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Land dispute stalls building of 32 weaving houses in Vava’u

By
Kalino Latu
-

A dispute over a parcel of land given to build a new weaving house in Ha’alaufuli has delayed a building project which was launched in Vava’u last week.

Two communities from the towns of Ha’alaufuli and Leimātu’a had been picked to kick start the project with two weaving houses to be built in their respective communities.

They were joined by other communities in Vava’u 16 on Friday in a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony to mark the start of work on the project which undertook to build 32 weaving houses in the electorate.

The circumstances surrounding the land dispute were not immediately clear.

However, it is understood it was part of a conflict over land ownership.

The project was initiated by former Vava’u 16 MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu and it was now monitored by his wife MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu.

MP Lavulavu said the project aimed at assisting women’s weaving as it was one of the main sources of income for Vava’u.

The two houses were funded by various sponsors including the Tongan government and some Tongan citizens living overseas, MP Lavulavu has reported on Facebook.

Each house, which was 4.6m wide and 9.14m long, is equipped with toilet and bathroom.

Ms Lavulavu told Kaniva News this evening she was currently in a meeting and she would get back to us as soon as she can.

Executions may resume in California as Mataele waits on death row

By
Kalino Latu
-

A federal judge was expected to make a decision on whether or not the execution procedures were constitutional in California, United States.

Analysts believed the decision could bring back death penalty to the State.

That was not good news for 45-year-old Tongan, Tupoutoe Mataele who was waiting for a “court action” and the date on which he is to be executed by lethal injection.

About 750 inmates were on California’s Death Row after the U.S. western state last performed an execution in January 2006.

The death penalty was then halted until the state fixed problems in injection procedures and staff training.

The hold came into effect after a district judge said the procedures had “created a serious risk of a botched and agonizing execution in violation of constitutional standards.”

The state’s highest court recently upheld a new law regarding the death penalty and ruled that the five-year requirement for resolution of post-trial appeals was a “directive” and therefore not mandatory.

“That led some supporters of the measure to suggest that executions could resume in California with a matter of months,” the San Diego Union Tribune has reported last month.

Mataele, who had pleaded with the judge to “have mercy on me” was on death row for murder and attempted murder 20 years ago in a case which prosecutors said stemmed from a falling out from an identity-theft conspiracy.

Mataele was convicted for the shooting death of Danell Johnson on Nov. 12, 1997, and the attempted murder of John Matsubayashi, Johnson’s roommate.

The court was told Mataele and co-defendant Minh Nghia Lee and the two victims were at one time connected in a conspiracy to steal identities and commit bank fraud. But, prosecutors said, the group had a falling out.

Mataele and Lee lured Johnson outside his Anaheim apartment and shot him in the head, the court was reportedly told.

Lee was convicted of first- degree murder and sentenced to life without parole in 2005 while a third defendant, James Chung, was serving a life term without parole.

Mataele’s case occurred about two months after another Tongan man in Utah was convicted of murdering University of Nevada, Reno Police Officer George Sullivan in 1997.

In that case a jury had sentenced Siaosi Vanisi to die for the crime.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, Vanisi’s case was currently being reviewed by a court.

Sovaleni’s supporters show their power as Democratic Party releases party list

By
Kalino Latu
-

The supporters of sacked Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni fielded a long parade of vehicles and marchers in Nuku’alofa today as his rival, Prime Minster ‘Akilisi Pōhiva,  released his party list to the public.

Today’s parade, which was joined by hundreds of people, was videoed and shared online, with Sovaleni’s supporters bragging about the number and saying this was a message from Tongatapu 3.

The showcase came about a week after the Democratic Party, which is also known as the Paati Temokālati ‘a e ‘Otu Motu Anga’ofa (PTOA), became deadlocked after it first released its party list in Kele’a newspaper‘s Monday issue without listing a candidate to stand for Tongatapu 3.

On Tuesday the Party finally announced that the director of Radio FM 87.5 Katalina Tohi would stand as its candidate for the constituency.

Hon. Pōhiva has named 16 candidates he said supported him to form the next government after the general election in November.

Six of them including Tohi were new candidates nominated to stand for the party for the Niua 17, Vava’u 15, ‘Eua 11, Ha’apai 12 and Tongatapu 5.

The rest of its candidates are current ministers and MPs.

The supporters of sacked Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni fielded a long parade of vehicles and marchers in Nuku’alofa today

Campaign

Hon. Pōhiva began leading strong campaign on Monday at Hahake and Vaheloto districts in support of the party’s candidates at the electorates.

Photos uploaded to Facebook showed meetings with Tatakamotonga and Ha’ateiho constituents.

