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ASB Polyfest 2019 final day cancelled following Christchurch deadly shooting, authority says

By
Kalino Latu
-

The ASB Polyfest final day has been called off after the shooting in Christchurch this afternoon which killed 49 people.

Forty-one people died at the Deans Avenue mosque, while seven died at the Linwood Avenue mosque, and another person who was being treated at Christchurch Hospital has since died.

Another 48 people have gunshot wounds, with more than 20 in a serious condition.

The injured include young children, Radio New Zealand has reported.

Christchurch Hospital said operations will continue through the night on those people who are critically ill.

Police are in attendance at an address in Dunedin which they say is connected to the attack.

The New Zealand prime minister has described the mass murder as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and a clear terrorist act.

The Polyfest team have announced the cancellation on its Facebook page this morning.

“The ASB Polyfest Trust Board and ASB Polyfest Director have decided to cancel the final day of this year’s festival in light of the terrorist attack that has taken place at two mosques in Christchurch this afternoon,” it said.

“Chair of the ASB Polyfest Trust Gregory Pierce and ASB Polyfest Event Director – Seiuli Terri Leo Mauu said this evening “the safety and well-being of our student performers, and the public that come to enjoy the festival is always paramount in our planning.”

“Today’s events in Christchurch have unsettled some of our performers, Polyfest staff, schools and our sponsors, and to respect their well-being we have decided to cancel the final day of the festival.”

“If the event had gone ahead there would have been a significant presence of heavily armed police at the festival which would not have been appropriate for Saturday’s family day focus at the ASB Polyfest.”

The organisers will be available for media queries, at the Manukau Sports Bowl on Saturday morning at 10am.

***URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT*** Final Day of ASB Polyfest cancelled – 16 March, 2019The ASB Polyfest Trust Board and ASB…

Posted by ASB Polyfest on Friday, March 15, 2019

The Minister for Pacific Peoples MP Aupito William Sio also announced on Facebook that the festival has been called off as a result of the attack.

“ASB Polyfest 2019 final day (Saturday) is cancelled,” he wrote.

“NZ’s national security alert level has moved from low to high.”

The largest Māori and Pacific Islands Festival in the world kicked off on Thursday. 

The ASB Polyfest is one of the most iconic Auckland festivals and this year celebrates its 44th anniversary.

As Kaniva reported this evening, the Tongan and Pasifika communities were concerned on social media with many calling on authorities to cancel Saturday’s Polyfest events following the shooting.

“Should cancel it keep our families safe,” a commentator wrote

“It should because as an ethnic group, we are one of their targets,” another wrote.

“They should cancel it. No one knows all the connections. Better to be safe,” one wrote.

” There is always a follow on attack so better safe than sorry…”

However some commenters did not agree.

“it should not be cancelled a lot of schools have sacrificed a lot time and effort into this festival along with parents as well.”

Another said New Zealand shouldn’t let “terrorists change us as a nation.”

Events called off

The Prime Minister has cancelled her scheduled events after the shooting she described as “a terrorist attack and New Zealand’s threat level had been raised from low to high.”

Jacinda Ardern has been in New Plymouth for various announcements and a school visit. She had been due to open the Womad music festival this evening.

The third cricket test between the Black Caps and Bangladesh in Christchurch has been called off after the shooting which happened nearby.

The shooting happened just minutes away from Hagley Oval, where the test was set to be held, and the Bangladesh cricket team narrowly avoided the incident, having to flee the scene, New Zealand Herald has reported.

“The team had just arrived at the Al Noor Mosque for Friday prayer when a gunman opened fire, with video showing several Bangladeshi players and media escaping the scene.”FacebookTwitterGoogle+PrintEmailShare

Polyfest students safety concerns mount after Christchurch deadly shooting

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan and Pasifika communities are concerned on social media with many calling on authorities to cancel tomorrow’s Polyfest events following the deadly shooting in Christchurch this afternoon.

