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Remittances to Pacific islands may fall away, community leaders tell economic researchers

By
Philip Cass
-

Remittances to Pacific islands, including Tonga, may be declining, a new report says.

The report, The New Zealand Pacific Economy, which was issued by the New Zealand Treasury, out to examine the value of the Pacifica economy in New Zealand.

Part of the report examined the role of Islanders sending money to their countries of origin.

Several church leaders talked about a possible decline in remittances because of fewer family members living in the Pacific Islands.

For example, the second, third and fourth generation of Pacific consider New Zealand to be ‘home’.

The World Bank estimated that in 2017, New Zealand sent $2.4 billion to foreign countries in remittances.

Of this, $55 million was sent to Tonga, $65 million was sent to Samoa, and $22 million was sent to Fiji.

Many Pacific people send remittances to the Pacific Islands to provide financial support to their extended families and villages.

“This is very personal to each individual and family,” one community leader said.

“I would not like to speculate on how much they send home.

“I can tell you that I would probably send between $2000 and $5000 per year back to Tonga. It would depend on the need back home.”

Over a third of the money sent to Tonga and Samoa reportedly comes from remittance.

The money plays a large part in sustaining the economy in countries such as Samoa or Tonga.

The report said remittances were often perceived to be acts of love and responsibility.

“Fa’alavelave and gifts are up to the individuals and families. The ‘giving’ is the cultural side, not the amount,” one community leader said.

“With the third and fourth generation Pasifika Islanders I would say there are fewer occasions where they send money back to the islands.

“It is because there are fewer fanau back in the islands to send money back to, or NZ is considered home.”

The main points

  • Remittances to Pacific islands, including Tonga, may be declining, a new report says.
  • The report, The New Zealand Pacific Economy, which was issued by the New Zealand Treasury, out to examine the value of the Pacifica economy in New Zealand.
  • Part of the report examined the role of Islanders sending money to their countries of origin.

For more information

The New Zealand Pacific Economy

Police seize meth, cannabis and cash in Hahake following complaint

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have arrested a man on Monday in Nukuleka with cash and drugs packed and ready for sale.

The 34-year-old man was taken into custody with 5.1 grams of methamphetamine and 4.41 grams of cannabis.

Police were responding to a domestic complaint where they arrested the suspect from a residence in Nukuleka with the illicit drugs as well as cash.

“Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs thereby preventing the harm it causes to our communities,” says Acting Superintendent Sisi Toutai Tonga.

“It only takes one call to Police to stop crime and the availability of drugs in your community.”

The suspect has been charged with possession of illicit drugs and is in police custody while investigation continues.

Hihifo man arrested, Police seize nearly $500,000 worth of meth

By
Kalino Latu
-

A search warrant executed yesterday November 14 at Kanokupolu, Hihifo resulted in Police arresting a man for possession of methamphetamine.

The 41-year-old man was taken into Police custody with 464 grams of the illicit drugs.

The estimated street value of the meth recovered is approximately TOP$460,000, Police said.

Drug sniffer dogs were being used to assist Police during the search.

“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,” said the Commander of the Central Police Station A/CSP Tevita Vailea.

Police will continue to work with the community to prevent the harm illicit drugs cause and the ongoing criminal activity 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 suspect is in police custody while investigation continues.

Murder charge after injured man dies in Auckland’s Ōtara

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man has been arrested and charged following a homicide investigation into the death of a male in Otara last night

A 35-year-old man, who is believed to be known to the victim, has now been
charged with murder.

He is due to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.

At about 10pm on Tuesday 13 November Counties Manukau Police attended a report of a firearm being discharged in the residential area of Zelda Ave, Otara.

An injured male was located on the footpath, medical attention was provided by members of the public and Police, unfortunately the male died at the scene.

The deceased male is yet to be identified.

A number of witnesses are assisting Police with the investigation.

Police have cordoned off the area of Zelda Ave between Maytime Street and the walkway onto Othello Drive  This area is closed to all through traffic and is restricted to residents only, Police ask to avoid the area if possible.

Police are appealing for people who know the deceased or have information about what happened to contact the Manukau Police Station on 0508 422 443, or if they wish to remain anonymous to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Petition: Auditor’s report shows no breach of constitution or misappropriation of public funds

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED: Auditor General Sefita Tangi has found most of the allegations raised by PSA Head Mele ‘Amanaki’s petition against seven Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to be untrue.

The Auditor General did not report breach of the law, constitution or any misappropriation of public funds as alleged in ‘Amanaki’s petition.

