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King Tupou VI appoints new government  

By
Kalino Latu
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The new government of Tonga has been appointed by King Tupou VI with effect from Friday 5, 2018, a reliable source said.

Kaniva News understands letters of appointment were delivered by the palace office to the Prime Minister and all his proposed new cabinet ministers over the weekend.

The appointment was made after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submitted his cabinet lineup to the king on Thursday.

It is understood the king was expected to have an audience with the Prime Minister sometime soon.

The Prime Minister’s office was expected to officially announce the new cabinet positions this week.

The ministerial appointment comes after Hon. Pōhiva, 76, became Tonga’s new prime minister on Tuesday 2, accepting reaffirmation to govern from the king after His Majesty dissolved Parliament in August 2017.

Hon. Pōhiva, who won a landslide 14 of the 17 people’s parliamentary seats in a snap election in November following the dissolution, has promised to lead a “king, nobility and people’s government” dedicated to social justice over the next four years.

New lineup submitted by Pōhiva

Hon. Pōhiva first announced the new lineup during a private meeting with his Democratic Party in Nuku’alofa last week before he submitted it to the royal palace office.

A copy of the list of the ministerial lineup was leaked to Kaniva News shortly after the meeting.

We sought confirmation of the list from the Minister of Justice before we published it on Thursday morning. The minister confirmed it and said it has yet to be officially announced because it was being submitted to the king as part of the constitutional process.

As we reported the new lineup is as follows:

  1. Samuela Akilisi  Pōhiva – Prime Minister of Tonga; Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs
  2. Sēmisi Sika – Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure
  3. Sēmisi Fakahau – Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Forestry and Food
  4. Dr. Pōhiva Tuionetoa – Minister of Finance and National Planning
  5. Penisimani Fifita – Minister of Education and Training
  6. Poasi Tei –  Minister of Energy, Environment, Information and Climate Change (MEIDEEC)
  7. ‘Akosita H. Lavulavu – Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports
  8. Dr. Tu’i Uata – Minister of Labour and Commerce
  9. Dr. Saia Piukala – Minister of Health and Public Enterprises
  10. Lord Ma’afu – Minister of Lands and Survey
  11. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia – Minister of Justice and Prisons
  12. Māteni Tapueluelu – Minister of Police & Fire Services; Customs and Revenue

Air New Zealand warns public about free flight internet scam

By
Kalino Latu
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Air New Zealand is warning customers not to be taken in by a “free flights” scam that has gone viral on the social media platform.

The scam claims to offer two free tickets to everyone that participates in an online survey.

“We only have 120 tickets remaining so hurry up,” the message reads.

Air New Zealand said it was aware of the scam message being circulated and advised people to ignore it.

“This message is not from Air New Zealand and we advise anyone who receives this not to engage.”

The airline could not be reached for comment.

Tonga police warn boaters after three fishermen rescued at sea

By
Kalino Latu
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Police have once again raised concerns about marine safety after three fishermen were rescued at sea on Monday 1. 

Lilite 5 left on a fishing trip before its engine died.  

Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau said the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) alerted Tongan authority after it picked up a distress signal from the boat about 76 kilometres south of Tongatapu.

Taumoepeau told Radio Tonga news since the boat’s beacon was not registered with Tongan Police it was hard for them to immediately dispatch a rescue team to help it.

He thanked the boating community for their help in which it enabled Police to identify the boat.

Taumoepeau said all boats’ beacons must be registered with Police so they could know the owners and names of the boats for safety reasons.

He also warned boaters to make sure they read their pre-departure checklists before leaving.  

Pita Taufatofua is one race away from qualifying for the Winter Olympics

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua who drew international attention at the 2016 Rio Olympics is now trying to qualify for next month’s Winter Games as a cross country skier.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Pita Taufatofua will race one more time in Poland this weekend in hopes of achieving the necessary score to qualify.

Taufatofua lost his taekwondo match against Iranian medal favourite Sajjad Mardani at the Summer Olympics.

