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5-year-old missing Tongan girl in South Auckland found safe

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 5-year-old girl who was reported missing this evening Sunday 5 has been found safe, police said.

“The girl missing from Flatbush as now been found by relatives and is confirmed safe,” it said.

Earlier on Counties Manukau Police said they were concerned for the safety of the 5 year old girl who has been missing since 8:45pm tonight.

She was last seen in Eroni Clarke Close, Flatbush where she was watching fireworks.

The girl is of Tongan descent, aged 5 years and is wearing a Pink check top and black pants.

Tonga will not stop trying to bring American accused to justice says Attorney General

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga will not stop trying to bring an American accused of murdering his Canadian wife to justice, according to Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu.

Kefu was commenting after Dean Jay Fletcher was freed after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson intervened to refuse Tonga’s request to extradite Fletcher for trial from Hawai’i.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, the Tongan government requested Fletcher’s extradition in December last year.

It is understood the US State Department explained its decision to free Fletcher by saying it was worried that Fletcher would have faced a death sentence or life in prison and that he would not have a free lawyer.

The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported that Tillerson’s decision overturned an earlier ruling by a judge in the Hawai’ian capital that Fletcher could be handed over to Tongan authorities.

Attorney General Kefu described the decision as disappointing.

“We have very strong circumstantial evidence,” he told the Associated Press.

“We believe he’s committed a crime here in Tonga, and we won’t stop until we’re able to bring him to justice.”

Tonga could seek Fletcher’s extradition if he travelled to other countries, Kefu said.

Fletcher was charged with murder in Tonga in the July 2016 death of his Canadian wife, Patricia Linne Kearney.

Evidence presented to court in Honolulu said three  diving operators saw Fletcher assaulting his wife on a dinghy in the Vava’u group.

Tongan officials told US prosecutors that Fletcher kicked and punched his wife as they reached a boat called the Sea Oak.

Fletcher was arrested and jailed and escaped in September 2016. He sailed to American Samoa where he was arrested and transferred to Hawai’i.

In February Radio New Zealand reported that the Sea Oak had illegally left Pago Pago. It said  Tonga’s Attorney General had asked the US Government to return the yacht.

A US legal authority described the US Secretary of State’s action in refusing extradition as unusual because the United States had an extradition treaty with Tonga.

The Honolulu Star Advertiser quoted Allen S. Weiner, director of Stanford University’s programme in International and Comparative Law, as saying it was usually other countries that did not want to extradite their citizens to the United States when the death penalty was possible.

Kefu told U.S. officials it was unlikely the death penalty would have been imposed and that nobody in Tonga received free legal representation.

The case against Fletcher was solid, he said.

The main points

  • Tonga will not stop trying to bring an American accused of murdering his Canadian wife to justice, according to Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu.
  • Kefu was commenting after Dean Jay Fletcher was freed after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson intervened to refuse Tonga’s request to extradite Fletcher for trial from Hawai’i.
  • As Kaniva News reported at the time, the Tongan government requested Fletcher’s extradition in December last year.
  • The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported that Tillerson’s decision overturned an earlier ruling by a judge in the Hawai’ian capital that Fletcher could be handed over to Tongan authorities.

‘Overturned car’ decked out with Tongan flag spotted; More arrests following Tonga victory

By
Kalino Latu
-

An overturned car spotted at Southern Motorway last night was decked out with Tongan flags.

The incident was reported after thousands of Tongan rowdy supporters returned to Auckland after their Mate Ma’a Tonga team beat rivals Toa Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup match at Waikato Stadium.

Kitekei’aho Tu’akalau, Chief Editor of Good Morning Tonga Radio programme, took a photo of the incident near Takanini.

He said ambulances and Police were at the scene when they drove pass.

Tu’akalau said vehicles which appeared to have been occupied by Tongan die hard fans who were returning from the match were in a rush-hour mode.

He said the exultant fans could be seen waving flags, yelling at others’ vehicles while some sat outside their car windows as they were driving down the 100 speed-limit motorway.

“That’s crazy and dangerous man,” he said.

The details of the accident have yet to be officially released.