However, Tangi said some employment contracts raised in the petition “did not comply” with the Public Service Act 2002.

Tangi recommended that the government should refer some of the complaints, including appointments of some government staff and workers raised in the petition, to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

He said some of the allegation fell outside his remit. He said he was unable to express his opinions on the government’s financial statements as the matters needed expert legal advice.

The Auditor General said the audit was hindered in some cases because some records were unavailable or were not provided.

This occurred when the auditors were trying to assess the outcomes of some of the government projects and the performances of some employees hired by the government.

The Auditor General’s report is available only in Tongan and he often uses the Tongan phrase ‘makatu’unga ‘i he ngaahi tu’unga fakalao,’ which means ‘these are based on legal matters’ when drawing conclusions.

Former Auditor General Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said this meant, the Auditor General believed the allegations were based on legal matters and so should not comment because he was not a legal expert.

The 12-page special report seen by Kaniva News was submitted to the House after the Speaker ordered the Auditor General to conduct an audit in response to ‘Amanaki’s petition.

The petition was submitted to the House by MP Tēvita Lavemaau and was strongly backed by former Deputy Prime Minister MP Siaosi Sovaleni and others.

Employment allegations

‘Amanaki’s petition alleged that International Computer consultant Piveni Piukala’s contract, which was issued by the government in 2015, was illegal. However, the Auditor General said he was satisfied that the contract was legal.

A second contract for Piukala was processed which the petition alleged was also illegal, but the Auditor General said the process had not been completed.

The petition alleged that cabinet decisions to recruit some senior staff and daily workers were not made according to the law.

This included the employment of the Prime Minister’s media advisor, Lōpeti Senituli, nine daily workers at the Popua Park and Golf course building project – including the Prime Minister’s son-in-law  Tevita Musika Koli – and the employment of ‘Ikani Taliai as Director of the National Sports Institute.

The Auditor General said the employment process for Senituli was still being processed and that the government should make sure it followed the Public Service Act 2002 and referred the process to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Tangi said the employment of the workers at the Popua Park and Golf course  should be completed by referring it to the PSC. He said PSC had no record of these workers.

He said three of these workers including former MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu, ‘Automalo Tupou and Sione Kava were not paid for the works they did for various reasons.

The petition accused the Prime Minister over the employment of Koli as Park Works Superviser/Designer and heavy machinery operator.

The Auditor General said the employment of Koli along with the rest of the workers at the Popua Park and Golf course was made under the Public Service Act 2002 after it was approved by Cabinet on August 30, 2017. He said it should have been referred to PSC to complete the employment process.

The employment of Taliai as Director of the National Sports Institute did not exactly follow (“na’e ‘ikai faipau”) the Public Service Act 2002, Tangi said. He said this was the fault of the executives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who processed the contract at the time.

He said the executives at the Ministry signed the contract with Taliai without referring it to the PSC.

Tourism allegation

The petition claimed that the public funds at the Tonga Tourism Authority had been abused, but the Auditor General said the Authority had the power to choose its own independent auditor.

He said the Minister of Tourism was free to ask for the Auditor General to audit the Tourism Authority.

Tribunal cases

The petitioners alleged the Prime Minister had attempted to block the process for the appointment of  the  Ministry of Education CEO Claude Tupou. They also raised in the petition a case in which the Prime Minister allegedly ordered the relocation of two staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former staff Hon. Fanetupou Vava’u Kaho and Lady Marcella Kalaniuvalu Fotofili to another Ministry. The petitioners also alleged that the dismissal of former Tourism Authority chairman Tomifā Paea was illegal.

In his response, Tangi said these cases were based on legal matters and had been dealt with by the Public Service Tribunal.

Constitution allegations 

The petition alleged that some of the Ministers had breached the constitution after they did not submit their annual ministerial reports to the House.

However, the Auditor General said Parliament’s registry had records of these ministerial reports and there was no need for him to investigate it.

The Auditor General said the rest of the complaints raised in the petition were based on legal matters (“makatu’unga ‘i he ngaahi tu’unga fakalao.”)

The main points

  • Auditor General Sefita Tangi has found most of the allegations raised by unsuccessful candidate Mele ‘Amanaki’s petition against seven Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to be untrue.
  • He said the issues raised were caused by procedural shortfalls.
  • The Auditor did not report any breach of the constitution or any misappropriation of public funds as alleged in ‘Amanaki’s the petition.

