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Police arrest fourth suspect in heart surgery equipment theft

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga Police said a fourth person had been arrested in connection with theft of equipment which belonged to an Australian team of heart surgeons.

Police have arrested the 33-year-old man on Thursday.

As Kaniva News reported, Police had charged three suspects with housebreaking and theft after the equipment were stolen from the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa.

Police have arrested  a 42-year-old  man from Tofoa and his 25-year-old  girlfriend from Lomaiviti on September 1,  in relation to the  housebreaking  and theft  of a laptop and 4 flash drives which belonged to the surgeons.

A 48-year-old man from Kolomotu’a was also arrested from a house at a bush allotment in Lomaiviti on September 1 at 5.24am, where Police found the  stolen laptop and flash drives  as well  as 4 cannabis plants.

Police investigation continues after seven cows stolen from Nualei

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Police investigation continued this week to find out who stole seven cows from a farm in Vaini last month.

A Police spokesperson said the owner became aware of the incident on Friday night, August 25.

The owner of the farm lived in Kolofoʻou.

Police were appealing to the public for any information that might help them in their investigation.

Maka’s body laid to rest, no arrests yet

By
Kaniva Staff
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Family and kāinga came together in a ceremony honouring the life of the 22-year-old man from Pātangata who was found dead in a waterway in Popua early this month.

There have been no arrests made after the burial service in Talafoʻou on Friday.

The post-mortem examination on Kevini Maka’s body was completed before it had been released back to his family on Thursday, a Police spokesperson said.

As Kaniva News reported Acting Police Supt Tevita Vailea reportedly said they had enough information to launch the investigation while Police were still awaiting an autopsy report.

No further details were provided about the investigation.

No missile threat to central Pacific yet, but other threats remain

By
Philip Cass
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North Korea has not yet threatened to aim any missiles at the central Pacific islands, but other threats remain, a US delegation has warned.

The delegation from the United States told the Pacific Leaders Forum meeting in Samoa earlier this month it was working to defuse tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

However, the delegation said there were multiple threats to the region, including drug smuggling and terrorist groups.

The Pacific Islands Forum described North Korea’s threat to fire missiles at Guam as a  threat to the wider Pacific Islands region.

Guam is close to Pacific island nations such as Palau and the Micronesian nations such as the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Forum said it was important to fully implement implement UN Security Council Resolutions against North Korea.

The Communist dictatorship fired another missile last week.

According to the prestigious defence publication Janes, the missile flew over northern Japan before falling into the Pacific.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the missile, which flew over Cape Erimo and the Oshima Peninsula, reached an altitude of approximately 800 km and travelled a linear distance of 3700 km.

This was far enough to potentially reach the US island territory of Guam,  which Pyongyang has described as “an advanced base of invasion.”

American military bases occupy nearly 30 per cent of Guam’s land, including the Andersen Air Force Base and the Naval Base Guam.

The US island territory is also home to a host of nuclear bombers.

There are about 6000 US military personnel on the island.

After an earlier launch, experts estimated that if the missile had been launched at a “normal” angle, instead of the steep trajectory used in the test, it could have flown more than 6000 kilometres, a distance that would have allowed it to hit the US mainland and Hawai’i.

The missile could also have reached Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, which is home to a US Marine Corps base.

The New Zealand government said in May that it had concluded that North Korea did not have the capability of striking New Zealand.

The  main points

  • North Korea has not threatened to aim any missiles at the central Pacific islands, but they face other threats, a US delegation has warned.
  • The delegation told the Pacific Leaders Forum meeting in Samoa earlier this month there were multiple threats to the region, including drug smuggling and terrorist groups.
  • The Pacific Islands Forum described North Korea’s threat to fire missiles at Guam as a threat to the wider Pacific Islands region.
  • The Communist dictatorship fired another missile last week.

