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New Tongan passports arrive as 200 passports remain unaccounted for

By
Kalino Latu
-

A shipment of new Tongan passports has arrived, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s
Office has confirmed to Kaniva News yesterday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said 200 Tongan passports from the original stock
of documents were unaccounted for.

He said an investigation was underway to find out what had happened to the missing
passports.

He said the investigation had been delayed by the recent snap election and preparations to
form the next government.

It is understood the passports disappeared before the passport stock ran out in August.

As Kaniva News reported in August, the Tongan government ran out of passports.

A spokesperson for Tonga’s Department of Foreign Affairs said the shortage was due to high local demand and from Tongans living overseas.

The replacement passports were originally due in October.

Task force

Hon. Pōhiva revealed that a task force had been set up to investigate the disappearance of the passports.

He said he had been told the investigation was almost complete.

This task force was different from the task force established by the government and operated by Tongan Police, to investigate Tongan passport scandals.

“The problem now is that we have to focus on the election of the Prime Minister and
forming of the new government,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

Māvaetangi’s award presented in Tonga after being graduated from AIS Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

Sēmisi Palaki Māvaetangi has successfully completed his Bachelor in Information Technology at AIS St Helens in Auckland, New Zealand.

But an award for his graduation was presented in Tonga on Wednesday during the Tongan Institute of Higher Education (TIHE) and Tongan Institute of Education graduation in Nuku’alofa at Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

Māvaetangi was among 400 graduates who had been awarded during the ceremony.

It is understood he requested his graduation ceremony to be made in Tonga.

Dr. Julia Hennessy, the president of AIS institutes was at the ceremony and she commended Māvaetangi’s award and the Tongan graduation ceremony.

“Auckland Institute of Studies shares a special partnership with TIHE so it was rewarding to be in Tonga when Mr Semisi Mavaetangi had his Bachelor of Information Technology degree confirmed at the ceremony.

Semisi completed his bachelor’s qualification at Auckland Institute of Studies before returning home to Tonga,” Dr. Hennessy said.

“Congratulations Tonga for continuing to raise the knowledge economy of your Kingdom.”

Mavaetangi went to Tonga College where he completed his Form 7 before completing a Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) at Tonga Institute of Higher Education (TIHE).

He just got a new job  as an IT Administrator at Digicel telecommunication.

“My job is to monitor users and internet usage of our customers, database, server admin and information security are the most useful modules that are applicable to the job in my field.”

The graduation’s Guest of Honour was Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho.

Waste collection service for Vava’u and Ha’apai in new year thanks to Japanese aid

By
Philip Cass
-

Residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai will benefit from a waste collection service in the new year following the donation of five waste collection vehicles by the Japanese government.

Vava’u will have four of these vehicles which includes two collection waste vehicles, one dump truck, and one septic truck.

Ha’apai will receive one waste collection truck.

The Minister of Health, Hon. Saia Piukala, said the vehicles would help the government
establish a reliable waste management system.

“Waste Authority Ltd has successfully introduced effective waste management in
Tongatapu, but the outer islands have yet to experience the same advantage,” the Minister
said.

“These waste collection vehicles will be of great assistance to support the service in Vava’u and Ha’apai and to address waste management issues in the outer islands.

“We see the development of the outer islands as of great importance.”

Hon. Piukala said establishing a successful waste management system helped conserve the
environment, fight climate change and improved the wellbeing of Tongans.

The vehicles were funded by Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security
Projects and were handed over in the presence of the Japanese ambassador, Hi9s Excellency Tetsuya Ishii.

Waste management is a major concern in Tonga.

Last year a clean up in the Fangauta Lagoon area on Tongatapu collected more than 40
tonnes of metal, plastics and other non-biodegradable waste.

Several donor nations have been involved in waste management projects in Tonga.

Between 2004-2009 Australia spent $Aus9 million establishing a waste collection service in
the capital, setting up a landfill site and encouraging recycling.

