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Junior Fa takes on Tai in New Zealand title fight

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan-New Zealand born boxer Uaine Junior Fa is taking on Auckland based fighter Daniel Tai for  the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title, tomorrow evening, at the ABA stadium in Mt Eden, Auckland.

Fa took to Facebook this morning and told his supporters, “All the hard work is done. It’s Show Time again this Saturday night! Get your tickets and come down and watch a good night of fights where there will be a new NZPBA heavyweight champion!”.

The fight came after Fa won his debut fight in the United States last month.

He defeated Keith Barr with a knockout in the third round of a scheduled six round fight.

This makes 10 wins out of 10 fights for Fa.

Seven of those wins were knockout.

The 27 year old boxer turned professional a year ago with a win against Richard Tutaki.

Although New Zealand born and raised, Fa has represented Tonga internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

TOP$230,000 worth of uncustomed jewellery, firearm and ammunition seized in Halaleva

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police and custom officers had seized undeclared jewellery with a revenue value of TOP$230,000 including other items on Saturday 11 in Halaleva.

Cash and cheque of over TOP$6,500, herbal medications, electronic devices, one fiream and 1480 ammunition were among the confiscated goods.

Tonga Customs and Revenue boss ʻAnisi Kulufeinga Bloomfield said more than 50 Customs, Inland Revenue and Police officers raided a Chinese property and business in the area at 8am

A statement from the Ministry says:

The Tonga Customs initiated this operation code named: Operation Sparkling in responding to mounted intelligence and investigation.

These jewellery items including 9 – 22 carat gold jewellery, diamonds and pearls were located at the dwelling house with price tags varied from TOP$100 – TOP$1600.

It is alleged that these uncustomed items are to be of Asian origin and were smuggled into country through passengers of commercial flights without declaring at the border.

These items were smuggled into Tonga to be further traded in his licensed premises.

The total value of these jewellery items are over TOP$230,000. The total duty evaded by this company is approximately  TOP$80,000.

This business has been operating for more than 6 years but has no Customs records of imports of jewellery by the business or its owners.

The Tonga Customs has vested interest in this situation as these jewellery items were being sold as imported goods and offered for commercial exchange at comparable prices without any payment of duties or taxes.

Bloomfield said that he is impressed with robust and collaboration efforts of the core law enforcement agencies in sharing resources and capabilities. He is determined to strengthen their cooperation.

The Tonga Customs in partnership with Tax Authorities and Tonga Police are continuing in their enforcement efforts to investigate entities who continue to breach the Customs laws across the islands of Tonga.

Pohiva declares war on TBC, declares it an obstacle and constraint on gov’t

By
Philip Cass
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Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has declared war on the Tongan Broadcasting Corporation.

He has declared the TBC to be “an enemy of the government” and said its job was to support the administration.

Once regarded as a champion of media freedom, the Prime Minister told Radio New Zealand he was not happy with the TBC.

He described the state broadcaster as an obstacle and a constraint on the work of the government.

“They claim the freedom of media should be allowed, should be the same with any other media in Tonga, but they should understand there is a basic difference between a private media and also government media,” he said.

Hon. Pohiva said the TBC’s operations would be reviewed next month.

He claimed it had been losing money for the past decade and its services might be better provided by another broadcaster.

However, Lord Fusitu’a said any move to shut down the TBC would be in breach of the constitution.

“The very basis of any Westminster democracy is the rule of law and once you chip away at freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, you are chipping away at the rule of law which ends up, in most cases, disregard to the rule of law,” he said.

The Prime Minister has accused the TBC in the past of aiding his political opponents and had Viola Ulakai journalist suspended after she claimed to be calling for a press conference on behalf of the Tonga Media Council.

As Kaniva News reported in May, the President of the Pacific Islands News Association, Moses Stevens, criticised Hon. Pohiva over Ulakai’s suspension.

In a statement issued to mark World Press Freedom Day, Stevens accused the Tongan government of censoring the media.

“The Tongan case is interesting because it involved a Prime Minister who was a respected champion for democracy, free speech, freedom of expression and free media,” Stevens said.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has declared war on the Tongan Broadcasting Corporation.
  • He has declared the TBC to be “an enemy of the government” and said its job was to support the administration.
  • Once regarded as a champion of media freedom, the Prime Minister told Radio New Zealand he was not happy with the TBC.
  • He described the state broadcaster as an obstacle and a constraint on the work of the government.

For more information

Tonga’s PM calls state broadcaster ‘enemy of govt’

Tongan noble says PM plans are unconstitutional

US recognizes Women and Children Crisis Centre in its efforts to end domestic violence

By
Kalino Latu
-

The United States Pacific Command and the Nevada National Guard have recognized the hard and tireless efforts by Tongaʻs Women and Children Crisis Centre’s to end domestic violence.

The organisations presented a plaque that contains this information:

“Presented on behalf of The United States Pacific Command and the Nevada National Guard in recognition of the Achievement of the Women and Children Crisis Centre’s efforts to end domestic violence”.

