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Edwards wants king re-dissolve Parliament; Taliai says people will re-elect same gov’t

By
Kalino Latu
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Former Police Minister and MP lawyer William Clive Edwards Snr has called for the king to re-dissolve Parliament and set up an interim government.

He claimed the nation’s political status had deteriorated and an independent commission should be set up to investigate Cabinet ministers.

He claimed the government had failed in its responsibility to explain to the public what had happened to the TP$74 million pa’anga he said the Auditor General claimed was missing.

The Minister of Finance has already told Kaniva news the loss of the money was caused by the high foreign exchange rates. He said no one in government misappropriated it.

Edwards, who is a long-time political enemy of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva used strong language during a radio interview on local station FM 88.1 to support his allegations that there was corruption in government. He described it as terrifying -“fakalilifu.”

However, he said it was wrong for him to say Cabinet Ministers had misappropriated any money.

He claimed Tonga was moving towards dictatorship and autocracy.

Edwards also claimed that if people spoke against the government they could be threatened “fakamanamana’i.”

He claimed Tonga’s changes in 2010 into a democracy gave power to the cabinet ministers and Prime Minister to freely (“fa’iteliha he fonua”) use whatever they wanted in the country.

However, at one stage he said the government ruled under the rule of law.

He said according to the law the government should be accountable to Parliament and that was why the Auditor’s report was submitted to the Legislative Assembly. He claimed there was unauthorised uses of money “ta’efakamafai’i,” but failed to provide any specific details to support his claim.

He accused the kingdom’s Cabinet ministers of not being transparent in Parliament.

He also said the Legislative Assembly was closed while there was still need for them to make things clear to the public.

Critics response

The Director of the Tonga National Sports Institute ‘Ikani Taliai made a lengthy response against Edward’s claims on Facebook.

Taliai claimed the allegations were only made to discredit the government.

He predicted that if the king dissolved Parliament again the people would do the same thing they did after last year’s dissolution by re-electing the same people in the current government.

Waste of money

Taliai said last year’s dissolution was a waste of public money and time.

He claimed Edwards’ call for the king to set up a new government if he dissolved the House was unconstitutional.

Taliai said this was made clear during last year’s dissolution when the king realised the government could not be dismissed at the same time and would continue to operate until new MPs were elected.

Vote of no confidence

Taliai said the only time the constitution allowed the establishment of an interim government was when the Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers were ousted by a vote of no confidence.

Taliai said Clause 61 of the constitution allowed the king to appoint the Speaker of Parliament after he was elected only from the nobility. The absolute power given to the king to dissolve Parliament and handpick the members of the Privy Council meant these members were not accountable to the people.

No corruption

Taliai said there was an attempt to impeach the Prime Minister and his Cabinet after a petition was submitted to Parliament in June.

He said the petition had led the Auditor General to investigate the claims and its outcome showed Cabinet members did not breach the law or the constitution or misappropriate any public funds.

Taliai said there was no need to dismiss the government before any further investigation.

Dismissal of democracy

Taliai believed Edwards’ move was an attempt to dismiss the democratic system Tonga has adopted since 2010.

He said Edwards’ attempt should not be taken lightly.

He said if the king was allowed to remove the people’s government and set up an interim administration Tonga’s democracy would have been disbanded. It would mean the kingdom would revert to the old system in which the king chose the government and not the people.

Taliai claimed Edwards was part of a small group at the upper echelon of the society who continued to support minority rule.

Commenters on Facebook said when Edwards was in government he did not do anything to change the system.

However, some people stood by him and claimed some of his claims were right.

The main points

  • Former Police Minister and MP lawyer William Clive Edwards Snr has called for the king should re-dissolve Parliament and set up an interim government.
  • He claimed the nation’s political status had deteriorated and an independent commission should be set up to investigate Cabinet ministers.
  • The Director of the Tonga National Sports Institute ‘Ikani Taliai claimed the allegations were only made to discredit the government.

For more information

Government raises concerns over Parliament delaying their response to petition

Tukutonga: from hazardous landfill to new recreational park

Speaker Lord Tuʻivakanō finally speaks out after king dissolved Parliament

PM in fix over portfolio, but euphoric over voters’ ‘huge support’ after dissolution

Democrats have numbers to form government on their own after final count

Tribunal overturns rejection of residency, says Immigration NZ decisions must be fair and just

By
Philip Cass
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The New Zealand Immigration Tribunal has overturned a decision by Immigration New Zealand to deny a Tongan man residency under the Family (Partnership) category.

The application was declined because Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that the appellant had provided sufficient verifiable evidence to show that they were living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

He and his Tongan-born New Zealand-citizen wife were married in 2016. Their first child was born in 2017.

