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Auckland party stabbing leaves one dead, one injured

By
Kaniva Staff
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By  JONATHAN MILNE, Sunday Star Times

Police have cordoned off two streets in Auckland’s Mt Roskill, after one person died and another was seriously injured in a stabbing at a party.

A manhunt is underway and police are appealing to the public for information.

At the homicide scene on William Blofield Ave, Inspector Kerry Watson confirmed the stabbings had occurred at a gathering late on Friday night.

A witness said what appeared to be a body could be seen lying on the road in front of a police car.

The party was in a residential street, in an aging state housing subdivision between Wesley Intermediate School and the south-western motorway.

Officers at the scene had arrested and cuffed a man, a bystander said, though the arrest was not thought to be directly related to the stabbing.

Around the corner on Denny Ave, paramedics assisted a person with serious stab wounds. Inspector Watson said the person was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police communications staff confirmed criminal investigations detectives were investigating the incident in Mt Roskill. Watson described it as “a large scene”.

Police said there were people helping with inquiries, but they appealed for help from any other members of the public who had information or had seen anything.

Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin is expected to lead the investigation and further updates are expected in the morning.

Sunday Star Times

Fiji PM pays respects to the 36 Fijian soldiers who died at Qana

By
Kaniva Staff
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FIJI TIMES – Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has paid his respects to 36 men who passed away on Fiji’s UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

Bainimarama who was accompanied by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Satyendra Prasad and Commander of RFMF Commodore Viliame Naupoto at the Qana  Memorial in Lebanon said this was a high price to pay for our country.

“But Fiji will remember these brave men always,” he said

“Their sacrifice inspires our men and women in uniform today.

“Their sacrifice speaks to our rock solid commitment to UN efforts to support peace across conflict zones in the world.”

The Qana memorial was constructed by the RFMF and stands as both a tribute and a symbol of Fiji’s long history of participation in UNIFIL.

Bainimarama will leave Lebanon today aftera two day visit. MeanwhileFiji’s troops will return from Lebanon on December 24

This story appears on PACNEWS

Air New Zealand engineers to strike over Christmas

By
Kalino Latu
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Air New Zealand flight passengers are to be hit by delays and cancellations over Christmas as the AMEA and E tū unions have given notice of a strike in the heart of the festive period.

The unions have also advised to expect further industrial action.

The airline accused the unions of “using Kiwi families’ much anticipated Christmas holidays as a bargaining chip.”

Air New Zealand General Manager Aircraft Maintenance Viv de Beus said “the news is extremely disappointing.”

The airline said close to 42,000 customers booked to travel domestically and internationally on the day of the planned industrial action alone now face potential flight cancellations.”

The action on 21 December comes as part of a dispute between the unions and the airline  over plans by the airline including an immediate two percent pay increase followed by a further three percent increase after 12 months, with a further pay review in mid-2021.

The unions could not be reached for comment.

The airline said: “Staff have also declined a proposal to standardise overtime pay to 150% of regular pay rate (currently overtime is paid at a mix of double time and time and a half), and a corresponding $6400 one off payment to address the change in rate. Only some of this workgroup does regular overtime but the payment would be made to everyone employed under this collective agreement.”

The average income of the maintenance engineers, logistics and other staff to strike is $115,000 – more than double the average wage in New Zealand – and around 170 of them earn more than $150,000. Work undertaken by this employee group includes carrying out scheduled aircraft maintenance, unscheduled repair work and signing off aircraft prior to departure, as well as managing the availability of aircraft parts and related activities.

While the group has received pay increases annually for the past 12 years, it has so far rejected recent proposals by the airline including an immediate two percent pay increase followed by a further three percent increase after 12 months, with a further pay review in mid-2021.

Along with pay, claims on the aircraft maintenance engineers’ side have included an extra week of annual leave for employees with five years’ service (taking shift workers to six weeks a year), free reserved car parking spaces within 500 metres of their workplace, and the right to renegotiate terms just prior to the busy Christmas season again next year.

