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Mate Ma’a Tonga will take royal inspiration onto the field for tonight’s game

By
Philip Cass
-

When Mate Ma’a Tonga take to the field at Mt Smart stadium tonight, they will take inspiration from King Tupou VI with them.

Speaking directly to the team at a private reception at Atalanga last night, His Majesty told them how Tupou I had prepared his warriors for battle during the civil war in Tonga.

Pakilau O Aoteroa Manase Lua, who has been working on preparations for the match said the king was “very, very passionate.”

“He gave the boys some real rev up statements about how his ancestor prepared for war.

“When the King talked about the preparation of the warriors and his ancestors when they conquered the whole of Tonga, the players were listening intently.”

His Majesty greeted the players and, in a break from tradition, later spoke directly to them during a private sitting.

He was accompanied by Princess Latufuipeka and three heralds.

The players were accompanied by coaching staff and management.

Don’t boo

Meanwhile, Tongan fans heading for tonight’s match at Mt Smart stadium are being asked not to boo the Kangaroos.

Lua, who has been working on preparations for the match said the Tongan community had a soft spot for the Kangaroos for making the game happen.

“We are going to make sure that it is an atmosphere that is fun, loud and we want support our boys but we want to support the Kangaroos too because at the end of the day it’s a game that has bought our communities together,” he said.

Australian captain Boyd Cordner said the Kangaroos would have played for free.

The Kangaroos agreed to a 75% pay cut for the game and will be paid the same amount – $5000 – as the Mate Ma’a Tonga players.

Tonight’s sold-out game kicks off at 7.45pm after a prayer from Reverend ‘Ifalame Teisi.

The main points

  • When Mate Ma’a Tonga take to the field at Mt Smart stadium tonight, they will take inspiration from King Tupou VI with them.
  • Speaking directly to the team at a private reception at Atalanga last night, His Majesty told them how Tupou I had prepared his warriors for battle during the civil war in Tonga.

For more information 

Inside Tonga’s private reception with King Tupou VI

Cordner says Kangaroos would have played for free

Bad luck fears mount amid debates on MPs’ controversial Mate Ma‘a attendance

By
Kalino Latu
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A caller to a radio station in South Auckland said he was concerned that the heated debates about a parliamentary delegation paid from taxpayers money to attend the Mate Ma’a Tonga match might bring bad luck to the team this Saturday.

Mate Ma’a Tonga will face the Kangaroos at the Mt Smart Stadium.

The concern was based on Tongan cultural belief of faka’ilonga kovi or ill omen.

The caller, who identfied himself only as Pakiua, told Radio 531 PI’s talkback show on last night’s Tongan programme the news should not have been made public.

He told the host the Mate Ma’a Tonga fans had been angered by the news and it would bring the team bad luck.

Callers to the programme had mixed views about the proposed visit by MPs. Some said all Parliamentarians should attend the match.

Others said they should have paid for their own expenses.

One caller, who indentifed himself as Peni, said the news should have been made public only to Tongans in Tonga.

He said he felt angry when he heard a caller support the MPs’ travel and said the money in the Parliament’s budget was not people’s money. It was just Parliament’s money.

That caller was corrected by the host, who told him the Parliament’s budget was indeed people’s money as it was collected from taxes paid by the people.

While the issue was discussed on the show, callers were also allowed to send their tributes to the Mate Ma’a Tonga match.

The supports for the team has been huge.

Callers even sent religious tributes and words from Tongan riddles to show their support for the team.

As Kaniva news reported, a six-strong Parliamentary delegation has been confirmed to attend the match between the Mate Ma’a Tonga and Kangaroos, with more MPs to be confirmed later.

The Chief Clerk reportedly said it would cost Parliament around TP$45,000 to send the six people delegation, including the Speaker Lord Fakafanua.

However, she said the final figure had yet to be finalised because MPs who were currently overseas had yet to confirm if they would join the delegation in Auckland.

The response from Parliament came after Kaniva news revealed 14 MPs including Parliamentary staff would attend the match at around $80,000 costs, a reduction from an initial figure of $200,000 for a planned 26-member delegation.

Our story has been widely reported in New Zealand and Pacific media.

Traditionally, in every sport in Tonga, there is a time when supporters and the team have to get together for a conference and reconcile afew days before the match.

