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Mate Ma’a Tonga star Tevita Pangai given sobering reality check by Broncos teammate

By
Kaniva Staff
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AAP -Andrew McCullough has issued a reality check to Brisbane teammate Tevita Pangai as the search to replace departed lock Josh McGuire heats up.

The Queensland and Australian No.13’s sudden shift to North Queensland has left a gaping hole of quality and experience in a Broncos side also without the retired Sam Thaiday next year.

Hooker McCullough isn’t sure who will fill the void in the middle but knows that Pangai, despite his game-breaking ability, had some work to do if it is to be him.

“He might have to work on his fitness a bit,” McCullough said of the Tongan star after returning to fitness training on Thursday.

“He’s a naturally powerful guy, but playing in the middle requires big minutes, back-to-back efforts and he’s got a lot work to do on that.”

Pangai has committed to the Broncos for 2019 but would be free to follow current coach Wayne Bennett to South Sydney next year.

Unfazed by reports Brisbane are targeting NSW hooking rival Damien Cook, McCullough will remain at Red Hill until 2021.

But he can’t speak for his teammates.

“You’ll have to ask those guys; I don’t know the deals or protocols of any of those sort of guys,” he said.

Jack Bird, returning for a second season in Brisbane, is another option after an injury-marred introduction to Red Hill ended with him on the sidelines this year.

He has returned in good shape and has the backing of teammates to deliver on his promise in 2019, but there is no underselling what they’ll miss from McGuire’s exit.

“He competed very hard; he’s a very aggressive sort of guy and that’s partially the reason why they got him up there in Townsville,” the No.9 said.

This story appears on PACNEWS. Kaniva news has a sharing content arrangement with PACNEWS.

Show of appreciation; Henderson offers flight ticket as Xmas season starts

By
Kalino Latu
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Henderson Cars in South Auckland has received a signed Mate Ma’a Tonga jersey from one of its major sponsored parties  – the Hakulā ‘O Aotearoa rugby league team.

Mate Ma’a Tonga player David Fusitu’a presented the gift to Henderson Cars owner Muliagatele Shiu Singh.

Fusitu’a’s father, Edwin Fusitu’a, who made a short speech before the jersey was presented, said the Hakulā wanted to give Henderson Cars a token of appreciation because of their financial support for their players.

Tongan Sales Manager Vaima’ala’ala Tu’akalau said they had more than 1000 cars in their yard for their customers to choose from.

She said a campaign on social media which promised any person who could bring a customer to buy a vehicle at Henderson Cars would be offered a $1000 cash went really well.

Henderson Cars also gave customers who bought vehicles from them tickets to Tonga, shopping and cash for Christmas.

This also included offering their customers a grace period to start paying back their loan in 2019.

“Come and talk to me,” Tu’akalau said.

You can follow this link to see Henderson Cars’ Facebook page

The company has been closely involved in financially supporting the Tongan community around New Zealand.

In August it sponsored Miss Tongan Tau’olunga 2018, the first competition of its kind to be held in New Zealand.

As Kaniva news reported in August, Henderson Cars has continued to boost its cultural connection with the Tongan community by providing a free meal and a sponsorship of a major Tongan dancing competition.

The car dealership at 24 Great South Road, Takanini has offered a Nissan Veneta van for Kaniva Tonga news as part of a new collaboration to boost the company’s public relation.

The main points

  • Henderson Cars in South Auckland has received a signed Mate Ma’a Tonga jersey from one of its major sponsored parties – the Hakula ‘O Aotearoa rugby league team.
  • Mate Ma’a Tonga player David Fusitu’a presented the gift to Henderson Cars owner Muliagatele Shiu Singh.

New programme aims to help keep students at school and improve vocational training

By
Philip Cass
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High school dropout rates in Tonga have reached 20 percent and many young people have no other way of learning new skills that could make them employable.

However, Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Losaline Ma’asi said a new World Bank programme would help overcome some of the most serious barriers to students completing high school.

Hon. Ma’asi said the Skills and Employment for Tongans (SET) project would provide financial help for poorer families.

It would also help  improve the quality of courses in areas that were most likely to lead to successful labour migration to Australia and New Zealand.

It is intended to provide alternative vocational and learning pathways to help make students more employable in Tonga and give them a better chance of qualifying Australian or New Zealand employment programme.

The SET programme is based on similar successful projects in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

World Bank spokesperson Natalie Latu said it would benefit Tonga economically.

Remittances from Tongans working overseas make up 34.2 percent of Tonga’s Gross Domestic Product.

The SET programme is being funded by a US$18.5 million (TP$42 million) grant from the International Development Association and a US$2.4 million (TP$5.4 million) grant from the Australia-Pacific Islands Partnership Trust Fund.

Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Andrew said Australia was committed to helping Tongan workers develop their skills.

The main points

  • High school dropout rates in Tonga have reached 20 percent and many young people have no other way of learning new skills that could make them employable.
  • However, Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Losaline Ma’asi said a new World Bank programme would help overcome some of the most serious barriers to students completing high school.

For more information

Skills and Employment for Tongans

‘Ikale Tahi captain Siale Piutau to miss Georgia test

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Ikale Tahi captain Siale Piutau will miss the test against Georgia in Tibilisi this weekend.

The 33-year-old has been allowed to return to his club.

Sonatane Takulua has been selected to lead the national rugby union team.

The replacement came after Wales beat Tonga by 74 – 24 last Saturday.

Wales had 10 tries, including a penalty try.

Tonga has yet to beat Wales in 10 matches since an uncapped encounter in Cardiff in October 1974.

‘Ikale Tahi Squad:

Forwards:

Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Sefo Sakalia, Ma’afu Fia, Leva Fifita, Sitiveni Mafi, Dan Faleafa, Fotu Lokotui, Zane Kapeli, Sonatane Takulua

Backs:

Kurt Morath, Daniel Kilioni, Alaska Taufa, Latu Vaeno, Viliami Lolohea, Vungakoto Lilo Sione Anga’aelangi, ‘Otutolu Fahamokioa, Ben Tameifuna,

Reserves:

Sam Ulufonua, Mike Faleafa, Sione Vailanu, Leon Fukofuka and ‘Atieli Pakalani

Nuku‘alofa Film Festival launches with documentary dedicated to leiti struggle

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Blessen Tom in Nuku’alofa

(Pacific Media Centre) Leitis in Waiting, a feature documentary, launched the fourth Nuku’alofa International Film Festival 2018 at the Digicel Square in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, last night.

The film is about the struggles of transgender people living in Tonga – known locally as ‘leitis’.

Tonga Leitis is an intrepid group of indigenous transgender women and Joey “Joleen” Mataele an activist campaiging for transgender women and the co-founder of the Tonga Leitis Association.

READ MORE: Talent on show at Nuku’alofa

The film tells a story of the transgender struggle against a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance against the transgender community in the South Pacific kingdom.

Encouraging the people“It is an honour to be able to bring this film to its rightful home,” says Hinaleimona Wong-Kalu,  creator, producer and one of three directors along with Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson.

“We would like to encourage people to tell their stories… we like to bring movies from around the world so that Tongans can connect to other parts of the world,” says Sisi’uno Helu, director of the Nuku’alofa International Film Festival, who is also one of the producers of the film.

Leitis in Waiting closely follows Mataele, a devout Catholic of a noble descent who organises an exuberant beauty pageant presided over by Princess Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita.

Mataele also provides shelter and training for a young leiti contestant who has been rejected by the family.

She spars with American-financed evangelicals who are threatening to resurrect colonial-era laws that would criminalise the leitis’ lives.

Eva Tanya Mafi, one of the lead characters of the documentary, was also present for the screening.

  • The two-day film festival will host 11 international films, including Banabans of Rabi by Blessen Tom and Hele Ikimotu, postgraduate students of New Zealand’s Auckland University of Technology.

Kaniva news has a content sharing arrangement with the Pacific Media Centre. 

Supreme Court says mother failed to protect daughters from rapist stepfather

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has sentenced a mother and stepfather for sexually abusing the woman’s daughters.

The couple appeared before Hon. Justice Cato.

The two girls were 14 and 16 when the assaults occurred. The sexual abuse began in early 2017.

The judge found that on several occasions, including an incident of rape, the girls’ mother had helped the man.

The man was found guilty of one count of rape, six counts of serious indecent assault, two charges of indecent exposure and five charges of domestic violence.

The woman was found guilty of one charge of aiding rape, four counts of aiding serious indecent assault, one count of domestic violence and one of common assault.

The prisoners were convicted of several counts of sexual offending against the daughters of the mother and their stepdaughters.

The stepfather was aged 56 at the time of the offending and his wife aged 42. At the time of the offending between January 2017 and March 2017, the victims A and B had lived with them for short periods. The victims were aged 16 (A) and B was about 14.

In handing down the sentences, Judge Cato said the stepfather’s offending constituted  a grave breach of trust.

“His offending objectively speaking is worse because it follows only a few years after his release for serious sexual offending against another step daughter,” the judge said.

“As a mother, his wife failed completely to protect  her daughters and in participating in this offending exhibited a wanton and callous disregard of her role as a parent and mother.”

Judge Cato said that in recent years the Supremes Court had sent out a strong message that sexual abuse would not be tolerated.

