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Police divers to resume search tomorrow for man overboard during Waitemata Harbour cruise

By
Kalino Latu
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New Zealand Police divers have suspended their search for a man who went missing overboard on a Saturday night cruise in Waitemata Harbour in Auckland.

Unconfirmed reports on social media have named the missing man and identified him as Tongan.

A photo was also posted to Facebook with a caption which describes the man in the photo as the missing person Police were searching for.

Kaniva News could not publish the photo and the name of that person. We are contacting the family.

Those who made comments on the post and the photo said they knew the man and were holding out hope that he will be found alive

New Zealand Herald report says Police were searching for a 29-year-old man from Mangere who “had gone overboard between Kauri Point and Birkenhead, both in the upper Waitemata Harbour.”

It said “the current in the harbour was strong, reaching between 5-6 knots at the Auckland Harbour Bridge”.

Police said its National Dive Squad has completed a search today.

The rescue operation has been ongoing throughout today, after Police received the initial report at 9:20pm last night.

The Police Maritime Unit and search and rescue volunteers have been involved.

The search is expected to resume tomorrow.

Prime Minister sets out agenda for greater democracy and political reform

By
Philip Cass
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Commentary:

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva goes into the new Parliamentary year with an agenda that is set firmly against the kingdom’s traditional power structure, with the nobles already attacking some of his ideas.

Speaking to Kaniva News at ‘Atalanga recently, the Prime Minister said he wanted to focus on completing his political reforms.

Many powers, such as the authority to veto decisions, declare marshal law and close parliament still reside with the king.

At a press conference in Nukuʻalofa last week he said Cabinet had discussed  a proposal for the people to elect the nobles’ parliamentary seats, but have not put it on the agenda for Parliament.

He said the focus of their discussion was to revert to Tongaʻs old constituency system under which MPs were elected according to the district or islands group they lived in.

This would involve all voters in the main islands of Tongatapu. Eua, Haʻapai, Vavaʻu and the Niuas.

Radio New Zealand has reported that the government is proposing to take the power to elect the Attorney General and Police Commissioner from the Privy Council to the Prime Minister and cabinet.

Kaniva News believes that the Prime Minister’s proposals are in the interests of civil society and democracy.

In 2006 a survey conducted by the Late Princess Tuʻipelehake and Dr Sitiveni Halapua showed the majority of Tongans in the Islands and overseas agreed to change the political system to a democracy.

Hon. Pohiva’s suggestions are prudent. They do not threaten the existence of the Nobles and he has always made it clear that he regards the royal family as a symbol of stability in Tonga.

A carefully planned democratic transfer of power offers a surer way forward than that found in some other Island nations which have suffered unrest.

The coups d’etat that have marred Fijian history for the past 30 years are a warning of what can happen when the growth of democracy and the orderly transfer of power to the people and their elected representatives is stifled.

Tongan teen saves younger brother from fire in California

By
Kaniva Staff
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A teenage Tongan boy jumped nine feet and then climbed through a window to  escape flames and save the life of his younger brother.

Firefighters were called to a single-alarm fire at a home on the corner of Cherry Way and Haviland Avenue in the unincorporated community of Cherryland at about 8:45 p.m Friday 27, reports said.

Petelo Finau, 18, was in his room Friday night watching a movie when his uncle started screaming. Flames were in the kitchen, separating the 18-year-old from his younger brother, Francis, 13.

Finau jumped to safety out of a second-story window then jumped and climbed up to the ledge of a different window on the second floor to reach his brother.

“I had to jump out the window. I kind of fell. It was weird. Then I ran over…and had to pull myself up,” Finau said.

As Finau hoisted himself up to his armpits to help Francis, the 13-year-old, who has autism, was frozen with fear, according to reports.

“He can’t really comprehend as much as other autistic kids can, and he gets very scared of heights,” Finau said.

Finau tried to yank his brother out the window, but Francis, who saw the gathering crowd below, actually shut the window on his brother.