They have to speak out and reveal any matters that may have affected their relationship during the week. It was believed that doing so would give them a clean conscience and that it would bring a good result for the team in their coming match.

If they did not do this and supporters or some of the team players had not been reconciled the match would be unsuccessful.

The main points

  • A caller to a radio station in South Auckland said he was concerned that the heated debates about a parliamentary delegation paid from taxpayers money to attend the Mate Ma’a Tonga match might bring bad luck to the team this Saturday.
  • The concern was based on Tongan cultural belief of faka’ilonga kovi or ill omen.

For more information

Criticism over taxpayer funding for MPs’ trip to Mate Ma’a Tonga match

VIDEO: 5000 fans greet Tongan team, but five times as many will see them at Mt Smart stadium

Mate Ma’a Tonga in training ahead of Saturday’s sell-out match with Australia

By
Philip Cass
-

Andrew Fifita has called Saturday night’s match with Australia “the biggest match of the year.”

“If our team goes out and gets the job done on the weekend I guess we will be known as a forceful team,” the Mate Ma’a Tonga player said.

And Fifita has called for more games for the kingdom’s rugby league team.

Saturday night’s game is a sell out, with all of the 26,000 seats gone.

That is a  complete contrast with last week’s New Zealand-Australia clash, which sold half as many seats.

Mate Ma’a Tonga have been in training this week ahead of the game that many Tongan fans think they should have had the chance to play in the Rugby League World Cup.

After losing to England on a controversial decision, that was not to be, but tomorrow night will be compensation for some fans.

Both sides will be fielding teams with World Cup experience.

Tonga could have as many as 16 of their 17 from their 20-18 World Cup semi-final loss to England on the field.

The Kangaroos, who lost to New Zealand last weekend, will field nine players who took part in the World Cup final.

According to a report on the official New Zealand Rugby League site, Tonga has a handful of changes from the mid-year Samoa Test, with Solomone Kata and David Fusitu’a replacing Konrad Hurrell and Robert Jennings in the three-quarter line, plus Sika Manu and Tevita Pangai jnr replacing Manu Ma’u and Tevita Tatola in the pack.

The only additions to Saturday’s line-up from the team that defeated Samoa in June are Tevita Pangai jnr, plus World Cup squad members Ben Murdoch-Masila and Solomone Kata.

About 30,000 fans estimated to have turned up to this week’s free open at Mt Smart stadium to watch the Mate Ma’a Tonga train and to meet the players.

The game starts at 7.45pm

The main points

  • Andrew Fifita has called Saturday night’s match with Australia the “biggest match of the year.”
  • And Fifita has called for more games for the kingdom’s rugby league team.

For more information

Thousands show up to Mate Ma’a Tonga Fan Day at Mt Smart Stadium

Kangaroos v Mate Ma’a Tonga preview

Parents urged to be aware of suspicious social media activity

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police are advising parents to keep a close eye on their children’s social media activity after a series of suspicious posts were made on community pages in Wellington and Auckland.

The posts are from a man seeking children, often aged between nine and 13 years old, to be part of a game that involves ‘sliming’, ‘gunging’ or pouring custard over themselves and the man.

The individual offers money, vouchers or tickets to events in exchange for children playing this game with him.

He says this game is part of his training as a youth worker or is related to a project he is completing for tertiary study.

Police have a current active investigation regarding this person and have established that he is not training as a youth worker and not involved in any relevant tertiary study.

Police request that members of the community do not engage with this person via social media.

Parents are encouraged to check in with their kids and understand what they are doing online.

Have a conversation with your kids about what they’re using the internet for and the information they are sharing.

Further information on online safety is available through NetSafe.

Costs and details of MPs’ flight to rugby match still unclear as Speaker responds to our story

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Speaker of the House has still not revealed how much it will cost for the Parliamentary delegation which plans to travel to Auckland and watch the Mate Ma’a Tonga match test against the Kangaroos on Saturday.

In a statement this afternoon, Lord Fakafanua said only six MPs and Parliamentary staff would attend the test match on Saturday.

Kaniva news earlier reported that 14 would go.