In its report on the case the Tribunal said the main issue was whether Immigration New Zealand properly and fairly assessed the information provided by the appellant and his wife.

The Tribunal said the decision to decline the application was incorrect.

It said Immigration New Zealand failed to consider all relevant evidence and over-emphasised the absence of certain documents, to the exclusion of others.

“In circumstances where there was substantial evidence that the appellant and his  wife were a genuine couple and living together, including evidence from the wife’s family with whom they had been living for a year, a joint tenancy agreement covering the period they lived elsewhere and the birth of their first child, any  doubts should have been explored by way of interview,” the report said.

It said an interview should have been conducted if Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that a couple were living together in a stable and genuine relationship.

The Tribunal said that considered together, the evidence provided by the appellant and his wife overwhelmingly suggested) that the couple were living together.

It said Immigration New Zealand must comply with the requirements of fairness and natural justice when making decisions.

Immigration New Zealand’s decision was cancelled and the application returned to Immigration New Zealand for a correct assessment.

The Tribunal ordered that the application be reassessed by an Immigration New Zealand officer not previously associated with the application.

The Tribunal said that before making a final decision, Immigration New Zealand must ensure that all the available evidence must be properly weighed and balanced.

However, the Tribunal also warned there was no guarantee that a re-assessment of the application would be successful.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration Board has overturned a decision by Immigration New Zealand to deny a Tongan man residency under the Family (Partnership) category.
  • The application was declined because Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that the appellant had provided sufficient verifiable evidence to show that they were living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

Story of slave raid on Tongan island retold as evidence emerges of NZ role in blackbirding

By
Philip Cass
-

The story of the slave raid on the Tongan island of ‘Ata has surfaced again.

A story in Stuff today reports on research by New Zealand academic Scott Hamilton into a raid on the island of ‘Ata by whaler turned slaver Thomas McGrath in the Grecian.

As Kaniva news reported in 2016, the Peruvian government sent ships into the Pacific in the mid 19th century to find labourers to collect guano. When they could not find enough willing workers they resorted to kidnapping.

McGrath decided to profit from the situation and in 1863 visited ‘Ata where he persuaded about 140 people to board his ship. Once on board they were locked in his hold.

After a less successful visit to Niuafo’ou and a failed attempt in the Lau group the Grecian headed for Peru. Before it reached South America it encountered the Peruvian slaver General Prim to which McGrath sold the Tongans.

In the meantime, the Peruvian government had cancelled all recruiting licenses under pressure from the European powers and ordered the Islanders to be released.

Some of them made it to Peru, others were dumped on remote islands; starvation and disease decimated the ranks of all the Islanders who had been taken. Some survived to be absorbed into the Peruvian population

In a paper delivered at the ‘Atenisi Institute in Nukua’lofa in 2015, Dr Hamilton said he had come across a letter from a German trader in Auckland who said he had met a man at a horse race in Auckland in 1894 who had been taken from ‘Ata.

“The man identified himself as Isileli Latu and explained that he was an ‘Atan who had been kidnapped, taken to South America, and made to work there for 15 years,” Dr Hamilton said.

“Latu said he had escaped to Auckland, where he had married and settled.

“Since Isileli Latu married and had children in Auckland, it is possible that there are dozens or even hundreds of New Zealanders who have, even if they do not know it, ‘Atan blood flowing through their veins.”

Colonial governments cracked down on the Pacific labour trade, with the Germans in New Guinea banning recruitment for the Samoan plantations and the British importing labour from India, a form of kidnapping and virtual slavery developed.

McGrath appears to have returned to the whaling trade and died in Tahiti, but many New Zealand ships took part in the trade.

Ships left New Zealand ports for what are now Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, luring Islanders on board and taking them to plantations in Queensland or Fiji. In 1868, John Thurston, the British Consul in Fiji, reported that nine New Zealand ships had recently called there with human cargoes.

Some were also taken to New Zealand. According to the Stuff article 27 ni-Vanuatu  were  brought to work at a flax mill in the Hokianga for three years in return for £10 worth of trade goods.

The main points

  • The story of the slave raid on the Tongan island of ‘Ata has surfaced again.
  • A story in Stuff today reports on research by New Zealand academic Scott Hamilton into a raid on the island of ‘Ata by whaler turned slaver Thomas McGrath in the Grecian.
  • As Kaniva news reported in 2016, the Peruvian government sent ships into the Pacific in the mid 19th century to find labourers to collect guano. When they could not find enough willing workers they resorted to kidnapping.