Viv de Beus said: “We know how important summer holidays are for our customers who look forward to being able to gather with friends and family at this important time of year.  It would be devastating to see the holiday plans of more than 40,000 hardworking Kiwis and international visitors ruined.

“We have only been in negotiations with this group for six weeks so industrial action is entirely premature.  We remain committed to working closely with the engineers’ unions to reach a reasonable agreement and avoid strike action if at all possible.”

Air New Zealand will communicate with customers booked to travel on 21 December closer to the travel date if these workers go ahead with their strike action.  Customers are asked to avoid calling the airline’s customer contact centre in the meantime as no further information is available at this stage. Customers booked to travel on Air New Zealand’s regional turbo-prop aircraft fleet will not be affected as this fleet is maintained by a separate work group.

Tonga U20 beat Samoa

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Thomas Airey, Samoa Observer

The Samoa U20s rugby team lost a mistake-filled game against Tonga 16-12 at ACP Marist St Joseph Stadium yesterday afternoon.

They will need to win the second game of the Oceania Rugby U20s Trophy on Saturday by more than four points to book a place in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy to be held in Brazil.

Samoa were keen to shift the ball wide at every opportunity right from kickoff.

This was coach Mailo Potu Leavasa’s plan; to run around the physical Tongans using the speed and stamina of Samoa’s outside backs.

Tongan prop Sosaia Fale received a yellow card for a high tackle early, and Samoa were able to put the squeeze on.

But for the first time of many, a Samoan mistake relieved the pressure for Tonga.

After hooker Tim Lilomaiava threw not straight at an attacking lineout, Tonga would score against the run of play.

Winger Lotu Inisi seized on a stabbed kick through, and showed good pace to outrun the out-of-position defenders to score the game’s first try.

Samoa’s basic errors would spread to the kicking tee as well.

After another high tackle gave them a penalty out in front of the posts, second-five Mo’o Mo’o Falaniko missed the first of several chances to score.

Samoa had what little momentum there was in the game, but basic handling and discipline errors meant neither side could put many phases together.

Finally, a lineout for Samoa seven metres out allowed the home team to maul close to the line.

Halfback Pupi Ah See snuck over and scored, then Falaniko gave Samoa a 7-5 lead with his only successful kick for goal on the day.

As the half dragged on, Tonga were able to build some pressure of their own by getting the ball into Samoa territory.

Tongan number eight Pita Halaifonua had a strong carry off the back of the scrum, and Samoa were penalised for offside 25 metres out from their line.

Fullback Lisiate Folau kicked the goal, and Tonga had retaken the lead close to halftime.

Samoa had two presentable chances to peg them back from penalties before the break, but Falaniko and then first-five Simon-Peter Toleafoa could not convert.

He had perhaps the worst miss of the day early into the second half, sending the ball wide from 20 metres out right in front.

Tonga’s consistent infringing gave Samoa plenty of attacking ball, but they could not take advantage.

Eventually, Samoa forced an attacking lineout five metres out.

However they lost the ball after a good maul, and Tonga were able to send the ball back into Samoan territory.

A poor clearing kick from Brian Telefoni Lima then lead to Tonga’s second try.

They chased well and forced Lima to put it on the boot, and had good numbers to pounce on the mistake, with second-five Malakai Uasi scoring out wide to make it 13-7.

Samoa forced a series of penalties to get good field position, but again coughed up possession before they could make it count.

Samoan centre Pio Paulo Fuiono ran it back strong from Tonga’s clearing kick, and Samoa were awarded a penalty for the tackler not rolling away.

Substitute Fomai Fomai took it quickly, and busted through the Tonga defence to score in the corner.

At 13-12 with a few minutes to play, Samoa still had life in the game.

But from the kickoff, replacement hooker Albert Onelei got himself isolated and was penalised for holding on 25 metres from goal directly in front.

Substitute Hateni Tafolo made no mistake, and the referee blew time on a 16-12 win to Tonga.

Tongan man crushed by large machine in work accident granted residency for surgeries

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan worker who was in a critical condition after a three-tonne girder fell and pinned him to a concrete wall at work has been granted New Zealand residency so he can get the surgery he needs.

