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Family bestow grandfather’s nickname, ‘Hammer of the ‘Utula’āina,’ on Taumālolo

By
Kalino Latu
-

An uncle of Jason Taumālolo has honoured the rugby star with family and traditional nickname and told how he is connected by blood to some of Tonga’s best-known rugby players.

Mapa Taumālolo honoured Jason with their late grandfather’s nickname, “Hāmala ‘o e ‘Utula’āina” or Hammer of the ‘Utula’āina.

Mapa said their grandfather Elimeleki Sofele Tafuna Taumālolo was referred to by the nickname because he was a big, brave man revered for his physical courage.

He said everyone in their village of Holonga, Vava’u was euphoric after Jason opted to represent Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup later this month.

“Every Kolohea  in the globe is happy and they wish there was a road from where they live so they could come and support their son”, Mapa told Kaniva News.

He said Jason, Talilotu Ngaluafe who played winger for the ‘Ikale Tahi and former captain and ‘Ikale Tahi coach Fakahau Valu as well as Alisona (Sona) Taumālolo, who played for New Zealand teams including the Chiefs, were Jason’s cousins through their grandfathers.

Mapa said when he heard about Jason’s success in rugby he remembered the sacrifice Jason’s dad made when Jason was young.

“When I was studying in New Zealand, Jason’s father Va’ai came and picked me up on weekends,” Mapa said.

“Jason was very young at the time.

“Every evening we went and took Jason and his elder brother Warner for physical exercises.”

“Today I can see the result of how Va’ai and Tominika had sacrificed to support the talent of Jason and in our heart we are really happy and proud of it.

“We thank God for the talent He has given to our son”, Mapa said.

Mapa said  that Sione Taumālolo, the 11-year-old who was killed in a fatal Christmas Eve bus crash near Gisborne in 2016, was also a cousin of Jason.

Sione’s father is a younger brother of Jason’s father.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga team had been the centre of huge celebrations in the kingdom which ranges from parades, team members visiting hospitals, primary schools and some villages to people vying to take photos with the team players.

Their daily training sessions at Pangai Lahi in front of the Nuku’alofa royal palace have been attended by many and the team had been seen walking and shaking hands with the spectators after their training yesterday morning.

At a press conference in Tonga Taumālolo said it was a privilege to represent Tonga again and to represent his family.

Konrad Hurrell told the conference: “I was born and raised here and it is a privilege to come back.”

Mate Ma’a coach Kristian Woolf said the team had a good mix of what he called experienced campaigners with a lot of potential.

He said the team would have to work really hard in training so they could perform on the field.

The main points

  • An uncle of Jason Taumālolo has honoured the rugby star with family and traditional nickname and told how he is connected by blood to some of Tonga’s best-known rugby players.
  • Mapa Taumālolo honoured Jason with their late grandfather’s nickname, “Hāmala ‘o e ‘Utula’āina” or Hammer of the ‘Utula’āina.
  • Mapa said their grandfather Elimeleki Sofele Tafuna Taumālolo was referred to by the nickname because he was a big, brave man revered for his physical courage.
  • He said everyone in their village of Holonga, Vava’u was euphoric after Jason opted to represent Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup later this month.

For more information 

Mate Ma’a Tonga – National Rugby League Press Conference

Court denies Salt Lake FWC claims in latest step in long running church legal drama

By
Philip Cass
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In the latest step in a long running dispute between two Tongan churches, an American court has denied an appeal for legal fees and costs to the Salt Lake City Laumālie Mā’oni’oni Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

The FWC had made the claims following a case last year in which another court dismissed a claim by the Church Mutual Insurance Company in which the company sought to determine its obligations to all parties in the dispute.

Church Mutual and the  Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Board of Trustees of the Tongan United Methodist Church Conference Parties then reached a full settlement and the district court agreed to dismiss all claims between them in February this year.

The FWC Parties argued that dismissal was improper because it did not vindicate their rights or resolve the controversy that still existed.

“The FWC Parties have not, however, identified any extant disputes or controversies, nor have they explained how Church Mutual may remain obligated to them,” Judge Monroe G. McKay Circuit Judge said in his report on the case.

“The FWC Parties appear to rely on the factor pertaining to their effort and expense in preparing for trial to argue against dismissal. But they were not required to prepare for trial. Their filings were limited to an answer, responses to intervention and discovery.”

The judge said the FWC’s fundamental argument in challenging dismissal was that Church Mutual should be required to pay their attorney fees and costs incurred in the case.

However, under American rules, parties to a lawsuit ordinarily paid their own attorney fees.

“Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting dismissal without awarding the FWC Parties their attorney fees and costs.

“The FWC Parties’ request for an award of attorney fees and costs on appeal is denied. The judgment is affirmed.”

The dispute dates back to 2013 when the Tongan Wesleyan Church split after Filimone Havili Mone, the former pastor of the Tongan United Methodist Church, was charged with failing to report child abuse.

The Rocky Mountain Conference removed Mone from his post, but apparently without telling his congregation why.

This caused a majority of  church members to agree to change the name of the Tongan United Methodist Church to Salt Lake City Laumālie Mā’oni’oni Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, to elect a new board and modify its articles of incorporation.

The Conference sided with the minority members who remained with the Tongan United Methodist Church and opposed the changes.

In January 2013,  ‘Etimani Ma’afu, was elected as president of the Tongan United Methodist Church, but not for the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The FWC filed a legal challenge alleging that Ma’afu was improperly claiming authority over the church’s assets. The Conference filed a counterclaim asserting ownership and control of the church’s charter and assets.

The Conference and the Tongan United Methodist Church then sued the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and its principals, alleging a breach of fiduciary duty in setting up their unaffiliated congregation.

The Church Mutual Insurance Company of Wisconsin then asked a federal judge to sort out whose legal bills it was obliged to pay in the dispute.

The company said  that it had determined that under a policy issued in 2010, it would potentially have to pay limited legal fees for Ma’afu, but not for the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The main points

  • In the latest step in a long running dispute between two Tongan churches, an American court has denied an appeal for legal fees and costs to the Salt Lake City Laumalie Mā’oni’oni Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
  • The FWC had made the claims following a case last year in which another court dismissed a claim by the Church Mutual Insurance Company in which the company sought to determine its obligations to all parties in the dispute.
  • Church Mutual and the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Board of Trustees of the Tongan United Methodist Church Conference Parties then reached a full settlement and the district court agreed to dismiss all claims between them in February this year.
  • The FWC Parties argued that dismissal was improper because it did not vindicate their rights or resolve the controversy that still existed.

For more information 

Church Mutual Insurance Company v. Board of Trustees of the Tongan United Methodist Church

Dispute over the assets of a Tongan Methodist church in Utah

Utah Tongan church dispute moves to federal court (2013) 

Broadcaster restructured to avoid closing down due to financial crisis, says TBC chair

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga Broadcasting Commission was restructured to save it from being closed down, the Commission’s chair, Dr. Tu’i Uata said today.

Dr. Uata told Kaniva News the TBC faced being shut down in two months because it was running at a loss despite having a strong “technical” management to make sure it is functioned financially.

Dr. Uata blamed the situation on the way the TBC news was being created and broadcast.

In Tongan he said: “Ko e palopalema  ko e content oku ‘ikai manakoa aia makatuunga ai a e mole.”

This can be translated into English as: “The problem is that the content is not popular, that’s why it ran at a loss.”

He said he had launched a reform at TBC which based on the idea that everything in the organisation has to be “people centred” and focus on customers.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, two senior and long serving journalists at TBC were moved out of the newsroom and moved into the sales and marketing department.

Laumanu Petelō, the editor and Viola Ulakai, the news manager, were moved to a new department within the sales section known as NGO.

Chief engineer Solomone Fīnau has since been appointed acting general manager and Vilisoni Tu’iniua was taking care of the newsroom.

Dr. Uata said he wanted to put a stop to the “loss” so that the organisation could be profitable.

“According to the public enterprise law which we are under, if the organisation is not financially viable or it cannot be able to perform like you (Kaniva News), there is a ground for dismissal,” Dr Uata said.

“TBC cash flow will shut down in two months, and all will go home.”

“That’s the reality,” he said.

Dr. Uata said this was his priority at this stage.

He said he was concerned at TBC being operating at loss.

Dr. Uata was asked about Petelō and Ulakai’s expertise in marketing as they had been in the newsroom for most of their services.

In his response he said: “Koe expertise ke mau ha silini ikai koe mole he tukuhau kakai oku uesia.”

This can be translated into English as: “The expertise should bring in revenues and not to cause loss to the people’s tax money.”

The reform comes after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva told Kaniva News in an interview that the TBC had run at a loss for many years because the majority of sponsors and listeners moved and used other private broadcasters.

In February the government, which is TBC’s main sponsor, injected TP$200,000 to the broadcaster to support its operations.

