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Tonga name squad to take on Australia

By
Kaniva Staff
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AAP / PACNEWS

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has praised the players’ commitment to the Mate Ma’a cause after naming a strong 29-man squad for next month’s historic Test against the Kangaroos in Auckland.

Cronulla wrecking ball Andrew Fifita and North Queensland’s Jason Taumalolo look set to spearhead a monster pack in Tonga’s first Test against Australia.

Warriors prop Agnatius Paasi has been rewarded for his breakthrough NRL season, recalled for a chance to add to the lone cap he earned for Tonga back in 2014.

Tonga’s forward depth also includes Brisbane duo Tevita Pangai and Joe Ofahengaue, Sharks’ Scott Sorensen and South Sydney’s Tevita Taola.

Woolf will also have speed to burn for the October 30 clash after naming leading NRL tryscorer David Fusitu’a, Parramatta’s Michael Jennings, South Sydney winger Robert Jennings and Sydney Roosters’ Daniel Tupou.

The preliminary squad also includes five UK Super League-based players – Sika Manu (Hull FC), Samisoni Langi, Sam Moa (Catalans Dragons), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington) and Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield).

Woolf looked forward to some selection headaches before announcing his final squad next month and taking them on a 10-day camp.

“We are very pleased with the depth in the squad we have managed to name for this very important Test match,” he said.

“We feel it is representative of the depth of Tongan rugby league in both the NRL and English Super League and also rewards players that have made a firm commitment to playing for their country of heritage.

“This will be a huge occasion for Tonga to take on the top-ranked rugby league country in the world, so we need every player we can committed to that goal.”

Tonga squad: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla), Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly), Mahe Fonua (Wests Tigers), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast), David Fusitua (Warriors), Siliva Havilli (Canberra), Ata Hingano (Canberra), Will Hopoate (Canterbury), Koniseti Hurrell (Gold Coast), Michael Jennings (Parramatta), Robert Jennings (South Sydney), Solomone Kata (Warriors), Sione Katoa (Penrith), Samisoni Langi (Catalans), Tuimoala Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Sika Manu (Hull FC), Sam Moa (Catalans), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington), Joe Ofahengaue (Brisbane), Tevita Pangai (Brisbane), Agnatius Paasi (Warriors), Leivaha Pulu (Warriors), Scott Sorensen (Cronulla), Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland), Tevita Tatola (South Sydney), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters), Peni Terepo (Parramatta), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters).

Kaniva news has a republication arrangement with PACNEWS

Family distraught after parents’ skeletal remains stolen from Tongatapu cemetery

By
Kalino Latu
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The Po’uhila family in Longoteme were left distraught after they discovered the skeletal remains of their parents were allegedly stolen from their grave.

The grave had been partly destroyed and photos placed on the deceased’s headstone were also damaged.

The grave belonged to Finau and Katalina Po’uhila, Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper has reported.

A complaint has been lodged with Police.

Despite public appeals and inquiry conducted by the family there was no report that might lead the family to the vandals.

A member of the family appeared on the paper and appealed for the community’s help to identify the suspects.

As Kaniva news reported last month a Tongan family in Auckland has been devastated after vandals damaged their mother’s grave by opening large holes at both ends of the grave.

Last week the family said they were scared to update us on the incident after they learnt their suspect had been allegedly jailed in the past.

They said they did not want to talk in fear the suspect might retaliate.

On a separate incident in Vava’u, Neiafu town officer Vava Lapota said the vandalism was thought to be the result of someone believing the spirits of the dead were harming members of their family.

Lapota contempted the act and said this type of false belief was still held by uneducated and ignorant people.

Young boy arrested over strawberry needles

By
Kaniva Staff
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Australian police have said a young person admitted to a “prank” amid an epidemic of dangerous pins in fruit.

A young boy in Australia has admitted to putting needles in strawberries as a “prank”.

Police said the boy, who has not been named, confessed to the gag as investigations continue over deliberate fruit contamination.

They said they still did not know the motive for the attacks and were still looking for suspects.

Authorities have complained that the vast majority of the 100 reported cases were hoaxes, and warned that pranksters posting images on Facebook claiming that they have discovered tainted fruit could also face prosecution and potential jail time.

“Obviously in the last few days we found a young person has admitted to a prank, including putting needles in strawberries,” New South Wales Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said.