He was referred to as ‘BQ’ by the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, and he had only lived in New Zealand for nine months when the accident happened in August 2012.

BQ sustained significant injuries to the right side of his body and nerves which have necessitated at least five orthopaedic procedures to date.

His general practitioner has confirmed that, BQ’s hip replacement had become infected and he had to undergo further surgery. As a result he had been left “remarkably disabled”, the tribunal in Auckland heard.

His orthopaedic surgeon concurred has described BQ’s condition as “significantly incapacitated”.

The orthopaedic surgeon indicated that the decision to undergo another surgery has not been made lightly, because of the associated risks with this type of surgery, increased in his case by his diabetes, prior infection and his greater risk of dislocation and aggravation of his existing nerve injury, the tribunal heard.

By June 2018 the man and his family’s visas had expired and he faced deportation to Tonga.

Tribunal member Annabel Clayton said the tribunal had to consider the impact the accident had on the man’s “poor immigration history”, against the hardship he would face if deported to Tonga.

“The tribunal accepts that the orthopaedic surgery required by the husband can be undertaken only in New Zealand, not in Tonga.”

ACC payment

A weekly ACC payment of $630.24 would continue to be paid to him if he went back to Tonga but no medical treatment there would be funded by ACC.

A panel physician for Immigration New Zealand in Tonga confirmed that further hip surgery was not available in Tonga.

“It is also accepted that, notwithstanding the risks presented by further surgery, the chronic nature of the husband’s injuries and the complexity of his treatment means that returning to Tonga would mean he would have to cope with ongoing and significant levels of pain and disability,” the tribunal was told.

“The Tribunal accepts on this evidence that the cost of any required post-surgery treatment and rehabilitation, even if they were available in Tonga, will not be covered by ACC.”

“It is clearly in the husband’s best interests that he remain here in New Zealand where he can access first the surgery and then the follow-up treatment and long-term rehabilitation facilities available in this country.”

“BQ has been living in New Zealand for seven years and now that he is incapacitated he finds the prospect of a return to Tonga deeply distressing.

Major burden

“He fears that he would be regarded as a major burden by his family members who are themselves struggling to live in overcrowded and challenging conditions.

“He would be unable to provide any physical help in, for instance, the family plantation, as is his familial and cultural expectation.”

BQ and his wife married in 2006 and have two children.

Their eldest daughter is 11 and still lives in Tonga, while their son, 9, has lived in New Zealand since he was 2.

His wife had experienced steadily deteriorating health of her own in the years after her husband’s accident, some of it “due to the stress to which she has been subjected”, the tribunal heard.

Tribunal decision

“The Tribunal found that, cumulatively, the husband’s ongoing medical issues, namely his need for further surgery and ongoing treatment and rehabilitation or his otherwise high levels of disability, pain and consequent dependence, the wife’s health needs and her family nexus to New Zealand, the family’s absence from Tonga for seven years, the best interests of their son (and daughter) and the hardships for the appellants if they have to return to live in Tonga, amount to exceptional humanitarian circumstances.

“For the reasons given, the Tribunal finds that the appellants have exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature which would make it unjust or unduly harsh for them to be deported from New Zealand.”

Deep sea mining a possibility, but could harm tourist industry, warns ministry CEO

By
Philip Cass
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Tonga is exploring the possibility of deep sea mining.

However, there have been warnings that mining the seabed could cause environmental problems and could harm Tonga’s whale watching industry.

Paula Ma’u, CEO of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, said eight ministries were developing a plan to sustain the ocean around the kingdom.

“We are still at the exploration stage only now as far as deep sea mining is concerned,” Ma’u said.

According to a report by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme the kingdom has already granted exploration licenses within its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Ma’u said the government wanted to develop an ocean management plan that would protect the Pacific ecosystem from activities such as deep-sea mining, transport routes and fishing, tourism.

A United Nations conference in Egypt this month was told the Pacific seabed could be worth millions of dollars in valuable minerals, making it a potential mining site.