The main points

  • The Tonga Broadcasting Commission was restructured to save it from being closed down, the Commission’s chair, Dr. Tu’i Uata said today.
  • Dr Uata said the TBC faced being shut down in two months because it was running at a loss.
  • He blamed the situation on the way the TBC news was being created and broadcast.
  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in an earlier interview that most of the TBC’s sponsors and listeners moved to other private broadcasters.

Video: Die hard supporter blocks police van as Mate Ma‘a Tonga team welcomed in kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
-

Traffic in Taufa’āhau Road briefly came to a halt yesterday after a die-hard Mate Ma’a Tonga fan danced in the path of a police van.

The police used the vehicle’s loud-speaker to warn the woman to get off the road, but she kept dancing towards their van, causing a short delay on Tonga’s busiest road.

The incident was captured on video and shared online.

In the video the driver can be seen moving the van sideways to avoid the cheerleader, but the Mate Ma’a Tonga die hard supporter kept bumping into the vehicle before she laughed and ran off the road.

Cheering and joking spectators warned her to get off the road or she could be run over by the vehicle.

The incident took place as exultant fans greeted eight team players at the Fua’amotu International airport.

The players, Andrew Fifita, Tuimoala Lolohea, ‘Ūkuma Tā’ai, David Fusitu’a, Ata Hingano, Sione Kātoa, Daniel Tupou and Manu Vatuvei were met at the airport by Konrad Hurrell, who was already in Tonga.

They were joined by hundreds of well wishers who had come to welcome the players.

The Tongan team has been the focus of attention ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup after Jason Taumālolo defected from the North Queensland Cowboys to represent Tonga.

Several other major players have now joined him.

Andrew Fifita turned his back on Australia’s Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to join the Tongan team.

Fifita has represented Australia seven times while Taumālolo represented New Zealand 10 times.

Reactions to the defections have been mixed. Tongan fans have applauded the news, while rugby authorities overseas have been furious.

New Zealand captain Adam Blair launched a withering attack on Taumalolo saying his action “was a betrayal of the national jersey.”

Australian rugby league captain Cameron Smith said he was shocked at what was described as “Fifita’s last-minute change of allegiance.”

However, he said he would welcome the Tongan forward back to the Australian team if he was selected next season.

“I was a little bit shocked to be honest, both with Jason’s decision and Andrew’s, but at the end of the day it’s up to the individual and if they’re happy to represent the countries that they decide to play for then I’m happy for them,” he told the ABC.

The Tongan team will battle against Scotland in Cairns on October 29 and Samoa in Hamilton on November 4, before they have to face New Zealand in Hamilton on November 11.

The main points

  • Traffic in Taufa’ahau Road briefly came to a halt yesterday after a die-hard Mate Ma’a fan danced in the path of a police van.
  • The police used the vehicle’s loud-speaker to warn the woman to get off the road, but she kept dancing towards their van, causing a short delay on Tonga’s busiest road.
  • The incident took place as exultant fans greeted eight team players at the Fua’amotu International airport.
  • Mate Ma’a will play Scotland in Cairns at the end of this month.

For more information 

“Outstanding” says Tongan rugby coach as top players line up for kingdom

Will majority of women voters mean more women MPs after November election?

By
Philip Cass
-

More women than men are registered to vote for next month’s elections in Tonga, but will this translate into more women Parliamentarians?

According to the Tongan Electoral Commission, as of September 22, a total of 50,450 voters were registered, of whom 25,722 (51%) were women and 24,683 (49%) were men.

A total of 15 women will contest the elections on November 16. There are 86 candidates in total.

In 2014, 16 women stood for election out of 104 candidates.

Tonga has only one woman MP.

She is Akosita Lavulavu, who won a by-election in her Vava’u number 16 seat last year.

The head of the Tongan Women’s National Congress,  Lepolo Taunisila, said   women had a huge contribution to make to the development of Tonga.

She hoped several women would be elected.

Most of the 15 women candidates had good qualifications and years of experience in various fields.

Taunisila told Radio New Zealand the Congress  was helping with door-to-door campaigning.

She said electors preferred candidates to come to their homes so they could get to know them better.

The head of the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children, Fuiva Kavaliku, said she thought Tongan voters would respond positively,  despite tradition favouring men.

The main points

For more information 

Tonga excited to see women step towards politics

Tongan leader hopeful for more women MPs 

Tongan electoral Commission 

Taupo crash: Tu’ivai family torn apart as mum killed while daughter in stable condition

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan family in New Zealand have been ripped apart after a mother was killed in a horror smash while her three-year-old daughter remains in Rotorua Hospital in a stable condition.

Siokāpesi Tu’ivai, 44, also known as Pesi, died in a crash which claimed four lives yesterday afternoon at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Tutukau Road, Taupo.

