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New Zealand Sports for Health programme launches in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

The New Zealand funded Sports for Health Rugby Programme is being launched at
Kolomotu’a Community Rugby Field on Tuesday 6 February.

The initiative is a Pacific Sporting Partnership, delivered by New Zealand Rugby, to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage boys and girls in the Pacific to be active and to get involved in sports.

It will introduce children in the Pacific to a type of rugby known as ‘Quick Rip’ (non-
contact rugby), alongside a healthy lifestyles awareness campaign.

The five year ‘Quick Rip’ rugby programme will be delivered in Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands
and Samoa.

New Zealand’s $4 million investment supports efforts across the four
countries to reduce the rate of non-communicable diseases in the Pacific.

New Zealand ‘Quick Rip’ ambassadors, former All Black Pita Alatini, and Black Fern
Charlene Gubb (formerly Halapua), will be in Tonga to take Quick Rip across Tongatapu.

“Playing sport is a great way to get children active and to learn the benefits of a healthy
lifestyle while having fun,” Acting High Commissioner Nick Hurley says.

“Quick Rip is a safe, easy-to-play game that is suitable for all ages. The Sports for Health programme will focus on girls and boys aged 13 – 18 years of age.”

New Zealand Rugby will work closely with the Tongan Rugby Union to deliver the
programme and will provide training to support local coaches and referees.

“I encourage the public to attend the Quick Rip games to see local teams display their
skills, and to meet the sports ambassadors,” said Nick Hurley.

The Pacific Sporting Partnerships also includes a Sports for Health Netball Programme,
which was launched in Fiji and the Cook Islands in 2017. The Sports for Health Netball
Programme will be launched in Tonga and Samoa in March 2018.

Free public events:
Monday 5 February 2018 5-7pm: Quick Rip demonstration at Hihifo – Kolovai Village
Tuesday 6 February 2018 4-6pm: Formal Quick Rip Launch at Kolomotu’a Community
Rugby Field

Wednesday 7 February 5-7pm: Quick Rip demonstration at Atele Tonga College

Man arrested and charged following Office Equipment burglary

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 25-year-old Tatakamotonga man was arrested yesterday in connection with a robbery at the Office Equipment in Nuku’alofa on January 6.

Police have arrested the man from a bush allotment in Tatakamotonga at around 2.00pm.

He has been charged with housebreaking and theft and was remanded in
Police custody to appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate Court later today, Police said.

As Kaniva News reported, a CCTV video which captured the incident was released to Police and social media after more than TP$10,000 went missing from the Fatafehi road office.

A search of the place where the suspect was arrested from found clothes which match those worn by the person who appeared in the security footage.

“This is excellent work by the Police Criminal Investigation Unit in locating and
arresting this man responsible for this burglary,” says Acting Chief Superintendent
Tevita Vailea.

“Burglary is a crime that affects not only the shop owners, but also the community,
and we will make sure that criminals are held to account for their actions.”

Man on the run from Police wanted for sexual assault and kidnapping

By
Kalino Latu
-

Otahuhu Police are actively looking for 20-year-old Travis Lavakula who has multiple warrants for arrest in relation to kidnapping, sexual and physical assaults.

Lavakula is from Mangere East, South Auckland, New Zealand and may be in the greater South Auckland area.

He is described as being fair skin, 174 centimetres tall and has the tattoo “SOUTH” on his right forearm.

Lavakula is considered dangerous and should not be approached if spotted by members of the public.

If you see him, please call 111 immediately.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Manukau Crime Squad on 09 261 1321.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Celine Dion confirms New Zealand and Australia tour

By
Kalino Latu
-

Well the rumors were true. Celine Dion made the announcement that she will travel to Australia and New Zealand.

Dion announced her travels in a short video released yesterday.

“Hello everyone, this is Celine Dion and I’m very excited to let you know that we’re touring Australia and New Zealand this coming July and August,” she said.

“Can’t wait to see you, can’t wait to sing for you – take care, we’re going to have a great time so see you soon. Be there, ciao.”