For more information  

North Korea claims ICBM launch, bringing US and Darwin within range

North Korea test-fires another ballistic missile that overflies Japan

Electrician convicted of rape in ‘Ananā

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongatapu electrician was found guilty of raping a woman in ʻAnanā

Saimone Vaka was convicted of one count of rape contrary to section 118(1)(a) Criminal Offences Act (Cap 18).

Justice Owen Paulsen had remanded him in custody until 29 September 2017 for sentencing.

The court was told Mr. Vaka persuaded the victim to drive with him to a bush area in ‘Ananā where he had non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in the front passenger seat of his car.

When they arrived at the scene, Mr. Vaka parked the car near a lagoon and began assaulting the victim.

He told her they have to do it because her husband was cheating on her.

The victim who was given name suppression, said she shouted at him and threatened  to launch a complaint with Police.

But Mr. Vaka held her hands above her head with one hand whilst he used his other hand to unzip and pull down her trousers, the court judgement said.

She was wearing loose trousers with a zip.

She struggled against him until she had no energy left, the court was told.

She pleaded with Mr. Vaka to stop but he ignored her.

Mr. Vaka maintained  that  he did not have sexual intercourse with the victim.

He said the victim and a witness falsely accused him of rape to avoid paying a debt of about T$200 for electrical work.

However, Justice Paulsen said after considering all of the circumstances of this case he can see no reason whatsoever why the woman would “have made up such a wicked lie against Mr. Vaka for any of the reasons he advanced and no other reasons suggest themselves to me.”

“I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Vaka did have sexual intercourse with the victim as she had alleged”, Mr. Paulsen said.

AIS celebrates achievements, names of Tongan graduates released

By
Kalino Latu
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The Auckland Institute of Studies had a special Aloha night on Friday to celebrate the achievements of its Pasifika students.

27 students including 4 Fijians, 4 Samoans and 19 Tongans had successfully achieved their dreams in a wide range of topics, qualifying with Degrees, Diplomas and Masters.

The Aloha night was attended by parents, staff and lecturers of the Institute.

A welcome speech was presented by Dr. Sēmisi Taumoepeau, the Director of Pasifika Studies and Relations while the word of acknowledgement was presented by Mr Richard Smith, a member of the Executive Directors team and Academic Registrar.

Guests at the event were invited to join a diner while the Pasifika students were performing some Fijian, Samoan and Tongan cultural dances.

The Institute will hold the graduation ceremony at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna tomorrow Monday 18.

These are the studentsʻ names and their respective qualifications:

CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES

  • Juliet Uini OFISA

DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (LEVEL 5)

  • Nemani Timoci Luke Qase KOROI

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

  • Luseane Esetia Fatafehi ‘o Lofanitani LEMOTO

(Information System)

  • Semisi Palaki MAVAETANGI
  • Sione Tupou Frank KOLOAMATANGI (Computer Networks)

DIPLOMA IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT (LEVEL 5)

  • Francis Lata He Anga HEFA
  • Jennifer Nora TAUA’I
  • Joseph William TAUATI
  • Kathleen VAAELUA

BACHELOR OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT

  • Amalaini Folau SENIBUA
  • Conchitta Sierra Tatafu LIKILIKI
  • Katalina Agather Christie PO’UHILA
  • Moa ‘Eueiki Folauhola He Lotu I Maui PANI
  • Seilala Telesia SAKALIA
  • Siulua Tokilupe LATU

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT (LEVEL 7)

  • ‘Alisi FIFITA

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS

  • Malia ‘Atelaite Tanisiki UELE
  • Maimoa TALISA
  • Maingalua FONUA
  • Mohammed Irfaz JANIF (Accounting)
  • Simulata TANGITAU
  • Siupeli Afu Junior HAKAUMOTU

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

  • Fangapulotu Finau KOLOSITI
  • Sharti Jotika SHANKAR

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

  • ‘Atalua Taipaleti FALEKAONO (Operations & Logistics)
  • Kasanita Momota HOLANI (Operations & Logistics)
  • Vitalini Lafaele LIKUOHIHIFO (Finance)

Crown Prince Tupouto’a turns 32 in Hawaiʻi

By
Kalino Latu
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Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukālala has celebrated his birthday while travelling in Hawaiʻi.