For more information

New book tells story of slave raiders who took Tongans to South America

Blackbirding: New Zealand’s shameful role in the Pacific Islands slave trade

VIDEO: School brawl in bus station leaves one man unconscious

By
Kalino Latu
-

WARNING: This story contains graphic content.

A man lay unconscious after what appeared to be a school brawl in Nuku’alofa last week.

Video footage posted on Facebook shows a group of students in uniform and in casual clothing running before the unidentified man was spotted.

It has since been viewed 17,000 times and received 238 reactions, 105 comments and 184 shares.

It is understood two groups of students were attacking each other at a Nuku’alofa bus station.

Kaniva news could not be able to independently verify the authenticity of the clip.

The audio of the video clip reveals onlookers were concerned and panicking while some were providing helps.

Some could be overheard calling to take him to hospital.

He was finally picked up and removed from the area.

Authorities could not be reached for comment.

You can view the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/905164069680598/videos/359731138108454/

Papua New Guinean student crowned Miss Pacific Islands in Tonga

By
Philip Cass
-

Papua New Guinea’s entrant in this year’s Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga.

The first runner-up was Miss Cook Islands Lydia Simoni. The second runner-up was Miss Samoa Sonia Piva and the third runner-up was Miss Tuvalu, Emelipelesa Panapa.

Kariha, 18, won the  Best Talent, Best Interview, Miss Tourism and Miss Personality.

Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga

She is studying a BA in PNG studies at Divine Word University in Madang.

PNG will  host next year’s Miss Pacific Islands pageant.

Tonga was represented by Kalolaine Funganitao.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this year, the 23 year-old was crowned Miss Heilala 2018 in July.

She was also crowned Miss Appraxus Tonga New Zealand.

In the Miss Heilala competition she won four of the five judging categories including island creation, pre-interview, talent, and sarong wear.

The main points

  • Papua New Guinea’s entrant in this year’s Miss Pacific Islands.
  • Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga.

For more information 

PNG’s Leoshina Kariha crowned Miss Pacific Islands

Miss Tonga, six other women, will compete for Miss Pacific Islands crown in Nuku’alofa

Pioneering NZ Pacific research initiative to make ‘reset’ change

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Sri Krishnamurthi
The NZ Institute for Pacific Research will cease to exist in its current form, Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford said in a bombshell announcement to the Oceans and Islands conference today.

Rumours of NZIPR’s demise were doing the rounds after a review of the organisation earlier this year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

“I do want to finish with expressing the gratitude that the institute has for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the investment they have put in to the establishment of a NZ Institute for Pacific Research,” said the acting director in his conference closing address.

READ MORE: NZ think-tank launched to advance Pacific research

“We are in a rather ambiguous situation at the moment and quite a lot of speakers were informed of this in advance. I wrote to alert them to the fact we were in yet another ‘Pacific reset’ around the institute.

“Pacific reset are the words that the ministry has used for the rethinking of aspects of our policy in the Pacific,” said Professor Bedford.

He admitted that he had yet to see the review report which is said to be confidential to the institute’s board. They knew the recommendations that the decision to cease the current arrangement was based on.

“Just for those of you who might be bewildered by this, it’s not about getting rid of the NZ Institute of Pacific Research,” he said.

Review of investment
“Basically, what the ministry has done is have a review of what its investment has achieved.
“I think they’ve been impressed with a number of things that have happened. They have been impressed with some of the research that has been done,” he said.

“But the model and the way it’s worked has not given them the return on investment with regard to research that informs policy.

“I can sympathise a little bit with MFAT here because academic research doesn’t always and should never always fit perfectly some policy objective or goal,” he said in attempting to cushion the blow.

“The drivers of academic research are different from policy orientated research,” he said highlighting the difference in what the ministry had expected from NZIPR.

“This applied especially to discovery-led research, and a great deal of research we’ve heard about in this conference is discovery-led research.

“It’s about understanding and learning ways of doing things, testing models, testing ideas. It’s not about necessarily just producing something to enable a solution. The research may contribute to a solution long-term but that isn’t what drives it initially.”

MFAT-owned brand
He made it clear that the brand name was owned by MFAT and not the three universities (Auckland, Otago and Auckland University of Technology) that have been involved in the initial conglomerate that formed the NZIPR.

It was envisioned initially that long-term the NZIPR would become something like Australia’s think tank Lowy Institute.

When NZIPR was formed, MFAT invested $5 million for a set number of years, but the arrangement was that the NZIPR would look to possible external sources of funding to top up MFAT’s investment but that never eventuated.

“The label NZ Institute for Pacific Research belongs to MFAT, it’s not a label that belongs to the consortium of universities that has worked with MFAT to deliver on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that led to the formation of the current NZ Institute for Pacific Research,” he clarified.

