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Father-of-nine is convicted of raping his girlfriend

By
Kaniva Staff
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A married man who has nine children had been convicted after he was found guilty Monday for raping his 20-year-old girlfriend.

Talanoa Fainu, who was in his 40s, was convicted of rape on two occasions and is remanded in custody for sentence. A probation report was ordered after he committed the crime on 15 May 2017 at Houma.

The Supreme Court heard the pair had consensual sex on some occasions after the rape.

They previously had consensual sexual foreplay but no intercourse involved as the complainant wanted to preserve her virginity, the court was told.

On the night of the crime the complainant’s parents went looking for her and found the accused’s vehicle near their home. The accused and the complainant were inside the car.

The complainant noticed her parents and asked the accused to drive them away because she was afraid of her father if he caught her.

The accused drove at speed to a bush area where, at one stage, in the rear seat of the vehicle, sexual intercourse took place on two occasions. The victim alleged that this was not consensual.

The complainant’s parents finally found her in the accused’s workplace the following morning.

The court was told that at one stage after they found her the mother intervened to prevent her husband assaulting the accused.

Justice Cato said the complainant was giving her account honestly.

“I accept her evidence that she was a virgin and wanted to remain so until she was 21, and that the experience was painful. She also admitted that a third act of intercourse which occurred later at the accused’s workplace when she was cold and the accused had suggested to have sexual intercourse to warm her up was consensual.”

Mr. Cato said he had some concern about the possibility that the complainant had lied on the issue of whether the sexual intercourse that took place in the bush was non-consensual because she was very frightened of her father and may have falsely made a complaint of rape to placate her father.

“If that were the case and she had made a false complaint to the police then her evidence could have been tailored to advance the false complaint.”

Justice Cato said: “I am satisfied, however, on all the evidence I have heard that beyond any reasonable doubt A did not consent to intercourse on the two occasions alleged and that the accused must have known this.”

Mr. Cato said, he did not believe in Fainu in his voluntary statement that the intercourse was consensual.

Tonga’s press freedom ranking drops in aftermath of Pohiva’s clashes with media

By
Philip Cass
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Tonga has dropped two places in this year’s international press freedom rankings from Reporters Sans frontiers.

It is now listed as 51st out of 180 countries.

This places it ahead of the two other Pacific nations listed by the RSF: Papua New Guinea, which has dropped two places to 53rd and Fiji, which has risen by 10 places to 57th.

The RSF report said the re-election of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s party in November 2017 was accompanied by growing tension between the government and journalists.

Hon. Pohiva has had a tempestuous relationship with the kingdom’s media and his constant clashes with the Tongan Broadcasting Commission have particularly drawn attention

The International Federation of Journalists reported last November that news editor Laumanu Petelō and news manager Viola Ulakai were removed from their positions as part of the clash with the Prime Minister.

The TBC’s board chair and the general manager were also removed.

Hon. Pohiva described the state broadcaster as “an enemy of government.”

“They claim the freedom of media should be allowed, should be the same with any other media in Tonga but they should understand there is a basic difference between a private media and also government media. Their main role, to me, is to facilitate the work of the government.”

The RSF noted that some politicians have sued media outlets, exposing them to the risk of heavy damages awards. Some journalists reported they were forced to censor themselves because of the threat of being bankrupted.

However, it noted that independent media outlets have increasingly assumed a watchdog role since the first democratic elections in 2010.

The RSF index ranks 180 countries according to the level of freedom available to journalists. It is a snapshot of the media freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists in each country.

In other international rankings, the US-based Freedom House listed the Tongan media as free in 2017. On a scale of one (most free) to 7 (least free) it ranked the kingdom  as 2/7 for political rights and civil liberties.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, RSF reported that while Papua New Guinea’s media enjoyed a relatively free environment, journalists were still subject to violence. There were several cases in 2017 of journalists being the targets of police violence and some officials directly threatened journalists whose articles criticize them.