Speaking at the meeting, Ma’u said deep-sea mining could be source of economic growth.

However, there were concerns about potential environmental and social affects.

He said deep sea ecosystems were already threatened by climate change and fishing.

“Across the Pacific, there is a widely recognised need for new industries to overcome poverty and to support economic and social development,” he said.

In 2014 Tonga passed the Tonga Seabed Minerals Act, to regulate exploration and exploitation activities within its national jurisdiction.

Tonga has committed itself to designating a third of its EEZ as a Marine Protected Areas by 2030 and to creating whale sanctuaries.

Ma’u said the potential affects of mining needed further investigation.

Mining could generate noise that would affect whales and other marine species, which could be a problem for the Tongan tourism industry which was highly dependent on whale watching.

The main points

  • Tonga is exploring the possibility of deep sea mining,
  • Paula Ma’u, CEO of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, said eight ministries were developing a plan to sustainably the ocean around the kingdom.
  • “We are still at the exploration stage only now as far as deep sea mining is concerned,” Ma’u said.

For more information

Tonga seeks support to determine the best way forward to explore seabed minerals while protecting its marine environment

NZ police appeal for sightings of Grace Millane

By
Kaniva Staff
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New Zealand police are investigating the disappearance of a 22-year-old British woman during a holiday in Auckland.

The family of Grace Millane, who is from Essex and attended the University of Lincoln, said they have not heard from her since Saturday 1 December.

“Police are releasing a CCTV image as our investigation into the disappearance of 22-year-old English tourist Grace Millane continues,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard, Auckland City Police said.

“Since receiving a missing person’s report around lunchtime yesterday, Police have been piecing together Grace’s last known movements with the last sighting being on Saturday night.

This image of Grace was taken at 7.15pm on Saturday night at Sky City in Auckland’s CBD. Photo/Supplied

This image of Grace was taken at 7.15pm on Saturday night at Sky City in Auckland’s CBD.

In the CCTV image Grace is seen wearing a black dress and white shoes, believed to be Converse shoes.

Police are aware of a number of reported sightings of Grace from members of the public.

At this stage, these are unconfirmed sightings and Police will assess these as part of our ongoing enquiry.

Police are keeping an open mind in this investigation and there is still work to be done.

CCTV footage has been crucial so far in locating Grace’s movements.

“Clearly this is a very stressful time for Grace’s family and the longer she remains missing the more our concern grows for her safety and wellbeing,” said Detective Beard.

“It’s important that anyone who recognises Grace from this photo or saw her on Saturday night contacts Police immediately on 09 302 6970.”

Forklift operator’s death leads to safety training and awards

By
Kaniva Staff
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The death of a forklift operator in Nuku’alofa early this year has led to a safety and health training as well as a presentation of certificates to local operators on Friday.

The events came after the New Zealand’s A Safe Work Environment For All (ASWEFA), an Auckland based forklift training company carried out the training for 30 operators at the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf.

The Friendly Island shipping Agency (FISA)  CEO Viliami Takau said the company wanted to take the lead on this campaign as forklift operators worked in “an environment where safety of people is vital.”

“Following the success of this first training programme the aim is to extend the initiative to include other training that focuses on ensuring people are safe at work and go home to their families each day,” he said.

The certificates could enable the local operators to operate forklifts in New Zealand for three years, Takau has said.

Tongan folklift operators during health and safety training in Tonga. Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Patimiosi Ngungutau)

A spokesperson for ASWEFA said: “[The company] was keen to be a part of an exciting program to not only carry out the first ever forklift training, but also pass on skills and knowledge so after leaving selected individuals can continue to train and pass on the importance of safety around forklifts in Tonga.”

“ASWEFA also provides training in WTR and Dangerous Goods and we hope one day to also extend this knowledge to Tonga as they lead the way in investing in their employees.

“ASWEFA was a good choice given they have a fluent Samoan speaking instructor with some knowledge of the Tongan language. Henry was not only able to provide training but was able to connect with the students so they understood the importance their actions have in a workplace as operators.  Henry has been in the industry for over 20 years and his knowledge is vast and his passion about everyone having a safe workplace is obvious to all.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Mr Andrew Ford, who was the guest of honour, thanked Tonga Skills, the Friendly Island Shipping Agency and ASWEFA for making the events happened.