“The NZ Institute for Pacific will continue to exist, operating under a different but as yet unspecified model.

“Whatever actually happens, in my view they’d be mad if they got rid of the opportunity that we’ve had to have this kind of conference,” he said voicing his opinion.

He said the support from MFAT needed to be acknowledged and he aimed to work with the ministry constructively to try and ensure that all the many good things that have emanated from their investment continue in whatever form they chose to implement the institute in the future.

Transition period
“That’s just to clarify that it won’t be the same next year, the current arrangement finishes on March 14,” Professor Bedford said.

“Between now and March 14 Evelyn [Dr Evelyn Marsters – research programme manager] and I, along with others in the University of Auckland, AUT and the University of Otago which are partners in the consortium, will work with MFAT to ensure that the transition from the first generation, the Fresh Off the Boat version of NZIPR moves along to the next generation version under MFAT control.”

Day two of the conference, apart from this sensational announcement, featured keynote speakers Associate Professor Kabini Sanga from Victoria University (Wellington), who spoke about “Pacific research frontiering” and Dr Alisi Holani, Deputy CEO of the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour (MCCTIL) in Tonga, who spoke about “Bridging the policy-research gap in the Pacific – Insights from labour mobility negotiations in PACER Plus”.

The third keynote speaker, Dr Tapugao Falefou Permanent Secretary Government of Tuvalu, could not attend the conference due to not having his visa processed in time, something which was lamented by Professor Bedford.

Sri Krishnamurthi and Blessen Tom of the Pacific Media Centre are working as part of a PMC partnership with the NZ Institute for Pacific Research. Kaniva has published this story by arrangement with PMC. 

Supreme court hands down sentence after man fractures wife’s leg in domestic assault

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to just over two years’ imprisonment after he fractured his wife’s leg with an iron bar.

Hon. Justice Cato sentenced  Sami Likiliki Fisilau to four years in prison, but suspended the final 21 months.

Fisilau assaulted his wife on or about October 8, 2017.

Judge Cato said the prisoner’s relationship with his wife was breaking up. She had already left him, but returned to Vaini with her boyfriend. She went to the family home where the accused was looking after their three children.

After phoning her boyfriend she told her husband she wanted to take the two older children to her sister’s house.

There was some talk about the victim wanting to continue drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. The prisoner agreed to this. An argument broke out and Fisilau began trying to punch his wife.

The two girls were crying and the prisoner then calmed  down.

The prisoner then asked the victim to go into another room where they could talk.  The prisoner told the children to go outside and locked the door. He told the victim to sit on the  bed and she began to apologise, scared that he might do something to her.

The prisoner grabbed an iron bar. He raisedit at the victim’s head. She held up her youngest daughter to  block him. She attacked  the prisoner and the iron bar fell down.

She tried to get the iron bar, but the prisoner inserted his fingers into her eye. She felt a lot of pain and bit his han,d but he kept on trying to insert his fingers into her eyes.

The victim held onto her daughter and the prisoner hit her left leg with the iron rod. She fell to the floor and felt a lot of pain in her leg. She then saw that her leg was bleeding.

People who were passing by heard the commotion and intervened. An ambulance  was called and the victim was taken to hospital. The prisoner admitted his offending to the police. The Doctor found there was an open fracture to the proximal tibia and she had  periorbital swelling with conjunctiva! redness. She was in hospital for several days.

Judge Cato described the prisoner’s violence as “apparently uncharacteristic.”

“However, he had no excuse for taking an iron rod to the victim or in grabbing her eyes, and exacting his own form of retribution,” the judge said.

Judge Cato said protecting  women from domestic violence, condemning and deterring violence were the main principles involved in sentencing.

“The message communicated by this Court is that domestic issues are no justification or excuse for violence and domestic abuse will be met with firm penalties,” the judge said.

“The prisoner is aged 52, is a first offender and having read the probation report, I formed the view he was struggling to keep his marriage together and look after this children in what must have been a difficult period.

“He works in a plantation. He earned a living from this kind of work.

“He has been co-operative with the police and has pleaded guilty. He expresses regret for his actions.

“I  think it unlikely that he will reoffend now that his wife is no longer living with him. He is a first offender, and, as a man now in his fifties,  that is an important factor to consider.”

Judge Cato asked that his judgement be placed before the Solicitor-General for him to urgently confirm that satisfactory arrangements had been made for the support of the children and their welfare until their father was released from prison.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to just over two years’ imprisonment after he fractured his wife’s leg with an iron bar.
  • Justice Cato sentenced Sami Likiliki Fisilau to four years in prison, but suspended the final 21 months.
  • Fisilau assaulted his wife on or about October 8, 2017.