The authorities repeatedly prevented the media and citizen-journalists from freely covering the elections in June and July 2017.

In Fiji, the RSF said the adoption of a new constitution in 2013 and the ensuing parliamentary elections in September 2014 had a positive effect on access to information. This could be seen in the public debate and pluralistic coverage during the election itself despite some problems in the run-up, the RSF said.

However, the media were still restricted by the 2010 Media Industry Development Decree and the Media Industry Development Authority. The RSF said the ruling Fiji First party were hostile to Fijian journalists.

National Reserve Bank assesses state of economy in aftermath of Cyclone Gita

By
Philip Cass
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Cyclone Gita has had a major impact on Tonga’s economy.

According to the National Reserve Bank it will reduce financial growth in the short term, but will also boost foreign reserves.

The Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr. Sione Ngongo Kioa told the bank’s board of directors’ meeting earlier this month that domestic economic activities in February 2018 were affected by the devastation by tropical cyclone Gita.

Kioa said this would also be reflected in the economic activities of upcoming months.

Foreign reserves increased to $448 million in February 2018, driven by higher receipts of Government grants and cyclone relief funds from development partners and insurance payouts.

Economic indicators were mixed.  Agricultural exports declined, mainly driven by the decrease in the volume of root crops such as cassava and giant taro. Exported marine products, particularly tuna, rose.

Individual housing and business construction loans remained positive despite the decline in business manufacturing loans.

However, container registrations decreased as both business and private containers fell. Vehicle registrations for cars and other light vehicles also fell. There was also decline in air arrivals.

The Reserve Bank said foreign aid and higher levels of remittance meant levels of foreign reserves would remain at comfortable levels.

The Bank warned that this would be offset by the beginning of the government’s repayment of the principal loan to China’s Export-Import Bank.

The Bank’s board of directors said it would maintain its current monetary policy measures of encouraging further lending to the growth sectors, in order to support economic growth and the recovery from Tropical Cyclone Gita.

The Economist Intelligence Unit predicted that reconstruction work would boost economic activity in Tonga into next year. However, this would be  offset by the loss of crops and a fall-of in tourism.

The International Monetary Fund said economic damage from Cyclone Gita equalled about 30 percent of GDP, particularly in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

The main points

  • Cyclone Gita has had a major impact on Tonga’s economy.
  • According to the National Reserve Bank it will reduce financial growth in the short term, but will also boost foreign reserves.
  • The Governor of the Reserve Bank, Sione Ngongo Kioa told the bank’s board of directors’ meeting earlier this month that domestic economic activities in February 2018 were affected by the devastation by tropical cyclone Gita.

For more information

Cyclone Gita devastates Tonga (The Economist)

Asia and Pacific Small States Monitor (IMF)

King attends ANZAC dawn service in Nuku’alofa

By
Kaniva Staff
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His Majesty King Tupou VI has honoured Australia and New Zealand’s war dead at a dawn service in Nuku’alofa this morning.

The king attended the Anzac Day service at the Pangai Lahi cenotaph, organised by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was also in attendance including Members of Parliament, Ministers of the Crown, officers from the Australian and New Zealand armed forces, foreign diplomats and some members of the public.

A statement from the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga said: “On ANZAC day, we remember all Australian and New Zealand veterans of all conflicts. We acknowledge the sacrifice of all those who have died in conflict, and the contribution of all those who have served.”

Just before dawn on this day in 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey with a large number of casualties. It was then, and in the battles that followed, that the Australian and New Zealand Army Coprs – the ANZAC – tradition was formed, based on courage, bravery, compassion and comradery.

Shortly after the Gallipoli campaign, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force began to seek Polynesian volunteers from across the South Pacific. These volunteers served mainly in Māori units. In this way, soldiers recruited from the Kingdom of Tonga joined the fraternity of the ANZACs and service in Western Europe and Palestine.