Tribunal overturns Immigration ruling and grants visa on humanitarian grounds

By
Philip Cass
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The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan women be granted  a visa.

The Tribunal allowed her appeal against a decision by Immigration New Zealand.

The tribunal’s report on the case it said there were exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature which would make it unjust or unduly harsh for the appellant and her daughter if the appellant were to be deported from New Zealand.

The woman came to New Zealand in 2005. Having been successful in the Pacific Access  Category ballot, she applied for a residence permit.   Her application was declined by   Immigration New Zealand the next year because the terms of her employment did not allow her to meet the minimum income requirement.

The appellant appealed Immigration New Zealand’s decision and, in January 2007, the (then) Residence Review Board allowed her appeal on the  basis that she had a new offer of employment. However, this second offer was later retracted and consequently the appellant’s application was declined for a second time.

The appellant’s lawful status in New Zealand had expired by February  2007. In September 2007,  she married a widowed  New Zealand  resident  with  six children.  A few days after their marriage, the couple’s daughter was born.

The couple’s relationship began deteriorating shortly after. The appellant was unable to feed and clothe the children properly because her husband was spending his weekly wages on gambling. He became progressively more abusive and violent.

In November 2008, her husband was charged with male assaults female, after punching the appellant, although the police later withdrew the charge at her insistence. Shortly after this, the appellant left her husband, taking her daughter with her. Their marriage was eventually dissolved in December 2013.

In January 2011, the appellant began a relationship with a  Tongan-born New Zealand citizen and they stayed together until 2016. During this period, the appellant made five unsuccessful requests for visas under section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009. Immigration New Zealand eventually granted her a year-long work visa pursuant to section 61 in February 2017.

In early 2017, the appellant’s partner was diagnosed with cancer and decided to return to Tonga for traditional treatment. He remained there until his death in mid-2018.

The woman cited the following points in support of her appeal;

She had lived in New Zealand since 2005.

She has had a difficult history in that she first experienced an abusive relationship and then her second partner died.

She has an 11-year-old child who is a New Zealand citizen.

The daughter’s school social worker said the appellant and her daughter did not have secure accommodation, which meant that they had to move around frequently.

The appellant was unable to apply for Housing New Zealand or private rental accommodation because of her lack of residence status. The daughter was also concerned that her mother would be sent back to Tonga, “leaving her stranded” in New Zealand.

The woman’s doctor said the woman had been diagnosed with diabetes in May 2018 and had been trying to control it with lifestyle changes.  She  had just been started on an oral medication. She had also been  found to have a heart murmur although she remained asymptomatic. She had been referred to a cardiologist but, due to financial constraints, was unable to attend the appointment.

“The Tribunal reminds itself that the daughter, who would face possibly more severe consequences of adjustment to life in Tonga than her mother, bears absolutely no responsibility for their present predicament,” the report said.

“In view of the likely negative impacts on the appellant and her daughter, the Tribunal finds that it would be unjust and unduly harsh for the appellant to be deported from New Zealand.”

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration and protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan women be granted a visa.
  • The Tribunal allowed her appeal against a decision by Immigration New Zealand.
  • The tribunal’s report on the case it said there were exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature which would make it unjust or unduly harsh for the appellant and her daughter if the appellant were to be deported from New Zealand.

Tsunami warnings after 7.6 massive earthquake strike east off Australia

By
Kaniva Staff
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A tsunami warning has been issued after a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off Australia’s east coast.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said tsunami waves could hit areas close to the French territory of New Caledonia, about 1,400km off Australia’s coast.

The undersea quake stuck on Wednesday at about 10km deep and 155km south-east of the Loyalty Islands off New Caledonia’s east coast.

‘Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 1,000km of the epicenter along the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia,’ the PTWC said.

There were no reports of immediate damage, injuries or casualties.

More to come.  

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