The main points

  • Residents of Vava’u will benefit from a waste collection service in the new year
    following the donation of waste collection vehicles by the Japanese government.
  • The Minister of Health, Hon. Saia Piukala, said the vehicles would help the
    government establish a reliable waste management system.
  • The vehicles were funded by Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human
    Security Projects

For more information 
Waste management a priority concern for Tonga

New centre will offer free legal advice to survivors of domestic violence

By
Philip Cass
-

Survivors of domestic violence in Tonga will have access to free legal advice and assistance.

According to a survey by the University of the South Pacific and the Ma’a Fafine moe Famili centre, 77 percent of women in Tonga have been physically or sexually abused.

The free legal advice is part of a new project organised by the Pacific Community’s Regional
Rights Resource Team (RRRT) and Tonga’s Ministry of Justice.

The project will be launched at the Ministry of Justice in Fasi-moe- afi on December 8.
International Human Rights Day falls on December 10.

A community legal advice centre is expected to be opened in Nuku’alofa in the first quarter
of next year.

The Centre will help survivors of domestic violence to apply for protection orders under the
Family Protection Act.

Tonga’s national gender and development policy (2014-2018) recognises that domestic
violence is a “rampant problem, largely underreported, which affects our family, our society
and our economy.”

Read more:

Level of violence against women increases beyond critical point, says centre director

Tonga adopted the Family Protection Act (FPA) in 2013 which provides the legal framework
for the protection of survivors of domestic violence.

“One of the challenges in the implementation of the Act is the lack of free legal advice for
survivors of domestic violence, and a lack of legal literacy around the application of
protection orders,” a Justice Ministry spokesman said.

“Accessing services in Tongatapu is costly and not practical especially when there is a need
for urgent assistance, as is usually the case in matters involving domestic violence.”

There were few services for survivors in the outer islands.

The spokesman said services available in the outer islands, such as police stations, offer
limited options for survivors as there were no permanent judges in the outer island courts,
except for the Vava’u Magistrate’s Court.

He said staff at the centre would be able to provide assistance over the phone to women
who may not be in Nuku’alofa.

Staff at the centre would also travel to the outer islands with the regular court circuit in
order to provide assistance in person.

Developing fisheries with WTO help could be a key to developing Tonga’s economy

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga will ask larger countries at next week’s World Trade Organisation meeting in Buenos Aires to help build the fishing industry in the kingdom.

They will also ask countries which fish in Tongan waters to pay increased fees.

Ministry of Labour and Commerce CEO Edgar Cocker said higher fees would help Tonga’s economy.

“There are rich countries which have refused to do this, but I will lobby them to try to change their minds,” Cocker said.

Tonga’s balance of trade needed change for the good of the economy and the country needed to boost exports in 2018.

Minister of Labour and Commerce Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa and Cocker will attend the WTO Trade Ministerial meeting in Argentina.

Cocker said he would also try persuade the WTO to ease international quarantine policies to make it commercially viable for Tonga to export fish to Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

He said Tonga would also ask for help in developing an industry to extract vanilla essence which could be sold to international suppliers for more than $1000 per kilo.

At the moment growers in Vava’u were getting $1000 per kilo for dried vanilla.

Tonga was also seeking help from Thailand to develop shrimp farming in Popua.

According to the Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-24,  Tonga  is  heavily  dependent  on  its fisheries and ocean resources for  food, transport, economic development and culture.

The report said Tonga’s economy as characterised by a lack of economies of scale due to  its small size, costly market access due to its distance from markets, a weak manufacturing base and limited labour pool.

The main points

  • Tonga will ask larger countries at next week’s World Trade Organisation meeting in Buenos Aires to help build the fishing industry in the kingdom.
  • They will also ask countries which fish in Tongan waters to may increased fees.
  • Ministry of Labour and Commerce CEO Edgar Cocker said higher fees would help Tonga’s economy.
  • Cocker said he would also try persuade the WTO to ease international quarantine policies to make it commercially viable for Tonga to export fish to Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

For more information

WTO conference

Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-24

Pōhiva elected TRU president as team prepares for run up to 2019 World Cup

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has been re-elected as president of the Tonga Rugby Union.

