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Government of Tonga and a New Zealand university to collaborate on cyber security issues

By
Kaniva Staff
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The University of Waikato and the Government of the Tonga have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out a framework to work collaboratively on cyber security issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hon Siaosi Sovaleni signed the agreement on behalf of the Tongan Government. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Bruce Clarkson signed on behalf of Waikato University.

Hon Siaosi Sovaleni says it was timely that the signing of the agreement and the visit took place during the recent global cyber ransomware attack.

He also said the agreement provides an opportunity for Tongans to attach and learn from researchers at Waikato specifically on this field.

Both parties agreed to work on capability building, research collaborations, and staff and student exchange – aiming to ensure the success of the lab’s STRATUS project, the Tongan government’s E-Government project and the Tonga National CERT. This work builds on Siuta Laulaupea’alu’s thesis work who recently graduated with a Master in Computer Science from the university.

Associate Professor and Head of the University’s Cyber Security Lab Dr Ryan Ko says the relationship between the University and the Government of Tonga will support the goals of enhancing capability development, and providing a basis for research programs.

“It is an honour for us to host Tonga Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni and the Tongan delegation,” he says.

“Through Siuta’s project, we were able to develop great synergies and a strong collaborative spirit. This MoU will enhance the ability of both organisations to leverage on Waikato’s cyber security research breakthroughs in data provenance, cyber security visualization, situation awareness, and applications of homomorphic encryption.”

While on campus, Hon Siaosi Sovaleni visited the Cyber Security Researchers of Waikato (CROW) Lab and the New Zealand internet’s first connection sites at the Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (FCMS). He also met with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Bruce Clarkson, FCMS Deputy Dean Associate Professor Stephen Joe and cyber security researchers to discuss potential projects and collaboration with Dr Ryan Ko and the CROW team.

Three arrested after drug bust in Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
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Three people were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday last week for drugs offences after a raid on a number of properties on the mainland.

Nuku’alofa Police A/Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said this morning, police executed search warrants at Kolomotu’a and Ha’akame after tip-offs from community members.

A 45-year-old Nukunuku man was arrested on Wednesday 17 with 1 pack (0.40grams) of the illicit drugs methamphetamine also known as ice. He has been charged with possession of illicit drugs.

Another 35-year-old man from Kolomotu’a was also arrested with 6 packs (3.46grams) of methamphetamine and is also charged with possession of illicit drugs.

Both accused will appear at the Magistrate Court this week.

Another search warrant was executed on Friday 19 May 2017 at a residence in Ha’akame.

A 33-year-old man was arrested with 45 packs of cannabis and 1 pack of over hundred cannabis seeds.

He has been charged with possession of illicit drugs and will appear at the Magistrate Court this week.

“Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs where thereby preventing the harm this illegal activity causes. It only takes one call to Police to stop crime and the availability of drugs in your community,” Vailea.

“As always, the Police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation, manufacture and/or dealing.”

Information about drug offending can be passed on to your local Police station or can be made anonymously through 23417 or 25147.

Kolovai man arrested after shooting sends man to hospital

By
Kalino Latu
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One man was hospitalized and another was in Police custody following Sunday morning shooting in Kolovai, police said.

The incident happened yesterday at 5.20am in a tax allotment.

A 58-year-old man from Kolovai was in a stable condition at Vaiola hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds from a .22 rifle.

Police confirmed this morning a 36-year-old Kolovai man had also been charged with grievous bodily harm and that further charges were likely to follow.

He will appear at the Nukunuku Magistrate court Thursday 25 May  2017.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time, Police said.

Financial questions hang over decision to pull out of 2019 Games

By
Philip Cass
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Commentary:

Should Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva have cancelled the Tongan government’s commitment to hosting the 2019 Pacific Games because of a four year old report?

The Prime Minister’s announcement last week came as a shock, with Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan telling the Fiji Sun the announcement was “an act of mischief.”

Justin Tkatchenko, Sports Minister for Papua New Guinea, which hosted the last Games and which had pledged to help fund the 2019 event, told EMTV the Games Council should choose countries capable of holding the event.

“It’s not just give it to some friends and hope for the best,” he said.

The decision not to host the Games followed the Prime Minister’s discovery of a 2013 International Monetary Fund assessment of the costs of hosting the Games.

The report appeared to have been provided to the Finance Ministry before Hon. Pohiva was elected.

He has blamed the outgoing Minister of Finance, Dr Aisake Eke, of concealing the report.

The IMF report said quite clearly that the Games could not be funded from existing domestic funding or aid sources without an unacceptable cut in government services.