At least 49 people were killed in attacks on two separate mosques which
were carried out by a white supremacist on Friday, officials said.

Unofficial reports on social media said the Polyfest team were holding a meeting to discuss tomorrow’s events.

“ASB Polyfest might be cancelled tomorrow. The festival team will confirm soon,” TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika reporter John Pulu said on Facebook.

The post has attracted a number of concerned commentators.

“It should because as an ethnic group, we are one of their targets,” a commenter wrote.

“Should cancel it keep our families safe,” another wrote.

“They should cancel it. No one knows all the connections. Better to be safe,” one wrote.

” There is always a follow on attack so better safe than sorry…”

However some commenters did not agree.

“it should not be cancelled a lot of schools have sacrificed a lot time and effort into this festival along with parents as well.”

Another said New Zealand shouldn’t let “terrorists change us as a nation.”

Polyfest, the world’s biggest Pacific Island dance festival, kicked off on Thursday in Auckland.

The 44th ASB Polyfest, which runs until Saturday, was expected to see more than 12,000 secondary school students take to the stage.

Events called off

The Prime Minister has cancelled her scheduled events after the shooting she described as “a terrorist attack and New Zealand’s threat level had been raised from low to high.”

Jacinda Ardern has been in New Plymouth for various announcements and a school visit. She had been due to open the Womad music festival this evening.

The third cricket test between the Black Caps and Bangladesh in Christchurch has been called off after the shooting which happened nearby.

The shooting happened just minutes away from Hagley Oval, where the test was set to be held, and the Bangladesh cricket team narrowly avoided the incident, having to flee the scene, New Zealand Herald has reported.

“The team had just arrived at the Al Noor Mosque for Friday prayer when a gunman opened fire, with video showing several Bangladeshi players and media escaping the scene.”

Supreme Court says Lord Sevele should have another chance in his claim against government

By
Philip Cass
-

Lord Sevele should have another chance to argue his case for compensation over the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Pacific Games, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said justice required that Lord Sevele be given an opportunity to be heard.

His ruling followed an application by the government to strike out Lord Sevele’s claims  against them. He had amended the argument set out in claims over his dismissal.

The Supreme Court ruling stemmed from the Tongan government’s decision to hold the 2019 South  Pacific Games.

In 2013 the Pacific Games Organisation Act was passed to establish the Tonga Pacific Games Organizing Committee  to organize, oversee and conduct the games.

Lord Sevele was appointed by CEO of the committee.

On   or about  May 17, 2017,  the  Government  of  Tonga  decided  to withdraw from holding the Games.

At a meeting of 27 July 2017, the Committee decided to wind up its affairs and agreed to terms upon which Lord Sevele’s employment would  be  terminated.  The  Committee agreed to pay him TP$105,869.98.

On August 3, 2017, the Committee notified the Government of the terms of the settlement.   The Government  did  not respond.

In late September that year Lord Sevele’s counsel wrote to the Minister of Finance, asserting that the Government was responsible for payment of  the  settlement  sum.  Again  the Government  did not respond.

Lord Sevele began legal action over the payment in January 2018.

The committee, which no longer existed as a legal entity, did not file a statement of defence. The government did not file a statement of defence.

The Supreme Court entered judgement in default of defence as to liability against the government.

The government applied to have this judgement set aside and this was done in November.

In November last year the government applied to have the plaintiff’s statement of claim struck out.

Lord Sevele then filed amended statements of claim in December last year.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen ruled in favour of the government in their application to have the amended statements be struck out.

“The amended statement of claim  presently  pleads no tenable  causes of action and   is otherwise defective.” the judge said.

However, he said a claim based on breach of the plaintiff’s constitutional rights could not be excluded.

“In my view, this case raises an important issue  and  while the amended statement of claim should be struck out the justice of the case requires that the plaintiff be given a further opportunity to amend his claim,” the judge said.

