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Tongan teen deported after typing ‘I have a bomb’ into Air NZ messaging app

By
Kaniva Staff
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by Laine Moger, Stuff, Fairfax Media

An Australian teenager has been deported after typing “I have a bomb” into the Air New Zealand in-flight messaging app.

Australian citizen Meke Fifita, 19, appeared at Manukau District Court on Thursday charged with breaching the Civil Aviation Act.

He provided information to another person relating to the safety of an aircraft, knowing the information to be false, police said.

The charge was laid after emergency services scrambled to Auckland International Airport on Wednesday night due to a “threatening comment” made while the Air New Zealand A320 was taxiing to the runway.

Fifita was arrested after the plane – bound for Sydney – returned to the gate.

The court heard Fifita was travelling on his own back to Sydney from Tonga, transiting at Auckland.

He typed “I have a bomb” because “I thought it was funny”, the court heard.

​When airline staff announced there had been a security breach, he knew “immediately” that it was because of his comment.

Fifita’s lawyer, Jane Northwood, labelled the incident as the “grossly stupid event of the century” but said her client was distressed about what he had done.

“I’ve never met anyone more distressed or remorseful and overwhelmed,” she said.

She arranged for an immediate sentencing because she was “gravely concerned” for his safety being remanded in Mt Eden prison, with no family support in New Zealand.

As an Australian citizen, Fifita faced either imprisonment or a fine. 

Judge Anna Johns said she could not enforce a fine, but would consider an immediate reparation sum.

“Anyone with half a brain would understand that this is not a funny thing to do, given the times we live in,” she said in court on Thursday.

Judge Johns said Fifita’s actions came at a huge cost to the taxpayer, emergency services and Auckland Airport. 

The estimated cost could be in the tens of thousands.  

A reparation sum of $3000 was paid by Fifita’s father in Sydney.

A staffer from Immigration NZ was at the court on Thursday afternoon to arrange his flight back to Australia.

Former firefighter boss Lōfia Heimuli to get full funeral honours

By
Kalino Latu
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Firefighters from around Tongatapu are expected to gather at the Fua’amotu International Airport this evening to welcome one of their own with full funeral honours.

Their former CEO Lōfia Heimuli died in Australia on December 27.

Tonga Fire Service & Emergency has confirmed the firefighters and staff of the Service will conduct the welcoming services at the airport.

This would include a prayer service, carrying his flag-draped casket and firing of a 21 gun salute.

The procession will be led by fire trucks and a brass band performed  by  the  firefighters.

It is understood Heimuli was holidaying in the south Pacific continent when he died.

He was expected to retire from his job in March 2019.

‘I will knock you out’: Paul Gallen takes to social media to hit out at John Hopoate

By
Kaniva Staff
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Paul Gallen has taken to social media to hit back at controversial former NRL player John Hopoate as the pair prepare for their anticipated charity fight at Hordern Pavilion on February 8.

A video filmed by Gallen’s Sharks teammate Andrew Fifita emerged on social media on Monday in which the Cronulla captain took aim at Hopoate vowing to end his boxing career.

Gallen claims the video was sent using a private messaging service, WhatsApp, and was posted to social media by Hopoate without permission.

In the video, Fifita repeatedly screams “he’s coming for ya” while Gallen promises the fight will be “that last professional sports thing you ever do”.

He then took to his own Instagram account to blast Hopoate’s actions and reiterate his threat.

“WhatsApp groups are designed for teams or groups of people where there’s an element of trust there that you don’t share what’s put on there,” Gallen said.

“Andrew Fifita posted a video on a private WhatsApp group and Hoppa has ripped that off and posted it on social media. I think it’s pretty ordinary myself.

“I just want to remind you, Hoppa, and everyone else, that you chased this fight. You’re the one who called me a coward, you’re the one who said ‘sign the contract’ and that I’ll never fight again. Well I’ve signed it mate and I’ll be there. I promise you right now you’re not going to handle what’s coming.

“I’m really looking forward to the night and I’m training hard and I hope you are as well buddy.

“Because like I said on that video, this will be your last fight, you won’t fight again after this because I will knock you out champ.”

The two have traded barbs in the lead up to the charity fight night, with tickets to go on sale this week.

It started when the bout was announced in December, with Hopoate vowing to “bash Gal” despite the eight year break since his last professional fight.

In 2010, Hopoate (12-5, 11KO) was disqualified against Shane Cameron a year after defeating Bob Mirovic for the Australian heavyweight title.

Gallen’s last fight was in 2017 when he won a unanimous decision against debutant Puna Rasaubale. His record is 8-0 with four knock outs.