A 65-year-old woman, 60-year-old man and a five-year-old boy travelling in one vehicle were killed, along with Tu’ivai in the other vehicle, according to Police.

A 42-year-old man remains in a critical condition in intensive care, and a 32-year-old woman is in a stable condition, at Waikato Hospital.

A 10-month-old baby suffered critical injuries in the crash and was transferred from Waikato Hospital to Starship overnight, Police said.

Three females, aged 2, 17 and 66 including Tu’ivai’s daughter, all remain in Rotorua Hospital in stable conditions.

A fifth woman, aged 42, who was taken to Rotorua Hospital was not admitted.

Tu’ivai was ordained as a preacher in Auckland over the weekend before she was returning to Palmerston North with seven others.

Heart broken tributes over the family’s loss have been posted to social media.

‘Today we all lost an amazing lady who helped our church community so much,’ one friend wrote.

‘Pesi we just chat the other day and I did not know that was our last day together. I know you’ll be in heaven my friend. We’ll pray for you. My condolences go to your family.’

“This is an absolutely devastating event on our roads and Police extend their sympathies to the loved ones of all of those involved,” said Senior Sergeant Nicky Cooney, Acting Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager.

“The investigation is in the very early stages but what is clear is that the vehicles have impacted head-on.

“It will take some time for the SCU to establish more facts.

“At the moment our priority is ensuring support is provided to those who need it following this tragedy.

“Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, the number of people an event like this affects is awful,” says Senior Sergeant Nicky Cooney.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“Everyone needs to think about their driving habits and keep safety at the forefront of their minds every time they hop in a vehicle.

Police asked anyone who witnessed the crash, or has information which may help the Police investigation, to contact Taupo Police on 07 378 6060.

“We are not in a position to release the names of victims at this stage, this will be done once we’re satisfied all next of kin are notified.

Electricity Commission meets to address allegations; funds were audited, NRFB boss says

By
Kalino Latu
-

The members of the Electricity Commission trust board will meet tomorrow (Thursday, October 12) to discuss allegations regarding the electricity employees’ pension fund.

The CEO of the National Retirement Benefits Fund (NRBF) Dr.Leimoni Taufu’i said the meeting would also look at the employment contract of the chair of the Commission Lord Dalgety of Scotland Tonga.

In addition, it would discuss what the law said about the number of board members, Dr Taufu’i said.

He said the meeting was called on his advice after an Electricity Commission board member Paula Tupou alleged money was missing from the Commission’s pension fund scheme for the period between 2012 – 2016.

Dr. Taufu’i said the Commission had submitted audited reports to the NRBF for these financial years, although NRBF was not in a position to review it.

Tupou has questioned Lord Dalgety’s employment contract, which has a clause allowing him to stay on his post until he dies with some exceptions.

He told Kaniva News other people in similar positions with the Commission did not have employment contracts.

“They are appointed by the Finance Minister and approved by the Cabinet,” Tupou said.

“Commissioners may be dismissed by the Finance Minister for misconduct, neglect of duty, bankruptcy etc.

“We are paid a salary of $624 a month after tax. The chairman gets about $724 a month. We are paid a meeting fee of $100 per meeting after tax.”

Tomorrow’s meeting is expected to be attended by staff from Tax Office and an independent lawyer, as well as Dr. Taufu’i.

“I recommended to the Electricity Commission to call a board meeting and invite to it staff from the Tax Office to look at the issues with tax being raised, allegation about pension funds and a lawyer to look at Dalgety’s  employment contract”, Dr Taufu’i said in Tongan.

“In this way the allegations can be resolved and if they prove to be true Paula Tupou is free to take those responsible to court.”

Dr. Taufu’i said the law allowed the board trustees  to order an independent re-audit of the funds if they were not satisfied with any audited reports.

Dr. Taufu’i said he had written to Tupou and the commission about the NRFB laws and policy.

Electricity Commission fund

The Electricity Commission retirement fund scheme was one of 15 retirement fund organisations authorised by the NRBF in 2012 to operate their employees’ retirement funds by themselves before reporting them to NRBF.

These schemes were known as “complying schemes” which must furnish audited accounts every year, Dr. Taufu’i said.

“They have their own policy for operating their funds and have their own auditors.

“Their audited reports must be submitted to their own board.

“The law does not stipulate that NRBF has to scrutinise these audited reports but we have access to them.

“We know how much retirement funds paid out in the current year and any amendments to the Trust Deeds.”