Arrests made after drugs reportedly sold at Tonga High School rugby field

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have arrested two men after reports illicit drugs were sold at the Tonga High School rugby compound.

When Police arrived at the scene the suspects fled in their vehicles. That triggered a  chase before Police arrested a 38-year-old man at his Tofoa residence with a 0.21 grams pack of cannabis.

The other suspect, a 33-year-old man from Pili, attempted to escape but Police could be able to stop him. He was released after Police did not find any drugs in his vehicle.

However, he was later arrested at a guest house in Kolofo’ou with illicit drugs, drugs paraphernalia and home brew at around 11pm last night.

“The drugs seized by the Taskforce were 159.13 grams of cannabis packed ready for distribution and 0.34 grams of methamphetamine,” Police said.

“As demonstrated by this arrest, we continue to focus on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the supply of these destructive drugs that cause harm to our youths, families and our community,” the Commander of the Central Police Station A/CSP Tevita Vailea said.

He said Police will continue to work with the community to prevent the harm illicit drugs cause and the ongoing criminal activities associated with their use.

“We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact their nearest Police station, or ring 23417 or 922.”

The suspects are in police custody while investigation continues.

Photo shows man lying in middle of road in Hihifo

By
Kalino Latu
-

A woman came to the aid of a man lying in the middle of a road in Te’ekiu on Wednesday night, according to an eyewitness.

The incident was captured on camera and later shared on social media.

Te’ekiu resident Paul Quinn Ta’ai claimed he was fighting with the man.

He said the man was a stranger to Te’ekiu and he was allegedly having a party with some friends before the incident occurred.

He claimed that he stopped by the group and asked them to stop making noises in the area as it was night time. But the victim allegedly came to him and asked for a fight.

Ta’ai, who was known by heraldic name Mafi ‘O e Vao Hēhea, claimed he was trying to stop him from what he has described as “causing troubles in the town.”

Ta’ai posted the photo to Facebook last night and it received 213 reactions and 63 comments.

The unidentified man and woman could not be reached for comment.

Niuafo‘ou and Tongan languages taught at University of South Pacific

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Tonga Campus and Institute of Education created history with the launch of the Bachelor of Arts programme in Pacific Vernacular language in Tongan and Niuafo’ou.

The new programme will begin in Semester 1 of 2019  with the course TG111 titled Tongan and Niuafo’ou 1.

Niuafo’ou is an island in Tonga and its language, although widely understood by most Tongans outside the island, it was recognised as the Niuafo’ouan dialect. Some linguists have classified it as closest to ʻUvean and Tokelauan, in an East Uvean–Niuafo’ou branch

There was a total of 60 courses of which one will be offered every semester and during the summer flexi schools.

The courses will be taught by Professor Konai Helu Thaman, Professor Ahikisa Tsukamoto, Dr. Ana Maui Taufe‘ulungaki, Dr. Seu‘ula Johansson – Fua, Dr. Linita Manuatu, Dr. Melenaite Taumoefolau, Dr. Ana H. Koloto, Ms. Liuaki Fusitu‘a and Mrs. Ana Heti Veikune.

The BA programme in Tongan Niuafo’ou is aimed at skilled teachers, news reporters and journalists, Members of Parliament and those who are mainly using the Tongan and Niuafo’ou languages.

When asked of the benefits of such a programme, Mrs Ana Heti Veikune said that graduates would gain an “enhanced appreciation of our Tongan and Niuafo’ou languages and culture”.

She added that, “The programme would also enable opportunities for in-depth research into the Tongan and Niuafo’ou languages”.

The launching of the new BA programme in Tongan and Niuafo’ou is yet another 50th anniversary milestone for the Tonga Campus community.

Lord Havea Tu’i Ha’ateiho, the Estate holder of the land on which USP’s Tonga Campus sits, officiated over the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Also present was Dr. Massaso Paunga, USP Vice-President, Regional Campuses & Estates & Infrastructure; Dr. Mo‘ale Otunuku, Chief Executive Officer of Ministry of Internal Affairs; The Dean of the Tonga Institute of Education, Principal of Apifo’ou College, Nauru Campus Director, Ms. Alamanda Lauti, Senior Education Officers, and members of the Niuafo’ou community.

More news about Niuafo’ou

Looking for a new spaceship captain? Try the skipper of the Niuafoʻou ferry

Tongan family’s heartbreak after father dies and is buried before they arrive to say goodbye

Young  bride faces the nightmare of a mother-in-law’s fakalotoloto

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