The IMF report said the government must accept that any commitment to host the Games must be based on water tight certainty that no domestic funds would be required or any aid funded projects rescheduled. All aid funding would have to come from new sources.

It also said that preparations for the Games should begin by 2014.

The government was also warned that large scale sporting facilities built for special events were a liability. The local population was often not large enough to use them and they rarely attracted international events that will fill them. As a result, many facilities fall into ruin and disrepair.

Questions

A number of questions about the decision to not host the Games need to be answered.

Was the report still relevant when the decision was made?

Had the government been able to find new sources of money for the Games the IMF said were needed?

Was the decision to withdraw based on a careful analysis of the kingdom’s current economic prospects?

What funding had been raised and targeted from local sources and what eternal promises of funding had been confirmed?

Were any arrangements made for continued donor support to maintain the Games facilities?

If there was no economic justification for the decision, then what other reasons were there?

How long was the matter was debated?

Why was a matter of such national importance apparently decided without any apparent reference to the country’s sporting bodies?

Tongan economy

The 2013 IMF report was written at a time when the Tongan economy was distressed, with almost half the kingdom’s GDP going to service debts. The government had been told it could not borrow any more money.

However, since Hon. Pohiva’s government came to power it has introduced a series of widely praised financial measures, the economy appears to be steady with promises of financial growth and Tonga is now considered by the IMF as being at moderate risk of debt distress.

Some of that growth was expected to flow from the construction of facilities for the Games, with increased wages, income from levies on imported goods and eventually from visitors arriving for the regional competition.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s most recent report on the Tongan economy in March, Tonga’s economic outlook was favourable. Growth has been better than projected, supported by strong recovery in agriculture and construction sectors, increased remittances and higher domestic demand.

The report said the Games would contribute to the kingdom’s economic growth.

“Growth is expected to remain strong in the 2017 financial year, supported by continued credit growth and strong domestic demand,” the report said.

“Real GDP is projected to grow at 3.6 percent in the 2017 financial year, driven by the agriculture and construction sectors, short-term fiscal expansion, as well as private consumption supported by growing remittances.

“Growth in 2018 is expected to peak at about four percent, supported mainly by construction related to the preparation for the Pacific Games.”

Funding

In order to fund the Games, the government introduced a series of levies on financial exchanges and visitors to raise new funds and there were promises of a new golf course and other major projects.

There was also been major commitments to funding from outside donors.

China only recently committed to fund the construction of a $TP57 million stadium at Tonga High School.

In 2014 the New Zealand government had committed to spend about $NZ2 million towards redeveloping the Teufaiva stadium.

Australia had pledged to offer financial support to the Games, although at the same time it had committed $Aus250,000 to send its own athletes to compete in Nuku’alofa.

Japan had pledged funding for sporting equipment.

Papua New Guinea was expected to contribute TP$50 million towards to the cost of hosting the Games. However, after Hon. Pohiva’s announcement last week, PNG’s Sports Minister appeared to be backpedalling on the promise, saying nothing had been signed or formalised.

It is not clear how many of the promises of aid had been turned into firm commitments.

Last year Radio Australia quoted the Pacific Games Council’s Executive Director, Andrew Minogue as saying those pledges had to be turned into binding contracts as quickly as possible.

Pacific Games Council chief executive Lord Sevele said that without government support, the Games still should have enough money to be proceed. After outside donations were counted, the Tongan government only needed to contribute 30 percent of the budget.

Lord Sevele told Matangi Tonga the power to cancel the Games did not come from the government. He said only the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee and Pacific Games Council could make that decision.

“He may withdraw government support, but it is up to us, the sporting bodies and patriotic Tongans who want to see these facilities for our children and the future of Tonga,” Sevele said. “If we don’t do it now we will never be able to do it!”

Sevele said that without government support, the Games still should have enough money to be funded. The organizing committee already has received support from Australia, China, and New Zealand through memorandums of understanding. The remaining Tongan contribution was estimated to be only 30 percent of the budget, Sevele said.

Running the Games without the government acting as host may be technically possible, but it would be deeply embarrassing for Hon. Pohiva.

The main points

  • Should Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva have cancelled the Tongan government’s commitment to hosting the 2019 Pacific Games because of a four year old report?
  • The decision not to host the Games followed the Prime Minister’s discovery of a 2013 International Monetary Fund assessment of the costs of hosting the Games.
  • The IMF report was written at a time when the Tongan economy was in crisis and the government had been told it could not borrow any more money.
  • However, since Hon. Pohiva came to power the economy has improved and the IMF says the Games could be a factor in the kingdom’s economic growth.

