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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
-

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
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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

New Zealand aviation security equipment handover, Fua’amotu International Airport

By
Kaniva Staff
-

New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Sarah Walsh, handed over new x-ray and radio communications equipment to Tonga Airports Limited staff at Fua’amotu airport today.

The x-ray equipment was jointly funded by New Zealand and Tonga.  It replaces the old x-ray system New Zealand provided in 2006 which has come to the end of its life.

New Zealand is providing NZ$11.5 million in new funding for aviation security equipment and training in the Pacific over the next five years.

This builds on New Zealand’s existing NZ$2.5 million programme to help Pacific island countries meet their international aviation regulatory obligations.

The support will be implemented by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, in cooperation with the Pacific Aviation Safety Office.

Tonga will receive around NZ$800,000 of the new funding.  This funding will be used to provide another six x-ray machines for Fua’amotu and Vava’u international airports, as well as walk-through metal detectors and devices to detect traces of explosives.

The funding will also cover servicing and maintenance for the new equipment.

“New Zealand’s assistance means staff at Tonga Airports Limited will be better equipped to maintain national and international aviation security standards”, said Ms Walsh.

“The safety of the travelling public in the region is important to New Zealand.  The new screening equipment means that the standards you find at Auckland International Airport will also be found here in Tonga”.

New Zealand’s new aviation security package is being provided to signatories of the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty, which include Niue, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Nauru, as well as Tonga.

Folau subject to abuse after “matter of conscience” stance on gay marriage

By
Philip Cass
-

Wallabies full back Israel Folau has been subject to a barrage of abuse after stating that he does not support gay marriage.

Folau, who was born in New South Wales but is of Tongan descent, posted a Tweet saying: “ I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”

The London Telegraph reported that gay marriage was ”a matter of conscience” for Folau.

Folau, 28, comes from a Pentacostalist Christian background, but was raised a Mormon.

The Australian Rugby Union joined the football, cricket, and rugby league federations are publicly in favour of gay marriage.

The Wallabies have come out in support of gay marriage on the eve on a controversial national mail referendum on the subject.

He has been subject to vitriolic online attacks since expressing his views.

The Wallabies’ chief sponsor, Qantas, has backed gay marriage, with chief executive Alan Joyce lending his support to the ‘yes’ case.

Ballots are being sent out to Australian households from this week, with voters having until November 7 to fill out and return their postal vote slips.

The proposal to make gay marriage legal in Australia, as it is in New Zealand, has stirred up often violent debate and the process has been dragged out by politicians eager to score points with the electorate.

Folau made his test debut for Australia in 2013, scoring two tries in his first game.

It was reported earlier this year that the Warriors were pursuing Folau as a player for the 2018 season.

The main points

  • Wallabies full back Israel Folau has been subject to a barrage of abuse after stating that he does not support gay marriage.
  • Folau, who is of Tongan descent, posted a Tweet saying: “ I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”
  • The London Telegraph reported that gay marriage was ”a matter of conscience” for Folau.
  • Folau, 28, comes from a Pentacostalist Christian background, but was raised a Mormon.

For more information

Israel Folau prompts anger with views on same-sex marriage at odds with Wallabies teammates

Life peers agree with king to not stand as candidates in elections, AG says

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s life peers would not stand as nobles’ candidates in general elections despite a change to the electoral law last week allowing them to run for Parliament, Acting Attorney General ʻAminiasi Kefu told Kaniva News.

The revelation came after the life peers agreed to follow the decision made by late King George V about their entitlements.

The law lords were allowed to vote for  nobles’ Members of Parliament since 2010 but they had been barred from running as candidates.

The new Electoral Regulations 2017 which was gazetted on Friday last week meant the life peers could now stand as candidates in general elections, Kefu said.

However, Kefu alleged that he was told by Lord  Dalgety of Sikotilani Tonga His Majesty’s Privy Council had agreed with the life peers that they would never stand as candidates, a decision which was made by late King George V.

Lord Dalgety allegedly told Kefu the Privy Council made the amendment after it had found out the electoral law was incompatible with the constitution.

The inconsistency was detected after the electoral Acts and the constitution were compared.

The old electoral regulation says,

“…a Noble [Life Peer], may vote as a Noble for an Electoral District, but shall not stand as a candidate.”

The constitution says,

“Every noble shall be competent to vote in an election for representatives of the nobles and to sit in the Assembly if chosen according to law.”

The amendment came after it was found the electoral law 2010, 2(2) for nobility representatives was incompatible with the constitution clause 63 (2).

This was the new electoral regulation gazetted last week:

“1 Short Title These Regulations may be cited as the Electoral (Elections of Representatives of the Nobles) Regulations 2017.

2 Electoral Districts of Nobles (1) A Noble shall only vote or stand for election as a representative in accordance with the Electoral Districts set out in the Schedule.

(2) Any person appointed by His Majesty as a Life Peer under clause 44 of the Constitution, and having the same rights and benefits of a Noble, may vote as a Noble for an Electoral District, and shall declare the Electoral District they will vote for to the Supervisor of Elections, and shall maintain it.”

Tonga has five life peers and they are Lord Tangi ‘o Vaonukanuka, Lord Sevele ‘O Vailahi, Lord Matoto, Lord Tupou ‘O Kolofo’ou and Lord Dalgety of Scotland Tonga.

