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Samoa MMR vaccine deaths warn Tonga, says Health CEO

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: An inquiry in Samoa following the deaths of two infants last week gave Tonga an opportunity to pay more attention to its immunisation process, Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said.

Samoa’s Government has seized supplies of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as a result.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said Tonga only used the vaccine for measles and rubela (MR).

“It is important for us to wait for the results of the investigation into the Samoa cases which involved WHO and UNICEF,” ‘Akau’ola said in Tongan.

The babies were brought to Safotu Hospital in Savai’i on Friday, where they died within minutes of the receiving the MMR vaccine, Television New Zealand reported.

Dr Helen Petousis-Harris, the University of Auckland’s Director of Research at the Immunisation Advisory Centre, told Stuff deaths associated with vaccines were extremely rare.

“This is an exceptional event … we shouldn’t fly into a panic,” she reportedly said.

The Cook Islands has lifted a suspension on the MMR vaccine which was announced after the Samoa deaths.

The Cook Islands Secretary for Health, Josephine Aumea Herman, reportedly said checks had revealed that stocks of the MMR vaccine in the Cooks did not come from the same batch that had been recalled in Samoa.

Dr Aumea Herman said the Cook Islands had a 100 percent MMR infant vaccination rate.

Two top government officials quit

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Emeline Tuita, CEO of Tonga Tourism, is quitting the government Ministry after less than a year.

A reliable source said that working relationship issue was behind her resignation.

It said Tuita had been thinking about her departure for quite some time.

Tuita’s resignation will be effective sometime this month, it said.

Meanwhile, Tonga’s Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi Tiueti has also quit her job.

Dr Paletenitina has resigned to join her husband Rev Dr Silivēnusi Tiueti who is being sent to California by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

A government source claimed Dr Palenitena’s husband has also sought medical treatment in the United States.

The Prime Minister’s media spokesperson, Tuita and Dr Palenitina had been contacted for comment.

Dr Siliveinusi had been teaching at Tonga’s Sia’atoutai Theological College but the church’s 95 Conference last week has  moved him to a parish in California.

Dr Palenitina would pursue studies for the ministry, Radio New Zealand reported.

Prime minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva reportedly said he supports her choice and wishes her well.

Tongan X-Factor “can’t believe” her old family home was where a girl’s body found

By
Kalino Latu
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Former Tongan X-Factor contestant Ashely Tonga couldn’t believe the house she had lived in for 10 years has become a target of a homicide investigation this week.

A body of a 17-year-old girl was found at the house in Buckland Rd, Māngere, on Tuesday.

Tonga and her mum moved out of the home about two weeks ago.

“This is beyond sad. Love and light to the family of the young girl,” she wrote on Facebook yesterday.

Since they left, her neighbours had seen people going inside, Newshub reported.

Ms Tonga said when she went back to pick up post from the house early Sunday evening, something didn’t feel right.

“I just got that … hair standing on the back of my [neck], that was while I was at the back [of the house] and I ran [out],” she said.

The next day Ms Tonga received news that a body had been found at the house.

“I was just shocked when I was talking to the neighbour [because] she had said the body was there for a while,” she said.

Police Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua said a formal identification of the victim has now been completed but Police are not in a position to release the name of the deceased as next of kin are yet to be informed.

A scene examination, including a forensic analysis of the scene, has been completed over the past two days at the address as we seek to piece together what has taken place, he said.

A post-mortem examination has been completed.

Initial indications from enquiries are that the death occurred sometime during the day on Saturday 7, July.

Inspector Vaaelua said the investigation was in its early phases, however Police were speaking with several individuals in relation to this matter.

“Any homicide case is a tragedy, however this case involves a vulnerable young female and we are determined to establish the circumstances surrounding her death, which is the priority in our investigation.

“We are also offering support to the family of the victim,” says Detective Inspector Vaaelua.

“We appreciate that there is media interest in this matter, however this is a very complex matter and for investigational reasons, we are only able to release limited information at this time.

“We will provide further information as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

“Alo will always be in our heart,” Tongan politician says

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan Member of Parliament said her first cousin Alo Ngata was a family guy and had a lot of respect to his siblings and relatives.

MP Akosita Lavulavu said Ngata, who died in Auckland last week after Police tasered him multiple times, was a dear brother to them all.

“He is the kind of person who would accept anybody with open arms, respected the elderly, and you could always count on him to make you smile and be happy,” MP Lavulavu said.

“He was a joyful character.

“A huge loss to our Ngata Family. Most of us still can’t even get over the fact that he has passed on.

“We are grieving in so much pain because of our loss, our love and greatest memories of not only a son, but a brother, an uncle and soon to be father.

The memories of Alo will always be in our hearts. He was a blessing to us all. and he will surely be missed.”

A wake was being held tonght at 11 Bolderwood place, Wiri for Ngata.

His body will be laid to rest tomorrow at the Manukau Memorial Garden, Papatoetoe.

According to his Facebook, Ngata studied “Criminology” at Tangaroa College.

He was arrested on Sunday allegedly violently assaulting an elderly person in Auckland’s Freemans Bay.

