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Police appeal for sightings of missing Panmure teenager

By
Kaniva Staff
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New Zealand Police are seeking the public’s help to locate missing 13-year-old Paulo Junior Te Raroa from Panmure.

Paulo was last seen yesterday afternoon around 3.30pm at an address on Kahu Road, Panmure.

He is known to leave his home address, but his family and Police are concerned as he has yet to return.

Paulo goes by the name “Boonie” and may avoid Police for fear of getting into trouble.

He is happy to speak to members of the public but may not ask for help.

Anyone who has seen Paulo Te Raroa is urged to contact Auckland City Police on 09 302 6400.

Gov’t decision to sue former PMs in Tongasat TOP$90 m illegal payments revealed

By
Kalino Latu
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A decision by government to sue two former Prime Ministers Lord Sevele and Lord Tu’ivakanō for their roles in the unlawful transfer of TOP$90 million to Princess Pilolevu and Tongasat has been revealed.

The Minister of Finance Hon Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has made the revelation yesterday in Parliament.

He said a court decision last month said Lord Tu’ivakanō and Lord Sevele had been involved in the illegal transfer of the money.

The Minister of Justice Vuna Fā’otusia told the House what Tu’i’onetoa has raised was a cabinet decision.

Hon Fā’otusia said the cabinet can go ahead and file the lawsuit itself but it needed Parliament’s support.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said the government’s Auditor General reported in 2013 the transfer of the money was unlawful.

Tu’i’onetoa reminded the House that Parliament rejected the report and said the Auditor General was not a lawyer.

The money from China was paid to the kingdom of Tonga in two tranches.

Lord Sevele was Prime Minister in 2008 when the kingdom received the first tranche.

Lord Tu’ivakanō came to power in 2011 when the second tranche was received and was paid to Tongasat.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this month, the Supreme Court has issued a declaration regarding the long running legal battle over the Tongan government’s payment to Tongasat of millions of dollars of Chinese money, brought by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva and PSA.

The court declared the two payments of about TOP$90 million in aid grant funds received by the Kingdom from the People’s Republic of China in 2008 and 2011 was grant money and accordingly ‘public money’ within the meaning of the Public Finance Management Act.

The judge said the payments to or for the benefit of Tongasat pursuant to a purported agreement between the then Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Sevele and Tongasat were invalid and unlawful.

Hon Tu”onetoa was repeatedly interrupted by some noble MPs and Tongatapu 3 MP Siaosi Sovaleni in the House when he spoke on the cabinet decision to sue the two Prime Ministers.

Hon Sovaleni attempted to correct Tu’i’onetoa and told him the two Prime ministers never paid the money to Tongasat the payments were made by their two governments.

But Tu’i’onetoa said the correction was wrong because a court decision has declared the payments made by the two Prime Ministers were illegal and invalid.

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Supreme Court issues declaration on legal status of main points in Tongasat case

Victoria University votes to change its name to University of Wellington

By
Kaniva Staff
-

by Jessica Long, Stuff.

Goodbye Victoria, hello Wellington.

The capital’s oldest university  is a step closer to becoming the University of Wellington after the campus’ council has voted “yes” to change its name at a meeting on Monday – nine votes in favour, two against.

The institution’s council agreed in principle to a new name of University of Wellington on July 27, and to adopt a new Māori name of Te Herenga Waka.

Campus management gave the name change the go-ahead last week, but the university council still needed to debate on whether it proceeded or scrapped the exercise on Monday.

A final sign-off by Education Minister Chris Hipkins will be needed now the decision to drop ‘Victoria’ has been made.

Monday’s three-hour council deliberations in the historic Hunter Building was filled with emotion. The public filled the rafters who cheered at any comment against the name change and shook their heads in despair at any for it.

Victoria of University Faculty of Law professor Geoff McLay told the council people felt the process was “foreclosed”.

“Changing the name defeats 120 years of identity. Something like 10,000 people, give or take, have expressed a view on this in submissions, petitions and polls … 9000 of them opposed this change.

His comments mirrored those of international students Vivian Tan and He Han Chng who study law at the university. They said they were concerned the name University of Wellington would impact future employment, it sounded “like a polytechnic”.

Council member Traci Houpapa agreed the university needed “strategic repositioning” but was not convinced a name change, solely, would achieve the desired outcomes.