Taufatofua was able to compete to qualify for the Winter Games after the International Ski Federation changed it rules after the Sochi Games to allow points accrued in roller-skiing events to count toward cross- country skiing.

That meant that Taufatofua could compete in cross-country roller-skiing races and the points would count toward qualifying for the Olympics, world media have reported.

“To qualify, Taufatofua needed to finish five races with a score that met certain objectives. Over the past year he’s managed four of those finishes, so his Olympic dreams are within reach.”

After the Rio Olympics Taufatofua said: “It took me 20 years to get here, if it takes another 20 we will bring that Gold home! Thank you for the love, prayers and support without you all we would not be here! Malo Aupito, ofa atu.”

At the time his coach, Master Paula Sitapa reportedly said they intended to keep going and push towards the Tokyo Olympics in four years time.

Outrage after King did not invite PM Pōhiva and cabinet to His New Year reception party

By
Kalino Latu
-

There has been outrage on social media after the king reportedly did not invite Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva and his caretaker cabinet ministers to his 2018 New Year reception party.

Kaniva News has been reliably informed the proposed Deputy Prime Minister Sēmisi Sika was turned away at the royal palace’s gate by the royal guards.

He was reportedly told his name was not on the list of guests.

The incidents had surprised Hon. Pōhiva and his cabinet ministers.

It is understood Hon. Pōhiva and his ministers have been invited to the king’s party every new year since they took power in 2014 until last week’s incidents.

Some supporters of Hon. Pōhiva breached the cultural taboo of not speaking against the king and criticised His Majesty.

Outrage

A commentator said in a Facebook group which identified itself as supporters of the Prime Minister and the Democrats it was about time to stop giving pay to everyone who has done this to the Prime Minister including the king, his nobility and law lords.

They said the king’s budget from taxpayers’ money should be stopped because he did not show respect to the Prime Minister and his cabinet.

“The old year has passed and now the New Year comes, but there is no change at all”, another wrote.

However, another commentator said she would agree with the Prime Minister’s supporters if it was a government function. She said the king was free to invite whoever he wanted to his own party.

Invitees

Our source said government CEOs were invited, including former Members of Parliament who supported the status quo.

One CEO who attended the party claimed the foreign high commissioners and ambassadors were surprised during the Party to learn the Prime Minister and his ministers were not invited.

It is understood Mate Ma’a Tonga players including rugby league star Jason Taumālolo was invited and he attended the party.

King and Hon. Pōhiva

The snub comes after King Tupou VI unexpectedly dissolved the Tongan Parliament and ordered a new election last year. The king was unhappy with Hon. Pōhiva and his government after receiving advice from outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tu’ivakanō.

However, Hon. Pōhiva and his Democratic Party  won a landslide 14 of the 17 electoral seats, enabling the party to form a government after November’s snap election.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this week, His Majesty has appointed Hon. Pōhiva on Wednesday to become Tonga’s next Prime Minister until 2021.

Grammy award

Hon. Sika intended to go to the Party to assist Josh Tatofi, the first Tongan to be nominated for a Grammy award.

When they arrived at the gate only Tatofi was allowed to enter the Palace.

Hon. Sika, a pianist and musician, recently shared a video clip of him with Tatofi and Atenisi University’s Foundation for Performing Arts mentor ‘Atolomake Helu on social media.

The clip showed Tatofi practicing a Tongan composition by the late Queen Sālote while playing a piano with the assistance of Ms Helu.

Tatofi has been nominated for a Grammy in the Regional Roots Music Album category for his album “Pua Kiele.”

The Grammy Awards will be held on January 28.

Kaniva News has contacted Hon. Sika and the Palace office for comment.

King appoints FWC president Rev. ‘Ahio as chairman of Tonga Traditions Committee

By
Kalino Latu
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King Tupou VI has appointed the president of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga as the chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee.

President Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio along with five other members were appointed to “serve at His Majesty’s pleasure”, according to an announcement published on Tonga gazette by the king’s Lord Privy Seal, Tēvita Malolo .

The five members were:

Lord Vaea, Dowager Lady Fusitu’a, Tākapu, Rev. Dr. Tēvita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka and Hon. ‘Alematea Vaha’i (Secretary)

The announcement on November 23, 2017 said the appointments were made according to the Preservation of Objects of Archaeological Interest Act (Section 2).

Last year His Majesty appointed the FWC church’s general secretary Rev. Dr Tēvita Koloa’ia Havea to become one of His advisors in Privy Council.

World LDS president dies almost 50 years after he organised first stake in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

The LDS church in Tonga has expressed its condolences over the death of Mormon president Thomas S. Monson.

A senior leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  in Tonga, Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu, released a heartfelt message in Tongan on behalf of his church community:

“‘Oku lomekina kimautolu ‘e he ongo’i ‘ofa, hounga’ia, faka’apa’apa  mo e fie kaungamamahi mo’oni fakataha mo e kaingalotu ‘o e Siasi ‘i Tonga ni mo e ‘Elia Pasifiki kotoa ‘i he pekia ‘a Palesiteni Tomasi S. Monisoni.”

This translates as: “We have been deluged with feelings of true love, appreciation, respects and condolences together with church members in Tonga and in all the Pacific areas after the death of President Thomas S. Monson.”

Monson, who was 90, died on January 2.

Monson became president in 2008. According to the New York Times he made it possible for more women to become missionaries, but refused to ordain female priests or change church opposition to same-sex marriage.

Tongan mission

Monson came to Tonga with Elder Howard W. Hunter when they were members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, the second highest governing body in the Mormon church,  in September 1968 to organise the first stake in the kingdom. The Mormon Church in Tonga has grown to 19 stakes and two districts.

The church claims that 60 percent of Tongans are Mormons,  but the US state Department says the figure is closer to 17 percent.

Elder Tukuafu told Kaniva News President Monson’s funeral services would be held next week and televised live to LDS stakes in Tonga.

He said there was no plan to hold memorial services in Tonga or any other LDS churches in the Pacific because of the live broadcasts.

Funeral service

A public viewing will be open to the public on Thursday, January 11 from 9am until 8pm in the Conference Centre on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, capital of Utah and headquarters of the Mormon church..

It is believed that about a quarter of all Tongans in the United States live in Utah.

The funeral services for President Monson will start at midday on January 12.

The Salt Lake Tribune said this evening he would be buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery in a private service.

President Monson was the 16th president in the 187-year history of the Church and served as its president since February 3, 2008.

It is believed the church has about 16 million followers around the world.

Church members around the globe can view the services live via MormonNewsroom.org, mormontabernaclechoir.org, LDS.org (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), KSL TV, the KSL TV app, BYUtv, BYUtv Global, KBYUtv Eleven, BYUtv International, Mormon Channel, Canal Mormón (Spanish) and on the Church satellite system. In addition, audio broadcasts will air on KSL Radio and BYU Radio.

The main points

  • The LDS church in Tonga has expressed its condolences over the death of Mormon president Thomas S. Monson.
  • Monson, who was 90, died on January 3.
  • He came to Tonga in 1968 Monson came to help organise the first stake in the kingdom.
  • Monson’s funeral services will be held next week and televised live to LDS stakes in Tonga.

Mangere man William Soane wanted by New Zealand Police

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police were seeking William Soane of Mangere, he was wanted for arrest in relation to two aggravated robberies.

Soane is 20-year-old and was actively avoiding Police.

He has ‘Tonga’ tattooed on the outside of his right calf.

Any sightings of Soane should be reported to Police immediately and he should not be approached.

Information on Soane’s current whereabouts can be shared with Constable Daniel Ross of the Glen Innes Criminal Investigation Branch on 04 212 3534.

