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Tongan man jailed in New Zealand for sex with teen

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan rugby player in New Zealand has been jailed after having sex with a 15-year-old relative of a family he was living with.

Wesley Lataimuli Palavi, of Geraldine, who was 21 at the time of the offending, was convicted in the Timaru District Court of unlawful sexual connection with a young person.

The Court heard how Palavi began meeting and grooming the girl by sending messages to her on Facebook.

This progressed to full sexual intercourse on July 4, 2016 when Palavi and the complainant were walking to Palavi’s rugby training at Ruakapuka Recreation Reserve.

“On the way to the reserve they walked through Kennedy Park in Geraldine, where they engaged in full sexual intercourse,” Fairfax Media reports.

The overstayer was sentenced to 15 months jail for unlawful sexual connection.

Defence Lawyer Quentin Hix said Palavi had come from Tonga to New Zealand to play rugby.

“At the time of the offending, Palavi had been based in Ashburton and had travelled down to Geraldine, where he lived in a sleepout with two other Fijian rugby players,” the report says.

Palavi had also been due to leave the country a few weeks after the incident occurred, however a stop had been put on Palavi’s visa by police preventing him from leaving.

He had therefore been forced to stay in New Zealand beyond the terms of his visa against his will.

Government asks Asian Development Bank to fund bridge from Nuku’alofa to Folaha

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tongan government has asked the Asian Development Bank to fund a bridge to connect Nuku’alofa to the centre of Tongatapu.

The ADB is studying the viability of the project.

Kaniva News understands the estimate cost of the project is $40 million.

If built, the new harbour bridge is expected to cross from the town of Folaha in Tongatapu 8 to ‘Umusi in Ma’ufanga in Tongatapu 4.

The ADB is working with Government to ensure due diligence.

This includes community consultation with those affected on the landing sites on both sides.

A preliminary design cost of the bridge has been estimated and a traffic model is being worked on.

It is expected that the government will be able to indicate whether the project is viable by the second half of the year.

The Tongan government first raised the possibility of a bridge in 2015.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, the former Minister of Infrastructure ‘Etuate Lavulavu said a plan for the bridge was one of his ministry’s strategic and action plan 2015.

The following year Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said a new bridge would cut down travel costs and help evacuate the city in case of emergencies.

“Going from the capital to the airport is about 40 minutes, but if you have this bridge you probably can do it in about 10 minutes from the capital so there are other socio-economic benefits,” he said.

He said  a bridge would also help the economy by cutting the travel time to the old capital of Lapaha.

The main points

  • The Tongan government has asked the Asian Development Bank to fund a bridge to connect Nuku’alofa to the centre of Tongatapu.
  • The ADB is studying the viability of the project.
  • Kaniva News understands the estimate cost of the project is $40 million.

Unlicensed woman charged with asking for fee for immigration advice

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 31-year-old Auckland woman appeared today in the Manukau District Court charged with unlawfully asking for a fee for immigration advice and taking payment from four family members and friends in the Tongan community.

Lealeifuaneva Linda Moala, has been charged by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) with two charges under the Immigration Advisers Licencing Act 2007.

The IAA alleges Ms Moala, not being licensed nor exempt from the requirement to be licensed, asked for a fee for the provision of immigration advice knowing she was neither licensed nor exempt.

Ms Moala also faces one charge under the Crimes Act 1961 of obtaining a payment by deception.

She has been remanded on bail to reappear before court in March.

The Registrar of Immigration Advisers, Catherine Albiston, says “The facts alleged by the IAA are another example of someone taking advantage of Tongan and Pacific people who are in a tough spot.

“The IAA continues to raise awareness amongst Pacific communities in New Zealand, as well as in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, that unlawful immigration advice can cause significant stress and problems for visa applicants.

“If people need help with a visa application, they should only use a licensed immigration adviser or exempt person,” says Catherine.

The IAA’s online register of licensed advisers is available for those who want to search for a licensed immigration adviser. More information on the IAA can be found at www.iaa.govt.nz.

The IAA investigates all complaints made by the public about unlicensed immigration advice. Individuals found breaking the law can face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to NZD$100,000.