Police said last night they were pleased with the behaviour of the vast majority of fans during the Rugby League World Cup match.

Waikato District RLWC Operations Commander Inspector Karen Henrikson said the boisterous and vocal crowd created a great atmosphere and there were few incidents of concern to Police.

“It was a really good crowd, with plenty of singing and plenty of colour.”

Arrests

Reports this morning said Police made 29 arrests in South Auckland last night after the match.

Lat night Police said they made four arrests during the match.

Three of these were for pitch invasions – one for a person who was arrested before they could get onto the playing surface and two who went onto the ground after the final whistle.

“Under the Major Events Management Act, going onto the playing surface at Rugby League World Cup matches is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $5000 or imprisonment for up to three months,” said Inspector Henrikson.

A fourth person was arrested for detoxification and 20 people were evicted from the venue by Police and/or security for intoxication or bringing in prohibited items.

Police were also called to an assault on a security guard outside the stadium.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution, but not seriously injured.

Police are making inquiries to identify the attacker.

In South Auckland

NZ Herald reports this morning Sunday 5 said Police arrested 29 in South Auckland after the game.

“About 3000 Tonga supporters gathered on Atkinson Ave in South Auckland to celebrate the 32-18 win at the Hamilton game – with some failing to heed repeated calls from community leaders and police for good behaviour.

“A police spokeswoman said Counties Manukau police arrested 29 people in relation to the celebrations.

“Video footage taken at the scene shows police appearing to confiscate items including a massive length of wood and a long white pole.

Some shop signage was damaged but overall the night did not get too out of hand,” a Herald photographer said.

Tonga breaks Samoa’s winning streak with 32-18 league victory in Hamilton

By
Philip Cass
-

The decision by top players to line up for Tonga rather than Australia or New Zealand paid off tonight when Mate Mea Tonga defeated Toa Samoa 32-18 in their Rugby League World Cup clash.

Before tonight Samoa had won three of the four matches it played against Tonga since 2008.

The Cup’s organisers forecast that Samoa might have an advantage because the combined weight of its forward pack – 665kg – was slightly heavier than their Tongan counterparts, who weighed in at a combined 654kg.

The match in Hamilton kicked off at 7.30pm and after 40 minutes, Tonga was ahead 14-6.

Michael Jennings scored  the first try for the kingdom in the ninth minute, with a conversion by Siosiua Taukei’aho.

Jazz Tevaga landed a try for Samoa seven minutes later, with a conversion by Timoteo Lafai.

Jennings and Taukei’aho repeated their combination of try and conversion in the 28th minute.

Peni Terepo scored for Tonga in the 51st minute, with a conversion by Ata Hingano.

Ben Murdoch-Masila scored for Tonga  seven minutes later, with Ata Hingano converting again.

Just over an hour into the match Samoa fought back, with a try by Ben Roberts and another conversion by Timoteo Lafai, but Tonga still led 26-12  in the 66th minute.

In a nail biting finish Lafai scored in the 72nd minute and then made a successful conversion.

But only moments later Manu Ma’u scored the final try for Tonga, with Taukeiaho converting for the kingdom again.

The day in Hamilton began with a Pasifika Parade in Tristram St and despite the rain, fans gathered at the Fan Fest in Mill St during the afternoon.

Many had travelled from Auckland for the match.

The rain had cleared by late afternoon and the wind had died down by the time the game started.

Extra police were drafted in to keep the peace in Hamilton today, with officers deployed from Auckland.

Police also cracked down on drinking, with police saying they were refusing entry to people who had drunk heavily before the game.

The run up to tonight’s game was marred by violence between  Samoan and Tongan supporters.

On Friday night Police arrested six league fans in South Auckland and three people were arrested for disorderly behaviour in Ōtara after 300 to 400 people gathered near the markets.

Another three people were arrested in Māngere Town Centre after 250 people gathered near the McDonald’s.

WRLC matches

In today’s other match in New Zealand, New Zealand destroyed Scotland 74-6 in the Christchurch stadium.

England was due to play Lebanon in Sydney tonight at 11pm New Zealand time.