“Other parliamentarians who are currently on official parliamentary business overseas will join the delegation at Mt Smart Stadium, upon returning through Auckland from official duties,” Lord Fakafanua said.

He did not say how many MPs fell into this category and did not deny our report that 14 would attend.

The Speaker’s response came after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva made a decision in Cabinet that all Ministers who wanted to attend the match must pay for their own expenses.

Unconfirmed cost

Later this evening, the Speaker’s Chief Clerk told local media it would cost Parliament around TP$45,000 to send the six people delegation, including the Speaker Lord Fakafanua.

However she said the final figure had yet to be finalised because MPs who were currently overseas had yet to confirm if they would join the delegation in Auckland.

“Parliament accepted an invitation from Tonga Rugby League for a delegation to join the thousands of Tongans in New Zealand in witnessing the historic game and to show Parliament’s support to the Mate Ma’a Tonga team,” the Speaker said in the statement.

“The invitation was adopted through circulation, by collective resolution of Parliament.”

Lord Fakafanua will lead the delegation, along with noble Lord Vaha’i and people’s MP Hon. Vātau Hui.

The Chief Clerk and two supporting staff will travel with them “to show Parliament’s unwavering support for Mate Ma’a Tonga.”

Travel costs

The Speaker released his statement about a week after Kaniva news asked him in an e-mail to his Chief Clerk whether it was true a Parliamentary delegation would be paid from taxpayers’ money to attend the match.

As we reported, the Prime Minister’s son, Siaosi Pōhiva, also wrote to the Speaker on October 10 and asked that he reconsider the decision.

Siaosi, the editor and publisher of Kele’a newspaper, blasted the move and described it in Tongan as extravagant and unloving.

Kaniva news reported that a reliable source had claimed the MPs approved TP$80,000 for the travel while Siaosi claimed it was initially proposed to be $200,000.

In response the Lord Speaker said: “The travel cost for the delegation is nowhere near TP$80,000, let alone TP$200,000.”

PM Pohiva ordered cabinet to travel at own expenses

Our reliable source claimed the initial proposal for the costs of the travel was set at $200,000 after it was initially planned for a 26-member delegation to travel.

The cost was then reduced to $80,000 after PM Pōhiva ordered his cabinet ministers to pay their own expenses if they wanted to attend the match.

After Kaniva news leaked the delegation’s expenses to the public, Parliament said yesterday only six were confirmed with more MPs to be confirmed later as they were overseas.

The Minister of Finance Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa who is currently in Vanuatu in a meeting confirmed to us in an e-mail this evening that PM Pōhiva had made the cabinet decision about the match.

In Tongan Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said: “Kimu’a ke u folau mai na’e ‘osi tala pe ‘e he PM kia kimautolu kau Minister, kapau te mau ‘alu ‘o sio he MMT pea mau takitaha totongi pe ‘ene tikite folau mo ene ticket sio tau. Ko homau tu’utu’uni ia.”

This translates into English as: “ Before I travel here the Prime Minister told us Ministers that if we wanted to attend the MMT we have to pay for our own travel and entry tickets. That’s what we were told to do.”

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said he could not comment on the costs of the Parliamentary delegation’s travel because he was out of the country.

Corporate box

The Speaker did not deny reports by Kaniva news that a corporate box had also been paid for.

Corporate suites at Mt Smart stadium are $2700 for 12 people (GST exclusive),  $3600 for 16 people and $4995 for 26 people for one match.

As we reported yesterday,  Tongan taxpayers have also paid for the MPs’ travelling allowances and accommodation in New Zealand. The Speaker did not deny this.

11-month-old Tongan dies after falling into water race in Rolleston

By
Kaniva Staff
-

by Tom Kitchin, Stuff

An 11-month-old Tongan child has drowned after falling into a water race in Rolleston, south of Christchurch.

Eleven-month-old Samuel Taufaeteau​ managed to crawl from the front door of the home in Tennyson St and all the way to the front of the garden before tumbling into the shallow water way.

He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died a few hours later on the afternoon of September 30.

Samuel’s aunt, Lola Tupou, told Stuff the front door was unlocked.

The child was found by relatives a short time later and was taken to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition, but later died.

“One of the kids opened [the door], he crawled all the way there.

“We’re just so sad at the moment. We’re trying to move from this house, we don’t want to stay here anymore.”