The main points

  • Lord Sevele should have another chance to argue his case for compensation over the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Pacific Games, the Supreme Court has ruled.
  • His ruling followed an application by the government to strike out Lord Sevele’s claims  against them. He had amended the argument set out in claims over his dismissal.
  • The Supreme Court ruling stemmed from the Tongan government’s decision to hold the 2019 South  Pacific Games.

Deadly Christchurch mosque shootings: 49 dead after ‘well-planned’ attack

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand

Forty nine people have died in two mosque shootings in Christchurch, with explosive devices found attached to vehicles of some of those arrested.

Thirty people died at the Deans Avenue mosque, while 10 died at the Linwood Avenue mosque, while a further 20 people are seriously injured and in intensive care, Ms Ardern said.

Canterbury DHB said 48 patients with gunshot wounds are being treated at Christchurch Hospital.

Ms Ardern said it can only be described as a terrorist act and the national security threat level has been lifted from low to high.

She said this was a well-planned attack, with explosive devices also found attached to vehicles of some of those arrested.

Ms Ardern said it appears there are no other shooters at large, but they cannot assume that.

None of the people arrested were on a terrorist watch list, she said.

Earlier this afternoon Police Commissioner Mike Bush said there were multiple fatalities and that three men and one woman are in custody. Police cannot confirm whether there are other people involved.

An Australian is among those arrested following the Christchurch shootings, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Mr Bush confirmed there were fatalities at two different locations – a mosque at Deans Ave and a mosque at Linwood Ave.

He said he was unsure if other locations were under threat or if other people were involved. Police still do not have the identity of the victims of the shooting. Police are setting up a facility so that people can phone in and check on their loved ones, Mr Bush said.

Police say they are still treating the situation in Christchurch as ongoing, and strongly urge people to stay indoors, and keep safe.

“We have mobilised every police resource in the Canterbury region to respond to this,” Mr Bush said.

“There were a number of IEDs attached to vehicles that we also stopped. They’ve been made safe by the Defence Force but that does go to the seriousness of the situation.”

Mr Bush said social media footage of the incidents is very disturbing and police are looking at how to remove it from the public domain.

Police have told mosques nationwide to shut their doors until further notice, as the situation in Christchurch unfolds. The mosques where the shootings occured, in Riccarton and Linwood, remain in lock down.

Police are unsure if other locations are under threat and officers have been mobilised across the country, Mr Bush said.

He warned anyone who was thinking of going to a mosque anywhere in New Zealand today not to go, and for mosques to close their doors until they hear from police.

Christchurch Airport is still open, however some flights have been cancelled. Air New Zealand has cancelled 17 regional turbo prop services this evening as it is not possible to screen customers and their baggage, but jet operations from Christchurch Airport will continue.

Forty-eight patients with gunshot wounds are being treated at Christchurch Hospital after the attacks.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates said the patients range from young children to adults with gunshot wounds, with injuries ranging from critical to minor.

He said 12 operating theatres are currently in use and due to the nature of some of the injuries, many people will need multiple surgeries.

There is sufficient capacity and staff at Christchurch Hospital and the police cordon has been lifted from the site, so people who need emergency health care can now attend the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, he said.

About 200 family members are on site awaiting news of their family members, Mr Meates said.

A witness said a man wearing a military-style jacket opened fire inside the mosque on Deans Ave.

The head of the Federation of Islamic Federations of New Zealand, Dr Mustafa Farouk, told RNZ that up to 500 people were inside the mosque.

Mr Farouk said he believes members of the Bangladesh cricket team may have been worshipping at the mosque at the time.

He said Friday is a big day for the mosque and there would have been between 300 and 500 worshippers there today.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed all members of the team are safe in Christchurch.

“All members of the Bangladesh cricket team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city,” the BCB’s official Twitter account tweeted.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board is in constant contact with the players and team management.”

A witness earlier told RNZ they saw at least five people lying on the ground at the Deans Ave mosque.

“There was blood everywhere.”