Tomorrow’s games include PNG vs Ireland in Port Moresby, and Italy vs the United States and Fiji vs Wales, with matches in Townsville.

The main points

  • The decision by top players to line up for Tonga rather than Australia or New Zealand paid off tonight when Mate Mea Tonga defeated Toa Samoa 32-18 in their Rugby League World Cup clash.
  • Before tonight Samoa had won three of the four matches it played against Tonga since 2008.
  • The match in Hamilton kicked off at 7.30pm and after 40 minutes, Tonga was ahead 14-6.
  • Manu Ma’u scored the final try for Tonga in the 75th minute, with Taukeiaho converting.

For more information 

League dominates in Hamilton ahead of Tonga v Samoa match

Rugby League World Cup

Ulakai clashes with TBC boss in front of PM; Reporters Without Borders blasts restructure

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga Broadcasting Commission boss Dr Tu’i Uata clashed with his outgoing news manager Viola Ulakai in front of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

Ulakai defiantly answered back Dr Uata and warned the Prime Minister to be aware that actions by people, who she regarded as Hon. Pōhiva’s advisors like Dr Uata, had tarnished his reputation as leader of the nation.

She said Dr Uata’s decision to restructure the TBC and move her out of the news room was wrong because she has a contract.

Ulakai interrupted Dr Uata while he was talking to the conference about TBC’s monthly financial loss of $46,000 in which he said that money belonged to taxpayers.

The clash was reported by Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper to have occurred during a press conference in Nuku’alofa with the Prime Minister and some of the government ministers about two weeks ago.

The Prime Minister corrected Ulakai and told her Dr Uata and people whom she had mentioned were not his advisors. His advisors were his ministers.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, Laumanu Petelō, the editor of TBC’s television and radio, and Ulakai, the news manager, have been moved into a new department under the Commission’s marketing and sales management.

The shake-up was made under the direction of Dr Uata who later said the move was made to save TBC from being closed down due to financial loss.

He said the TBC news was not popular and its unpopularity had caused sponsors to move to other stations.

Dr Uata and Ualakai have been contacted for comment.

Reporters Without Borders

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has criticised the decision by Dr Uata to move Ulakai and Petelō out of the news room.

In a statement released by RSF yesterday (October 31,) the international organisation described the move as “an apparent government move to seize control of the state media two weeks before a general election.”

Reporters Without Borders, which promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of the press, said it had joined all those in Tonga who were criticising the shake-up decision.

In its report, the RSF had hyperlinked a story written by Kaniva News editor and published by the Pacific Media Website as well as Kaniva Tonga News site under the heading ‘Journalists who had run-ins with PM out of newsroom in TBC restructure.’

It also hyperlinked another story from Kaniva News headlined ‘Viola Ulakai suspended from Radio and TV Tonga the day after PM questions her integrity. ‘

Another story RSF has embedded in its yesterday’s report, which was written and published by Kaniva was  ‘ “We are not your enemy,” senior TBC journalist tells Pohiva at press conference.’

RSF wrote: “The state media, [Hon. Pōhiva] noted, wanted to have the same freedom as all the other media in Tonga. “But,” he added, “they should understand there is a basic difference between a private media and government media. Their main role, to me, is to facilitate the work of the government.” 

The Kingdom of Tonga is ranked 49th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2017 World Press Freedom Index, after falling 12 places in the space of a year.

The main points

  • Tonga Broadcasting Commission Boss Dr Tu’i Uata clashed with his outgoing news manager Viola Ulakai in front of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
  • Ulakai defiantly answered back Dr Uata and warned the Prime Minister to be aware that actions by people, who she regarded as Hon. Pōhiva’s advisors like Dr Uata, had tarnished his reputation as leader of the nation.
  • She said Dr Uata’s decision to restructure the TBC and move her out of the news room was wrong because she has a contract.
  • The clash is reported to have occurred during a press conference in Nuku’alofa with the Prime Minister and some of the government ministers about two weeks ago.