“Anyone can talk to the IAA about their experience without their immigration status being affected,” adds Ms Albiston.

PM ‘Akilisi Pōhiva dismisses rumours of Finance Minister sacking

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has denied rumours that he has dismissed Minister of Finance Hon. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa.

The Prime Minister told Kaniva News last night he was surprised when his personal secretary told him he had been contacted by people asking to confirm whether or not it was true Hon. Tu’i’onetoa has been removed from cabinet.

The Minister of Police Māteni Tapueluelu, who was in Auckland on his way to a meeting in Hong Kong,  told us he was surprised when he received text messages from staff at Parliament asking him if he had heard about the alleged dismissal.

“There are a few people who have nothing good to do,” Hon Pōhiva said.

It was not immediately clear where the ‘fake news’ came from.

However, it was widely shared on Facebook by some propagandist Tongan Facebook groups which campaign against the government of Hon. Pōhiva.

The Prime Minister was in Auckland on leave and for a regular medical check up.

Asked about his health, Hon. Pōhiva, who looked happy and active,  said his doctor in Auckland had declared him in “excellent health” after a short illness which caused him to be admitted to Vaiola hospital last month.

He said he is expected to return to Tonga next week.

Read more 

Sacked ministers deny involvement in alleged plot to dissolve Parliament

PM Pōhiva has sacked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance 

Eke “shocked” by PM’s claims, but says he has no choice but to resign

Revenge threat triggers war of words on Social media after man killed in Hihifo

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police Minister Māteni Tapueluelu has called for the families of the suspect and victim in the Hihifo murder to leave it to the law and the police to do their job.

Speaking to Kaniva News in Auckland tonight, Hon. Tapueluelu said he was aware that threats of revenge had been made on Facebook.

“I appeal to both families of the suspect and the victim with due respect to please keep the peace and be patience,” the Minister said.

“I trust your Ministry of Police will do their best to satisfy all parties and justice will prevail.

“I understand this is a very difficult time but we have obligation to keep the order and respect each other especially the rule of laws.”

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, a 32-year-old man has been arrested after a 24-year-old man was killed and his body was found near a road in Fatai on Sunday evening.

The victim had been stabbed and was declared dead on arrival at Vaiola hospital.

Police have not officially released the deceased’s name.

A brawl broke out on Facebook last night after a relative of the deceased posted a threat to take revenge against the alleged killer.

It is understood the person who made the threat lives in Hawai’i.

The post was accompanied by a photo of a person alleged to be the killer.

Some people have begged with him to forgive the alleged killer and withdraw his post.

“Blood revenge will not solve anything. It will not return to us the life that has been lost,” one person wrote.

Some people who appeared to be supporters of the accused challenged the original post.

The original post has been widely shared by Facebook pages and groups which collected and shared news about Tonga. These groups have thousands of members and viewers.

Minister calls for stronger engagement in local government roles

By
Kalino Latu
-

Minster of Internal Affairs Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu has called on town and district officers to work together and help support her new policies.

The call comes during a two-day induction meeting for district and town officers all over Tonga which was held on February 5-6 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa.

“We have new policies,” she told the meetings in Tongan.

Various stakeholder representatives including CEO for MAFFF Dr Viliami Manu, Director for NEMO Mr Lēveni ‘Aho, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mr Tēvita Vailea, Ministry of Health presented papers during the meetings.

As Kaniva News reported last month, the Minister has put in place some first 100-day goals for the Ministry.

It says every town in Tonga is expected to hold its own community reunions, have sister cities and town and district officers must for the first time work according to a government handbook.

‘Eva Tu’uholoaki, Deputy CEO Local Government and Community Development Division said: “The ultimate purpose the Ministry is organizing this program is to reinforce the working relationships of the line Ministries with the District and Town Officers.

“It is important that the duties of the District and Town Officers outlined on the 1988 amendment Act is reminded in a consultative manner during this program.”

Twenty one District Officers attending the meeting includes seven from Tongatapu, six from Vava’u, six from Ha’apai and two from ‘Eua.  Sixty One Town Officers came from Tongatapu only.