“He’ll be dealt with under the youth cautioning system.”

With demand plunging for the soft fruit, strawberry farmers say they are being forced to dump and pulp produce, prompting fears for an industry worth $160m (£80m).

Sabotaging our strawberries is sabotaging our farmers. It’s not right. It’s not on. It’s a crime.

Twitter Ads information and privacy

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said those caught piercing supermarket strawberries with needles are comparable to people guilty of possessing child pornography or financing terrorism.

He has called on parliament to raise the sentence for those caught contaminating fruit from 10 to 15 years in jail.

Insisting authorities were “not mucking about”, Mr Morrison also urged Australians to make a pavlova and put strawberries on it.

“Support our strawberry farmers and make a pav this weekend (or sooner). That’s what Jen and I will be doing – and Jen makes the best pav I’ve ever had,” he tweeted.

Tongan scholars lodge worldwide complaint against du Plessis-Allan Pacific ‘leeches’ comment

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan community leaders and top scholars in New Zealand will complain to the Human Rights Commission against broadcaster Heather du Plessis-Allan’s outspoken comments against Pacific people.

The complaint will also be lodged with the Broadcasting Standard Authority New Zealand and contact will be made with the Forum Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum as well as United Nations Human Rights Council.

The action was initiated by the Executive Director of Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand, Sione Tu’itahi and came after Du Plessis-Allan commented after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s said she would visit Nauru during the Pacific Island forum leaders’ meeting earlier this month.

Du Plessis-Allan told her Newstalk ZB listeners: “The Pacific Islands don’t matter. They are nothing but leeches on us.”

She also referred to Nauru as a “hell hole”, and said it was not worth attending the Forum anyway because the Pacific Islands “don’t matter.”

Tu’itahi said it was unfortunate that some people did not use their roles in news media wisely and instead used them to thrash the weak and those who were voiceless.

He said they must do something to stop this kind of attitude, if not, people like Du Plessis-Allan would think they were right and they would continue to do it.

Tu’itahi was responding after Dr Malakai Koloamatangi of Massey University asked people to share a link to an opinion piece  by Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban on Radio New Zealand called ‘Pushback against du Plessis-Allan’s Pacific ‘leeches’ comments encouraging.’

Leban said: “When I first heard Heather du Plessis-Allan’s comments, I was reminded of Paul Holmes’ “cheeky darkie” rant about Kofi Annan and Robert Muldoon’s labelling Pacific Islanders as “over-stayers.”

“Outrageous comments are the stock and trade of some broadcasters and politicians. So, it is good to hear that some New Zealanders know and understand Pacific history, value New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific and Pacific peoples’ contribution to New Zealand, and are prepared to speak out when ill-informed comments are aired feeding bigotry and casual racism.”

Dr Koloamatangi has described du Plessi-Allan’s comments as discriminatory, degrading, disdainful and racist (fa’ahinga lau ngali filifilimānako, tukuhifo, siolalo mo laulanu.)

Dr Sūnia Foliaki also of Massey University said: “Nauru a ‘Hell Hole’? Yeah, it’s  a hell hole after NZ farmers benefited from the phosphate dug up to leave those holes in Nauru.”

“A march to Newstalk ZB to ask du Plessis to give us a lecture on brain holes or other holes seeing we should ALL refer to her now as the Holes Expert?”

The Tongan petition was supported by many Tongan academics, including Professor ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Dr Viliami Puloka, Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū and others.

Despite nationwide outrage and calls for du Plessi-Allan to make an apology or resign, she has remained defiant and stood by her comments, according to Radio New Zealand.

Du Plessis-Allan’s comments were posted on social media, prompting lots of angry reactions and some abusive and offensive putdowns of the broadcaster herself.

Du Plessis-Allan invited Privacy Commissioner John Edwards to appear her show to debate the issue last Tuesday. He declined and she hit out.

“Go back to university and do some more training. You are not good enough.”

She said Mr Edwards’ reaction was symptomatic of intolerance on the political left.

“They are like all deep-thinking and progressive but the moment someone says something that they don’t want to see the nuance in, they just take the broad brushstrokes of something.”

Tyres of more than 20 parked cars slashed on North Shore street

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police are investigating reports of damage to more than 20 vehicles that occurred overnight in the Birkdale area.