Frontier Touring and Concerts West/AEG Presents confirmed that world-renowned singer Celine Dion will bring her highly anticipated LIVE 2018 Tour to Australia and New Zealand this winter.

“These shows mark Celine’s return to Australia for the first time in a decade, playing arenas in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne; and her first visit to New Zealand in over two decades with the final stop of the tour scheduled for Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday 11 August.

“If people can learn one thing from hearing Celine Dion sing live it is that her vocal ability can easily be considered the eighth wonder of the world.”

Celine Dion has sold almost 250 million albums during her over 30-year career. She has earned five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards and seven American Music Awards.

In 2004, Celine received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognising her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2016, the Billboard Music Awards presented her with the lifetime achievement Icon Award.

Celine continues to break records with her ongoing Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace which is the most successful concert residency of all time, seeing Celine play over 1,000 shows to more than four million fans.

After more than thirty years as a performing and recording artist, Celine has become a legend of popular music, one of the most powerful and moving voices ever heard. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the magic first hand on Celine’s Live 2018 Tour this winter.

Uniting Celine’s phenomenal talent, quick wit and innate ability to connect with every member of the audience regardless of a venue’s size, these shows are set to be unforgettable for those lucky enough to secure a ticket.

Tickets – including exclusive VIP Packages – for the CELINE DION LIVE 2018 TOUR in Australia and New Zealand go on sale to the general public from Monday 19 February at 12noon local time. Members of TeamCeline, American Express® Card Members and Frontier Members will all have access to purchase tickets before the public through advance pre-sales.

Government officer gets suspended sentence for carrying gun into nightclub

By
Kalino Latu
-

A senior government officer who carried arms into a nightclub with intent to commit an offence, was sentenced to three years in prison on January 26, with all of the time suspended.

Court document says in August 2016 Hekisou Fifita, 48, was taken by the security guard out of the Nauti bar in Ma’ufanga.

When he got outside Fifita  elbowed the security, who was also the complainant,  in the chest. The· complainant pushed him away.

The complainant went back into the bar and the accused went to his car in the parking area.

He returned with a .22 rifle seeking the complainant.

An affidavit filed by a Tongan police officer said that he was called to the scene and saw the accused struggling with another person over the rifle.

“He had confiscated the rifle together with a magazine with 5 rounds of ammunition that was found inside Fifita’s pocket.”

“Importantly,” he said “the rifle was not loaded.”

Judge Cato said: “I take the view that the defendant acted out of character and became belligerent after having been removed from the nightclub. I consider that he has had some difficulty himself in coming to an understanding of his aberrant behaviour, that evening.”

Mr Cato said, “he had no doubt Fifita’s judgement, however, was seriously affected by the liquor he had consumed although he did not admit to an alcohol problem.”

A probation report said Fifita was a first offender. He is married with five children. He came from a respected Tongan family. Two of his children are pursuing tertiary education. His wife has a senior position at Viola Hospital.

He is a senior civil servant with tertiary qualifications including a Masters in Business Administration. He has held senior positions at the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications. He used to represent the Ministry on some meetings overseas and to outer Islands.

Judge Cato set a starting point of three-years and three months imprisonment for the offence.

He said although this is a serious offending, it was in his view, at the lower end of the scale.

“If the weapon had been loaded or the complainant hurt as a consequence of some use of the rifle that would have justified, in my view a higher starting point,” the judge said.

“In all I allow him 18 months discount by way of mitigation. The sentence of imprisonment for count one carrying arms with intent to commit an assault I impose is one year and nine months imprisonment.”

Judge Cato fully suspended Fifita’s sentence of imprisonment on the ground that:

a. He is placed on probation for the term of his suspension;

b. He is not to commit any offences punishable by imprisonment for the term of his suspension;

c. He is not to drink alcohol during the term of his suspension;

d. He is to undergo the following courses under the direction of probation;

  1. A course on alcohol and drug abuse
  2. A course on anger management

e. He is to perform 140 hours community work under the direction of probation and also under the direction and supervision of Mr Andrew To’moana (Director of IT MEIDECC department). The community work he may undertake in compliance with the order includes;

1. Conducting a survey on education standards in Forms 5, 6 and 7 to be analysed and reported;

2. Provide advice to students in villages regarding education and educating them to set goals;

3. Provide advice to people in villages regarding security issues when using Social Media and the Internet;

  1. Provide Computer training skills to Civil Officers of the Government;
  2. Create a Computer Program to store records of the department.