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said police are getting the situation under control but it is critical that people stay away from the central city until further notice.

“This is not something I would ever expect to see in the city and it’s not something I would ever expect to see in New Zealand, so it is serious and they [police] are treating it seriously,” Ms Dalziel told Checkpoint.

“I am very shocked by what I’m hearing but for me but the priority is getting the message out to people they have to stay safe, stay calm and to provide the reassurance that if they’re inside a central city building they must stay there in order to stay safe.”

Police are getting the situation under control, but it’s critical that people stay away from the central city until further notice, she said.

“All council buildings in the central city are in lockdown and police are requesting central city building owners do the same.

“We’re looking after some students who were at the climate change rally. They are safe here and we will keep them here until we are advised by the police they can leave.”

Students had come into the council building chanting about climate change which Ms Dalziel had also attended in Cathedral Square to receive a letter being sent to all civic leaders.

“They didn’t know [about the shootings]… I was the one that had to tell them there’d been a serious incident and the police were asking them to stay put within the building and that was the advice I gave them.

“It has been nerve-racking for them. But the first piece of advice I gave them was to get on their mobile phones and text their families and tell them they were safe … so they’re busy on their cellphones and talking to people. They’re safe here.”

Earlier, Ms Ardern said many of those who will have been directly affected by the shooting will be migrants and refugees.

“They have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. They are us.”

“The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not. They have no place in New Zealand. there is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence which it is clear this act was,” she said.

The Prime Minister has convened a high level committee brought together to respond to serious security events.

The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination, or ODECS, is a committee of chief executives which manages national security.

Its role is to co-ordinate the response to serious security events across the whole government and advise on how resources are best deployed.

Police are urging people in central Christchurch to stay indoors and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.

All schools in Christchurch were put into lockdown just after 2pm, but that was lifted at about 6pm and parents were asked to contact their school to find out what arrangements there are for collecting their children.

Deans Ave has been closed between Moorhouse Avenue and Riccarton Road. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

The president of the international Muslim Association of New Zealand said his community was in shock.

Wellington-based Tahir Nawaz said the attack on the mosques in Christchurch was not something he ever thought would happen in New Zealand.

“New Zealand is known as a country with loving people and we have a peace and harmony with other religions and people. Having something like this is a big shock.

The Jewish community, and others from the area, have been in touch to offer help, and bringing flowers, Mr Nawaz said.

“They are extending a hand to help,” he said.

More to come.

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

Christchurch mosque shooting: What you need to know

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand

Several people have been killed at shootings at mosques in Christchurch and dozens are injured.

What happened?

Dozens of people have been shot and injured and police say there has been “multiple fatalities” after shooters opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch – Masjid Al Noor Mosque next to Hagley Park, and at the Linwood Masjid Mosque in the suburb of Linwood.

About 300 people were inside the mosque for afternoon prayers.

Police said four people – three men and a woman – are in custody, but are unsure if there are more offenders.

What’s in lockdown?

All schools in Christchurch have been put into lockdown, as well as Christchurch Hospital.

Police said all mosques nationally to shut their doors, that people should not visit them until further notice.

The hospital has alerted the public that it is in lockdown, with no staff or patients able to enter or leave the buildings.

The district health board will not comment further on the reasons for the lockdown.

But they said the public should not go to the hospital unless an emergency.

What roads are closed?

Deans Ave has been closed between Moorhouse Avenue and Riccarton Rd. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

What are witnesses saying?

Witness Azam Ali said people were shot and covered in blood after a man open fired at a mosque 10 minutes into their prayers.

What are the authorities saying?

Police are urging people in central Christchurch to stay indoors and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is due to address the media at 4pm in New Plymouth.

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

Kupesi Manulua appears on NZ Police first Pasifika car

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan kupesi Manulua was one the designs from various nations in the Pacific which appeared on New Zealand Police’s first Pasifika car.

The vehicle was launched at the 2019 Polyfest at Manukau Sports Bowl this morning.