A number of vehicle tyres have been vandalised in the Tiri Tiri Road and Woodhams Street area and we are working to establish how this has occurred.

Police encourage anyone who has sustained damage their vehicle to report it to police if you have no already done so.

Police would also like to hear from any residents who may have CCTV footage and ask that you contact Sergeant Andrew Hawkins on (09) 477 5261 or email Andrew.hawkins@police.govt.nz.

Police are making area enquiries and conducting scene and forensic examinations and are interested to hear from anyone who may have information.

If you have any information that could help our investigation, please contact Waitemata Police on (09) 477 5261.

Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tongatapu Police arrest taxi driver in visitor’s theft; find drugs in his possession

By
Kalino Latu
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Police in Tongatapu arrested a taxi driver who they said stole a purse belonged to an Australian visitor.

The suspect was allegedly carrying six small packets of methamphetamine while he was confronted and taken to custody.

Police took the 27-year-old male driver after he allegedly stole the 79-year-old visitor’s belonging on September 10 at an accommodation in Nuku’alofa.

Police reportedly said the elderly woman left her purse outside her room at her accommodation at around 11:00am before it’s gone.

A complaint was lodged with Police at around 3.30pm.

Her purse along with other belongings were recovered and returned, except her about $600 cash.

The Fasi man has been charged with theft and possession of the illicit drug and was expected to appear at a Magistrate’s Court.

New Zealand donates emergency generator to Tonga Broadcasting Commission

By
Kaniva Staff
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Press Release

New Zealand has donated a new NZ$20,000 diesel generator to Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) to ensure it can broadcast critical messages to the public ahead of, during, and following natural disasters and in the event of power failure.

When TBC’s back-up generator was damaged by Cyclone Gita in February this year, New Zealand High Commissioner Tiffany Babington offered to replace the generator recognising TBC’s critical role in keeping the public informed in times of emergencies.

Today the new standby generator, supplied by New Zealand company Pace Power and Air, was commissioned at the Popua Main Antenna for AM radio broadcasting that reaches all of Tonga, including the Niuas.

“In November 2017, the TBC Board had made the decision to broadcast AM radio 24 hours seven days a week in the interests of public safety.

New Zealand’s gift will ensure that is possible” Chairman of the TBC Board, Leonaitasi Hoponoa said.

Acting General Manager Solomone Finau noted that the new generator will result in significant fuel savings for TBC.

“Instead of using 500 litres of fuel over 8 hours, our new generator only uses 250 litres over 30 hours.”

In addition to commissioning the new generator, HE Babington also discussed the recent announcement by New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters, that New Zealand will invest NZ$10 million over the next three years to expand broadcasting and training services in the Pacific.

This expanded programme will be delivered by Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited, which brought the New Zealand-funded Pasifika TV to the region including Tonga, in 2015. A key component of the expanded service will involve establishing a dedicated Pasifika TV channel.

Building on training provided in 2017, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited will deliver an enhanced training programme for Pacific broadcasters, including TBC, to strengthen regional broadcasting capacity, working directly with Pacific free-to-air broadcasters to develop skills and increase production of regional news, current affairs and local content.

The donation of the generator and the expanded broadcasting programme reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment to Pacific media and TBC.

Prof Ka’ili forewarns of Mālō E Lelei copyright as Fijians outraged following ‘bula’ trademark

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan professor Tēvita ‘Ō Ka’ili has forewarned Pacific countries of what he has described as a clear pattern of cultural theft after a US businessman trademarked Fiji’s traditional greeting, bula.

Ross Kashtan, owner of a Florida kava bar, has trademarked the word, which is the title of his business, Bula Nation Inc, as well as three bars. But of course, the word is also used by the entire nation of Fiji, and the trademark has angered some, Newshub has reported.

Prof Ka’ili predicted Tongan greeting Mālō E Lelei could be trademarked in the future.

The Associate Professor of Anthropology at Bringham Young University in Hawaii reminded Oceanians that the Hawai’ian greeting and parting, aloha had already been trademarked recently.

“Dear Oceanians, we are witnessing a clear pattern of cultural theft. Last month, it was ‘aloha’. This month is ‘bula’. Next month…’tālofa’ or ‘mālō e lelei’,” Prof Ka’ili wrote on his Facebook account.