Fifita was warned that a failure to perform the conditions of his suspension may mean that he is required to serve the term of imprisonment imposed upon him.

On count 2 charge of carrying a firearm and ammunition in a public place he was convicted and discharged.

The rifle and ammunition were forfeit.

Visiting FIFA trophy will help publicise kingdom says Lavulavu

By
Philip Cass
-

Sports Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu believes the inclusion of Tonga in the FIFA world cup trophy tour will be good for tourism.

The trophy was brought to Tonga yesterday January 31 as part of its world tour.

Tonga is one of the first countries on the tour, which began in Russia last September.

“This is great publicity for the kingdom,” Hon. Lavulavu told Kaniva News.

“I believe the uniqueness of our Kingdom is what made them want to bring the trophy
here.”

Tonga was a small island, but its people had big hearts and a passion for the sport.

This is the first time the FIFA World Cup trophy has visited Tonga since it began its campaign to qualify for a World Cup 22 years ago.

The tour will visit 51 countries across six continents, travelling 126,000 km in the nine
months leading up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in June.

The FIFA World Cup Original Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup while
remaining in FIFA’s possession.

The Trophy is made of solid gold and weighs 6.142 kg. It depicts two human figures holding
the globe above them.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy remains in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright.

The team winning the FIFA World Cup keeps the authentic original trophy for a short time
and is then awarded a gold plated replica.

Tonga has not qualified for the world cup since it began competing in 1998.

Customs confiscate container-load of counterfeit textbooks from China

By
Philip Cass
-

Customs have seized another container of counterfeit school textbooks at the wharf in
Nuku’alofa.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Innovation, Trade, and
Labour , Edgar Cocker, said the container contained materials designed to look like Warwick
Croxley Red exercise books.

Cocker told Kaniva News the book was an example of professional intention to counterfeit a
New Zealand idea and concept.

The fake textbooks were made in China.

“This is against the Consumer Act and therefore we have the right to hold the materials and confiscate,” Cocker said.

His department was working closely with the Customs Department on the matter.

“Tonga is now a victim of counterfeit and professional duplication,” Cocker said.

“The Ministry is now focused on stopping this illegal work by Asian and other developing countries.”

The container was imported by a Chinese businessman.

Fine

In 2016 Xiao Long Fang was fined TP$9000 for importing a large number of exercise books
which purported to have been printed by Croxley Stationary Limited.

“Potentially Croxley and other suppliers could have been very seriously affected had the
defendant succeeded in his object, but Customs seized the product on delivery in
Tongatapu and hence the defendant was not able to sell them,” Hon. Justice Cato said at
the time.

Last year Tonga’s Reserve Bank warned that counterfeit TP$50 notes were in circulation.

Emotions run high as body of dengue fever victim arrives in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

Sounds of lamentation from family members were heard at Auckland International Airport
this morning as the body of Toafei Telefoni was carried off an aircraft from Tonga.

As Kaniva News reported on Monday, Telefoni died of what health authorities described as “dengue shock syndrome.”

Her mother, ‘Alavina Telefoni, found it hard to see her cousins and relatives who were
waiting at the airport for her and her dead daughter.

She hugged and kissed some of them in a moment some described on Facebook as
“lo’imata’ia” (full of tears).

Toafei’s body was taken to the Anns Funeral Home and Onsite Cremations in Wiri, Manukau city.

A failotu (prayer service) was scheduled to be held tonight at 7pm at the mortuary and her
wake will be held at the Free Wesleyan Church in Otahuhu on Friday night, a source very closed to the family told Kaniva News.

The family and relatives in South Auckland held a series of meetings since Monday to
discuss their cultural duties for the funeral, the source said.

They also held failotu in honour of Telefoni.