It was unveiled by the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Acting Minister of Pacific Peoples Carmel Sepuloni, along with the Police District Commander for Counties Manukau, Superintendent Jill Rogers.

The Pasifika Car was created to acknowledge the important relationship between New Zealand Police and the country’s Pasifika community.

Superintendent Jill Rogers says Pasifika peoples make a vibrant contribution to the increasing cultural diversity of Aotearoa, and are an integral part of the Tāmaki Makaurau and Counties Manukau community especially.

Manulua design

“With an estimated 200,000 Pasifika people living in Auckland, it’s important that we reach out to that community and connect with them,” she says.

“This car is a symbol that shows our dedication to do just that, and also New Zealand Police’s commitment to celebrate the communities we serve.”

District responsiveness advisor, Senior Sergeant Tafāfuna’i David Laumatia says it follows the success of the Pirihimana car.

“We are super excited about this car, we see it as a gift, a taonga, a mealofa, to our Pasifika  community to engage them and build relationships,” he says.

Last year, Police launched its Pasifika National Strategy, O Le Taeao Fou, to guide how Police will work with New Zealand’s Pasifika communities to deliver better outcomes for Pasifika peoples.

2018 also saw a record number of Pasifika recruits enter the workforce, with 49 recruits graduating.

“There are a lot of really positive initiatives and developments going on in this space, and this is just the latest.”

The car, dubbed Va’a, meaning Boat, includes key Pasifika symbols in its design, sourced from tapa, fine mats and tatau.

“Police recognise the social importance of tapa within our Pasifika communities, particularly in the form of gifting.

The car is our gift to the Pasifika community in the area.

The tatau design at the front and rear represents protection, guidance and strength.

Police will continue to be protectors of our Pasifika Communities and provide guidance and strength to our communities when needed,” Senior Sergeant Tafāfuna’i David Laumatia says.

The Va’a will be based in Counties Manukau but will be used for various community events, workshops, recruitment drives and career seminars around Tāmaki Makaurau, and throughout the country.

Nobles and Cabinet meeting deadlocked as gov’t blocks decision for another public consultation on new Bills

By
Kalino Latu
-

A meeting this morning to resolve a disagreement between the noble MPs and the Cabinet ministers in Parliament ended in deadlock. 

The nobles continued boycotting Parliament this morning after the government refused to conduct another public consultation on six new Bills and amendments to the constitution.

The government was expected to table the Bills in Parliament this afternoon.

In his opening statement to the House, the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, said the meeting between the nobles and ministers had not reached any solution.

He said another meeting between the two parties was expected soon.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva used the urgency law to block any decision by Parliament to allow another public consultation on the new Bills.

Hon. Pōhiva told the House the government had fulfilled all legal requirements before the new Bills and amendments were to be submitted to the House.

He said Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu had informed the public during the radio talk back public consultation that people who did not have a chance to have their say on the new Bills could submit their concerns to Parliament.

Vava’u 15 MP Samiu Vaipulu pleaded with the government to accept the nobles’ request and allow another public consultation when the Bills were submitted to the House.

The House was told that once the Bills were tabled in Parliament the law automatically allowed Parliament to decide whether or not to conduct another public consultation.  

Government blocks public consultation

However, the Speaker warned that the law also governed whether Members of Parliament could decide on whether or not to hold a public consultation.

He said if the government submitted the Bills with a letter signed by the Prime Minister saying these Bills were “urgent,” this meant the House would not have the power to make that decision.

The Speaker asked the government benches what it would do when the Bills would be submitted.

In response, the Prime Minister said the government would submit the Bills with a report and a letter from him saying the Bills were urgent.  

The Chair then moved on a motion from the Prime Minister to postpone the Parliament’s session until March 27 before it closed on March 28. Today was the last day for the Parliament sessions.

Hon. Pohiva said this would allow the House to fulfill debates and voting on these Bills.

The motion was carried 15-2.