The Tongatapu 3 parliamentary seat was won by the party in 2010 when former MP Dr Sitiveni Halapua was the candidate, but lost it to Sovaleni who stood as an independent candidate in the following general election.

Sovaleni supported Hon. Pōhiva after the election and while he stood for premiership and became his Deputy Prime Minister after Hon. Pōhiva was elected Prime Minister.

Two other popular candidates who stood from the electorate were Dr Halapua and Real Tonga CEO TÄ“vita Palu, who became second to Sovaleni in the last general election.

Dr Halapua returned to the political arena after he quit in the 2014 general election.

A total of 86 candidates from across the political spectrum will contest the election on November 16.

This compares with 105 in 2014.

The PTOA Party list

  1. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva
  2. SÄ“misi Lafu Sika
  3. Katalina Tohi
  4. Māteni Tapueluelu
  5. Losaline Mā’asi
  6. Poasi Mataele Tei
  7. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia
  8. SÄ“misi Fakahau
  9. Penisimani Fifita
  10. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa
  11. SÅ«nia Havea
  12. Mo’ale Fīnau
  13. Veivosa Taka
  14. Saia Piukala
  15. Tomifā Paea
  16. ‘Akosita Lavulavu
  17. Vātau Mefi Hui

The main points

  • The supporters of sacked Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni fielded a long parade of vehicles and marchers in Nuku’alofa today as his rival, Prime Minster ‘Akilisi Pohiva, released his party list to the public.
  • The showcase came three days after the Democratic Party became deadlocked after it first released its party list without listing a candidate to stand for Tongatapu 3.
  • On Wednesday the Party finally announced that the director of Radio FM 87.5 Katalina Tohi would stand as its candidate for the constituency.
  • Four other new candidates have been nominated to stand for the party for the Niuas, Vava’u 15, ‘Eua and Tongatapu 5.

For more information

86 candidates to line up for Tonga election

Gisborne bus crash driver pleads guilty to causing three deaths

By
Philip Cass
-

The driver of a  bus that crashed near Gisborne, killing three members of a Tongan school group, has pleaded guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death.

Talakai Aholelei entered his pleas in the Auckland District Court  on Friday.

Aholelei, 65, admitted to 27 counts of careless driving causing injury and three counts of careless driving causing death.

Aholelei was charged in April and initially pleaded not guilty in the Manukau District Court on June 9.

He will be sentenced in January.

The bus was carrying the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College brass band, which was on a tour of New Zealand to raise funds for the school’s 70th anniversary.

It was on its way to a concert at Gisborne’s Wesleyan Methodist Church when it crashed down a steep embankment on State Highway 2, 30km south of the town.

Student Sione Taumololo, 11, and Talita Fifita, 33, died in the crash.

School teacher Leotisia Malakai, 55, died later in Waikato Hospital.

There were 53 students, teachers and supporters on the bus.

The main points

  • The driver of a bus that crashed near Gisborne, killing three members of a Tongan school group, has pleaded guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death.
  • Talakai Aholelei entered his pleas in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
  • Aholeleie, 65, admitted to 27 counts of careless driving causing injury and three counts of careless driving causing death.
  • He was charged in April and initially pleaded not guilty in the Manukau District Court on June 9.

For more information  

Gisborne crash driver pleads guilty to careless driving

guilty-to-careless-driving.html

Police name man missing after boat found capsized in Mo’unga’one

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have named a Hala’ovave employee who went missing after a boat he was on capsized in rough waters at the entering channel in Mo’unga’one on Wednesday.

He is 32-year-old Tēvita Kolo.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the missing man was one of seven people on board a 22ft fibreglass cabin boat before it capsized at around 1.00pm.

Kolo was in Ha’apai to join workers who worked on a solar panels project in Mo’unga’one.

The six other passengers were rescued and brought to shore.

An ongoing search operation was coordinated by the people of Mo’unga’one and supported by the Ha’apai Police, a police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the missing Lofanga man who had been found alive by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) yesterday has returned to his family.

He went missing after he had been travelling to pick up five other fisherman on Nukupule Island, about 16km away on Tuesday morning.

“He had a mobile phone but no communications and safety equipment on board.

“A policeman had advised the fisherman to postpone the trip because of the rough conditions, a spokesperson from the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand said.”

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

By
Philip Cass
-

When Tonga and New Zealand clash in Hamilton on November 11, many of the Tongan team will be top grade players who were originally expected to turn out for the Kiwi side.

Tongan coach Kristian Woolf Tonga coach described the situation as “outstanding.”