The Crown Prince and his wife Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho along with their kāinga have celebrated his 32nd birthday in Honolulu.

The eldest son of King Tupou VI has been heir to the throne since his father became monarch in 2012.

His name Tupouto’a means the Prince is the estate holder of the island of Nomuka in Ha’apai and the village of ʻUtulau in Tongatapu.

The ‘Ulukālala title means he is the estate holder of the village of Tu’anuku in Vava’u.

The celebration today was attended by his kāinga from these villages and island as well as kāinga of his mother and father who were residing in Hawaiʻi.

Land Court reduces Lord Nuku’s penalty to TP$3 million

By
Philip Cass
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An appeal by Lord Nuku against a TP$5 million judgement made against him in the Lands Court has been partially successful, but he must still pay more than TP$3 million to Lord Luani.

The appeal followed a case before Mr Justice Scott in May.

In his summary of the case, Mr Justice Blanchard said that on May 5 this year the court found in favour of Lord Luani for TP$5,556,000 against Lord Nuku and a number of Chinese companies for trespass on two blocks of land referred to as Lot 85 and Lot 90.

The appeal related to the costs made against trespass on Lot 85 in Malapo.

Lord Luani sued the defendants on various causes of action based on quarrying on Lot 85 between  2011  and 2013.

The quantity removed was found to be 85,009 cubic yards of rock.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this year, Lord Luani told the court that Lord Nuku had never acquired any interest in Lot 85 and that he had no authority to enter it or to allow the two Chinese companies to mine it.

He said that neither he nor his father had ever received any  payment at all for the rock and coral excavated from Lot 85.

In his judgement Mr Justice Scott said none of the legal requirements for mining Lot 85 had been met and therefore Lord Nuku and the Chinese companies were  trespassing.

He therefore awarded damages equivalent to the value of the materials extracted from the lot by the mining company.

After reviewing Lord  Nuku’s appeal, Mr Justice Blanchard found that there was no evidence that Lord Nuku or the Yan Jian Group Co Ltd were guilty of fraud or conscious wrongdoing.

He set aside the evidence on which the value of the extracted rock was calculated and reduced its value to TP$3,380,335.

As a result the appeals by Lord Nuku and Yan Jian Group Co. Ltd allowed in part.

The judgment against Lord Nuku and Yan Jiang Group Ltd was set at TP$3,380,335 and costs with effect from May 5, 2017 with interest at the rate of 10% per annum from that date until satisfied.

Other appeals by Lord Nuku and Yan Jiang Group Ltd were dismissed.

The appeal by Yan Jian Tonga Ltd was allowed.

The court ordered Lord  Nuku to pay Yan Jian Tonga Ltd’s costs.

The main points

  • An appeal by Lord Nuku against a TP$5 million judgement made against him in the Lands Court has been partially successful, but he must still pay more than TP$3 million to Lord Luani.
  • The appeal followed a case before Mr Justice Scott in May.
  • The appeal related to the costs made against trespass on Lot 85 in Malapo.
  • Lord Luani told the court Lord Nuku had never acquired any interest in Lot 85 and had no authority to enter it or to allow the two Chinese companies to mine it.

For more information 

Land Court finds Lord Nuku and mining company were trespassing

Man guilty after teenage girl rescued from attempted rape outside church

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man has been found guilty of attempting to rape a 19-year-old girl in an attack which left her sweating, crying and tired inside a car outside a church in Kolomotu’a.

Police were working on a vehicle near the scene when they heard someone repeatedly shouting for help.

They immediately attended to the call and found the accused and the victim inside the accused’s car.

One Police officer saw the accused, Ma’ili Vaivelata grabbing one hand of the victim and had his other hand on her chest like they were wrestling, it said.

“He went to the car and saw the girl was crying”, the judgement said.

