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New Zealand increases cyclone funds after PM Ardern meets Hon. Pōhiva

By
Kalino Latu
-

New Zealand will provide an extra NZ$10 million for post cyclone reconstruction, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in Tonga today.

She made the announcement after meeting with Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akiliksi Pōhiva.

Hon. Pōhiva welcomed Ms Ardern to Tonga yesterday and thanked New Zealand for its help with the recovery from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gita.

Today Ms Ardern was due to attend a Women’s Leadership Breakfast, visit Fasi moe Afi Government Primary School and the village of Pili.

At the school Ms Ardern saw school children learning in the tents they have been using since the cyclone destroyed several classrooms.

At the school she handed over school materials funded by the New Zealand-funded Pacific Literacy and School Leadership Programme.

She also visited the temporary Parliament House, where she was received by the speaker, Hon. Fakafanua.

This the first time Ms Ardern’s has paid an official visit to Tonga since becoming Prime Minister.

During the New Zealand delegation’s visit to Tonga, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the appointment of Tiffany Babbington as High Commissioner to Tonga.

New Zealand is committed to investing $NZ64.6m on energy, policing, justice and education in Tonga over the next three years.

Prime Minister Ardern has been visiting Pacific Islands with a delegation of New Zealand officials and politicians and is due to end her tour in the Cook Islands.

Time for a parting of the ways with Lord Ma‘afu, says Prime Minister

By
Philip Cass
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Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said today he regarded Lord Ma’afu as his son, but the time had come for a parting of the ways.

“I selected him to help me in steering our government after the elections in 2014 and again in 2017,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“Sadly, it is obvious that we disagree on a number of things.”

The Prime Minister was reacting to the circulation online of comments by Lord Ma’afu to the staff of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Lord Ma’afu resigned recently as Minister for Land and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Hon. Pōhiva said Lord Ma’afu had alleged that on March 3 Cabinet had discussed a Cabinet Submission recommending that Cabinet approve the application by the Solicitor General to the Supreme Court for the judicial review of His Majesty’s prerogative to assent to or veto a piece of legislation that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly.

He also alleged that the Prime Minister had not wanted him to attend the meeting as his presence could give rise to a prolonged dispute.

The Prime Minister said Lord Ma’afu has also alleged that Hon. Pōhiva had wrongly accused him of having signed a Regulation authorising Life Peers to register as candidates in the election of Noble’s representatives to the Legislative Assembly, while the Prime Minister was on an official trip overseas.

“While I attended the annual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Samoa in September 2017, Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi was Acting Prime Minister of Tonga,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“As Acting Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi made the “Electoral (Election of Representatives of the Nobles) Regulations 2017”, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 9B of the Electoral Act 1989.

“This Regulation authorised Life Peers to be candidates in the upcoming elections for Nobles’ Representatives to the Legislative Assembly in November 2017.

“Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi made this Electoral Regulations without informing the rest of the members of Cabinet, or the rest of members of the Nobles of the Realm, or the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, or the Attorney General’s Office, or the Solicitor General’s Office.”

He said Lord Ma’afu should have at least informed the other members of the Nobles of the Realm and the rest of Cabinet.

The Prime Minister said that while Cabinet had discussed a Cabinet Submission regarding His Majesty’s prerogative to assent to or veto legislations that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly is correct, it was not the intention of the Cabinet Submission to seek a judicial review of His Majesty’s prerogative.

“The current Cabinet, and the Government that I lead, respects and supports that particular Royal prerogative as we believe it is an absolutely essential element of the system of government that we had agreed to,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“The aim of the Cabinet Submission that we discussed was to seek a judicial review of the right of the Privy Council to approve or disapprove a piece of legislation that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly.”

The Constitution did not give any authority to the Privy Council to approve or disapprove a piece of legislation that had been adopted by the Legislative Assembly, but five pieces of legislation that had been passed by the Legislative Assembly between 2014 and 2016 had been deferred by the Council, he said.

“Some of these had been adopted by the Legislative Assembly during Lord Tu’ivakano’s term as Prime Minister,” he said.

“The Hon Minister for Justice tabled the Cabinet Submission that was discussed after it had been vetted by a legal expert in his Ministry and vetted by the Solicitor General. This was discussed on March 3 and Cabinet agreed to defer their final decision.”

For more information

Life peers agree with king to not stand as candidates in elections, AG says

King’s judicial committee causes instability in the country, Justice Minister says

Lord Ma’afu resigns as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources

Heartbreaking video of girl crying after her pet pig was found shot dead

By
Kalino Latu
-

Please click on – Watch on Facebook – above to watch the video on Facebook.