The main points

  • A meeting this morning to resolve a disagreement between the noble MPs and the Cabinet ministers in Parliament ended in deadlock. 
  • The nobles continued boycotting Parliament after the government refused to conduct another public consultation on six new Bills and amendments to the constitution.
  • The government was expected to table the Bills in Parliament this afternoon.

For more information

Seven noble MPs vow not to return to Parliament unless motion is tabled, but independents return to House

Seven noble MPs vow not to return to Parliament unless motion is tabled, but independents return to House

By
Kalino Latu
-

Seven members of the nobility did not return to Parliament this morning after they walked out of it yesterday.

The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, one of the nine noble representatives in the House returned this morning and reported his other colleagues’ absence.

The other noble MP who was present at the House was Lord Ma’afu, the Minister of Lands and Survey and His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The Speaker said the nobles would not return unless Parliament agreed to a request by Lord Nuku to include meetings with the public in a consultation process the government is conducting on six new Bills and amendments to the constitution.

Despite the absence of the seven noble MPs, the House conducted business as normal today.

Three independent MPs who joined the nobles’ walk-out yesterday returned to the House this morning.

The government is conducting the public consultation by using a talk back show on Radio Tonga One and Radio FM 87.5.

Lord Nuku insisted that the people wanted to meet and talk with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice about the Bills.

As Kaniva Tonga news reported yesterday, Lord Fakafanua told the House that Parliament had no right to make any decision on how the government should conduct the consultation process.

He said it was up to the government to choose what type of consultation process it wanted to use to consult with people on the Bills.

The Prime Minister echoed the same statement in the House.

As we reported earlier, the walk-out was staged yesterday afternoon after the Chair of the Whole House Committee, Veivosa Taka, refused to bring the work of the committee into Parliament so that Lord Nuku’s motion could be tabled.

The Prime Minister told the House the Acting Attorney General was talking to the public over the phone answering questions about the Bills.

Kefu said on the Radio three of the Bills were special amendments to allow other three new Bills to be processed.

These were the:

Tonga Police Amendment) Bill 2019-03-12

Magistrate’s Court (Amendment) Bill 2019-03-12

National Spatial Planning and Management (Amendment) Bill 2019.

Allegations about king’s powers

Kefu said on the radio there was allegation that the Bills were meant to remove the king’s powers, but that was not true.

He said that under Tongan law, if the government wanted to remove any powers of the king, the process must seek the king’s consent.

He said one of the new Bills was intended only to replace the panel which elected the Supreme Court judges, Magistrates, Attorney General and Director of Prosecutors.

The government wanted to move that authority from the Privy Council’s
 Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel to the Law Commission.

The king maintained his power to appoint the Supreme Court Judges, Magistrates, Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor, Kefu said.

The new Bills are:

Constitution of Tonga Amendment Bill 2019.

Constitution of Tonga Amendment Bill 2019 No. 2.

Judicial and Legal Service Commission Bill 2019.

The main points

  • Eight members of the nobility did not return to Parliament this morning after they walked out of it yesterday.
  • The Speaker, Lord Fakafonua, one of the nine noble representatives in the House, was the only noble MP who returned this morning.
  • Despite the absence of the eight Noble MPs, the House conducted business as normal today.

For more information

Noble and Independent MPs walk out, but work of  Parliament continues as normal

Noble and Independent MPs walk out, but work of Parliament continues as normal

Funeral service for Adiloa Fifita Lātū to be held tomorrow

By
Kalino Latu
-

Former Finland Honorary Consul to Tonga ‘Atiloa Fifita Lātū will be remembered at a āpō  in Tongatapu this evening.

A farewell prayer service will be held tomorrow morning at 7am before she would be laid to rest at Telekava cemetery. .

Fifita Lātū aged 59 died suddenly last week on March 5.

Prayer services conducted by various groups of friends and kāinga had been ongoing at her residence since her death.

The former renowned business woman’s funeral will be held in her daughter’s home village of ‘Ananā.