The victim asked him for help saying the accused was forcing her.

But Vaivelata whom the Police officer knew said “that nothing happened.”

The Supreme court was told that on the night of October 6, 2016 the victim went to the Digicel square with some friends looking for a lift to take them to Ma’ufanga.

They met Vaivelata who was sitting in his car which was parked under a mango tree.

At one stage, the accused and the victim along with friends of the victim drove to Talahiva restaurant in Nuku’alofa to buy food.

The victim’s friends got out of the car to get food while the victim was staying in the car with Vaivelata.

The court was told “they had been waiting for a long time and she was surprised when the  vehicle started running.”

The victim and Vaivelata argued over the gear of the vehicle and they almost had an accident, it said.

They stopped outside the church before Vaivelata attempted to rape the victim.

The incident took place for about five minutes before Police had arrived.

The accused denied any sexual misconduct and said the victim was lying.

However, Justice Charles Cato said: “I accept her evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had removed his pants and that could only be because he intended to have sexual intercourse with her which he knew she did not want.

“His actions went beyond mere preparation.”

“I find beyond a reasonable doubt the accused is guilty of attempted rape”, Mr Cato said.

Shared values and traditions attracted Lua to stand for Maori Party

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

Maori Party candidate Pakilau ʻO Aotearoa, Manase Lua, said this evening he had been attracted to the political group partly because of the similarities and shared values.

“I believe that this is the only party that is based on familial ties (whanau), traditions (tikanga) and spiritual values (wairua) often embodied in Christianity,” Lua told Kaniva News.

“We also share ancestral links with Maori, something they proudly acknowledge.

“So my Tongan culture is in harmony with Maori culture, moreso than compared to the two major parties in particular.”

In an official statement for the Maori Party, he said: “I stand for closing the inequalities for Māori and Pacific peoples that successive Governments have failed to do.”

Lua is standing for the Maori Party for Maungakiekie in this year’s elections.

Maungakiekie has a diverse electorate with a strong Pacific population as well as European, Asian and Maori.

Lua said support for himself and other Tongan candidates standing for the Maori Party was growing.

“More and more people are finally realising that Labour has not done anything for us,” he said.

“They have been in opposition for nine years, yet have backed around 80% of the legislation that has been approved by this National Government in the House.

“Now what that tells you is that it is far better to be in Government to influence policy and funding, than throwing stones in opposition.

“Maori have gained well over $2.5 billion in direct funding in the last nine years, some coming to us Pacific through Whanau Ora and other things. A little bit of something is far better than a whole lot of nothing!”

Lua said he said he encouraged people, especially the young, to vote in this year’s election.

Married with four children, Lua has worked in the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry of Health Disability Services Directorate.

His family came to New Zealand in 1975.

His mother, Sela Mounu-ki-Uoleva, came from the village of Vainī, Vaini, Ma’ufanga, Lakepa, Faleloa.

His father, Siosifa Motu’apuaka Ngauamo Lua, came from Felemea, Fakakakai.

They became overstayers and Lua has since described himself as “a son of the dawn raids.”

His family left Auckland to avoid being deported and lived with a Māori whānau in Awarua, near Kaikohe.

Lua was appointed by Lord Maʻafu as one of his kau matapule in New Zealand earlier this year.

He has the heraldic name Pakilau ʻO Aotearoa.

Lord Ma’afu is the estate holder of his village of Vaini i Tonga.

The main points

  • Maori Party candidate Pakilau o Aotearoa Manase said this evening he had been attracted to the political group partly because of the similarities and shared values.
  • “I believe that this is the only party that is based on familial ties (whanau), traditions (tikanga) and spiritual values (wairua) often embodied in Christianity,” Lua told Kaniva News.
  • “We also share ancestral links with Maori, something they proudly acknowledge.
  • Lua is standing for the Maori Party for Maungakiekie in this year’s elections.

For more information          

No illusions about challenge of elections, says candidate Manase Lua

Manase Lua — a son of the Dawn Raids

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