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

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

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

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