“We have always spoken about getting the best Tongan players playing for Tonga,” Woolfe said.

The strengthened Mate Ma’a team for the Rugby League World Cup is being credited to North Queensland Cowboys second rower Jason Taumalolo, who persuaded them to play for the kingdom.

Woolfe said he was ecstatic to have nabbed Taumalolo and described it as a major coup for Tonga.

He said Taumalolo  had always wanted to play for Tonga while he was at his best.

Radio New Zealand quoted Taumalolo as saying the new rule on international representation meant he could represent both Tonga and New Zealand throughout his career.

“The World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga an opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them with their campaign.”

Taumalolo is a North Queensland Cowboys second rower, he represented the Mate Ma’a at the 2013 tournament but has since played 10 time for New Zealand, where he was born and raised.

He  also represented Tonga at the 2013 World Cup.

The Sydney Telegraph has listed the players it said were “ready to walk away from the Kiwis and make themselves available for Tonga” as:

Tui Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Solomone Kata (Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Titans), Manu Vatuvei (Salford), Manu Ma’u (Eels) and David Fusitu’a (Warriors).

It said Sydney Roosters’ Sio Siua Taukeiaho had confirmed he would play for Tonga.

The Telegraph reported that Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita had chosen to join Taumalolo, as had former Australian Test players Michael Jennings of Parramatta and Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, as well as Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate.

Hopoate, who played five State of origin matches for New South Wales, told the New Zealand Herald this afternoon that it was great for international rugby league for players such as Taumalolo and Fifita commit to Tonga over a tier one nation like Australia.

“It’s obviously great for Tonga, and great for the game,” Hopoate said.

“It’s building the game internationally and I think it will make the World Cup a bit more competitive.”

The main points

  • When Tonga and New Zealand clash in Hamilton on November 11, many of the Tongan team will be top grade players who were originally expected to turn out for the Kiwi side.
  • Tongan coach Kristian Woolf Tonga coach described the situation as “outstanding.”
  • “We have always spoken about getting the best Tongan players playing for Tonga,” Woolfe said.
  • The strengthened Tongan side is being credited to North Queensland Cowboys second rower Jason Taumalolo, who persuaded them to play for the kingdom.

For more information   

Jason Taumalolo and eight eligible Kiwis make secret pact to play for Tonga at RLWC

Sport: Jason Taumalolo snubs NZ for Tonga

Three hospitalised after shooting in South Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

(NZ) Police are responding to a firearms incident on Preston Road in Otara.

Police were called to the scene at 7.05pm.

“Three people have been taken to Middlemore Hospital. One male has moderate injuries and may require surgery, the two other males have superficial injuries”, said Inspector Wendy Spiller, Area Commander Counties Manukau East

Cordons are in place on Preston and Kudu Road as Police make enquiries to establish what has occurred.

We ask that people please avoid the area.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious is being urged to call Counties Manukau Police on (09) 261 1300  or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Lofanga man rescued by NZ Orion, another man missing after boat capsized in Mo’unga’one

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 36-year-old missing fisherman from Lofanga has been found alive by an RNZAF Orion after his boat broke down two days ago.

‘Aho Ta’e’iloa Ma’ulu’ulu was located three miles north west of Ha’afeva this afternoon.

The P-3K2 Orion aircraft saw Ma’ulu’ulu shortly after arriving in the search area about midday.

“When they flew past the crew saw the man standing on the canopy of his boat, waving a flag,” Group Captain Nick Olney said.

“The Orion gave the boat’s location to a patrol boat from Tonga’s armed forces, which was about 28 kilometres away,” Olney said.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old Hala’ovave man went missing yesterday Wednesday 4 after a boat capsized on the Mo’unga’one channel, a Police spokesperson told Kaniva News this afternoon.

“There were 7 people on board and 6 were found alive while the 32 years-old man is still missing”, she said.

“That operation is currently coordinated by the people of Mo’unga’one and supported by the Ha’apai Police.”

Supreme Court declares 2016 changes to TRU constitution unlawful

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has declared void amendments to the constitution of the Tonga Rugby Union voted on at a meeting in 2016.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen made his declaration following a court case brought against the TRU by plaintiffs who argued that no notice was given to the members of the intention to vote on the amendments prior to the Annual General Meeting.

It said they were not passed by  75% of the representatives attending  the meeting  as required  by the Constitution.

“The TRU has failed to comply with clear provisions in its Constitution as a result of which unlawful decisions have been made which are significant and affect the rights of the  members,” the judge said.

Evidence was presented on behalf of the plaintiffs by Feleti Fā’otusia.