Alternatively information can be shared anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the king

By
Kalino Latu
-

A businessman, Dr. Tu’i Uata, who was not elected by voters to Parliament has been elected by Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva as his Minister of Labour and Commerce, according to a lineup list leaked to local news media. 

The Prime Minister may appoint no more than four cabinet ministers from outside Parliament, according to the constitution.

Hon. Pōhiva has chosen Tongatapu 2 MP Sēmisi Lafu Sika as Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister when his lineup was submitted to the palace office yesterday.

Appointment of Prime Minister

The submission was made after King Tupou VI appointed Pōhiva as Tonga’s Prime Minister until 2021 after the November snap election resulted in a decisive win for Pōhiva’s Democrats.

“In accordance with Clause 50A of the Constitution of Tonga, His Majesty King Tupou VI has appointed the Prime Minister-Designate, Honourable Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, as the Prime Minister of Tonga, with effect from 2 January, 2018,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.

The Prime Minister has the power to nominate his cabinet lineup before recommending the king to appoint them, according to the constitution.

Defence moved to PM

Lord Ma’afu has been re-elected from the nobility by Hon. Pōhiva to be his Minister of Lands and Survey.

The Ministry of Defence, a portfolio the noble held in the Pōhiva government before the November snap election, has been removed and brought under the control of the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Custom and Revenues has been brought under the control of the Minister of Police Māteni Tapueluelu.

Four of Hon. Pōhiva’s Democratic Party team who had been elected after the snap election on November 16 did not have portfolios.

They were Tongatapu 5 MP Losaline Mā’asi, Ha’apai 12 MP Mo’ale Fīnau, Ha’apai 13 MP Veivosa Taka and Niua 17 MP Vātau Hui.

Legislation changed

The Minister of Justice Hon. Vuna Fā’otusia has confirmed the lineup list obtained by Kaniva News this morning.

He said it has yet to be officially announced because it was being submitted to the king.

Hon Fā’otusia said some of the legislation regarding government portfolios have to be changed to allow movements of some of the ministries such as Sports and Information.

The Ministry of Sports which is currently under the control of the Minister of Internal Affairs was planned to be returned to the control of the Minister of Education.

The Ministry of Information was also intended to be attached to the Prime Minster’s portfolios.

Hon. Fā’otusia alleged corruption existed in the Ministry of Custom and Revenues and that was why the portfolio was being given to the Minister of Police.

The new lineup

  1. Samuela Akilisi  Pōhiva – Prime Minister of Tonga; Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs

2. Sēmisi Sika – Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure

3. SÄ“misi Fakahau – Minister of Agriculture & Forestry and Food

4. Dr. Pōhiva Tuionetoa – Minisiter of Finance and National Planning

5. Penisimani Fifita – Minisiter of Education

6. Poasi Tei –  Minister of Energy, Environment, Information and Climate Change (MEIDEEC)

7. ‘Akosita H. Lavulavu – Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports

8. Dr. Tu’i Uata – Minisiter of Labour and Commerce

9. Dr. Saia Piukala – Minisiter of Health and Public Enterprises

10. Lord Ma’afu – Minister of Lands and Survey

11. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia – Minister of Justice and Prisons

12. Māteni Tapueluelu – Minister of Police & Fire Services; Customs and Revenue

Jubilee reminds faithful of struggles to establish Catholicism in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Roman Catholics in Tonga have celebrated the 175th jubilee of their church’s founding in the kingdom in 1842.

A mass was celebrated by Cardinal Paini Mafi in Pangaimotu island, which is about 13 kilometres north of Tongatapu  on July 2, 2017 to commemorate the historical event.

However, the main cultural and celebratory activities were postponed until last week in Pea to allow visitors from overseas to join while they were in the country for their Christmas holidays.

A mass celebrated by Cardinal Mafi on 27 December 2017, was followed by a wreath laying at Ha’atoka and Māhola cemeteries as well as the Catholic church known as Ma’ananga.

Some of the first priests who brought Catholicism to Tonga were buried in Ha’atoka.