For more information

Programs and funding guidelines (Australian Olympic Committee)

Sports Minister says No Funds given to Tonga to Assist with 2019 Pacific Games (EMTV PNG)

Tonga pressed to ensure 2019 Pacific Games finance pledges become binding contracts

Conflicting Messaging Over 2019 Pacific Games

Pacific Games funding in disarray (The Economist, August 5, 2015)

CISNOC happy with 2019 Pacific Games progress

Finance Minister appears at odds with PM Pohiva over Games host cancellation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s declaration that his government would not host the 2019 Pacific Games has put him at odds with Finance Minister Tevita Lavemaau.

On Monday Hon. Pohiva told Kaniva News Tonga had cancelled the Games after he saw a 2013 World Bank report that Tonga could suffer economically in the long run if it hosted the Games.

Yesterday (May 19) Hon. Lavemaau lampooned the Prime Minister’s decision on Facebook.

“It’s so funny cos it’s not money related n we have done our dues to source out funds for this very important events for the country n youth”, he wrote on Facebook.

Hon. Lavemaau was responding to a post on Facebook by former Finance Minister Sunia Fili saying Tonga could still host the Games if it could have secured a loan.

Hon. Lavemaau’s comment is the latest twist in an often uncomfortable relationship with the Prime Minister.

During a press conference in Popua on May 11, Hon. Pohiva said his project of building a recreational centre in Popua had no working committee and he was the one managing the project.

He said he did not want the government to get involved because its procurement policy sometimes slowed down work.

However, Hon. Lavemaau gave the conference a different version and said the project was being funded through a Trust Account at the Treasury in which contributions from High Commissioners and others, including the Ministry of Public Enterprises, were being kept.

Hon. Lavemaau said contributions for the Prime Minister’s project from Public Enterprises were approved by their Boards of Directors.

In March Hon. Lavemaau was quoted by TBC Television service as saying the government had hired outgoing Finance Minister Dr Aisake Eke as a special consultant.

This prompted the Prime Minister to say the government could not hire Dr Eke because he was a Member of the Parliament and not, as policy required, somebody from outside government.

Confusing

Last week Hon. Pohiva caused confusion at the press conference when he introduced Hon. Lavemaau as Acting Minister of Finance and also Minister of Finance.

Earlier this year the government announced it had not approved a license by an American company to build casino facilities in Tonga.

Hon. Pohiva said he would not support a casino to be built in Tonga.

However Hon. Lavemaau told the TBC Tonga should have learned from Samoa in the way they operated their two casinos. He said Samoa only allowed foreigners to use the casinos and Tonga could attract world millionaires and investors if it allowed a casino in the kingdom.

His stance on the casino saga was inconsistent and blurry.

In an e-mail dated January 25 this year, which was seen by Kaniva News, Hon. Lavemaau assured the Chief Secretary that as the Minister responsible for foreign investment applications Tonga had not approved an application from the casino company.

But an unconfirmed letter distributed on internet last month appears to show cabinet gave approval in November 2016 for the casino to Tavake Tamafua and  Red Warrior Entertainment Group. The letter carries what purports to be Hon. Lavemaau’s signature.

The Minister did not reply to a request for a comment on the letter from Kaniva News.

Reaction

Hon. Lavemaau’s comment on Facebook regarding the decision to cancel the Games has been shared and discussed by hundreds of people on Facebook with Hon. Pohiva’s supporters questioning his loyalty to the Prime Minister.

Some of Hon. Lavemaau’s critics mentioned his comments on the casino saga and said he should step down if he did not support the Prime Minister’s leadership.

However, former Parliament Speaker Lord Lasike described the Finance Minister’s comment on Facebook as “tālanga mālie” (excellent discussion) and said he had learned from it.

The Prime Minister told Kaniva News only nine Ministers attended the Cabinet meeting on May12 at which it was decided to cancel the Games. Hon. Pohiva said the ministers agreed unanimously to cancel the Games.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni was out of the country and Kaniva News understands the Minister of Finance was in Beijing attending a summit for the Belt-and-Road Initiative. The Minister of Public Enterprises was also not at the cabinet when the decision was made.

The Cabinet decision came as a shock to the public and the international community because only the day before the Prime Minister assured a press conference at Popua the Games were still on.

Hon. Lavemaau said there was money to host the Games.