Tributes

‘Alavina came from Ha’ateiho and her father Sini Telefoni was from Hofoa.
Residents of the two towns as well as relatives of the couple paid tributes to Toafei on
Facebook.

“So so sad ….. if only they took her in to the (hospital) earlier she could
have had a chance but anyway fly high little girl,” a commentator wrote.

“Our deepest condolences Vina – wish we were there for you also – Ofa lahi Atu to you and
your beautiful family during this hard time xoxox,” one commentator wrote.

“My deepest condolences to you and your family – especially losing such a beautiful, young
angel. Xxx,” another wrote.

Parties in Land Court case told to find a way to share land peacefully after long running case

By
Philip Cass
-

The Land Court has told two rival parties in a dispute that they must learn to live together
on the same piece of land.

The order came as part of an adjudication on a multi-generational land dispute that has
been before the bench several times in the past few months.

The dispute centred on the rights to a town allotment in Kolomotu’a owned by Ilaisa
Ngininginiofolanga.

With Ilaisa’s consent, Sosefo Nginingini built a house on the allotment where he lived with
his wife Lupe and children for about 15 years. After his death Ilaisa granted a 99 year lease the allotment to his daughter ‘Alisi.

He also purported to gift the house to her. ‘Alisi demanded that Lupe move out of the
house and off the allotment, but he would not leave.

She asked the court to order Lupe to leave.

Lupe denied that ‘Alisi owned the house, arguing that the lease was invalid because the Minister failed to make adequate enquires before granting it. Lupe counterclaimed for the cancellation of ‘Alisi’s lease.

The case first came before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen in September last year. The case was
adjourned when it appeared the parties would settle, but this did not happen. The trial
resumed on 11 January 2018 and was completed the next day.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he found Lupe to be a credible and honest witness.

“By comparison I did not find ‘Alisi credible and her evidence was neither compelling nor plausible.” The judge said.

In 1995 Ilaisa was registered as the holder of a town allotment at Tu’atakilangi,
Kolomotu’a.

He and his wife Ana had 11 children, of whom Sosfeo was the eldest son and heir.

Ana was employed as a maid for the Tu’ipelehake.

In 1997 Sosefo was unmarried and working as a seaman. Ilaisa allowed Sosefo to build a
house on his allotment.

Sosefo’s house was built and largely complete by 1999.

Sosefo married Lupe in 1999 and moved into Sosefo’s house.

In around 2000 Ana’s services were no longer required by the Tu’ipelehake. Her house at Fatai was moved to Ilaisa’s town allotment.

Ana moved into her house along with three of her children. Ana lived in her house until she
died.

‘Alisi married in 1997. In around 1998 ‘Alisi travelled to New Zealand with the
Tu’ipelehake and prepared his meals. Upon her return to Tonga she lived with her
husband’s family until they separated in 2005.

In 2010 Sosefo applied for and was granted a town allotment at Kolomotu’a.

“The circumstances that allowed Sosefo to apply for the allotment are not altogether clear,
but I am satisfied that when the allotment became available Sosefo took the opportunity to
acquire it for his second son and that he never intended to live on the allotment,” Lord
Chief Justice Paulsen said.

Sosefo never moved onto the town allotment.

Ana died away in 2014 and after her death ‘Alisi and her children continued to live in Ana’s house.

Sosefo died on October 23, 2015. From his death Sosefo’s eldest son became Ilaisa’s heir, entitled to succeed to his town allotment.

A dispute then arose between ‘Alisi and Lupe.

“My assessment is that ‘Alisi was of the view that Lupe should move out of Sosefo’s house and to his town allotment,” the judge said.

“Lupe made it clear that she was not going to move. Ilaisa was aware that a dispute
had arisen. Very shortly after Sosefo’s death he suggested to Lupe that he might
subdivide the allotment between Lupe and ‘Alisi, but Lupe did not agree to that.

“It is not hard to understand why, when her eldest son was the heir and entitled to
succeed to the entire allotment in due course.”

On November 16, 2015 Ilaisa agreed to grant ‘Alisi a 99 year lease of his town allotment.