“I am of the mind that there is a lot more work that council and the university must do to engage with the student community and wider university whānau.”

She questioned how the university showed it had not been dismissive of concerns over the name change to which vice-chancellor Grant Guilford said to disagree did not mean concerns had not been taken into account.

Council member Isabella Lenihan-Ikin broke down as she spoke about the importance of working on student welfare and her hope for the council to move on to address those issues.

Having read through 2000 pages of submissions, she said the voices of both sides were heard.

“We do need to unite the name of our university with the name of our city. We do need to address the issues of confusion.

“Yes, without denial, consultation could have been better.”

Last week, Guilford continued to back the change, saying the university’s international brand was muddled and that confusion was costing it in donations and prestige.

He spoke, in favour, to the proposal at the council meeting on Monday.

“We’ve had great empathy for that sense of loss that some alumni are feeling. The overwhelming response to our process was actually a lack of engagement.”

Chancellor Neil Pavious-Smith said the outcome was just “one decision in a much broader strategy to try and help the university really achieve its potential”.

Council members Traci Houpapa and Farib Sos voted “no” to change Victoria University of Wellington’s name.

Chancellor Neil Pavious-Smith, and members John Allen, Isabella Lenihan-Ikin, Carwyn Jones, pro-chancellor Dame Therese Walsh, Robyn Bargh, Alexandria Mark, Alan Judge and Kate Hunter voted “yes” for University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka.

Vice-chancellor Grant Guilford did not vote.

 – Stuff

Six men arrested in Vava‘u after 2665 cannabis plants, gun, ammo seized

By
Kalino Latu
-

Vava’u Police have arrested six men after finding 2,665 cannabis plants in a bush alottment in Mataika yesterday Monday 24 September 2018.

Police also seized a .22 rifle as well as 26 live ammunition.

The men have been charged with cultivation of illicit drugs.

“We would like to acknowledge the assistance of members of the public which led to the drug seizures yesterday.  It only takes one call to disrupt the supply of drugs in your community and we encourage anyone who can provide information of drug dealing to contact Police,” said Acting Superintendent Taulango Tapueluelu.

As Kaniva news reported yesterday, 10 people have been arrested following seizure of 96 packets of marijuana in Malapo.

Tonga Police said they were committed to disrupting the supply of these drugs and preventing the harm this illegal trade supports, a statement said.

Anyone with information can contact Police on 922, 23 417 or 25 147.

All accused are under police custody while police investigations are continuing.

Australia backs off proposed Asian work visa that threatens regional Pacific work scheme

By
Philip Cass
-

Plans by the Australian government to introduce a new work visa for Asians that threatens places for Island workers, has been put on hold.

The Vanuatu Post reported that experts argued that the proposed visa would have endangered gains made by Pacific workers.

The proposal would have given Asian workers opportunities now offered to Pacific workers under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme.

The Post said policy experts feared the resulting influx of workers would outnumber and out-compete Pacific island workers, and possibly lead to the effective demise of the programme.

However, following public opposition to the proposal, the Australian government has now backed off and shelved the proposal.

However, it is believed that this is only a temporary move on the part of the Australian government and the ABC has reported that it is still being developed.

Vanuatu now has more workers in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Programme than any other Island  nation. It has a 40% share, with 3350 workers.

Tonga now has a 33% share of the programme with 2790 workers. Tonga once dominated Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme, providing 81% of workers.

In Tonga, the number of workers participating in the Australian programme and its New Zealand equivalent, has reached 13% of the eligible population (those aged 20-45).

According to Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs ‘Akosita Lavulavu, the kingdom earns US$45 million a year from season work in the two countries.

The main points

  • Plans by the Australian government to introduce a new work visa for Asians that threatened places for Island workers, has been put on hold.
  • The Vanuatu Post reported that experts argued that the proposed visa would have endangered gains made by Pacific workers.
  • The proposal would have given Asian workers opportunities now offered to Pacific workers under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme.

For more information 

Agriculture Visa Delayed

Another bumper year for the Seasonal Worker Programme

Tonga earns US$45m a year from seasonal work

New skills helped apprentice give back to parents

By
Philip Cass
-

A former Tongan courier driver who gave up his job to re-train as a builder said this week the risk had been worth the risk.

Robert Piutau, 34, told Tagata Pasifika he decided to re-train after helping to renovate his parents’ home.