It was expected to be attended by family, kāinga, friends and government representatives.

On March 6 Tonga Parliament observed a minute’s silence in memory and honour of Fifita Lātū.

The House was told Fifita Lātū was a member of the diplomatic corps and always attended the Legislative Assembly’s opening and closing sessions as part of her capacity as the consul of Finland in Tonga.

Tributes continued to flow in on social media following her death.

“RIP Adiloa. I will miss your beautiful welcoming smile every time I visit your shop. So humbling that you take the time out of your busy day to catch up. I’m glad I bought my gas stove n oven from you last year. Ko’eku tauhi ‘ofa ia kia koe. You’re home now!” a commentator wrote.

“Rest in Peace Adiloa Fifita Latu …really sad but your in a Good place now pray for us and muj love to you Rita Prema in this difficult times..Love and prayers,” another wrote.

“You are missed by many! Rest in love Adiloa Fifita Mad love to Rita Prema ❤ its not gonna be the same seeing you in the store or where we always bump in to each other !!! Toka ihe nonga moe fiemalie ae EIKI ?? till we meet again on the other side ? you was an beautiful loving Soul inside & out,” another Facebook user wrote.  

As Kaniva reported last week, 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.

Fifita Lātū was the first person to hold Finland’s honorary consul position in Tonga since 2014.

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

She previously married to businessman Naran Prema.

Noble and Independent MPs walk out, but work of Parliament continues as normal

By
Kalino Latu
-

The nobles and three Independent MPs walked out of Parliament  this afternoon after the Chair of the Whole House Committee, Veivosa Taka, refused to bring the work of the committee into Parliament so that a motion by Lord Nuku could be tabled.

The walk-out failed to stop the work of the House as it still had a quorum and the session continued with 13 MPs including the Chair.

It is understood Lord Nuku insisted that the House should discuss how a public consultation on six new government Bills should be conducted.

However, Chairman Taka reiterated what Speaker Lord Fakafanua told the House on March 6, that the Parliament had no right to make any decision on how the government should conduct the consultation process.

“These laws belong to the government. The Minister of Justice said they would work on a public consultation process. That is not work to be done by the Parliament. And it is not part of the Law Committee’s guidelines,” Lord Fakafanua told the House in Tongan.

However, Lord Nuku warned Chairman Taka after the House returned from a break at 3pm that if he did not agree with his request, he and his noble colleagues would walk out.

The nine noble MPs were joined by Independent MPs Samiu Vaipulu of Vava’u 15, MP Tevita Lavemaau of ‘Eua 11 and MP Siaosi Sovaleni of Tongatapu 3.

As Kaniva news reported earlier today, a heated debate erupted in the House before the MPs left.

The government submitted six Bills to Parliament which were labelled urgent by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva. Hon. Pohiva withdrew the Bills last week, apparently so the public could be consultd on them.

The government conducted a radio talk back show this week as part of the public consultation process.

Lord Fusitu’a asked the Prime Minister in the House whether these Bills had anything to do with the power of the king and Hon. Pohiva agreed that they did.

The Prime Minister told Lord Fusitu’a the constitution allowed them to submit these Bills.

It is understood that the Acting Attorney General ‘Aminisiasi Kefu told a talk back show yesterday there was nothing in the Bills which suggest removing any powers of the king.

The Acting Attorney General was responding to questions from the public during the show about whether the new Bills and amendments to the constitution were meant to remove the kings’ power.

The main points

  • The nobles and three Independent MPs walk out of Parliament  this afternoon after the Chair of the Whole House Committee, Veivosa Taka, refused to bring the work of the committee into Parliament so that a motion by Lord Nuku could be tabled.
  • The walk-out failed to stop the work of the House as it still had a quorum and the session continued with 13 MPs including the Chair.

For more information

Noble and Independent MPs walk out of Parliament, reports say

Noble and Independent MPs walk out, but work of Parliament continues as normal
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