According to Newshub a Fijian woman and University of Hawaii professor Tarisi Vunidilo said she’s shocked. Fijians weren’t consulted, given how important the word is to them, and many have called the trademark cultural appropriation.

“Reversing it may be difficult, but this is to highlight to him that there are people behind that word that have this word that means so much to them,” she says.

Intellectual property lawyer Sebastien Aymeric says to have the trademark revoked someone would need to successfully prove it is offensive. He says that process won’t be easy or cheap.

“Legal proceedings in the US will be five to 10 times more expensive than here, so they’re probably looking at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Aymeric says the trademark won’t impact anyone using the word bula outside of the US, but it could catch out anyone exporting products like kava with the word, including to the US.

Kashtan wasn’t available to speak to Newshub, but a barman at his Bula on the Beach says they’ve been inundated with angry messages.

“We have nothing but love and respect for kava and I know my boss is just trying to do good business,” he says.

It’s not the first time this has happened. In August a Chicago company caused outrage after it trademarked the traditional Hawaiian greeting, aloha. A bid by Fiji Airways to trademark 15 traditional tapa design prints in 2013 also caused upset.

“Money isn’t the issue for us,” says Vunidilo. “The issue for us is giving consideration for the people who own these words in the first place.”

She plans to start a petition to have the trademark revoked.

Stutton students shine during Tongan language contest in south Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan students in south Auckland were congratulated for their success during a Tongan language competition last week.

Year 7 and 8 students from Stutton Park School, St Annes Catholic School, Southern Campus Mangere and Kia Aroha College were successful during the competition.

It was part of a contest which began a week earlier and during the Tongan Language Week in New Zealand for students at Year 5 and Year 6.

Stutton Park school won the top places during the competitions.

A year 7 student Mele Moala of Sutton Park School became first while ‘Alakipōmana Fifita also from Sutton Park School won second place.

Teachers and judges

The third place was won by Mele Lavaka of Kia Aroha College.

The first place for year 8 students was awarded to Malia Moa of Sutton Park School. The
second place was awarded to Patricia Lotulelei of St Anne’s Catholic School while the third place went  to Televina Palanite of Southern Cross Campus.

A member of the judging panel Uanivā Havea congratulated the students’ achievements on social media.

“Congratulations to all the Contestants”

“Thanks to Sutton Park School for hosting this most important event,” she wrote.

Former Super Rugby player pleads not guilty over teammate assault

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Hamish McNeilly, smh.com.au

Ex-Super Rugby player Amanaki Lelei Mafi denies assaulting a teammate at a party after they lost a match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Mafi, 28, was charged with intent to injure Lopeti Timani on July 15, after their team, the Melbourne Rebels, lost 43-37 to the Highlanders in Dunedin the night before. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years’ jail.

A photo obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald showed 12-time capped Wallaby Timani with facial injuries after the alleged attack.

Timani and Mafi were reportedly drinking at a house in south Dunedin when things turned sour and Mafi allegedly attacked his teammate.

Both players were slapped with A$15,000 (NZ$16,300) fines for their involvement in the late-night bust-up.

The Dunedin District Court last month heard Mafi, now based in Japan, would have to return to court unless he had a successful meeting with his alleged victim.

Mafi was not in court on Tuesday morning, but defence counsel Anne Stevens told Judge Kevin Phillips that Mafi and Timani had tried to have a restorative justice conference.

A facilitator had found it “exceedingly difficult” to contact Timani, who is now playing rugby in France, Stevens said.

Judge Phillips expressed his frustration with the delays in the case, saying “it should be moved along one way or another”.

Stevens entered a not guilty plea on Mafi’s behalf and indicated he would seek a trial by jury, claiming self-defence.

Mafi and Timani would continue to try and meet for a restorative justice conference, which Judge Phillips described as “highly unusual” given Mafi’s not guilty plea.

The judge remanded Mafi on bail until the case is heard in November.

Mafi represented Tonga at the 2009 under-20 World Cup in Japan and, after moving there for rugby, was selected for Japan’s national side by then-coach Eddie Jones in 2014.

The No.8 played in the 2015 World Cup, including during Japan’s memorable 34-32 upset of South Africa.

He was signed by English club Bath but left under a cloud in May 2016 after what the Bath Chronicle reported was an altercation with the club’s head of sports medicine.

Mafi signed with the Rebels in August 2016.

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