“Denunciation  or condemnation  and deterrence to the prisoners  and to others is also required of   this kind of sexual expense,” the judge said.

The older daughter said the prisoners should be held to account and is happy that no others will be the subject of offending of this kind.

“She is plainly aggrieved that her mother played a role in this offending,” Judge Cato said.

“This has had an understandably adverse effect on her and it is likely she will carry this forward throughout her life.”

The judge said he was concerned about the youngest daughter who was the victim of much more serious abuse.

“Plainly she is likely to carry scars for many years to come if not forever,” he said.

“I recommend that this matter be placed before the Solicitor- General for him to evaluate whether proceedings should be commenced  to  make her a ward of  court.”

The judge said the oldest daughter should be greatly commended for her actions in trying to protect her younger sister.

She acted very sensibly and courageously in defence of her younger sister, in taking her away from the residence and in bringing this offending to light. This Court’s acknowledgement should be conveyed to her by the Crown, the judge said.

The stepfather was sentenced to a total of 12 and-a-half years imprisonment, backdated to the date of his remand in custody for this offending.

The mother was sentenced to a total of seven years and three months for aiding and abetting sexual assault and rape.

Judge Cato said the mother was a willing party in her husband’s seduction of her daughters which ended with the rape of B. She acted in serious breach of trust.

“Her actions, which apparently given willingly were appalling and exhibited a fundamental dereliction of her relationship as a mother to her daughters,” the judge said.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has sentenced a mother and stepfather for sexually abusing the woman’s daughters.
  • The couple appeared before Hon. Justice Cato.
  • In handing down the sentences, Judge Cato said the stepfather’s offending constituted a grave breach of trust.

For more information

Supreme Court hands down multiple verdicts in “difficult and sad” sexual assault case

Newspaper report paints grim picture of life for Pacific Island families in Auckland

By
Philip Cass
-

Pacific Islanders are facing an uphill battle to make it in Auckland, with dreams of financial independence fading as pay packets stay below the Auckland average according to a new report in the Guardian.

The report, by Eleanor Ainge Roy, which appeared in the prestigious UK publication yesterday, paints a grim picture.

It describes ‘the New Zealand dream’ pursued by many Pacific migrants as ‘illusory.’

“Pacific parents used to bring up their children to be doctors and nurses,” the Guardian reported.

“Now migrant parents just aim for them to get a job.”

It said Auckland was struggling to provide adequate housing, transport and social services for Pacific families, who make up 15 percent of Auckland’s population.

The median age of Islanders in Auckland is just 22.6 years. They show up in disproportionately often in statistics in unemployment, low income and health indicators.

Although older Islanders are beginning to “boomerang” home with their New Zealand pensions, the same is not true for younger migrants, who frequently describe their island homes as “boring” and “slow”.

The report said overcrowding was a deeply rooted problem, as new arrivals stayed with relatives.

This was happening against a background of increasing costs of living and families have been found living in garages, tents and shipping containers.

For older Islanders, Auckland is very much home.

Meleane Mafi, 85, told the Guardian: “My family is here, so my life is here.”

“There’s no more life left in Tonga. Just plant, eat and repeat.”

According to the 2013 census, Tongans make up the second largest part of the 200,000 Pacific Islanders live in Auckland.

Many older Islanders return to the Islands  with their New Zealand pensions.

However, according to the Guardian younger migrants are less likely to return and were reported as describing  their island homes as “boring” and “slow.”

Wesley Talaimanu, the executive director of Fonua Ola, a social support agency told the Guardian younger Island migrants faced problems because of a lack of skills, easy credit, alcohol and drugs.

“Migrants come and they see they can get a car, free credit, state housing, and that is really attractive. But it’s so easy to fall into a cycle of poverty, and after that crisis is never far away,” Talaimanu said.

The main points

  • Pacific Islanders are facing an uphill battle to make it in Auckland, with dreams of financial independence fading as pay packets stay below the Auckland average according to a new report in the Guardian.
  • The report, by Eleanor Ainge Roy, which appeared in the prestigious UK publication yesterday, paints a grim picture.
  • It describes ‘the New Zealand dream’ pursued by many Pacific migrants as ‘illusory.’

For more information

Has the ‘New Zealand dream’ turned sour for Auckland’s Pacific Islanders?

Supreme Court stays action by sports bodies seeking damages from government

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has upheld an application by the government to stay a legal action by the Pacific Games Council and the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic  Committee.

The Council and TASANOC sued the government for damages over breach of a written agreement of a contract (the Host Contract) dating to 2012 under which the Government agreed to host the Pacific  Games  in  Tonga  in  2019.