Family to farewell 16-yo- ‘Episami Pasiaka’s body today

By
Kalino Latu
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The funeral for ‘Episami Pasiaka will be held today.

His body was recovered off a coast in West Auckland on Monday.

He was also known as Sam Leka Pasiaka.

The 16-year-old from Avondale, was earlier reported missing from Whatipu Beach on December 29, 2018

He became trapped in a rip, along with his sister, while searching for mussels. 

His body was found north of Piha beach on Monday evening, bringing an end to a 10-day search.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

Police extend their sympathies to Episami’s family at this difficult time.

“We would also like to extend our appreciation to all those who were involved in the search for Episami,” says Inspector Gerry Whitley.

Pasiaka was a student at Avondale College and was active in various church, cultural and sports groups.

Avondale College acting principal Lyndy Watkinson said the whole school community was greatly saddened by his death, according to a report by Stuff.

“He was a well-liked, valued and respected young man, who was fully involved in the life of the college,” she said. 

“He was a successful scholar who recently achieved his NCEA Level 1 certificate with a Merit endorsement.

“We send our deepest condolences to the Pasiaka family.”

The teenager had also been a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.

In 2017 he attended a conference run by the church for youth, and the community paid tribute to him on Facebook.

“When the news of Leka’s death was relayed to the youth yesterday, they gathered with their counsellors to remember and cherish the memories of their brother.

“We love you Leka, rest in love,” the post read.

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Body found believed to be that of missing Tongan teen

PM urges civil servants to change “mindset” to speed up reform

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva met with officials and staff of his three Ministries on Monday at the Fā’onelua Convention Centre.

 Hon. Pōhiva reiterated the importance of mindset to be  changed in order to facilitate his government reform process.

He urged his single women staff to look for a husband as a matter of priority in the new year.

He told Kaniva news previously, “Changing government is the easy part, changing mindset is the hardest.”

He believed Tonga was far way behind of other developed countries and the main reason was the speed of how the kingdom was adapting to necessary changes required to allow economic and social developments yielded successful results.

Hon Pōhiva said his government has regularly conducted cleaning up campaigns and the public were urged to keep places clean and beautiful.

“I strongy believed if things like the environment were in order it could greatly help people’s attitude and mindset changed better,” he said.

He said he was happy with what had been achieved so far in the reform process.

“I look forward to working together with all of you to implement the Government’s plans for reform in 2019. The Government had spent money on scholarships to send you overseas for tertiary education so that you can come home and carry out the work of Government. But I have found that some returning scholars are not prepared to carry out the reforms that had been set in place. For me it’s a ‘mindset’ problem and I am glad that the Public Service Commission is addressing this problem through in-house training for civil servants,” Hon Pōhiva said.

During morning tea the Hon Prime Minister also asked his staff not to believe rumours on social media that he was trying to undermine or revoke His Majesty’s Royal Prerogatives.

Hon. Pōhiva noticed there was a number of single women working in his office.

 “I have come to realize that there are a lot of well-educated but unmarried women in senior positions in the Prime Minister’s Office, PSC and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I urge you all, ‘Please look for a husband in 2019 as a matter of priority!’”

Former Police Commander Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi was at the meeting and the Prime Minister’s office said he was one of the Commissioners of the Public Service Commission.

Fiji warns ‘selfish’ countries amid Paris Agreement climate rulebook deadlock

By
Kaniva Staff
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Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk

Talks to draft the Paris Agreement rulebook remained deadlocked today on traditionally tough issues.

Emerging economies – China, India, Brazil and South Africa – stood their ground on financial aid and the division of rich and poor countries.

Others vented their frustration. The UN chief flew back to Poland with a message that failure would be “immoral” and “suicidal”, Fiji’s prime minister said it would be “craven, irresponsible and selfish”, and a coalition of countries born in the Paris talks in 2015 was resurrected, with a call to arms.

READ MORE: Make the ‘clean energy’ switch, urges Fiji’s Bainimarama

Businesses are outpacing national governments in rolling out zero emission vehicles across Europe, North America and New Zealand, says The Climate Group as another five leading companies have joined its corporate leadership initiative EV100 and pledged to electrify their fleets by 2030.

A push has emerged in Poland for countries to step up their climate pledges and Megan Darby of Climate Home News interviews one of the scientists whose work made the world realise it is on the brink.

With new draft rules written by the Polish Cop24 presidency in hand by yesterday afternoon, and many issues still to be resolved, countries and groups came out swinging for their demands.

For the four Basic emerging economies – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – it’s all about differentiating their responsibilities from those of rich countries, and firming up the latter’s commitments to provide financial aid.

Commitments not fully met
“There’s a bit of concern that financial commitments, as agreed to in Paris, have not yet fully been met,” said South African tourism minister Tokozile Xasa.