The next day Cabinet announced it had cancelled its commitment to hosting the Games for fear the country could suffer financially because of the need to maintain the sporting facilities.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s declaration that his government would not host the 2019 Pacific Games has put him at odds with Finance Minister Tevita Lavemaau.
  • Yesterday (May 19) Hon. Lavemaau lampooned the Prime Minister’s decision on Facebook.
  • “It’s so funny cos it’s not money related n we have done our dues to source out funds for this very important events for the country n youth”, he wrote on Facebook.
  • Lavemaau was responding to a post on Facebook by former Finance Minister Sunia Fili saying Tonga could still host the Games if it could secured a loan.

For more information

Decision to abandon Games was “bizarre” says Lord Vaea

What will happen to Chinese funded stadium after Games withdrawal?

By
Philip Cass
-

Despite the government’s announcement that it will not host the 2019 Games, it appears that most donor nations will honour their financial pledges.

China, New Zealand and Australia have all indicated they will still provide funds for the Games.

However, the Chinese embassy in Tonga has not said whether it will go ahead with the construction of a new sports stadium.

China promised to fund the construction of the $TP57 million facility at Tonga High School before the government  announced it would not be hosting the Games.

Papua New Guinea has said that it will cancel its financial contribution.

The Tongan government announced last year that PNG would give TP$50 million.

Despite Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s announcement that the government would not host the Games, the Pacific Games Council remains confident the event would be held in Tonga.

Council president Vidhya Lakhan told Radio New Zealand there might be a small funding shortfall, plans were in place to address that.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, the government will continue renovations and maintenance of sporting facilities to prepare its athletes for the Games.

This included the Teufaiva national stadium, Tonga High School complex, Atele Indoor Stadium and the golf course.

The main points

  • Despite the government’s announcement that it will not host the 2019 Games, it appears that most donor nations will honour their financial pledges.
  • China, New Zealand and Australia have all indicated they will still provide funds for the Games.
  • However, the Chinese embassy in Tonga has not said whether it will go ahead with the construction of a new $TP57 million sports stadium.

For more information

Tonga will not host 2019 Pacific Games; PM cites World Bank advice on costs

Pacific Games Council still expects event to be in Tonga

Tongan father of five dies in Hawaii crash; wife fights for life in hospital

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan father-of-five has died in a fatal crash in Hawaii while his wife is fighting for her life in hospital.

Niutouan Heilame Lavaka, 37, and his wife Alana Lyn Lavaka, 32, were heading to the airport when their Nissan Titan Truck collided with a Toyota 4Runner north on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway on Wednesday morning, a source very close to the Lavaka family told Kaniva News. 

The couple had five young children and they live in Waimea, where Heilame made a living as a wood carver.

Both vehicles subsequently burst into flames, Hawai’ian media reported.

Heilame, Alana along with the driver and the passenger of the Toyota were taken to Kona Community Hospital.

The three were pronounced dead on their arrival at the hospital while Alana was in a life threatening condition, the source said.

Police said the driver of the 4Runner was passing several vehicles on the highway.

“As he completed his pass the operator lost control of his vehicle, which caused it to veer into the oncoming lane where it was then involved in a broadside collision with a 2008 Nissan Titan operated by a 37-year-old Kamuela man,” police say.

Police believe speed was a factor in the crash, but it is not immediately known if alcohol was involved.

Business Council mulls impact of decision to abandon 2019 Games on investors

By
Philip Cass
-

Chairman of the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, Sione Taufa, said today it was too early to assess the impact of the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Games on its members.

“Some of our members will be disappointed, but others will be relieved that government has now made its position clear,” Taufa told Kaniva News this afternoon.

A Business Council delegation visited Nuku’alofa in February.

At the time they believed the upgrading of facilities for the Games offered potential opportunities for investors.

Various development agencies in Tonga told the delegates the kingdom was expected to experience three to four percent economic growth due to the economic activity generated by the games.

This included infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and food and beverages.

Some Council members had gone back to Tonga to firm up business relationships  in the kingdom.

“Information from the past few weeks has been confusing, to say the least” Mr Taufa said.

“I think the news this week gives a much clearer picture of the Government’s direction on this.

“We will continue to monitor this closely as more information come to light.”

Investment

At its recent annual general meeting, Business Council delegates were told renewable energy and energy storage, tourism and agriculture were potential targets for investors in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Taufa told the meeting renewable energy and energy storage was a potential area for investment because of the government’s plan to generate half Tonga’s energy from renewable sources by 2020.

“The current renewable energy sources are around 12 percent, so there is a lot of potential for such ambitious targets,” he said.

The main points

  • Chairman of the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, Sione Taufa, said today it was too early to assess the impact of the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Games on its members.
  • Some Council members would be disappointed, Taufa said.
  • A Business Council delegation visited Nuku’alofa in February.
  • At the time they believed the upgrading of facilities for the Games offered potential opportunities for investors.