For almost a full minute, the 18-year-old waited and hoped.

“I honestly thought that he would have passed, and at that moment, I was thinking through all my memories of him and it really struck me at that moment how much he meant to me,” Finau said.

Finally, Francis opened the window again as smoke poured out of the home.

“When he opened that window again, I just felt the most relieved in my life where I could finally get the chance that I needed to get him out,” Finau said.

Neighbors rushed over with a chair and ladder to give Finau something to stand on, and he managed to get Francis out of the building.

“I think that this young man has some athletic ability that probably a lot of us aren’t blessed with, and I think that led to the positive outcome that we’re talking about,” said Chief John Whiting with the Alameda County Fire Battalion.

That athletic ability will serve Finau well in the U.S. Navy, where he is enlisting next month.

Francis is being treated for smoke inhalation, but doctors say he’ll be fine.

The cause of the fire was unknown.

The firefighters were able to battle the blaze in about a half hour.

Woman found dead in a storm water drain in Mangere

By
Kaniva Staff
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Counties Manukau Police are investigating the death of a woman who was located in a storm water drain in Mangere this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Favona at 4:40pm, after a woman was found in the drain.

Upon Police attendance, it was discovered the woman was deceased.

Next of kin have been notified.

While enquiries will continue into the circumstances of her death, Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

Second Police officer arrested in connection with armed robbery

By
Kalino Latu
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A second Policeman in a Ma’ufanga armed robbery has been arrested yesterday Friday 2, according to Police commissioner Stephen Caldwell.

The armed robbery happened at a convenience store on May 20.

The first Policeman and another suspect were taken into custody on May 23 and were charged with robbery.

The second Policeman  is remanded in custody to appear at the Fasi Magistrate Court on Tuesday 9 June 2017, Caldwell said. 

The criminal investigations into this incident continue.

King calls for kingdom to unite to overcome problems as he opens Parliament

By
Philip Cass
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His Majesty King Tupou VI has called for concerted efforts to deal health, education and economic problems.

The king was speaking during the official opening of Parliament yesterday.

His Majesty said that since the last parliamentary term Tonga had continued to face major challenge.

He said Tongans needed to eat local food and live healthy lives.

He advised the government to develop the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as the tourism industry.

He said learning how to deal with an epidemic would be good example of individuals, communities and the national government working together to overcome a health issue.

On political matters, his Majesty reminded the public of their duty to convey their interests to the MPs, including both the People’s and Noble Representatives.

The King said it was vital for the government to consider focussing spending on health, education and boosting the economy.

The King also thanked foreign donors, including the governments of Australia, Japan and the People’s Republic of China, the European Union and international donor agencies for their contribution to building Tonga.

Radio New Zealand has reported that opposition MPS have warned that efforts to remove Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva will be intensified during the new session of the House.

Hon. Pohiva caused consternation last month when  he announced Tonga would not host the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Prime Minister cited  a 2013 economic report for the decision, but since then successive finance ministers saying the money had already been allocated.

The main points

  • His Majesty King Tupou VI has called for concerted efforts to deal health, education and economic problems.
  • The king was speaking during the official opening of Parliament yesterday.
  • His Majesty said that since the last parliamentary term Tonga had continued to face major challenge.
  • He advised the government to develop the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as the tourism industry.

For more information

King calls for national approach to address health, education and economic issues

King to open fresh session of Tongan parliament

TASANOC should stop making excuses and keep its promise on loan repayment, Minister says

By
Kalino Latu
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The Minister of Health Saia Piukala is calling on TASANOC to stop making excuses and commit itself to paying back its $600,000 loan from the government according to its promise.

Hon. Piukala was the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports when a TASANOC team met with the Ministry in a bid to secure the loan.

He said he approved the loan after a written agreement between TASANOC and the government was endorsed by the government’s solicitor general.

The Minister was responding after TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau said yesterday they did not want to pay back the loan and were urging the government to convert it into grant.