A video shared on social media showed a school girl in despair after her pet pig Bingo was shot dead apparently by a hunter.

The tearful girl wept and lamented the loss of her pet.

A young boy who was standing by the lifeless pig and appeared upset was overheard saying the pig was shot.

After the video was posted on Facebook, commenters shared their memories of losing their own pets when they were younger.

One wrote: ‘I remember the feeling of losing a pet you love for the first time in my life. It’s devastating.”

“For a child to realise that something you love is never going to come back is a real tragedy,” another wrote in Tongan.

The video was uploaded to Liku’alofa resort’s Facebook page yesterday.  Various  viral  accounts have shared the images and received hundreds on ‘reactions’ and shares.

The Liku’alofa owner has confirmed the incident to Kaniva News.

The video was accompanied by a caption in Tongan: “Lolotonga e tau kei fkakeake mei a Gita Kuo hanga mai ae kau fkehaua ia moe kau kaiha’a puaka o sii fanai a Bingo oku sii lolotonga mohe pe I Likualofa ??? te mau mate he sii tangi R.I.P. Bingo.”

This translates into English as: “While we recover from Cyclone Gita the tormentors and robbers shot Bingo while she was asleep in Liku’alofa. We could not stop crying. R.I.P Bingo.”

Some commentators sympathised with the girl while others share their outrage at the killing labelling the action as “barbaric.”


China aid to Tonga comes ‘with no string attached’, Chinese president told King

By
Kaniva Staff
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This article appeared on Global Times  

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing with Tonga’s King Tupou VI Thursday, and they agreed to further promote the strategic partnership between China and Tonga.

During their talks held in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said King Tupou VI has made historic contribution to China-Tonga ties and he hoped that the royal family of Tonga would continue to play a positive role in the development of bilateral ties.

This year marks 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Tonga diplomatic ties. Tupou VI came to China in the capacity of foreign and defense minister 20 years ago to sign a communique to establish diplomatic relations.

Xi said China and the Pacific island countries including Tonga were good friends and partners.

“It is put forward at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that China will advance a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future for mankind,” Xi said.

He called on both countries to enhance exchanges at all levels and strengthen political mutual trust, continue to support and understand each other on issues concerning sovereignty, territory integrity and national dignity.

Xi encouraged the two countries to expand communication and exchanges between government departments and legislature bodies, dig up potential in cooperation in various areas and forge ahead with cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Noting that China knows well the challenges small developing island countries such as Tonga faced with during their economic and social development, Xi said China was willing to continue to provide Tonga with economic and technological assistance within its capability and would never attach any political conditions to such assistance.

He said China would fulfill all its promises to let more local people benefit from China-Tonga cooperation.

Xi also said that China would like to enhance cooperation with Tonga on climate change and strengthen exchanges with Pacific island countries.

Tupou VI, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a nine-day state visit, first congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress.

Speaking highly of Xi’s “visionary and talented leadership,” Tupou VI said he believed that China would score even greater achievements under Xi’s leadership.

He said Tonga attached great importance to the relationship with China and appreciated China’s support and assistance to the country, especially the assistance provided immediately after it was hit by a recent hurricane.

“Tonga agrees with China on its vision to build a new type of international relations and stands ready to work with China to build a community with a shared future for mankind,” the King said.

He said Tonga firmly adhered to the one-China policy.

Noting that Tonga was willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas including trade, infrastructural construction and under the Belt and Road Initiative, Tupou VI said he hoped China could help Tonga to realize greater development and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Tonga supports China in deepening ties with Pacific island countries, he said.

After the talks, the two countries signed seven agreements in areas including economic and technological cooperation, human resources and education with the witness of the two heads of state.

The two countries issued a joint press communique Thursday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with King Tupou VI Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

Li called on the two countries to consolidate political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges and integrate the Belt and Road Initiative and Tonga’s development strategy.

“China supports the major production projects, infrastructure and projects related to people’s well-being in Tonga,” Li said, adding that “China is willing to have agricultural technology exchanges with Tonga, and the Chinese market also welcomes high-quality agricultural and fishery products from Tonga.”

Li also extended his condolences over the tropical cyclone damage in Tonga and reiterated that China would offer as much help as possible.

King Tupou VI said Tonga was ready to cooperate more with China in education, infrastructure, agriculture and food to realize win-win results.

Besides Beijing, Tupou VI will also visit the eastern province of Zhejiang and southern provinces of Hainan and Guangdong during his nine-day stay in China.

Mates killed in ‘Atele crash laid to rest

By
Kalino Latu
-

Catholics and Protestants came together in grief for the funerals of Fangufangumana Jr Lātū and Sōsefo Kalangalupe Lōloa.