“It’s quite clear, the evidence shows, that not only do we need reliability in the available finance to support of the initiatives, but that the amount allocated is hopelessly inadequate.”

On the question of how the rulebook applies to countries, the group stressed that the Paris Agreement gives developing countries more leniency as they build up abilities to, for instance, track and report emissions.

“There has to be some degree of flexible reassertion of the differentiated approach … and the allowance made for developing countries,” Xasa said.

Is also another man’s Paris Agreement. The Basic group argued that inserting “equal treatment” of developed and developing countries into the rulebook would amount to a “backslide” on the accord.

EU Climate Action Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete countered that the Paris Agreement called for a more flexible differentiation than the developed/developing line of the 1990s.

“We fully respect what we agreed in Paris, but Paris also points out … that we have to have an enhanced transparency system with built-in flexibilities,” he said.

Countries that need flexibility should get it, while their capabilities are built up, he added.

The Green Climate Fund has extended its search for a new executive director to 3 January. Climate Home News understands big hitters like Nigerian former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and UN desertification chief Monique Barbut have been encouraged to apply, but many potential candidates are deterred by the Songdo location.

Father learns three sons aren’t his after 20 years of parenting

By
Kalino Latu
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Daily Telegraph UK, By: Jack Hardy

A search has begun for the biological father of three sons raised by a UK-based businessman who spent two decades believing they were his own.

Richard Mason, a co-founder of Moneysupermarket.com, had his world turned upside down when a doctor told him he had been infertile since birth.

It led to the horrifying realisation that Kate, his former wife, had conceived their three children with another man during their 20-year marriage.

Mrs Mason has agreed to repay £250,000 (NZD $473,500) of their £4 million divorce settlement as part of a bitter legal battle, but the identity of her lover remains shrouded in secrecy.

Now the devastated 55-year-old has made a public appeal for the man to come forward for the sake of his adult sons, revealing a few clues he believes may help identify him.

“They will want to know who their real father is, even if hopefully they will always think of me as their dad,” Mr Mason told the Mail on Sunday.

A life-altering revelation

The life-altering revelation came in 2016, when Mr Mason was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease that is inherited and leaves men unable to father children naturally.

Distraught and confused, the businessman confronted his ex-wife, who admitted to being unfaithful over the course of several years at the end of the 1990s.

She refused to name her lover, saying only that he was a colleague at Barclays bank whom she met whenever she visited London in her role as a union official.

Previously insignificant episodes were suddenly cast in a new light, such as Mrs Mason’s unexplained insistence that each son should have a Jewish middle name.

Mr Mason believes this detail could hint at the biological father’s true identity.

Further DNA tests confirmed his worst fears and Mr Mason began legal action against his wife to claw back money from their divorce settlement, as well as suing her for paternity fraud.

The case was settled out of court at the end of November in an outcome believed to be the first of its kind.

His sons refuse to speak to him

But the legal battle shattered his relationship with two of his sons, who he says no longer to speak to him.

“I still see what the boys are doing on Facebook and it’s heart-wrenching because we saw the graduation of the eldest on there, but I wasn’t invited,” he told the paper.

“And when friends post things on Facebook about their own families like their first grandchild or saying they’re proud of their boy for something, I just think, ‘My God, that’s all been taken away from me’.”

Mr Mason, who has since remarried and now lives in Rhos, North Wales, said he wants nothing more than to re-establish a relationship with his children.

He said: “If I could wave a magic wand, I would want to be in all their lives.”

Mrs Mason, who lives with the children in Uttoexter, Staffordshire, was unable to be reached for comment.

271 people arrested in Christmas crackdown

By
Kalino Latu
-

Figures released by Tonga Police showed almost 202 people were arrested after they obviously involved in criminal activities over the Christmas period.

They showed 49 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving, involving alcohol.

20 arrests were in relation to manufacture, supply or possession of illicit drugs.

Police said the statistics for 2018 show the kingdom has improved its road safety performance by recording no fatalities during the Christmas holiday season.

However, two persons have died in December in separate incidents. A 5-year-old boy was allegedly electrocuted at his home in Pili on December 22. A man was also dead while he was trying to rescue his drowning wife at Laulea beach at Fatumu on Christmas day.

The violent crime rate of 94 which involved offences of common assault, theft and housebreaking dropped from 116 last year.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai “acknowledged the commitment of police staff who worked throughout the holidays to ensure peace and public safety was maintained.

“She also acknowledged and thanked members of the public for timely sharing of information and their valued support to the Tonga Police.”

Authority said a total of 255 police staff were deployed during the Christmas and New Year Operation.  