The application for lease was processed by the Ministry with unusual haste. ‘Alisi knew the case officer at the Ministry of Lands which might explain this. Cabinet consent was obtained on December 4, 2015 and the lease was registered on April 5 the following year.

Lupe was not aware of the lease until it was registered.

On March 7, 2016 Lupe claimed her widow’s interest in Sosefo’s town allotment.

The application was granted on March 17, 2016. She remained living with her children in
Sosefo’s house.

“For what reason then did Ilaisa grant ‘Alisi the lease?” the judge asked.

“I find there were two reasons. The primary reason was to provide ‘Alisi with the means to evict Lupe and to take Sosefo’s house. The second reason was so that ‘Alisi could not be removed from the allotment upon Ilaisa’s death should Sosefo’s son inherit the land.

“ ‘Alisi has no intention of allowing Lupe to remain on the land or in Sosefo’s house. “
The judge said that if the owner of land requested another, or allowed another, to expend
money on the land under an expectation created or encouraged by the landlord that he
would be able to remain there, that raised an equity in the licensee such as to entitle him
to stay.

“It is an equity well recognised in law,” he said.

“The equity cannot be satisfied other than by allowing Lupe to remain in her home on
the land. It is correct that Lupe has other land she could move to, but at the cost of the
upheaval of her life and the lives of her children, considerable emotional distress and
financial loss.

“It would be unjust to require her to move. Lupe may remain living on the allotment for
as long as she wants whilst Ilaisa is the holder of the allotment.

“The more difficult question is whether justice also requires me to make an order
cancelling ‘Alisi’s lease.

“The lease was a device to evict Lupe and defeat her rights. The existence of the lease is
antithetical to Lupe’s continued occupation and might be dealt with by ‘Alisi or her  successors (for instance by assignment or mortgage) in a manner that defeats Lupe’s rights.

I intend therefore to direct the Minister to cancel the lease.

“It should not be thought either that this ruling means that ‘Alisi must herself move off the allotment.

Sosefo and Lupe have never enjoyed the exclusive right to occupy the allotment.
Lupe and ‘Alisi will need to find means by which they can both live peacefully on the land.

“For as long as Ilaisa is the registered holder of his town allotment Ilaisa and ‘Alisi are not to take any steps to evict Lupe or her children from the allotment or interfere with their occupation of Sosefo’s house.”

Ministry says no promise to open dialysis unit in Tonga, can’t endorse private clinic

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s Ministry of Health says claims that 60 people have died from chronic kidney disease
are false and says it has never promised to establish a dialysis unit in the kingdom.

Speaking to Kaniva News, Dr Sione Latu said the claims of 60 deaths was an exaggeration.

He said the last clinical audit in 2016 showed 38 cases who would be on dialysis if they were overseas, of whom five subsequently died. This was in line with world statistics.

Dr Latu was responding to claims reported in the New Zealand media from a Tongan man who was admitted to Middlemore Hospital two days after he arrived in the country with end-stage kidney failure.

“There was never a promise to establish a dialysis unit here in Tonga,” Dr Latu said.

He said the Ministry had begun talks with the Tongan Dialysis Foundation (TDF) which wanted to establish a clinic.

However, he said the TDF needed to fulfil several requirements before the Ministry could
endorse plans to establish a private clinic in Tonga.

These included establishing links with kidney specialists, making a financial plan, proving the project was sustainable, addressing issues of financial transparency and addressing
suggestions that the Crown Prince be named as patron.

He said the TDF had not met the Ministry’s requirements.

“Sustainability is vital,” Dr Latu said.

“If MOH endorses TDF’s project, then when things go wrong we either get the blame or
clean up the mess which will likely incur huge costs to us.”

Dr Latu said the Ministry could not run its own programme because it would eat up 20
percent of the annual health budget for less than one percent of the population.

“This is not equitable distribution of meagre resources,” he said.

It cost about NZ$60,000 per patient per year for haemodialysis and NZ$35,000 per patient
per year for patients who could have a dialysis bag inserted.

With about40-50 odd patients with end stage kidney failure needing replacement therapy,
the final figure would be close to TP$5 million, without considering setup costs.

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