Hon. Jenny Lātū Salesa calls for calm; four arrested in Tongans, Samoans brawl

By
Kalino Latu
-


Samoan and Tongan Rugby League supporters in Otahuhu get into a brawl. Source: Facebook / Vili Ieru / Cee La Tonga Taumoefolau



(NZ) – Tongan MP and Cabinet Minister Hon. Jenny Lātū Salesa has appealed for calm after four supporters of Mate Ma’a Tonga team have been arrested following a street brawl in South Auckland ahead of Saturday’s match against Samoa

Footage uploaded to social media showed two groups of apparently Samoan and Tongan rugby league team supporters brawling in the middle of the road as cars driving past honking their horns.

Police confirmed the incident on Tuesday night and said the four-people arrested were Tongan supporters, Fairfax Media has reported.

It appeared the tension erupted after a photo of a Tongan supporter burning a Samoan flag was circulated online.

The father of the Tongan supporter has publicly apologised for what his young son has done.

“My family are of Samoan/ Tongan descent. Please find it in your hearts to forgive my son for his stupidity.”

Hon. Salesa has emotionally pleaded in Tongan on Facebook asking Tongan kāinga to keep the peace.

She said it’s important that supporters out in public behave responsibly and with consideration for others.

She urged parents to make sure their children were in good hands and safe when they were out there in the public.

Hon. Salesa’s comment on Facebook was welcomed by commentators who thanked the honourable minister for her “good advice”.

Inspector Naila Hassan, Area Commander for Counties Manukau West said Police have been monitoring an increase in vehicle and crowd activity around the Otahuhu Town Centre this week from Tongan and Samoan rugby league supporters.

“We want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves, but most importantly we want everyone to be safe.

“We urge supporters to be respectful of the community, local businesses and residents at all times when out in public,” says Inspector Hassan.

Inspector Hassan says the main concern for Police is people acting recklessly when travelling in vehicles.

“We’ve had a few reports of people leaning out of cars or sitting on car bonnets.

This risky behaviour is not only illegal but very dangerous.”

Inspector Hassan says police are actively patrolling the area to ensure that everyone is behaving responsibly.

Billboard attacks spark outrage online

By
Kalino Latu
-

Attacks on some election campaign billboards in Nuku’alofa have sparked outrage among Tongans on social media.

Some people have accused the vandals of having nothing better to do, while others speculated the attacks were politically motivated.

A full length hoarding that stretched across Vuna Road was pulled down.

Katalina Tohi’s hoarding pulled down because it was not safe for traffic

It was advertising Tongatapu 3 candidate Katalina Tohi, who supports caretaker Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

The hoarding was installed closed to Princess Pilolevu Tuita’s residence in Fasimoeafi.

Unconfirmed reports say the structure was removed because it was not safe for traffic.

However, some commentators were quick to speculate that the removal appeared to be political since the advertisement was placed closed to the king’s sister’s royal residence.

A supporter of Tohi told Kaniva News he was told the removal was made by Tēvita Puloka, a construction company owner.

A poster of Tongatapu 3 candidate Tevita Palu, which was attached to a billboard in the Fofo’anga Club’s front yard was ripped down in what commentators said was a clear attempt to influence the outcome of the snap election.

Many commentators were quick to accuse supporters of Tongatapu 3 candidate number 1 Siaosi Sovaleni for the attack since his billboard, which stood next to Palu’s, was undamaged.

Katalina Tohi’s hoarding before it was removed

Others believed the vandalism appears to be the work of people “with nothing better to do” rather than political opponents.

The incident came after unconfirmed reports on social media said that a billboard belonging to Tongatapu 1 candidate Dr Ofo Niumeitolu was stolen from its location about a fortnight ago.

Attempts by Kaniva News to contact the owners of the billboards have so far been unsuccessful.

Outrage

Meanwhile commentators on social media have condemned the attack as “evil” and “morally wrong.”

One commentator said: “No matter what political stance you are or parties you support you should not vandalise other’s billboards.”

Recent photographs uploaded to Facebook show former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni supporting and waving at Palu and Tohi’s parade campaigns in Nuku’alofa in the past two weeks.