For more information

Leaked e-mails appear to show fear lawyer’s unpaid debt could affect Tongasat case

PM slams Privilege Committee  for  blocking cabinet responses to ‘Amanaki petition 

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

By
Philip Cass
-

Seven women from all over the Pacific will compete in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant later this month.

Among them is Miss Tonga, Kalolaine Funganitao.

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

She is also 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.

Funganitao will be joined by Miss PNG, Leoshina Mercy Kariha; Miss Samoa Sonia Piva; Miss American Samoa, Magalita Johnson and Miss Tuvalu, Emelipelesa Panapa.

Contestants from the Cook Islands and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) are also expected to compete.

The competition begins on November 29.

The theme for this year’s pageant is Pasifiki Masani, or ‘Magnificent Pacific.’

Contestants are working with family and sponsors to prepare for the event. For some it will be the first time they have been to Tonga.

Piva said she was looking forward to being in the kingdom.

“It is quite exciting and a great first time experience,” she told the Samoa Observer.

“The sponsors, the committee, my family and everyone have been always behind me.

“The only challenges I face are just trying to get over the nerves. And then a matter of getting mentally ready as well as physically ready which is the biggest challenge I have at the moment but it’s coming along well.”

There will be a float parade in central Nuku’alofa.

The winner will be crowned on November 30.

The main points

  • Seven women from all over the Pacific will compete in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant this month.
  • Among them is Miss Tonga, Kalolaine Funganitao.
  • She was crowned was crowned Miss Heilala 2018 in July.

For more information

Miss Samoa ready for Tonga pageant

Miss Heilala 2018 has been crowned

Clarification

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Kaniva news recently published a story on problems faced by migrant workers in Austraia,

The story was headed ‘Migrant fruit and vegetable workers suffer from wage theft says new Australian report.’

You can find the story by clicking here.

The story was accompanied by a photograph supplied by Hon. Akosita Lavulavu showing her meeting with Tongan seasonal workers at Hillwood Berries Pty Ltd in Tasmania.

The photograph was used purely to illustrate the presence of Tongan workers in Australia.

It was not intended to suggest that Hillwood Berries is in any way connected with the issues raised in our report.

Kaniva news is happy to clarify this matter and has removed the photograph from the story.

Tribunal orders Immigration Dept to re-assess Tongan man’s religious worker application

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Immigration Tribunal has ordered the Immigration Department to re-assess an application for residence by a Tongan man who had previously held a religious workers visa.

The appellant first arrived in New Zealand in 1995 as a visitor and continued to visit on many occasions in the following years. From June 2014 to June 2018, the appellant held a series Religious Worker visas and worked as a minister and church administrator.

The Tongan man had held several religious worker visas but his application, which included his 48-year-old wife, and his two children, aged 17 and 19, who are also Tongan citizens.

Immigration New Zealand declined the application because the church was judged not to be compliant with New Zealand employment law. As a result, the church was not in a position to meet its sponsorship obligations.

The Tribunal found Immigration New Zealand was incorrect to conclude that the appellant was an employee and consequently that the church was not compliant with New Zealand employment law.

It referred the man’s application back to Immigration New Zealand for a correct assessment in terms of the applicable residence instructions and the Tribunal’s directions.

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

Immigration New Zealand has been ordered to invite the appellant to apply for a further work visa (Religious Worker) should he choose to do so.

It is to inform the appellant that there is no guarantee that such a visa will be granted.

“If the appellant makes such an application, Immigration New Zealand shall determine the work visa (Religious Worker) application before proceeding to determine his Residence from Work application,” the Tribunal ruled.

“In determining whether to grant the appellant a visa, Immigration New Zealand shall take into account fairness requirements, namely, that due to the passage of time and through no fault of the appellant’s he became ineligible for another work visa.

“If the appellant is granted a further work visa (Religious Worker), Immigration New Zealand shall then proceed to determine the appellant’s Residence from Work application.

“Immigration New Zealand shall determine whether the church is an acceptable sponsor.

“The appellant is reminded that the onus is on him to provide Immigration New Zealand with such information and evidence as he wishes it to consider in support of his application.

“The appellant is to understand that the success of this appeal does not guarantee that his application will be successful, only that it will be subject to reassessment by Immigration New Zealand.”

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration Tribunal has ordered the Immigration Department to re-assess an application for residence by a Tongan man who had previously held a religious workers visa.
  • The appellant first arrived in New Zealand in 1995 as a visitor and continued to visit on many occasions in the following years.
  • His application, which included his 48-year-old wife, and his two children, aged 17 and 19, who are also Tongan citizens.