Inquiries after sacked Finance Minister disobeyed cabinet decision on TP$80,000 spending

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s cabinet passed a resolution yesterday to enquire into a decision by sacked Finance Minister Tēvita Lavemaau to spend TP$80,000 on the opening of the new government house early this month.

Hon. Lavemaau disobeyed a cabinet decision rejecting his proposal to allow TP$22,000 to cover expenses on gifts and a party arranged as part of the ceremony, the Minister of Finance Dr. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News yesterday afternoon.

Hon. Lavemaau said in a press release in Tongan last week obtained by Kaniva News that the spending he authorised for the new government house was legal, fair, appropriate and suitable for such a ceremony.

Dr. Tu’i’onetoa alleged that he was told by the CEO of the Ministry of Finance that Hon. Lavemaau said he authorised the money because he has the power to do so when the government was under the caretaker mode.

The Minister of Finance has been directed to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Dr. Tu’i’onetoa said an organising committee for the launch of the government house, known as St George palace, had requested TP$60,000 for the opening ceremony.

He said Hon. Lavemaau approved the request, but instead of approving TP$60,000 he authorised TP$80,000 to make sure the ceremony was organised successfully.

The committee spent about TP$75,000 of the money, Dr. Tu’i’onetoa said.

The money was used to cover the expenses for the ceremony including landscaping, gardening, the hire of tents, sound systems and a cocktail party.

Dr. Tu’i’onetoa said the money included  TP$22,000 which was intended to be spent on cultural activities and stuff such as ngatu, fihu and sila me’a’ofa (envelope of money) to be presented as gifts.

The former Auditor General said because the financial instructions did not say anything about spending on cultural activities and supplies, Hon. Lavemaau then sought the approval of the cabinet.

However, cabinet declined his request, he said.

He said while the policy allowed the minister to approve the TP$60,000 Hon. Lavemaau disobeyed the cabinet decision and paid out the TP$22,000 to the committee.

Dr. Tu’i’onetoa said a report from the Ombudsmen on the inquiries would be significant to his Ministry’s decision while the government was temporarily holding power.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, the Prime Minister said shortly after he sacked Hon. Lavemaau and the Deputy Prime Minister early this month he suspected his rejection of the proposal to spend TP$60,000 on the opening of the St George Palace had turned the pair against him.

In revealing the difference over the money between the cabinet and Hon. Lavemaau Hon. Pōhiva reportedly said if Lavemaau went ahead and authorise the money, it was illegal.

According to the Constitution,  “…caretaker Ministers shall not incur any unusual or unnecessary expenditure without the written approval of the caretaker Minister for Finance.”

The main points

  • The Tongan Cabinet passed a resolution this morning to enquire into a decision by sacked Finance Minister Tevita Lavemaau to spend TP$80,000 on the opening of the new government house.
  • Lavemaau disobeyed a cabinet decision rejecting his proposal to allow TP$22,000 to cover expenses, the Minister of Finance Dr. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News this afternoon.
  • Lavemaau said last week that the spending he authorised for the new government house was legal, fair and appropriate.
  • The Minister of Finance has been directed to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman.

For more information  

Rejection of TP$60,000 proposal  may have angered Deputy and Finance Minister, PM says

13 Crowns releases debut single 28 years after The Jets arrived in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan music band, The Jets which had been well-known in the United States for its pop and freestyle dance music about three decades ago, arrived in Tonga in 1989.

One of the band players was Haini Wolfgramm who was the bassist in the Minnesota family band.

Yesterday Haini’s children released their debut single “Grateful” from their forthcoming five-song extended play album release.

The name of their group band is 13 Crowns.

“…we’re proud to present our families next generation…our nieces & nephews H&S Recording Artists 13Crowns long awaited debut single “GRATEFUL’ lyric video from their YouTube channel”, a post on The Jets Original Family Band’s Facebook account read.

The 13 Crowns wrote on their Facebook page and said: “Hey guys, we are SO excited to announce that we are releasing our very first single “Grateful” on September 11th! This has been a long time coming and we are so excited to finally share it with all of you.”

The song was written by Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd who wrote and arranged songs for Justin Bieber, Usher, 112, Chris Brown and Big Boi.

“Lyrically, the song’s strong message reminds us that, as the band explains, “even though we go through challenges and difficulties, we can rise up, become stronger for it, and in the long run, be grateful for what we’ve learned and overcome”, a statement said.

“13 Crowns is made up of the seven oldest siblings of the 13-member Wolfgramm family, ranging in age from 12 (drummer Nora) to 21 (Eve on keyboards), with 15-year-old Abraham and 16-year-old Tihane the lead singers and songwriters, 18-year-old Isabella on bass, along with Maikeli (14) and Heinrich (20) on guitar”, it said.

The Jets’ arrival in Tonga twenty eight years ago was a huge event in the kingdom with hundreds vying to attend their performances to the public including their first performance to the king at the Royal Palace and a concert at the ʻAtele Indoor stadium.

The Tongan audience was exceptionally moved by the performances especially when the band played some Tongan hiva kakala including the Lavemālie Mai by Late Queen Sālote Tupou III and ‘Aho ‘o e Fiefia by Rev. Dr.  Eric Shumway which was recorded by local band ‘Iongi Brothers.

The Jets members were LeRoy, Eddie, Eugene, Haini, Rudy, Kathi, Elizabeth and Moana Wolfgramm.

Their parents are Mr Maikeli and Vākē Wolfgramm from Vava’u and Matahau in Tonga.

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