Tongan voters will go to the polls in two weeks to vote in a snap election after King Tupou VI dissolved Parliament.

The king said he was not happy with bills submitted by the Pohiva government to be discussed in the House, including  a move to include the cabinet ministers in the King’s Privy Council.

The main points

  • Attacks on some election campaign billboards in Nuku’alofa has sparked outrage among Tongans on social media.
  • Some people have accused the vandals of having nothing better to do, while others speculated the attacks were politically motivated.
  • A full length hoarding that stretched across Vuna Road was pulled down.
  • It was advertising Tongatapu 3 candidate Katalina Tohi, who supports caretaker Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

If Tonga taxed all imported goods, it would not rely so heavily on overseas donors, says former CEO

By
Kalino Latu
-

Advertorial 

Ki he kau laukonga faka-Tonga, kiliki heni ke ke lau ai e kemipeini fili Fale Alea ‘a Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield

If the government of Tonga taxed all its imported goods the kingdom would not have to rely heavily on overseas donors for its budgets, according to the former Ministry of Customs and Revenue CEO, Kulufienga ‘Anisi Bloomfield.

Only three percents of Tonga’s imported goods from overseas countries, including alcohol and tabacco were taxed, he said.

The tax-free policy was created to make these imported goods availble to Tongan customers at low prices, he said.

Bloomfield said  he made changes to the Tongan government’s free-tax policies and removed taxes from a number of important goods including electrical equipment, community initiatives for students such as buses imported from overseas and equipment for fisheries.

The government also removed taxes from foodstuffs which were identified as providing nutrition, educational equipment and materials, equipment for growing and farming, and also materials imported for local water supplies.

Poverty target

Bloomfield said the free tax policies had been part of the government’s move to alleviate poverty  after the Asian Development Bank reported in 2015 that 21.1 percent of the people of Tonga were living below poverty line.

That figure was a 1.9 percent drop from the ADB’s 2003 report  which showed that 23 percent of Tongans were living below poverty line.

He said he believed the government was indirectly reaching out to the poor in this way and helping by making goods available cheaply.

“The government spent millions on its tax-free policies and to me, if these imported goods had been taxed Tonga, would not have to borrow monies from overseas,” Bloomfield said.

Budget 2017 – 2018

However, the government charged taxes.

In its TP$595,804,400 budget for the year 2017 – 2018 the government said better paid Tongans would pay more taxes as part of the government’s move to make life easier for poorer Tongans.

It aimed at raising the buying power of lower income earners and generating more revenue from taxes.

The tax-free threshold on PAYE was also increased.

More than half of the budget comes from overseas grants.

New Zealand has donated $22.1 million in 2015 – 16 to Tonga, with most of the money spent on on energy systems, law and justice, education and tourism.

The main points

  • If the government of Tonga taxed all its imported goods the kingdom would not have to rely heavily on overseas donors for its budgets, according to the former Minister of Customs and Revenue CEO, ‘Anisi Bloomfield.
  • Only three percents of Tonga’s imported goods from overseas countries, including alcohol and tabacco were taxed, he said.
  • The tax-free policy was created to make these imported goods availble to Tongan customers at low prices, he said.
  • Bloomfield said he made changes to the Tongan government’s free-tax policies and removed taxes from a number of important goods including electrical equipment, community initiatives for students such as buses imported from overseas and equipment for fisheries.

For more information

Government hopes new budget will make lives better for poorest Tongans

Mate Ma’a Tonga die hard fans keep Ōtahuhu residents awake after 50-4 victory against Scotland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

(NZ) – Some residents in Ōtahuhu have taken to social media to complain about loud and repeated vehicle horns at the South Auckland suburb this evening .

They said they had work in the morning and could not sleep while others responded and said they enjoyed it.

Traffic in Great South Road regularly came to a halt after some drivers drove slowly and yelling at others about the victory.

Some commentators on Facebook jokingly told them off for breaching Sunday taboo referring to Tonga’s own Sabbath Law which ban making noises and social activities on Sundays.

Ōtahuhu had been the centre of celebrations for Tongans in New Zealand whenever it comes to international events such as rugby tournaments that involved Tongan teams.