Barriers have since been put up by the water race to make the area safer, and Tupou said the door would remain locked from now on.

Samuel was buried on Friday and his death has been referred to the coroner.

Selwyn District Council chief executive David Ward declined to comment on the cost of fencing or restricting access to water races.

Four people have drowned on the South Island in recent weeks.

Parl’t protocol in question after Members’ travel at taxpayers’ expense revealed

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan Parliament’s protocol has been questioned after revelations this morning that about TP$200,000 of taxpayers’ money would be used to pay non-Cabinet MPs and Parliament staff to travel to New Zealand to watch Mate Ma’a test play the Kangaroos.

Some Ministers believed the procedure which was used to approve the decision should be reviewed.

Kaniva news can now reveal that the decision for the money was not discussed in Parliament in the normal way where all MPs were allowed to have their say on the agendas.

Rather, it was made through a circular being circulated by the Acting Speaker Lord Tu’ilakepa to the MPs in which he let them know there was an invitation from the League Committee for the House to attend the Mate Ma’a Tonga test match in Auckland.

One of the Ministers said the process was legal.

However, he said: “I think the concern is why it was circulated and not brought to parliament as the House has been opened since September 18. It’s like hiding it. Otherwise it was legal, but the prudence of the decision is being questioned.”

The circular did not have to be circulated to all MPs, implying it could be sent to the majority of them, some Ministers said, but they did not want to be named because they did not receive the circular.

Normally the Speaker, and in this case, the Acting Speaker, would then propose what he thought the MPs should do in response to the invitation, the Ministers said.

Part of this proposal was that if the receiving MPs agreed with the proposal they would have to sign the circular and returned it to the Acting Speaker.

In this case it is believed there was a proposal from the Acting Speaker to allow 10 non-cabinet MPs and four Parliament staff to travel to New Zealand for the match.

As Kaniva news reported this morning, an executive box in the Mt Smart stadium has been also paid for, along with the MPs’ travelling allowances and accommodation in New Zealand.

It appeared that majority of the recipients agreed with the proposal and the Acting Speaker had the final say to approve the decision so it was not have to be taken to the House to be debated and discussed.

A reliable source told us the House approved TP$80,000 for the travel.

However, as Kaniva news reported this morning, the son of the Prime Minister, Siaosi Pohiva slammed the decision and in his letter to the Speaker on October 10, he claimed the amount was more than TP$200,000.

Reactions

The majority of reaction by the public on social media this morning to the news has been negative.

Some said the MPs  should pay their travel and other expenses from their pockets.

Former MP ‘Isileli Pulu named the decision as unwise “fakavalevale”.

Some commenters  said the Mate Ma’a Tonga team players had sacrificed their pay and time so that the plan for test match could go ahead, but the MPs did not show the same spirit.

Kaniva’s story this morning was also run by Radio New Zealand and editor Kalino Latu was interviewed by Newshub.

The Speaker of Parliament was contacted for a comment through the Chief Clerk.

The main points

  • The Tongan Parliament’s protocol has been questioned after revelations this morning that about TP$200,000 of taxpayers’ money would be used to pay non-Cabinet MPs and Parliament staff to travel to New Zealand to watch Mate Ma’a test play the Kangaroos.
  • Kaniva news can now reveal that the decision for the money was not discussed in Parliament in the normal way where all MPs were allowed to have their say on the agendas.

For more information

VIDEO: 5000 fans greet Tongan team, but five times as many will see them at Mt Smart stadium

PM’s son slams approval of TP$200,000 to pay MPs to fly to NZ for Mate Ma‘a Tonga test

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister’s son, Siaosi Pohiva, has criticised Parliament’s decision to use taxpayers’ money  to pay for 14 non-cabinet MPs and  staff to fly to New Zealand for the Mate Ma’a Tonga test match against the Kangaroos this Saturday.

Kaniva news understands the decision was made after Acting Speaker Lord Tu’ilakepa sent a circular informing only some of the MPs about a letter from the Rugby League Committee inviting Parliament to attend the match.

An executive box in the Mt Smart stadium has been also paid for, along with the MPs’ travelling allowances and accommodation in New Zealand.

Kaniva news has contacted the Speaker through Parliament’s Chief Clerk for a comment.