Interim CEO Fe’ao Vunipola was re-elected as vice president.

Other members of the TRU committee who were elected yesterday are Tu’i Uata, ‘Aisea ‘Aholelei, Moimoi Fakahua, Tuipulotu Lauaki, Sione Vuki and Hon. Poasi Tei.

Vunipola told Kaniva News this morning he was happy with the results.

“I thank God for he has urged rugby representatives to re-elect me and the Prime Minister
so that we can complete two years for us to work for the Union before the Rugby World Cup 2019.

“We need your support and I apologised for any shortfall in the past”, Vunipola said in
Tongan.

Meanwhile, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji have seen a 19 per cent increase in funding from World
Rugby in the build up to the 2019 cup challenge.

World Rugby General Manager, High Performance Peter Horne said the international body
was investing about £20 million (NZ$39 million/TP$60 million) in the 2016-2019 Pacific programme.

“Tonga’s win against Italy last November was a big push towards their Rugby World Cup
2019 qualification,” Horne said.

“As we work towards RWC 2019, we need to ensure the three Pacific Island teams are as
competitive as possible.”

Court case

Earlier this year the TRU was involved in a major case in the Supreme Court after changes to its constitution were challenged by plaintiffs who argued not enough notice had been given to members before the annual general meeting.

The changes included an amendment to allow changes to the Constitution to be made on a
simple majority vote, the appointment of the Prime Minister as the President of the TRU,
the removal of the members’ right to elect the President, the reduction in the number of
representatives of sub-unions who were members of the TRU and a quota of local players to be selected in the national team.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the TRU had failed to comply with provisions in its
Constitution, as a result of which unlawful decisions had been made.

He said not enough notice had been given and the amendments had been approved by a
bare majority and not the 75% required.

Special meeting

The elections came after the Supreme Court appointed Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu early last month as a Counsel to assist the Court (Amicus Curiae) and to convene a Special General Meeting for TRU.

Kefu was tasked with conducting a meeting that would allow members of TRU to fill vacancies under the organization’s constitution.

Members would also be allowed in that meeting to consider any proposed alterations or amendments to the TRUʻs constitution.

For more information
Supreme Court declares 2016 changes to TRU constitution unlawful
World Rugby increases investment in Pacific Islands teams

Tonga insured for damage as cyclone season gets underway

By
Philip Cass
-

With the cyclone season underway, Tonga is being covered against damage as part of a
US$45 million insurance scheme.

The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company, which was established a year ago, is
providing $US45 cover for Tonga, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Samoa and
Vanuatu.

The company, which is owned by the Pacific Island countries, was established with the
assistance of the World Bank.

During the pilot period of the scheme, in January 2014, Tonga was hit by severe (category
five) Cyclone Ian.

A state of emergency was declared for Vava’u and Ha’apai.

More than 1000 buildings in Ha’apai were destroyed and 2000 people were left homeless.

As a result, a payout of $1.27 million was made to Tonga under the policy on January
27th; an amount equivalent to more than the country’s 2013 contingency budget, and more than half of the reserves of the Tonga National Reserve Fund.

This was the first payout made under the pilot scheme.

The official 2017/18 cyclone season began on November 1 and will end on April 30 next
year.

The Meteorology Department said the kingdom could expect up to two cyclones this season
with a 40-50% chance that at least one could be Severe (Category 3 or above).

The department said all communities should remain alert and prepared during the cyclone
season take cyclone alerts, warnings and advisories seriously when they were issued.

All communities are urged to be vigilant and follow forecast information provided by the
Department.

  • The main points
    With the cyclone season underway, Tonga is being covered against damage as part
    of a US$45 million insurance scheme
  • The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company, which was established a year ago,
    is providing $US45 cover for Tonga, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Samoa
    and Vanuatu.
  • The official 2017/18 TC Season began on November 1 and will end on 30th April,
    2018.