The plaintiffs argued that as a result of what they claimed was a breach of the Host  Contract  the  plaintiffs had suffered loss and damage, including losses associated with obtaining Samoa to host the Games.

In the case of PGC this amounted to TP$4,581,901.49 and in the case of TASANOC, to TP$2,612,256.59.

The government sought to strike out or stay the plaintiffs’ claims.

It argued that the plaintiffs’ statement of claim did not disclose a reasonable cause  of action against the Kingdom as the Host Contract, and specifically the fiscal and financial provisions of it requiring the Government to effectively underwrite the 2019 Pacific Games (the Games), were never binding upon the Government and/or became a ‘dead letter’ on  5 September  2017 upon the repeal of the legislation enacted to provide for the organization of the Games, the Pacific Games Organization Act 2013 (the Act);

It argued that the plaintiffs were not parties to the Host Contract and had no standing to sue upon it.

It also argued that the plaintiffs’ claims of damages are misconceived and the  damages  claims should be stayed until  any actual losses could be determined following the holding of the Games, which would now take place in Samoa.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the statement of claim submitted by the council and TASANOC was defective.

He said it failed to identify the plaintiffs (or misdescribed them) and failed also to provide a basis upon which they had standing to sue upon the Host Contract and failed  to adequately plead the basis and particulars of the damages claims.

“While I accept the damages claims can be reformulated in an amended pleading it  is not at all clear to me that the matters are capable of repair, justifying me striking out the pleading and dismissing the action,” the judge said.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the council and TASANOC could apply no later than  January next year to lift the stay subject to them providing a draft amended statement  of claim for the Court’s approval.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has upheld an application by the government to stay an legal action by the Pacific Games Council and the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic
  • The Council and TASANOC sued the government for damages over breach of a written agreement of a contract (the Host Contract) dating to 2012 under which the Government agreed to host the Pacific Games  in  Tonga  in

Eleven people, including senior Head Hunters member, arrested in Auckland meth bust

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have arrested 11 people, including a senior head Hunters gang member, following Operation Oceanuster – an investigation into the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

Earlier today Police officers from the National Organised Crime Group with the assistance of staff across Tamaki Makaurau, executed search warrants at 18 properties in Auckland.

As a result 10 men and one woman, aged between 34 and 57, have been arrested.

Most of those arrested will be facing a range of serious drugs charges including the manufacture and dealing of Class A drugs.

One of those arrested, a 50-year-old male, is a senior Head Hunters West Chapter gang member who has been charged with supplying methamphetamine x 5, offering to supply methamphetamine, conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

During the search warrants Police seized eight firearms, a clan lab and other equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Those arrested are all appearing in the Auckland and Waitemata District Courts either today or tomorrow.

Detective Inspector Greg Cramer says these arrests once again demonstrate our commitment to preventing the social harm caused by methamphetamine and other illicit drugs in our community.

“Our investigations are continuing and our message to those involved in the manufacture or distribution of methamphetamine is that you will be held to account.

“We want to hear from anyone who has information on illegal drug activity.

Anyone with information can contact us anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

China defers Tonga’s loan payments as Pacific nation signs up to Belt and Road

By
Kaniva Staff
-

(REUTERS) – Tonga has signed up to China’s Belt and Road initiative and has received a reprieve from Beijing on the timing of debt payments shortly before an onerous schedule to repay loans was due to start.

Lopeti Senituli, political advisor to Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, told Reuters by email on Sunday that Tonga had signed a Belt and Road memorandum of understanding, and that the concessional loan had been deferred for five years.

Tonga is one of eight island nations in the South Pacific that owe significant debt to China. The deferment came just as Tonga was set to commence principal repayments on the debt, which is expected to put severe strain on its finances.

China’s ministry of foreign affairs did not immediately respond to request for comment on Sunday.

Tonga’s financial reliance on China dates back just over a decade after deadly riots in the capital of Tonga, Nuku’alofa, destroyed much of the small Pacific nation’s central business and government districts.

The government rebuilt the city with Chinese financing, and the roughly US$65 million in China’s initial loans to the island now exceeds US$115 million, due to interest and additional borrowings.

This represents almost one-third of Tonga’s annual gross domestic product, budget papers show

The issue of Chinese-issued debt has been at the forefront of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit, held in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

On Saturday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticised President Xi Jinping’s flagship
programme, saying countries should not accept debt that compromised their sovereignty.

While most Pacific island nations are not APEC members, their representatives were invited to attend events, and have been engaged in talks with larger regional neighbors such as China and Australia.

China’s official Belt and Road website reported last week that Fiji had made a commitment to Belt and Road, joining the likes of Samoa and PNG.

This story appears on PACNEWS. Kaniva news and PACNEWS have a content sharing arrangement.

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