All of our countries were relatively small players in these great clashes of nations. As small countries, the sacrifice of life and limb was keenly felt at home. This was true whether home was Tonga, New Zealand or Australia. All around New Zealand and Australia and across the world, services like this one are being held to commemorate ANZAC Day.

“We will remember them.”

At the New Zealand commemorations today, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Grant Robertson said: “It was on the Western Front where New Zealand made its most significant contribution to the First World War, and also where New Zealand suffered the greatest loss of life. More than 12,000 New Zealanders died in France and Belgium between 1916 and 1919.

Caritas, Habitat for Humanity working on housing project in wake of Cyclone Gita

By
Philip Cass
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Catholic NGO Caritas and the American-based organisation Habitat for Humanity are working together to build new homes in Tonga to replace homes destroyed  by Cyclone Gita.

The NGOs are working with the Tongan government on the project.

Amelia Ma’afu, Acting Director of Caritas Tonga, said cyclone resistant family houses built in 2016-2017 through a Caritas Tonga/Habitat for Humanity housing programme came through Cyclone Gita with hardly any damage.

A total of eight one bedroom wooden houses were built as a pilot project in a few weeks from materials shipped in by Habitat for Humanity by people who had lost their homes and volunteers.

Cyclone Gita struck Tonga on the night of 12-13 February, destroying more than 4500 houses.

Tonga staff and volunteers, working closely with the Tongan National Youth Council, distributed tarpaulins, water, hygiene and kitchen sets, in the days immediately following the cyclone.

It is now concentrating on helping people rebuild homes and provide psychosocial support.

The rebuilding project with Habitat for Humanity aims to rebuild 500 homes.

A campaign is underway in New Zealand to raise NZ$1 million to fund the project.

Habitat for Humanity Chief executive Claire Szabo said the money raised would include money from the community and businesses lending financial support, tools and tradespeople.

“The locals are very involved,” she told Radio New Zealand.

“We have engineers and builders that are involved in supervision both here in New Zealand and up in Tonga. So there’s a whole crew of people to get involved to make our model happen.”

Tonga to issue ‘visa on arrival’ to Emiratis

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga has allowed visas on arrival for Emiratis who came to Tonga on diplomatic, VIP, special mission and ordinary passports.

This was confirmed in an agreement which would take effect in May 24.

The Emiratis, after being issued with visas at Tonga international airport, could stay in the kingdom for up to 60 days during each visit.

The Gulf News report has quoted Ahmad Alham Al Daheri, the United Arab Emirates’ Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs, as saying the move came “following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in this regard by the governments of the two countries on Monday, following a joint committee meeting in Abu Dhabi.”

Tongan passport holders could now travel to the United Arab Emirates on visa on arrival. They could also travel to countries such as China, Barbados, Dominica, United Kingdom, Peru, Fiji, Bahamas, Ireland, Hong Kong, Kenya and Bangladesh without getting a visa before their trip.

As Kaniva News reported in 2016, the Tonga government signed an agreement with the Chinese government in June to allow Chinese nationals to come to Tonga on visa on arrival.

They were allowed to stay in the country for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Other Pacific Island countries which have visa on arrival agreement included Fiji,  Palau, Samoa and Vanuatu.

The Prime Minister’s office was contacted for comment.

For further information:

Chinese tourists enter Tonga on “visa on arrival” not “without visa” government clarifies

Tonga Rugby Union member served with trespass notice, suspended

By
Kalino Latu
-

A trespass notice has been issued to a Tonga Rugby Union member for being allegedly “rude and offensive” while he turned up at the Union’s main office in Nuku’alofa on April 16.

‘Aisea ‘Aholelei had been suspended from TRU board pending future disciplinary action.

“I regret having to resort to this action but your filthy outbursts in the presence of the TRU office staff and Under 20 Team Manager beggar’s belief and rightly deserved to be disciplined,” a copy of the notice seen by Kaniva News said.