Services for the men were held one after the other at different churches, with the two families attending both.

Lōloa’s coffin was carried into the Catholic chapel of Sangato Mikaele yesterday, Monday 4, in Lapaha.

Fangufangumana’s body was laid to rest on Sunday.

A matāpule who spoke at Loma, the Catholic cemetery in Lapaha,  told mourners Lōloa’s death was a “great loss to the family.”

A SUTT church in Fasimoeafi was also packed as Lātū’s family came together with friends and relatives to pray for the soul of their beloved son.

Lātū and Lōloa, who were known best friends since they were at high school died after a car they were passengers in crashed with a van on February 24.

As Kaniva News reported, a third person died in Vaiola hospital after the crash.

The deceased were on their way from Lapaha after a barbecue party.

Sōsefo was a teacher at Lōtolu Government Middle school for about 10 years before he was moved to teach at Talafo’ou Government Middle School this year.

Kaniva News understands Fangufangumana was a Biology teacher and he held a post of Teaching Assistant at the University of the South Pacific’s Centre of Forensic Science, Tonga campus.

For further information

Crash victims were “teachers and best friends” while at high school: wife

Pacific Islands are canary in the coal mine for climate change says Minister

By
Philip Cass
-

Vanuatu and Tuvalu are the canary in the coal mine that will sound the alarm for climate change, according to New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific Peoples Apito William Sio.

The Minister has used the example of the two island groups as the centre point for an education campaign about climate change he began when he was in opposition.

He said people had different levels of knowledge and feelings about climate change.

“People in the know have a sense of urgency,” the Minister told Kaniva News.

“But we also have people who don’t know.”

“There is a lot of work to do.”

The Minister visited Tuvalu and Kiribati in 2016 and has since shown videos he made depicting the effects of climate change on the islands and their people as part of his education campaign.

They videos feature local people talking about climate change and how it is affecting their lives.

Hon. Sio said extreme climate events were becoming more regular.

There were prolonged periods of wetter, dryer and hotter climates, with king tides occurring more regularly.

In Kiribati, coastal flooding destroyed crops, homes and grave sites.

Ground water pollution led to unsafe drinking water, which caused diarrhoea, waterborne Diseases and contributed to child deaths.

The Islands also faced continuing problems with waste management, food insecurity, growing populations and reliance on imported goods.

However, the people and governments of Kiribati and Tuvalu were working to defend their islands.

In Kiribati the government was building a seawall made of rocks imported from Fiji and in Tuvalu they were reclaiming the seafront.

Planting mangroves to hold the beach and foreshore together was also part of the Islands’ defences.

“This is about our children,” Hon. Sio said.

“Remember the canary in the coal mine. When it dies, we are all in danger.”

 

For more information

Kiribati video

Tuvalu video

PM Pōhiva pays tribute to Chinese couple killed in Lakepa

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has given foreigners a warm welcome and said  Tonga was a safe and secure country to live in.

Hon. Pōhiva’s statement was made in a tribute to a Chinese couple who were found dead on February 25 in Matafonua, Lakepa.

The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Wen, who were at their 50s, were found in a bush allotment with obvious wounds.

Police have charged two male teenagers aged 17 and 15 in relation to the couple’s death.

The Hon. Prime Minister said: “Words cannot express how deeply sad and angry I am to know that Mr. and Mrs. Wen were killed in a most violent way. I am also very sad to know that the alleged assailants are a 15 year old and a 17 year old”.

“To Mr. and Mrs. Wen’s son and family, I apologise from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the Government and people of Tonga. That is not how Tongans treat visitors to our shores and those who have chosen to make Tonga their home”, the Hon Prime Minister said.

The couple used to sell vegetables at the Talamahu vegetable market as well as at road-side stalls in Fanga’o Pilolevu.

They were well-known to people, the statement said.

“Mrs. Wen was reportedly to be especially loved by women shoppers who she all called, “My sister!”

The Hon Prime Minister also said: “Let me take the opportunity to reassure all visitors to Tonga that you are most welcome here and that Tonga is your home too. And the Tonga Government and the Tonga Police will do everything within its powers to ensure that you are safe and secure here.”

Prior to Mr. and Mrs. Wen’s death, an Australian woman was seriously injured as a result of a violent home invasion and robbery in the village of Fahefa on Tongatapu. The two assailants are also in Police custody.

Hon. Pōhiva also thanked “Tonga Police for their quick action in apprehending those allegedly responsible for these violent offences against visitors to our shores”.

