect the seriousness of this offending as a deterrent and as protection for woman against predatory sexual home invasions of this kind,” he said.

Both youths have criminal records and both had consumed alcohol around the time of the assault and housebreaking.

Valele had taken a combination of alcohol and cannabis.

“In my experience of criminal offending this can be a very dangerous combination and those advocating the liberalisation of cannabis should consider this,” Judge Cato said.

Mr Kaufusi’s lawyer suggested  his client may have taken methamphetamine, a drug the judge said was “ sadly becoming increasingly prevalent in Tonga and more commonly featuring in these courts.”

Kaufusi will serve eight years for rape with the last 15 months suspended.

Valele will serve seven years with the last 15 months suspended.

The main points

  • Two youths who engaged in what the supreme Court described as a “humiliating, wanton and degrading” sexual assault on a woman have been sentenced to eight and seven years jail.
  • Heneli Valele and Timote Kaufusi were found guilty on a series of sexual assault charges and other counts involving housebreaking and theft.
  • The incident happened on July 18 last year.
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