A reliable source told us the House approved TP$80,000 for the travel.

However, in his letter to the Speaker on October 10, which has been seen by Kaniva news, Siaosi claimed the amount was more than TP$200,000.

Siaosi, the editor and publisher of Kele’a newspaper, blasted the move and described it in Tongan as extravagant and unloving.

He reminded Speaker Lord Fakafanua about discussions in Parliament about requests from different factions of the public who asked for help with their financial difficulties.

He said the government was trying to allocate money from a tight budget prudently, yet at the same time the House had decided to spend a large amount of money on MPs’ travel.

Siaosi told the Speaker it would have been more appropriate if he and one member each from the nobility and the people’s MPs attended the match to represent the House.

Siaosi suggested the Speaker reconsider the decision.

He said the decision was not proper in a country which was regarded as religious and educated.

Meanwhile, Parliament has also agreed with the government to share the TP$20,000 cost of live streaming the match on Tonga Broadcasting Commission and Television.

The king, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika will attend the match.

Fans prepare

Meanwhile in Auckland, Tongan flags and Mate Ma’a logos have begun appearing all over the city on vehicles, houses and other buildings as fans prepare for Saturday’s game.

A Mate Ma’a Tonga Fan Day will be held at the Mt Smart Stadium from 3.30-5.30pm this Wednesday.

Fans will be able to watch the MMT team train. There will be live entertainment, interviews with the coach and players, and an opportunity for the team to meet fans.

“Kainga this is free and open to all ages,” Tagata Pasifika’s Tongan correspondent John Pulu has announced on Facebook.

The main points

  • The Prime Minister’s son, Siaosi Pohiva, has criticised Parliament’s decision to use taxpayers’ money to pay for 14 non-cabinet MPs and  staff to fly to New Zealand for the Mate Ma’a Tonga test match against the Kangaroos this Saturday.
  • He said it would have been more appropriate if the Speaker of the House and one member each from the nobility and the people’s MPs attended the match to represent the House.

For more information

VIDEO: 5000 fans greet Tongan team, but five times as many will see them at Mt Smart stadium

 

Police find car linked to Sosiua Ula homicide investigation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have found the silver Mazda RX8 they were looking for in relation to the homicide investigation into Sosiua Helotu Ula’s death in Porirua.

They believed Mr Ula was a passenger in the car before getting into a black Mercedes which police are still looking for.

Mr Ula, 19, died after falling from the Mercedes.

The driver of the Mazda is someone the Police want to speak to urgently. They have released a CCTV photo of the man police believe was driving the Mazda in Porirua in the days after the incident.

Ula was found with critical injuries after falling out of a Mercedes on Warspite Rd on Sunday, October 7.

The Tongan man was found just after 4pm that day and taken to Wellington Hospital, but died on Tuesday night.

The driver of the Mazda is someone the Police wish to speak to urgently.

Police need to identify the person in the attached CCTV who police believe was driving the Mazda in Porirua in the days after the incident.

Anyone who has any information about this vehicle, its driver, the identity of the person in the CCTV, or any of the circumstances surrounding Mr Ula’s death, is urged to get in touch with Police.

If you can help, please call Wellington Police Crime Squad on (04) 381 2000.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Convicted rapist appears in court for alleged sodomy in Hu‘atolitoli

By
Kalino Latu
-

A convicted rapist has appeared in a Nuku’alofa court for allegedly sexually abusing another male prisoner in Hu’atolitoli prison.

Saimone Vaka was charged with forcible sodomy and assault.

Vaka allegedly covered the victim’s mouth before sodomizing him, Taimi ‘O Tonga newspaper has reported.

The incident occurred in February or March and the charges were made after the victim complaint to a prison officer.

The victim was in custody after Police charged him with burglary, the paper said.

It is not Vaka’s first time facing sexual assault charges.

As Kaniva news reported last year Vaka was found guilty of raping a woman in ʻAnanā

He is currently serving his own jail term for that rape.

In that case, the court was told Mr. Vaka persuaded the victim to drive with him to a bush area in ‘Ananā where he had non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in the front passenger seat of his car.

When they arrived at the scene, Mr. Vaka parked the car near a lagoon and began assaulting the victim.

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