Fundraising event for cyclone on March 15

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Tonga Business Council will host a fundraising event for Cyclone Gita on March 15.

The Pacific Co-operation Foundation said all funds raised will be donated to Cyclone Gita relief.

“This presents an ideal opportunity for the business community here in Aotearoa to support the NZ Tonga Business Council in this wonderful and much-needed initiative,” the PCF said.

This is the latest project to raise funds for the kingdom, which was devastated when the cyclone struck.

A number of aid agencies and Pacific leaders have said that the  best way to help Tonga is by donating money.

New Zealand Red Cross Pacific spokesperson Malia Tua’i said cash was the fastest, most effective way to help.

However, other groups have taken a different approach.

The head of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, told Radio New Zealand six containers filled with donations were expected to be despatched to Tonga over the weekend.

He said Matsons Shipping had donated six containers.

He said the Hahake, or eastern districts, was where the worst of the damage occurred.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Tonga Business Council will host a fundraising event for Cyclone Gita on March 15.
  • The Pacific Co-operation Foundation said all funds raised will be donated to Cyclone Gita relief.
  • This is the latest project to raise funds for the kingdom, which was devastated when the cyclone struck.

For more information

Tongans in NZ filling containers for Gita victims in Tonga

Red Cross supporting Pacific communities Gita cleanup continues

Man dies in hospital following ‘Umutangata crash Sunday

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man involved in a serious crash in ‘Umutangata, Fo’ui yesterday Sunday 4 has died.

‘Aisake Lavelua, 36,  died in Vaiola Hospital yesterday Monday 5  from injuries he sustained when a Nissan Elgrand he and five others were occupying rolled over and crashed into a power pole.

As Kaniva news reported, Police and community authorities responded to reports of an apparent single-vehicle rollover crash in Fo’ui.

Police have confirmed today the driver lost control of the steering wheel before the van crashed into a power pole.

One woman remains in hospital in serious conditions.

An aunty of the deceased who we chose not to be named because she was not authorised to speak to media on behalf of the family said she shared the story about the accident yesterday on Facebook without knowing her nephew was involved.

She said she just found it out after she was contacted by Kaniva news after their reporters spotted she was tagged by a family member on Facebook in one of the posts regarding Lavelua’s death.

“Although we clashed in public, we still talked to each other”, says PM’s new media advisor

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has appointed a former political friend who once turned against him and they repeatedly clashed in public to become his new political and media advisor.

Lōpeti Senituli has confirmed to Kaniva News he began on his new posts last week.

Senituli was a press secretary to former Prime Minister Lord Sevele, another political friend of Hon. Pōhiva who eventually turned against him and became one of Hon. Pōhiva’s fierce political rivals.

Senituli said he saw no problem at all in having to work together again with Hon. Pōhiva.

“Although we clashed in public in the past, especially when I played the same role for the former Prime Minister, Lord Sevele, we still talked to each other in private and ensured that there was continuing dialogue going on behind the scenes and I did that with the full approval of Lord Sevele,” Senituli said.

“Remember also that our friendship and commitment to ‘Democracy’ dates back to the days when we were undergraduate students at USP in Suva in the mid 1970s. So I am confident I can do the job with the dedication and the love and the independence that it warrants.”

Senituli said he was asked by Hon. Pōhiva to become his advisor.

“He had also asked me last year in preparation for the general elections after the dissolution of the Fale Alea to stand as a candidate for PTOA from Tongatapu 5 but I had turned him down because I wanted to concentrate on my university studies for a law degree which I was doing from the USP Tonga Campus.

“This year was my third year as a law student. When he asked me to become his adviser I felt that I could not turn him down the second time in light of his ill health and the enormity of the task that lies ahead of him as Prime Minister in the wake of TC Gita,” Senituli said.

Senituli returned to Tonga in 2000 because Hon. Pōhiva, the leader of the Pro-Democracy Movement at the time, had asked him to return and set up the Movement’s office which became legally registered as the “Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy Movement”.

“Prior to that I was also instrumental in raising the funds internationally that enabled the first Pro-Democracy Convention to be held at the Basilica in 1992.”

Clashes

Senituli was a press secretary to Lord Sevele in 2006 before and following November 2006 riots, which destroyed up to 80 percent of the Nuku’alofa city’s businesses.

Hon. Pōhiva claimed Senituli sent a report to the University of the South Pacific and he labeled the crisis as a “coup detat”.

In response, Hon. Pōhiva claimed it was people’s upheaval  “activated by suppressive and dictatorial measures and continuous refusal of government to listen and respond to people’s grievances over a long period of time.”

For further information

Pohiva: I won because people helped make it happen

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