Police said he was found kicking the victim in the head several times as he lay unconscious.

Ngata then “lunged” towards the officers before he was Tasered multiple times.

“During the arrest process the offender violently struggled, which required two more back-up officers to assist to apply necessary restraints and a spit hood,” Superintendent Karyn Malthus said.

Read more

Tongan man died after being tasered by police in Auckland named

Homicide investigation after girl, 17, found dead in Māngere

By
Kalino Latu
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Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a 17 year old girl at an address in Buckland Road, Mangere over the weekend.

Police have been conducting a scene examination at the address and are following lines of enquiries to establish the circumstances around the death.

The victim is yet to be formally identified and a post-mortem is being carried out today, said Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua, Counties Manukau Field Crime Manager.

There are no further updates at this stage.

Two deaths shock Tongans in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu
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The death of two men in Tonga last night has left family and friends in New Zealand devastated.

As Kaniva News reported last night, Tēvita Filikitonga, 38, also known as Tēvita ‘Uhila and Molisoni Kioa Moeakiola, 49, died instantly after a car they were in crashed into a tree in Holonga at about 9pm.

Filikitonga spent sometimes in New Zealand before he returned to Tonga recently.

Filikitonga and Moeakiola were brothers in law.

Filikitonga’s partner is Molisoni’s young sister.

Molisoni’s young brother Tevita Moeakiola and his wife Paea Sime Moeakiola who were currently staying in Auckland told Kaniva the news of their death had shocked the family in New Zealand.

Photos provided to us showed the couple appeared devastated and tearful after they received the sad story.

Filikitonga’s friends and relatives in New Zealand could not believe the news.

” OMG can’t believe this sis..Rip to the one of my bros best friend Tevita,” a commenter wrote on Filikitonga’s Facebook page. 

“What?” a neighbour member of Filikitonga in Tonga wrote on Facebook when he saw the tragic news.

“We missed you Teita. Rest in Peace,” another wrote.

Read more

Two men die in Tongatapu crash, reports say

Suspected meth dealers arrested after suspicious parked van spotted  

By
Kalino Latu
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Three suspected drug dealers had been arrested in Tongatapu after reports of suspicious parked van spotted between Fatumu and Lavengatonga on June 25.

Police also found one plastic bag of methamphetamine, one .22 rifle and ammunition in the accused’s possession.

The Pea and Folaha suspects have been charged with possession of the illicit drug, a firearm and ammunition without a license.

They are expected to appear at a Magistrate’s Court.

Tongan expert becomes first woman to head FFA

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan expert on tuna has been appointed as the new Director General of the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency.

Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen is currently Legal Counsel at the FFA headquarters in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Her new appointment will take effect in November this year.

She will be the first woman to head the regional agency in which she will oversee the fisheries of Pacific island countries.

Dr Tupou-Roosen, who was nominated by the Tongan government.

The former CEO of the PNA office as well as a former Deputy Director General and Legal Counsel of FFA, Dr Transform Aqorau reportedly said:

“It is great testament to her diligence, hard work and commitment that she has the confidence of the Committee. I am heartened by the appointment of Dr. Manu, the first female to head the organisation which should be an inspiration to all Pacific Islanders especially our women,” Dr Aqorau told this magazine.

“On a more personal level, I am pleased to have played a small part in her remarkable journey as I had been responsible for her appointment as Legal Officer in 2005 at the FFA when I was Legal Counsel. She replaced me as Legal Counsel when I became Deputy Director General so I am really happy to see her progress to the highest echelons of the organisation.

“She is going to be taking over at a time when the FFA needs to find its niche and where it can really make a contribution to the peoples of the Pacific Islands. They are making excellent strides in monitoring, control and surveillance but are struggling in the fisheries policy realm which requires a bit of refocus. This is going to be challenging as she navigates through the political economy of the fisheries.”

Two men die in Tongatapu crash, reports say

By
Kalino Latu
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Two people have been killed after a car they were in crashed into a tree near Holonga this evening at about 9pm, according to a live-streamed video and an online report from the scene.

Police and Emergency Services attended the crash.

Nau Paletu’a, who was livestreaming the crash and talking to Kaniva News through messenger from the scene in Tonga, said Police removed the driver from the car.

Alcohol, speed and a lack of seatbelts are suspected factors in the fatal crash.

It is believed the two relatives were from Holonga.

Tonga Chamber of Commerce thief strikes again

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga Chamber of Commerce have appealed for information after a suspected burglar broke into their office to get to a liquor and a retailed store next door at 6am Saturday 7.

It is believed this was the same suspect who stole laptops, tablet, external hard drive and about TP$600 cash from the Chamber’s office two weeks ago.

Lakai Fonua from the Office said nothing was taken from the office during the second incident.

It was not clear whether the suspect took anything from the shops.

The man with a “star” tattooed on his right hand was caught on the liquor store’s CCTV system.

According to Fonua, the footage showed the suspect was wearing a hoodie with a distinctive flap on it when he struck again.

A forensic investigator had investigated the scene after the incident was reported to Police, Fonua said.

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