Fā’otusia is the President of the Spartan Rugby Club. The Spartan Rugby Club is part of  the Vaheloto Sub-union.

Mr. Fā’otusia is a representative of the Vaheloto Sub-union and has the right to attend and vote at Annual and Special Meetings of the TRU.

He attended the meeting on May 11, 2016. He told the court no notice was given of the business to be discussed at the meeting.

Mr. Fā’otusia said that he was not informed of the intention to amend the TRU’s  Constitution and no opportunity was given to discuss the proposed amendments with his club or sub-union.

Immediately prior to the meeting Mr. Fā’otusia was given a document containing proposed amendments to the Constitution.

These 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.

The court accepted that the move to amend the constitution was passed by a bare  majority and not the 75% required.

Counsel for the plaintiffs argued that while courts had been reluctant to interfere in the internal affairs of societies, the TRU’s breaches of its Constitution were serious enough to justify the Court’s  intervention in this case.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he accepted the evidence that the voting had not met the requirements of the constitution, that no proper notice had been given and that the court had the jurisdiction to make a ruling.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has declared void amendments to the constitution of the Tonga Rugby Union voted on at a meeting in 2016.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen made his declaration following a court case brought against the TRU by plaintiffs who argued that no notice was given to the members of the intention to vote on the amendments prior to the Annual General Meeting and they were not passed by 75% of the representatives attending the meeting as required by the Constitution.

For more information 

Tonga rugby changes constitution to allow Prime Minister to become president

Police minister pays off TP$120,000 court debts as he faces new party supporting his rival

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Police Minister Māteni Tapueluelu has paid off TP$120,000 court debts, clearing the way for him to stand in next month’s snap election.

Legal counsellor and former Minister of Police William Clive Edwards Snr confirmed this to Nepituno news website.

Tapueluelu’s debts stemmed from fines imposed on him and Kele’a Tonga newspaper by Tongan courts in various civil cases which arose when Hon. Tapueluelu was editor.

He owed the money to Mr.  Edwards Snr as well as eight other former government ministers who had sued the former editor and Member of Parliament for defamation and libel.

The plaintiffs included former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakanō, former Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu, former Minister of Education Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki, former Minister of Police Dr. Viliami Uasike Lātū, former Minister of MAFF Sione Sangster Saulala and MP Fe’ao Vakatā.

The lawsuits stemmed from stories which included reports of claims about the transfer of Chinese money to Princess Pilolevu’s Tongasat company.

As Kaniva News reported in 2013, the magistrate’s court ruled on June 12 that year after the plaintiffs filed civil lawsuit over a letter to the editor. The letter accused the government of corruption and misuse of public funds, but the court rules there was no basis to the claims and that they were defamatory.

Allegations

Tapueluelu’s wife Lautala has used Facebook to deny allegations that a Chinese sponsor had helped pay off the debts.

She said she was concerned at how people were quick to speculate after it was announced that the debts had been cleared.

Lautala said they agreed with Mr Edwards the debts had to be paid by instalment.

She said her husband’s fines were paid with their own money and she was the one who went to Edwards office recently and settled the fines.

The Electoral Act section 9(4) requires potential candidates to submit their nomination forms together with written clearance from the Supreme Court that they have no record of an outstanding order under clause 65 of the Constitution.

New Party

Hon. Tapueluelu will stand against his former political rival ‘Isileli Pulu who is supported by the newly established Langafonua ‘a e Masiva party.

The party comprises former and current MPs, including Minster of Finance Dr.Aisake Eke, former Minister of Police and lawyer Siosifa Tu’utafaiva, former government minister and MP Sangstar Saulala and former Minister of Finance Sunia Fili.

The founder of the Langafonua Tu’uloa party, New Zealand-Tongan based lawyer Sione Fonua, became a member of the Langafonua ‘a e Masiva Party.

According to a final electoral roll published on September 15 there were 57,391 Tongan voters registered.

The main points

  • Tongan Police Minister Mateni Tapueluelu has paid off TP$120,000 court debts, clearing the way for him to stand in next month’s snap election.
  • Legal counsel and former Minister of Police William Clive Edwards confirmed this to Nepituno news website.
  • Tapueluelu’s debts stemmed from fines imposed on him and Kele’a Tonga newspaper by Tongan courts in various civil cases which arose when Hon. Tapueluelu was editor.
  • He owed the money to former Minister of Police and legal counsellor William Clive Edwards Snr as well as eight other former government ministers who had sued the former editor and Member of Parliament for defamation and libel.

For more information

Tongan magistrate rules seven were defamed by Kele’a Tonga newspaper

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