For more information

Forward Focus in Tonga (Pacific Co-operation Foundation)

Memorial service for Sione Fifita today

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tongan government will host a memorial service today for Sione Vakameilalo Fifita who died in Queensland.

Fifita, from Kolovai,  was working in the Australian state on the seasonal workers’ programme.

He died in the Royal Brisbane Hospital after falling into a coma.

His body is expected to be flown back to Tonga today. It is being accompanied  by his father Luisi.

It is understood his airfare was paid for by his son’s employer.

A family service was held in Brisbane on Tuesday.

It was conducted by Reverend Sione Maile Molitika.

Family spokesman Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’a-ki-Fualu said  he would call a meeting after the burial service to avoid “irreversible legal actions.”

For more information

Tongan SWP worker left in coma dies in Australia

Supreme Court ordered Tonga Investment to be re-registered

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has ordered that Tonga Investments Ltd be restored to the company register.

The restoration was sought by Sione Moehau and Epic International Ltd so they can pursue legal action against the company.

They argued that unless TIL was restored its legal obligations could not be  assessed or enforced.

The motion was opposed by the Registrar of Companies and the Crown.

In his report on the hearing, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said TIL was a registered company and wholly owned by the Government  of Tonga.

In 2007 TIL began disposing of its assets, including leases of land. It put the leases up for public tender and in June 2007 Mr. Moehau successfully bid for three leases. He nominated Epic to complete the purchase.

In October that year TIL and Epic entered into a written agreement for the transfer of the lease for TP$725,000. Epic paid a 10 percent deposit of TP$72,500.  A further  30 per  cent of the transfer price amounting to TP$217,500 was paid on August 24, 2007.

The balance of TP$435,000 was payable within 14 days of Epic being advised in writing that the lease transfer documentation had been completed by the Lands Department and that the transaction has been approved by Cabinet.

On November 30, 2007, TIL told Epic the documentation in respect of all three leases was complete and called  for settlement in terms of the agreement.  However, on December  6, December 2007 TIL wrote to Epic and Mr. Moehau, stating the Ministry of Lands and Survey was still processing the transfer of the leases.

For reasons that are not clear Cabinet did not approve the transfer of the lease until February 8, February 2013.

On February 18, 2013 TIL gave Mr. Moehau notice that the lease transfer documentation had been completed and that Cabinet approval had been obtained for the transfer of  the lease. Epic was given 14 days to pay the balance of the transfer price or Epic would forfeit its deposit.

On February 25, 201,3 TIL again wrote to Mr. Moehau, reminding him that Epic had seven days to  pay  the  balance  of TP$435,000  on the transfer  of the lease and  again stating that failure to pay would result in Epic forfeiting its deposit.

The following month Mr. Moehau  wrote  to  TIL  explaining  that after TIL’s lengthy delay a decision had been made to utilise its funds on other projects.  He  proposed  that  the  parties  enter into an instalment  plan to pay the  outstanding   balance.

This was put to TIL’s board on April 11, 2013, but the board refused the request and approved the forfeiture of the deposits and decided to re-tender the lease. It is not clear whether the board’s decisions were  communicated  to  Epic  or Mr. Moehau.

TIL  did  not, in fact,  re-tender  the  lease and transferred it to TAMA, another company  owned  by the  Government  of  Tonga.  Cabinet  approved  the  transfer on 1 July 2013.

On June 28, 2013, the Registrar was told that TIL had ceased trading and  requesting that it be removed from the register. The letter contained nothing to  substantiate the assertion that TIL had ceased trading. There was no public notice of the decision to deregister TIL.

In June 2015 that the Minister of Public Enterprises, purporting to act on behalf of TIL, signed an assignment of the lease to TAMA.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said that if it was found that TIL had wrongfully purported to terminate (or in fact failed to do so) Mr. Moehau and Epic may seek to enforce performance of the agreement or damages.

He said the plaintiffs had paid 40 per cent of the total purchase price, amounting to TP$290,000 which TIL claimed was forfeited.

“It is arguable this was an unlawful penalty and that the plaintiffs may recover all or some portion of the amounts they have paid on that basis,” the judge said.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he was satisfied the plaintiffs had an undischarged claim against TIL which was sufficient grounds to restore the company to the Registry.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has ordered that Tonga Investments Ltd be restored to the company register.
  • The restoration was sought by Sione Moehau and Epic International Ltd so they can pursue legal action against the company.
  • The motion was opposed by the Registrar of Companies and the Crown.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he was satisfied the plaintiffs had an undischarged claim against TIL which was sufficient grounds to restore the company to the Registry.
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