This was an opportunity for the Ministry,  District and Town Officers to discuss and take a relook at their duties as they had been changed over the years since the legislation was developed since 1988, Tu’uholoaki said.

The annual induction meeting was funded by the Ministry.

Newspaper article about China’s “selfless assistance” biased says embassy

By
Philip Cass
-

The Chinese embassy in Tonga has described an article in The Australian about Chinese aid in the Pacific as “groundless and irresponsible.”

In a statement released to Kaniva News, the embassy said the newspaper’s January 29 article, ‘Pacific Nations Drowning in Chinese Debt’ was biased and unprofessional.

It said the Australian newspaper had taken a biased view of what it described as China’s “selfless assistance” to Tonga and other Pacific island countries.

The embassy said the article was “full of plausible and one-sided information… obviously going against the professional ethics of journalism.”

“It meant to mislead the public and disrupt the practical cooperation and friendly relations between China and Tonga, to which China is firmly opposed.”

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the article, by Anthony Klan, reported that Tonga had borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars from China.

It had been unable to repay the loans when they were due. The International Monetary Fund persuaded China to delay the repayment date, but this meant the repayment costs would be even higher when they fell due in 2018-19.

The repayment schedule has been described as “brutal” and the World Bank warned in 2014 that that the repayments would “substantially drain the government’s cash balance.”

The Chinese embassy in Tonga claimed it had offered “a helping hand” and provided concessional loans to Tonga for the reconstruction of the centre of Nuku’alofa after the 2006 riots.

Money was also spent on upgrading roads on the main islands.

“We cannot help asking what other relevant country has done for Tonga when it needed help,” the embassy said.

It said The Australian had not mentioned the social and economic development of Tonga, which had resulted from Chinese assistance.

“China will continue to provide support and assistance within its capacity for the development of Tonga according to the actual need of the kingdom and on the basis of fully respecting the will of the Tongan government and people,” the embassy said.

The embassy said Chinese businesses in Tonga had created local jobs.

The main points

  • The Chinese embassy in Tonga has described an article in The Australian about Chinese aid in the Pacific as “groundless and irresponsible.”
  • In a statement released to Kaniva News, the embassy said the newspaper’s January 29 article, ‘Pacific Nations Drowning in Chinese Debt’ was biased and unprofessional.
  • It said the Australian newspaper had taken a biased view of what it described as China’s “selfless assistance” to Tonga and other Pacific island countries.

For more information 

Australian claims islands ‘drowning’ in Chinese debt, but Tonga grateful says govt

China’s gift causes trouble for Tonga

Tongan, Samoan MPs join prayers in Waitangi Day morning service

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan and Samoan MPs were invited to join this morning’s prayer service for Waitangi Day.

Labour List MP ‘Anahila Kanongata’a Suisuiki sang the Tongan hymn ‘Eiki ko e ‘Ofa ‘a’au.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Apita William Sio, who is of Samoan origin, prayed in Samoan.

“I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to say a prayer in the Tongan language at the Dawn Service at Waitangi,” Hon. Suisuiki said.

“Thank you Māori for rolling out your hearts and welcoming us as one.”

“Thanks that we Tongans joined the prayer to bless our land.”

The morning service began with a call for worship by the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu, Anglican Bishop of Tai Tokerau.

This was followed by a hymn and followed by the most Reverend Philip Richardson, Primate Bishop of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

The Bible reading was Micah 6:6-8, “What does the Lord require of you?”

This was followed a prayer for the nation lead by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Hon. Steven Joyce, Hon. Aupito Su’a William Sio, Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki, Meng Foon, the Rev. David Moko, Baptist Maori Ministries, Baptist church of NZ; The Rev Way Matheson, Presbyterian Church and Lieutenant Tau Mataki, Salvation Army of NZ.

‘Good Samaritan’ rapist awaits sentencing

By
Kalino Latu
-

A bogus good samaritan, who turned a lift home into a violent rape nightmare for a teenager, is awaiting sentence.

Judge Charles Cato convicted Sione ‘Otutoa, 24, also known as Sione ‘Uli, on January 26 after ‘Otutoa offered to take the 19-year-old girl to her home during a “drink up” with other friends in Kolofo’ou in February 27, 2013.