They called it Nuku’alofa referring to the capital town of Tonga.

The stir had been caused by Tongans who were celebrating the Mate Ma’a Tonga victory in Cairns today, Sunday 29.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga team overwhelmed the Scotish Bravehearts 50 – 4.

“With Taumalolo running riot Tonga scored seven tries in the first 40 minutes and went within an Ata Hingano conversion of keeping pace with the clock, leading 38-0 at half-time,” the NRL website has reported.

“No team has ever scored 38 points in the first half of an international and come out in the second term and played better…” it said.

Mate Ma’a Tonga 50 (Michael Jennings 3, Daniel Tupou 2, Jason Taumalolo, Sika Manu, Peni Terepo, Ata Hingano tries; Sio Siua Taukeiaho 6, Ata Hingano 1 goals) def.

Scotland 4 (Danny Addy try) at Barlow Park, Cairns. Crowd: 9,216.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga team was expected to arrive at the Auckland INternational Airport tomorrow before it

Pōhiva will win general election, but will be unable to form a government, says publisher Kalafi Moala

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister‘Akilisi Pōhiva will retain his parliamentary seat as Tongatapu 1 MP in the upcoming snap election, but he and his Party will not be able to form a government, publisher Kalafi Moala has predicted.

Moala said his view of what would happen was based on a survey of the electorate and looking at other factors.

“Whether he will win or lose, one thing I am certain of is that  he will not be able to form a government”, Moala said.

“That’s my bet, but of course I could be very wrong, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.

“He will not get the majority of the MPs to form a government.”

Moala, who recently called on Pohiva to step down because of incompetence, said he believed eight or nine candidates, who were critics of Pōhiva and were not members of his Democratic Party could be elected in the November general election.

With that number, the nobles would only need five MPs so they could form a government, he said.

The rest of them would back a noble and independent-led government.

Moala said the other possibility was that the eight or nine elected independent MPs could be kingmakers and only require five nobles to form a government.

Survey

Moala said he and a group had conducted surveys in Tongatapu 1.

“The way we looked at it at the moment, ‘Akilisi will win Tongatapu 1,” he said.

“Mosese Manuofetoa was more active than the others and was followed by Netatua Taufatofua and Dr. Ofo Niumeitolu”, Moala said in Tongan.

He said they supported a call for candidates to register and run for Parliament and there was a plan that in one month before the election they would meet to review their campaigns.

If any candidates felt they could not make it they would be encouraged to step back and support others, Moala said.

He said this did not mean the candidates had to withdraw their names from the Election Office’s registration as they could not do that according to the law.

The plan was for them to talk to their supporters and encourage them to vote for the other candidates.

Meeting

Moala said after inviting the candidates other than Pohiva so they could look at their campaigns only four turned up, of whom only one was willing to beg off and support others.

They later talked to them individually, but none of them was in the mood to withdraw.

Moala said the idea that some candidates would withdraw had been ditched and everyone would stand against Hon. Pōhiva.

Democratic Party

Meanwhile Hon. Pōhiva, who was first elected in 1987 and is the longest serving MP in the Tongan parliament, continued leading strong campaigns around Tongatapu electorates  in support of the party’s candidates.

Yesterday he arrived with some members of his party in the island of ‘Eua to support their candidate, Sūnia Havea.

Nine members of Tonga’s 26-seat parliament are chosen solely by the 33 members of the country’s nobility while the other 17 seats are elected by the people.

The main points

  • Prime Minister‘Akilisi Pōhiva was predicted to retain his parliamentary seat as Tongatapu 1 MP in the upcoming snap election, but would not could be able to form a government, publisher Kalafi Moala has predicted.
  • Moala said his view of what would happen was based on a survey of the electorate and looking at other factors.
  • He said he believed eight or nine candidates, who were critics of Pohiva and were not members of his Democratic Party could be elected in the November general election.
  • With that number, the nobles would only need five MPs so they could form a government, he said.

 For more information 

Desperate move to reduce candidate numbers in attempt to unseat ‘Akilisi Pōhiva unlawful, Fonua says 

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