Police said reinforcement measures had been put in place during the holiday operation to ensure everyone including visitors were safe and felt safe while celebrating the festive season in the Kingdom of Tonga.

“The Operation saw police visibility throughout the Kingdom strengthened with a round the clock police on the beat, regular vehicle patrols to key target areas, removal of drunks from public places and holding liquor licensees to account when licence conditions were breached. Road safety measures were also implemented through planned spot checks and alcohol breath-testing in strategic locations to prevent further crashes on our roads due to drunk driving and speed.” 

Deadly new drug hitting Australian streets

By
Kalino Latu
-

By Bryant Hevesi for Daily Mail Australia

A deadly drug known as ‘monkey dust’ is sweeping the Australian party scene, leading to warnings from authorities.

The drug, also referred to as bath salts or MDPV, is being sold across the nation’s  music festivals and dancefloors in increasing numbers.  

The potent drug is a powerful derivative of methamphetamine, or ice, and is also cheap, with a street value of as little as $10 per dose.  

But expert toxicologists warn ‘monkey dust’ is dangerous and causes wild hallucinations and impressions of invincibility. 

Users overseas have been filmed jumping in front of cars and standing perilously on tall buildings because the drug makes them think they cannot be harmed.

One Australian woman’s tongue bled after she aggressively licked the dancefloor when she took the drug, which can be smoked, snorted or taken in pill form.  

Andrew Leibie, a leading forensic toxicologist, told the Herald Sun ‘monkey dust’ is ‘certainly a contender for the fatal drug overdoses we are seeing’, having emerged as the ‘it’ drug on the Australian party scene. 

He said the drug is ‘cheaper than ecstasy and it’s a lot more dangerous’ and only a small dose can be fatal.  

‘The minute your friends start acting strangely, go get medical help. You have a window of about 30 minutes to one hour to get treatment – after that, it’s too late,’ Mr Leibie said.  

Mr Leibie previously told Seven News users will ‘have frightening hallucinations’.

A lot of people also report that when they take this drug they feel like Superman, so they feel like they can literally fly,’ he said.   

The drug has previously caused problems for Australian authorities – in 2012, the deaths of two people from South Australia was linked to the use of ‘monkey dust’.

What is ‘Monkey Dust’? 

– ‘Monkey Dust’ is the colloquial street term for the drug MDPV, a potent strain of methamphetamine

– The drug a powerful hallucinogenic which causes paranoia and a false sense of invincibility 

– Due to its potency, a small dose of about two milligrams is issued, making it incredibly cheap and easy to overdose on

– The drug been given a street value of about $10-$15 per hit, making it extremely deadly

– Side effects of the drug include: euphoria, mood lift, elevation in heart rate, paranoia and confusion

The Australian Federal Police last year seized 4.5kg of the drug, or half a million doses, and warned consuming the drug was a gamble with your life that is not worth taking. 

‘Anyone who is considering experimenting with illicit drugs or new psychoactive substances, no matter how they are branded or presented, do not do it,’ an AFP spokeswoman told the Herald Sun.

‘Monkey dust’ is difficult for authorities to detect as sniffer dogs and existing roadside tests are unable to pick it up.  

The drug – which causes violent and psychotic episodes – has been linked to dozens of deaths in the UK.  

Four people have died in as many months from suspected drug overdoses at music festivals in New South Wales.  

Body found believed to be that of missing Tongan teen

By
Kalino Latu
-

The body of a young man discovered this morning in New Zealand is believed to be that of a missing Tongan teenager.

Police said a body has been recovered north of Piha Beach after it was spotted by the Police Eagle helicopter on Monday evening.

At this stage, Police believe it to be the 16-year-old Leka Pasiaka reported missing from Whatipu Beach on December 29, 2018.

A post mortem and a formal identification will now be carried out.

Police said they are unable to comment further at this time.

The teen had been at the beach with family members when someone raised the alarm that he had been caught in a rip.

The Avondale College student has been praised for his bravery after pushing his sister back towards safety when she swam out to try to save him, NZ Herald has reported.

Leka’s sister was taken to hospital. When she was discharged, she returned to the beach immediately; vowing she would not leave until her brother was found.

Family members  including those who had travelled from Australia after hearing about the tragedy – have been keeping vigil at the beach since the young man went missing.

Friends and family have been staying at a nearby campsite, returning each day to see whether the sea might return the teenager.

Leka’s family have written messages on the beach – using sea shells and rocks – paying tribute to him. Other messages have been written in the sand with the simple message: “Come back, Leka.”

Meanwhile, friends of the teen have been posting messages of support and in remembrance to their mate – urging him to find his way home soon.

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