For more information

$US45 million for Pacific catastrophe insurance
2017–2018 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook for Tonga
Pacific catastrophe risk insurance pilot programme

Vava’u fans breach airport regulations as they rush to carry MMT stars from aircraft

By
Kalino Latu
-

Mate Ma’a Tonga supporters and their families in Vava’u pushed open a gate at the Lupepau’u International Airport before swarming onto the runway to carry rugby league stars from an aircraft on Friday.

They ignored warnings from Police who were there to make sure everyone was safe.

Police appeared happy before moving aside to watch.

Some Mate Ma’a Tonga players including Konrad Hurrell and Peni Terepo flew from Tongatapu to Vava’u after they were welcomed to the kingdom on Tuesday with a national celebration which featured public floats, royal ceremony and a block party.

Women in Vava’u surrounded the aircraft’s stairway and carried the MMT stars.

Photos seen by Kaniva News shortly after the incident showed that Terepo and Hurrell  appeared elated while they were carried by the fans.

The celebration came after Terepo was given a piggyback in ‘Eua last week before he was led on a road in Nafanua while his jubilant supporters shouted and yelled in exultation.

Vava’u ways

The breach of the airport rules was regarded by Tongans as the normal  Vava’u ways and Police used to it.

Some people said only Police who were new to the islands would not tolerate the people’s behaviour.

They described the behaviour as entertaining and said it showed how extreme their happiness was when they celebrated.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this year, a happy crowd at Halaevalu wharf in Vava’u pushed a locked gate open before some of them swarmed in when a security guard tried unsuccessfully to stop them and lock the gate again.

These incidents had been met with positive comments from the Tongan public with many people praising the Vava’u way of doing things.

Vava’u celebrations last week included public floats and feasts in Neiafu.

Cup final

Australia defeated England 6-0 in last night’s Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane.

While England were unable to score, Australia only managed a third of the points Tonga scored in their 18-20 clash with England.

The main points

  • Mate Ma’a Tonga supporters and their families in Vava’u pushed open a gate at the Lupepau’u airport before swarming onto the runway to carry rugby league stars from an aircraft on Friday.
  • They ignored warnings from Police.
  • Konrad Hurrell and Peni Terepo flew from Tongatapu to Vava’u after they were welcomed to the kingdom on Tuesday.
  • Women in Vava’u surrounded the aircraft’s stairway and carried the MMT stars.

Police investigating report of serious assault in Ōtāhuhu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Counties Manukau Police said they were investigating a serious assault outside a bar on Queen Street in Ōtāhuhu late last night.

Around 11:30pm a 52-year-old man was attacked by a small group of people unknown to him during an argument.

During the attack he was struck over the head with a wine glass, Acting Detective Sergeant Warwick Worth said.

The man remained in Middlemore Hospital in a critical but stable condition after emergency surgery, he said.

“We are following strong lines of inquiry, but if there is anyone who knows who is involved or saw what happened, we’d like to hear from you.”

Information can be passed to Counties Manukau Crime Squad on (09) 261 1321, or to Crimestoppers, anonymously if necessary, on 0800 555 111.

Pōle‘o family hit by double tragedy in less than a week

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Pōle’o family of Vainī have been left devastated after a father and nephew both died within days of each other.

Vakaolafehi Pōle’o, who was also known as Vaka Pōle’o, died yesterday.

The family have yet to officially reveal the cause of his death.

His works of computer and print design as well as music were popular with Tongan community and businesses.

Vaka was one of few Tongans who had been graduated with a BA qualification in visual designs and art from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

His nephew Li’ekina He Vahafolau Fīnau died three days earlier.

As Kaniva News reported, Fīnau died in hospital after police alleged he jumped out of a moving Police van on Tuesday night.

Fīnau was the  son of Foni Pōle’o, the late elder brother of Vaka.

His mother was Meliame from Tatakamotonga.

Vaka’s son Tu’ipulotu has confirmed his father’s death to Kaniva News.

Tu’ipulotu who is also known by DJ name Darren said his father’s death really hurt him.

He said he was proud of his music and works of art.

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