The Minister said the loan was granted after the Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee failed to send 59 athletes to PNG to represent the country at the Pacific Games 2015.

The athletes arrived at the Fua’amotu Airport expecting to depart for PNG, but were turned back because they did not have airline tickets.

They were expecting to meet TASANOC officials at the airport to hand out their tickets but they found out the officials had already left for PNG.

He said TASANOC promised him the loan would be paid back the “very next week” after receiving their share of funding from the Oceania and Olympic Games.

Hon. Piukala said he was disappointed after he read on Kaniva News yesterday that TASANOC members did not pay the loan as promised and later questioned its validity.

He said it was clear from the beginning the agreement for TASANOC to pay it back was legally binding.

He said the team from TASANOC included Hasiloni Fungavai, Dr.’Amanaki Fakakovikaetau, ‘Epeli Taione, Dr.Taniela Fusimalohi and heads of various sport federations whose athletes were left stranded at the airport.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumopeau told Kaniva News an AGM in 2015 “challenged” the validity of the loan and asked whether the government is allowed to lend money to an individual or a private organisation.

The AGM told Taumoepeau to write to the Minister of Finance and urge him to convert the loan into a grant.

Hon. Piukala claimed the government had granted the national sports authority more than a million pa’anga before the loan to help prepare and send the athletes to PNG and for TASANOC to question the validity of the loan was nothing but just finding excuses which was unacceptable.

For more information

Fusimālohi resigns amidst uproar over claims of too much politics and no work at TASANOC

Court orders money seized in Havelu raid to be confiscated

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has ordered that money found by police during a raid on a fraudulent Chinese medical clinic in Havelu should be confiscated.

The money was found in the bedroom of Yin Lin Wei who was convicted in 2015 of falsely claiming to be a doctor.

During the raid police found $TP28, 289, US$81 and CYN985.

Mr Justice Cato ordered that the Attorney General convert the money into pa’anga and deposit it in the Tongan Confiscated and Forfeited Assets Fund.

In his report on the case, the judge noted that the application to have the money confiscated under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crimes Act 2000 had been made only a day before the two year limitation period was due to expire.

Hosting Pacific games in 2007 led to “huge loss” says Samoan MP

By
Philip Cass
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Samoa has made a bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games, but parliamentarian Olo Fiti Vaai said the country lost millions when it last held the Games in 2007.

“We did it before and it was a huge loss on the government,” Vaai said.

“What’s going to change now?”

Last week Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the country was “eager” to host the event.

He said Fiji also wanted to make a bid.

According to Radio New Zealand, the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee has been advised to start negotiations with the Pacific Games authorities.

Malielegaoi told the Samoan Observer the country had the necessary facilities, but needed to upgrade the swimming pool and Apia Park stadium.

The Samoan bid comes on the heels of the announcement by Tongan prime Minister’Akilisi Pohiva that the kingdom would not host the Games

However, Vaai questioned whether Samoa could afford the necessary expense if other changes were required to get the facilities up to international standard.

“Don’t let the ego and pride take over, making it seem like Samoa is able to host any international event,” the MP said.

He said there were no proper records of how much was spent to host the Games in 2007.

He claimed a lack of control in expenses and expenditures caused problems for the government.

In recent years Samoa had hosted the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, the Commonwealth Youth Games and the All Blacks test against Manu Samoa.

The main points

  • Samoa has made a bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games, but parliamentarian Olo Fiti Vaai said the country lost millions when it last held the Games in 2007.
  • Last week Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the country was “eager” to host the event.
  • However, Vaai questioned whether Samoa could afford the necessary expense if other changes were required to get the facilities up to international standard.
  • “Don’t let the ego and pride take over, making it seem like Samoa is able to host any international event,” the MP said.

For more information

M.P. explains anti Pacific Games bid stance

Samoa to bid for 2019 Pacific Games

Raw: Brawl erupts following school parades in Nukuʻalofa

By
Kalino Latu
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