‘Otutoa made the offer after the victim asked another person at the party to take her home.

But instead of driving her home ‘Otutoa took the victim to a place which was described in the judicial document as “a dark area” and at one stage he “forced her to the ground.”

He held his hand across her face to stop her screaming out and punched her in the ribs area before having a non-consensual sexual intercourse with her.

He had another non-consensual sexual intercourse with her for a second time before he threatened to beat her to death if she did not comply with his wishes to not tell anyone or Police about the incident.

The accused told Judge Charles Cato that the allegations were untrue but Mr. Cato did not buy it.

The girl told the court ‘Otutoa had raped her twice after she had asked to be taken home.

The judge said: “I am satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt that it was the accused who was involved with her that evening as I have said and not any other person, she knew him as Sione Uli and he admitted to going under this name and also that he knew her, at the time, as I have mentioned. I am satisfied that prior to the incident she knew the accused and that it was no other who was the rapist.”

Australian claims islands ‘drowning’ in Chinese debt, but Tonga grateful says gov’t

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga was grateful for financial aid it had received from China, the Prime Minister’s office said today.

It said Chinese technical and economic assistance had played an important part in the kingdom’s national development.

The government was responding to an article in The Australian on January 29 entitled ‘Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.’

“The Government of Tonga is exceedingly grateful and very appreciative of all aid funds conceded either by loan or grant to Tonga by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Australia,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

“In the wake of the riots in 2006, the Government of Tonga had no choice but to welcome the assistance offered promptly by the People’s Republic of China with the rebuilding of the Nuku’alofa Central Business District in our road to recovery.

“The Kingdom of Tonga continues to value deeply and mutually its friendly and strong ties and cordial relations with both the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.”

As Kaniva News reported last month, Australian International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells claimed that China was funding “roads to nowhere” and “useless buildings.”

Tonga’s Minister of Justice Hon. Sione Fa’otusia  described the claims as “sad.”

Hon. Fa’otusia  said China was filling the gap left by Australia which was not helping the countries of the Pacific.

In 2013, when he was opposition leader, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told an Auckland audience that Tonga was lost to China.

“Our hands and feet have already been tied,” he said at the time.

He said China might agree to write off the loan, but at the cost of having a naval base in Tonga.

The Australian report

According to the latest report in the Australian newspaper, Tonga owes China $143.7m.

Journalist Anthony Klan reported that in 2008 and 2010, Tonga took out two loans from the Export-Import Bank of China, totalling $311m.

The first tranche of $146m was to fund the rebuilding of the centre of Nuku’alofa the 2006 riots. The second loan was supposed to be spent on road building and rehabilitation.

However,  Klan claimed much of the second loan was spent on constructing Vuna wharf and renovating the Royal Palace.

“In 2013, when the repayments on the first loan became due after a five-year grace period expired, Tonga called on China to convert the loans to “grants” but those requests were rejected,” Klan wrote.

“After intervention by the International Monetary Fund, China agreed to postpone payments for five years. But the term of the loans remained the same, meaning when principal and interest payments are required to be paid again  in 2018-2019  they will be even higher than in 2013.”

Klan said a representative of the Tongan Chamber of Commerce and Industry had described  the issue of debt to China as a “red hot topic.” He said the Tongan government had declined to comment.

Klan wrote that many business owners said local people felt “helpless” and held to ransom by China.

He said one man claimed the Chinese government was loading up the nation with unserviceable debt, while Chinese nationals were putting locals out of work.

The main points

  • Tonga was grateful for financial aid it had received from China, the Prime Minister’s office said today.
  • It said Chinese technical and economic assistance had played an important part in the kingdom’s national development.
  • The government was responding to an article in The Australian on January 29 entitled ‘Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.’
  • “The Government of Tonga is exceedingly grateful and very appreciative of all aid funds conceded either by loan or grant to Tonga by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Australia,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

For more information  

Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.

Australian attacks on China “sad” says Tongan Minister of Justice

‘Akilisi Pohiva: Tonga is lost to China (2013)

Reports China won’t forgive huge Tongan debt (2015)

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