“Me and my siblings have always talked about how we want to give back to mum and dad,” he said.

He said being able to change the family house allowed him to do that.

Piutau won second place in the New Zealand certified Building competition.

However, re-training has meant great sacrifice.

His wife Mele was studying – she is now a qualified nurse  – during the first three years of his apprenticeship.

“It was always at the back of our minds that when we qualified things will be easier,” Piutau said.

Speaking in Tongan his father,  Manako Piutau said he was happy his son had become a builder.

“That is why we came to New Zealand for better opportunities and to gain new skills,” Piutau Snr said.

The main points

  • A former courier driver who gave up his job to re-train as a builder said this week the risk had been worth the risk.
  • Robert Piutau, 34, told Tagata Pasifika he decided to re-train after helping to renovate his parents’ home.

For more information 

Tagata Pasifika

Energy company will become first regional Tongan host for NZ internships

By
Philip Cass
-

New Zealand Scholarship students from Tonga will be able to intern at the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nuku’alofa.

This will be the first time a Tongan regional organisation has hosted PCF interns.

The closing date for applications for the Pacific Co-operation Foundation scholarships has been extended to this Friday, September 28.

The Centre was established in 2017 and is hosted by the Pacific Community.

It is part of a global network of regional sustainable energy centres and helps Pacific countries promote sustainable energy.

Programme Development Manager Linda Kaua says that having regional host agencies would help Pacific NZ Scholar students feel at ease when they returned home.

“Having host agencies from the region participating in the Summer Internship Programme will be beneficial to the interns, as it will provide them with the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in a real-life situation,” she said.

The internships are open to current New Zealand Scholarship students studying at undergraduate level.

Internships will last from November 19, 2018 until February 15, 2019.

Although most internships are unpaid, MFAT will continue to pay standard scholarship stipends for the period of the internship.

Interns will still be entitled to take Reunion Travel during the summer period, but will be expected to do so at a time that does not interfere with their internship or study responsibilities.

If you are interested, fill out the application form on the link at the bottom of this story and send them by email to internships@pcf.org.nz by no later than 5pm – Friday, September 21, 2018.

The main points

  • New Zealand Scholarship students from Tonga will be able to intern at the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nuku’alofa.
  • This will be the first time a Tongan regional organisation has hosted PCF interns.
  • The closing date for applications for the Pacific Co-operation Foundation scholarships has been extended to this Friday, September 28.

For more information 

Summer internship

Family not giving up hope as search for missing fisherman continues

By
Kalino Latu
-

The search for Mikaele Moata’ane continued with an army of volunteers from Lapaha after he went missing at sea on Saturday, September 22.

The 34-year-old who was also known by the name Keuli Moata’ane was fishing with a group of friends who were all safe

Photos uploaded and shared on Facebook today showed locals have come together at Lapaha beach to provide support.

One photo showed Moata’ane’s mother appeared devastated by her son’s missing.

The search mission was being led by a Police rescue team but no sighting to date.

NZ Police continue to investigate needles in strawberries

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police continue to make enquiries following a report yesterday of needles found inside strawberries imported from Australia.

“An investigation is underway and we are working in close partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

However, it is too early to comment in any detail about the investigation,” Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson says.

“Anyone who finds anything suspicious in their food is urged to contact local Police immediately.

“Reports of this nature will be taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.   From the Police perspective, that means witnesses will be spoken to and any items of interest will be taken for forensic testing.

“For example, Whanganui Police received a report of a pin found in takeaway food over the weekend, and while this turned out to be an honest mistake, Police conducted interviews and a scene examination before determining there was no malicious intent.”

Questions specifically related to food safety should be directed to MPI.

10 arrested in Tongatapu drug bust

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongatapu Police confiscated 96 packets of cannabis and cash after serving a search warrant.

Mu’a Superintendent District Commander  Sisi Toutai Tonga said three women and seven men were arrested.

Police made the arrests on Saturday 22 September 2018 at a bush allotment in Malapo.

“Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs where thereby preventing the harm this illegal activity causes.

“It only takes one call to Police to stop crime and the availability of drugs in your community,” says Superintendent Sisi Toutai Tonga.

“As always, the Police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation, manufacture and/or dealing.”

All suspects are in Police custody while investigation continues.

Information about drug offending can be passed on to your local Police station or can be made anonymously by phoning 23417 or 25147.

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