In 2012 it was decided that all retirement commission boards must have equal representation from employers and workers, with two employer representatives and two employee representatives.

Dr. Taufu’i said NRBF was provided with the number of members at the Electricity Commission, but not their names.

In December 2014 an amendment was made to the law to remove the equal representation policy allowing well educated and experienced people in the community to be elected to join the boards.

The main points

  • The members of the Electricity Commission trust board will meet tomorrow (Thursday, October 12) to discuss allegations regarding the electricity employees’ pension fund.
  • The CEO of the National Retirement Benefits Fund (NRBF) Dr.Leimoni Taufu’i said the meeting would also look at the employment contract of the chair of the Commission Lord Dalgety.
  • In addition, it would discuss what the law said about the number of board members, Dr Taufu’i said.
  • He said the meeting was called on his advice after allegations that money was missing from the Commission’s pension fund schemes for the period between 2012 – 2016.

For more information 

Leaked e-mails point to major row with Lord Dalgety over missing fund allegations

Tongan one of four dead in New Zealand horror crash

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan woman was one of four people killed in a horror accident on a New Zealand highway today Tuesday 10.

A cousin of the deceased, who did not want to be identified, said the victim lived in Palmerston.

Police have confirmed that four people were dead while eight were injured following the collision earlier today at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Tutukau Road.

Of the eight that were injured, two were in a critical condition and the others were in a serious condition or have moderate injuries.

The injured have been taken to either Waikato or Rotorua hospitals and police continue to investigate at the scene.

The road closed until 9.15pm this evening and the road is now open.

More information in relation to the crash will be released later tomorrow morning, Police said.

Tongans do not have the highest percentage of overstayers, says Massey prof

By
Philip Cass
-

Massey University’s Professor Paul Spoonley said this morning that Tongans did not have the highest percentage of overstayers in New Zealand.

Last week the New Zealand Herald quoted Professor Spoonley as saying there were now legal options for Pacific Islanders to enter New Zealand.

“Spoonley said programmes such as the Recognised Employer Scheme had provided a legal employment option, especially for Tongans – the top nationality of overstayers,” the Herald said.

The Massey academic told radio New Zealand this morning that the number of Tongan and Samoan overstayers in New Zealand had halved in the past 17 years.

He said reports that the Tongan community had the highest percentage of overstayers was incorrect.

“It’s quite a complicated picture and it depends on visa approvals and denials, so there are a number of groups from various countries who overstay particular visa categories,” Spoonley said.

“It’s not like a league table where Tongans are number one.”

His comments followed the release of a report showing that since 2000, the number of overstayers had dropped from about 20,000, to just over 10,000.

Last week Kaniva News reported comments from Immigration New Zealand saying most of the overstayers  had been on a visitor visa (6735), followed by work visas (1981) and student visas (1523).

The main points

  • Massey University’s Professor Paul Spoonley said this morning that Tongans did not have the highest percentage of overstayers in New Zealand.
  • He said the number of Tongan and Samoan overstayers in New Zealand had halved in the past 17 years.

For more information 

Significant drop in Tongan and Samoan overstayer figures

Immigration: Overstayer numbers have nearly halved from ten years ago 

TBC shake-up forces senior journalists out of newsroom to take on new roles

By
Kalino Latu
-

The restructuring of Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) saw two top senior journalists leaving the newsroom and taking on new roles at the broadcaster.

Laumanu Petelō, the editor of TBC’s Television and Radio and Viola Ulakai, the news manager have  moved into a new department under the Commission’s marketing and sales management last week.

The shake-up had been made under the direction of TBC new board chairman Dr. Tu’i Uata who replaced ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi last month.

Petelō, Ulakai and Uata did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

However, Kakalu ‘o Tonga editor ‘Ulu’alo Po’uhila told Kaniva News they interviewed Petelō regarding the reshuffle.

He alleged Petelō and Ulakai were not happy with the shake-up and were seeking help from ombudsman office and legal advisors.

The restructure came after Ulakai was advised to be suspended in April 2016 after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was disappointed to learn that she had falsely claimed that a request for a press conference to answer questions regarding his son were made on behalf of the Tonga Media Council.

In March Petelō repeatedly clashed with Hon. Pōhiva during a press conference in Nuku’alofa after the Prime Minister accused TBC for reporting negatively against his government.

The rows between the government and TBC staffers had reached boiling point after the Minister of Public Enterprises warned that the automatic renewal of its former general manager Nanisē Fifita’s contract with TBC in May was void.

The minister wanted the post to be advertised. Fifita took the minster to court but the judge ruled in favour of the government.

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