Lavaka, the noble of Pea and Moeakihi’atu and Lady Lata-‘I-Holeva, chiefs who welcomed the Catholic church, were buried at Māhola.

The memorial celebrations were attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Tuku’aho. She was the guest of honour.

Missionaries

In 1842 French missionaries, including  Fr Sevelo, Bishop Soane Patita (Jean Baptiste) Pompallier and Brother Atalo as well as some Tongans, travelled from Wallis to Tonga on the Santa Maria, according to a report by the Catholic church newspaper Taumu’a Lelei.

They held their first mass in Tonga in the island of Pangaimotu on July 2 on the same year.

The paper quoted Cardinal Mafi as saying the high chiefs of Pea at the time, especially Lavaka, Moeakihi’atu and Lady Lata-‘i-Holeva also known as ‘Aloisia Fie’ota’anga welcomed the church to be established in Pea.

The contacts made between the Catholic missionaries and the Pea chiefs were led by Petelō Tonga and Siale Pā’utu.

“We are lucky today to be here because it was accepted,” the Cardinal said in Tongan.

Conversion

Lavaka and Moeakihi’atu as well as ‘Aloisia Fie’ota’anga converted to Catholicism.

Moeakihi’atu was described as a victor who was respected by the people because he loved them and always tried to make sure people lived in harmony and that the nation was at peace.

It said when King Tupou I, who was described as the Maker of the Modern Tonga, became king in 1845, the Catholic church had already been established in the towns of Pea, Houma, Holonga and Kotongo.

The Catholic church in Hahake was opened in 1845.

The chiefs in Hahake who belonged to Protestant churches protested against the establishment of the church and there were fears among Catholics there. However, the construction of the church was completed and it was launched by Fr. Sevelo.

Fr. Sevelo also built a church in Holonga which was on fire on October 17, 1847. He and church members suspected the members of the Protestant churches were responsible.

The highlight of Fr. Sevelo’s conversion campaign was the conversion of Laufilitonga, the last king of the Tu’i Tonga line ,who lived in Mu’a.

Laufilitonga was baptised a Catholic by Bishop ‘Enosi on October 31, 1851.

War and famine 

The Taumu’a Lelei newspaper quoted a person by the name Sotele Leha who lived when the Pea war began in 1852.

The war was proclaimed by Nukumovaha’i, a Pea chief who succeeded Lavaka Palenapa when he died. Nukumovaha’i was described by Leha as violent and cruel.

When the Peans declared war, quarrels erupted among the Catholics and the Protestant church members in Pea, with each other arguing the war was declared to suppress an attempted revolution by the Catholics while the Catholics accused the Protestants of starting the war to persecute the Catholics.

However, the war was in fact a battle between the Pea chiefs and the newly appointed King George Tupou I, of the Kanokupolu line, the paper said.

The king fought the Pea chiefs in 1840 but was defeated.

The Pea chiefs were eventually defeated by King Tupou after his warriors captured the exterior of the fort and took control of the Peans’ plantation.

Leha was quoted by the paper as saying the approach by King Tupou’s warriors was successful as the Pea chiefs and warriors as well as their people were dying of hunger inside the fort.

They finally surrendered to the king.

King Tupou had about 6000 warriors, including from all over Tonga, the Niuas, Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua, Hahake and Hihifo, the paper said.

The only town that helped the Peans was Houma.

The main points

  • Roman Catholics in Tonga have celebrated the 175th jubilee of their church’s founding in the kingdom in 1842.
  • A mass was celebrated by Cardinal Paini Mafi in Pangaimotu island on July 2, 2017 to commemorate the historical event.
  • But the main cultural and celebratory activities were postponed until last week in Pea to allow visitors from overseas to join while they were in the country for their Christmas holidays.
  • A Mass celebrated by Cardinal Mafi on December 2017, was followed by a wreath laying at Ha’atoka and Mahola cemeteries as well as the Catholic church known as Ma’ananga.
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