It said ‘Aholelei’s actions breached  TRU’s Code of Conduct.

Aholelei took to Facebook and posted the notice.

“This is what happens when you voice the honest truth to Tonga Rugby Union bosses what is happening to Tongan Rugby if nothing changes,” ‘Aholelei wrote on Facebook.

“In accordance with the authority vested in me as being the TRU’s ICEO and as stipulated in clause 28 of TRU’s constitution dated 21 June 2013, your position as Vahekolo District  Representative to the TRU Board of Directors is hereby suspended pending future Discipline Action,” the notice, which was signed by TRU Interim CEO Fe’ao Vunipola said.

Vunipola, who confirmed to us the trespass notice, told ‘Aholelei his action was uncalled for and it against the Triparte Agreement which was jointly endorsed by World Rugby, Tonga government and TRU last year.

Call for more Pasifika midwives as three Tongan women graduate

By
Philip Cass
-

Three Tongan women have become Registered Midwives after completing the Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) degree at Auckland University of Technology.

Valentina Tu’itavuki Kulitapa, Elani Mafi Latu’ila and Helen Schaaf Tameifuna will begin working in South Auckland as self employed lead maternity carer (LMC) midwives.

They will initially work in Counties Manukau Health care area which has the largest number of Pasifika women giving birth.

Only 2.2 percent of midwives in New Zealand are of Pasifika descent and only a handful are Tongan.

Statistically, Pasifika women are most likely to book a midwife late when they are more than 37 weeks pregnant.

This means they miss out on crucial care and information and often face problems during their pregnancy.

The AUT midwives course has  been described as difficult, with students expected to be on call and no time for part time work.

All three women have children and had to juggle the demands of family and study.

For all its difficulties, they described the course as “doable.”

Clinical educator and Pacific student liaison for the midwifery programme at AUT South Campus, Nga Marsters said New Zealand needed more Pacifika midwives.

She said there were only 10 Pasifika midwives in South Auckland.

“That’s not enough,” Marsters said.

“Pacific mums should be able to have access to Pacific midwives. Pacific midwives work better with Pacific mothers because they can understand each other better.

“We need to increase the number of Pacific midwifes in the community and encourage more Pacific people to study midwifery.”

If you are looking for a midwife, you can contact Valentina on 021 0741330, Elani on 021 02778172, or Helen on 022 432 2300‬.

The main points

  • Three Tongan women have become Registered Midwives after completing the Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) degree at Auckland University of Technology.
  • Valentina Tu’itavuki Kulitapa, Elani Mafi Latu’ila and Helen Schaaf Tameifuna will begin working in South Auckland as self employed lead maternity carer (LMC) midwives.
  • Only 2.2 percent of midwives in New Zealand are of Pasifika descent and only a handful are Tongan.

For more information

The Aunties initiative – creating more Pacific midwives

British embassy to reopen in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The British consulate which was closed in Tonga since 2006 will reopen soon.

The move comes as the UK prepares to exit from the European Union within 12 months.

Radio New Zealand International said the United Kingdom is to also open new diplomatic posts in Vanuatu and Samoa.

“They are among nine new posts in Commonwealth countries as part of an expansion of the UK’s overseas network announced by the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson,” it said.

Tonga’s diplomatic relationship with Britain could be traced back to 1880 after the Treaty of Friendship between Great Britain and Tonga was signed in 1879.

Man arrested in Tongatapu for meth, drug paraphernalia

By
Kalino Latu
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Police have arrested a 54-year-old man in a premise in Ma’ufanga yesterday April 23 for possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The newly established Police Drug Taskforce seized 4.72 grams of methamphetamine, 23.03 grams of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and cash.

The accused has been charged with possession of illicit drugs.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said: “As demonstrated by this second arrest by the Drug Taskforce, we are focused on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.

We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact their nearest Police station or contact 23417.”

The suspect remains in police custody while investigation continues.

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