Woman acquitted in embezzlement case; judge says he understands why she did it

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has discharged a woman who embezzled $22,500 from her employer.

Judge L.M.Niu ordered that the accused, Loleini ‘Ala, be discharged without conviction on the condition she not offends within the next two years.

He ordered that she repays TP$12,029.50 to her employer.

‘Ala is a single mother supporting her widowed mother and two brothers.

After leaving school she had a variety of jobs and was working in a fish and chip shop where she was paid $150 a week.

In his summary of the case Judge Niu said:

“She says that her employer  was so pleased  with her  work that he promised  to raise her wages. She then worked even harder. She not  only  did  her normal work, she also did the office paper work and delivery  of documents  and banking, cleaning and also fish weighing and packing and working  into after hours.

“The promised raise, she says, never came. And in November 2017, she was entrusted with not only the banking,  she  was also entrusted  with the paying  of the wages of the other workers, whilst the employer went overseas.”

She then discovered that other workers, who had only started working after her, were getting the same money.

“I would imagine she felt cheated by the employer because what she then did was so out of character, and most irresponsible, and in fact consistent with revenge upon the employer,” Judge Niu said.

“She faked robbery by which she embezzled TP$22,500 of the employer’s money.”

She deposited TP$14,375 into a bank account and spent the rest on partying with friends as well as shopping for the home and for her child.  She withdrew a further  $2,894.50 from the bank account.

Police investigated the robbery.

On November 12, 2017, ‘Ala and her employer agreed that she would pay back the $12,029.50 left in the bank and would repay the $11,019 she had spent.

They told the police, who still insisted on prosecuting her.

‘Ala pleaded guilty before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen on July 13 this year.

A letter from her employer was produced in court which said that while ‘Ala had done wrong, they had forgiven her because of her daughter.

“While I do not for one moment condone or overlook what the accused has done,   that  she   has  knowingly   and   embezzled   her  employer’s   money,  I understand why she did it and I believe that  she would not have done what  she did, if she had been fairly dealt with  by  her  employer.

“I am not  saying that her employer unfairly dealt with her because I have not heard the employer’s side; in fact the employer says in his letter that the accused did wrong to the company.

“But the accused believed, she had been unfairly and wrongly dealt with by the company, and she did  what  she did  because  of that. “

The judge said ‘Ala was “most foolish” to have done what she did. However, he said that if all young people were imprisoned for being  foolish  “they  would all grow up with a prison sentence  hanging  over  them.”

In reaching his decision on sentencing, Judge Niu relied on Section 204 of the Criminal Offences Act, which states:

“Where a court is of the opinion, having regard to the circumstances. including the nature of the offence and character of the offender, that it is inexpedient to inflict punishment  and that a probation order is not   appropriate, it may make an order discharging him absolutely or alternatively discharging him subject to the condition that  he commits  no offence during such period, not exceeding  three years from the date of the order as may be specified therein.”

A discharge under Section 204 counts as an acquittal.

Judge Niu said a prison sentence was inexpedient because it would deprives the accused’s one year of child of her love and care. A fine would not be appropriate since she could not pay it and she could not be sentenced to community work because she would need to be convicted. A suspended sentence would also be inexpedient.

He therefore discharged ‘Ala, therefore acquitting her of the charge of embezzlement.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has discharged a woman who embezzled $22,500 from her employer.
  • Judge L.M.Niu ordered that the accused, Loleini ‘Ala, be discharged without conviction on the condition she not offend within the next two years.

The judge said he understood why she had acted as she did.

Lions tour Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Lions will tour to the southern hemisphere next year to play matches against New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, but not Australia.

A Great Britain tour to the southern hemisphere in 2019 has been given the go-ahead by the Rugby League International Federation.

The tour, which the RLIF board says is subject to consultation with the major playing leagues and the players’ representatives, is part of an eight-year rolling contract approved in principle at the end of a four-day summit in York.

The Lions will not meet Australia, who will tour England in 2020, but will play matches against New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

“These are exciting times for the sport in general and particularly the chance we have to both take a Great Britain team to the southern hemisphere next year and then welcome the Kangaroos in 2020,” Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said.

“There is still some discussion to complete on 2019 but everything looks to be moving in a positive direction.”

The RLIF unveiled plans for a two-division Oceania Cup in 2019, with Australia, New Zealand and Tonga playing in one group and Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea the other.

The board also confirmed that Australia will host the inaugural Nines World Cup in 2019 and approved financial support for the Americas Championship and a new competition for nations in the Middle East and Africa.

Source: AAP
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