It was presented to the WCCC staff in Nuku’alofa yesterday by the US Ambassador to Tonga Judith Cefkin.

“The Women and Children Crisis Center is an NGO works independently outside of the government sector, works very diligently to advocate for the human rights of women and children, and for gender equality, also works to end all violence against women and children, offers free counseling and legal services, among other services”, HE Cefkin said.

“We know the domestic violence is a problem around the world, and also in the Pacific. We also know that when women have a political voice and economic power, they contribute to their families’ and communities development.

“Women, however, are vulnerable to domestic violence and victims need assistance of the type that the WCCC is offering. Raising awareness is the first step to stop the cycle of violence and to raise the stature of women in communities.

I want to commend the WCCC on its excellent support for women and children in Tonga. We are pleased that we, the U.S. government, through the Pacific Command and Nevada National Guard, could partner with the WCCC to assist with and promote your valuable activities in your community,” the US Ambassador said.

No Tongans arrested in US immigration raids

By
Philip Cass
-

Sources inside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement have confirmed that no Tongan nationals were arrested during last month’s raids.

As Kaniva News reported, unsourced news reports claimed that hundreds of Tongans had been arrested in the raids which occurred across the United States.

The stories also claimed that the Tongans who had supposedly been arrested were liable for deportation.

One site claimed 831 Tongans had been deported in the raids on illegal migrants in the US.

However, this number was higher than the total number of 680 arrests arrests reported by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

According to ICE statistics, in 2016 a total of 16 Tongans were deported from the US by immigration authorities.

Bogus stories about changes to US immigration laws have also circulated.

Meanwhile, US and Tongan officials are meeting in Nuku’alofa this week to discuss problems surrounding the reintegration of Tongan deportees into the kingdom.

Tongan deportees often face serious difficulties adjusting to a culture, language and traditions with which they may be completely unfamiliar.

US Ambassador to Tonga Judith Cefkin said reintegrating deportees into Tongan society was a major concern.

Some limited services are available to help deportees, but these organisations themselves often struggle for support.

The US has agreed to give the Tongan government three weeks’ notice of the arrival of deportees and to criminal records.

The main points

  • Sources inside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement have confirmed that no Tongan nationals were arrested during last month’s raids.
  • As Kaniva News reported, bogus stories also claimed that the Tongans who had supposedly been arrested were liable for deportation.
  • Meanwhile, US and Tongan officials are meeting in Nuku’alofa this week to discuss problems surrounding the reintegration of Tongan deportees into the kingdom.
  • Tongan deportees often face serious problems adjusting to local culture and society.

For more information

Reports of mass arrests follow bogus stories about US immigration policy

Two Tongan sisters in US plead no contest to elder abuse in death of mother

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two San Mateo sisters pleaded no contest Monday to felony elder abuse and infliction of great bodily injury in the death of their elderly mother, who died of pneumonia and was found decaying in her own bed and covered in fecal matter, prosecutors said.

Moala Siafoou Tatola, 41, and Tafolosa Haisaane Tatolamahe, 48, were charged after police responded to a report of a dead body in the 1600 block of Third Avenue on March 9, 2013, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

Sela Tatola, 78, was nude and her lower extremities were “nearly black due to filth and necrotic tissue,” prosecutors said. Gangrene was found throughout the body.

Defense attorney Mitri Hanania described the defendants as committed and loving daughters who worked full time and stepped up to take care of their mother when other family members did not.

The victim did not want to see a doctor, and her daughters should have encouraged her to seek medical treatment, according to Hanania.

“This wasn’t a case where the daughters weren’t cruel to their mother, they were overwhelmed,” Hanania said. “They should have done better, and they acknowledged that they should have done better.”

“They took responsibility, and that’s why they pled,” he added.

The family is Tongan and that may have been a factor in the case, according to Hanania.

“In the Tongan culture, the theme that I heard a lot was that the matriarch in the family is very, very highly respected, so since she was the mother and the matriarch of the family, the daughters were really committed to listening to what the mother’s wishes were,” he said.

The defendants face no more than three years in state prison and are scheduled to return to court  for sentencing on May 12.

–Fox Television

Missing Tongan man located safe and well

By
Kalino Latu
-

Missing man Semisi Feao has been located safe and well, Victoria Police have said this morning thanking the public for their assistance.

As we reported earlier Semisi Fe’ao, 62, went missing from his Hickory Street, Werribee address at 8pm, Tuesday 14 March.

Police were concerned for his welfare due to a medical condition.

 

Teacher arrested after Vainī student beating

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police this afternoon arrested a teacher for allegedly beating up a student at Vainī Middle School.

The teacher, whose identity has yet to be released, had been charged with assault.

Police reportedly said the arrest has sent a clear message to victims of this type of crime they could be dealt with if they had the courage to come forward and reveal it.

As we reported earlier the student was hospitalised amid an investigation by the ministries of Police and Education.

The authorities acted after the student’s grandmother reported the incident on Tonga Broadcasting Broadcom radio show.

She said the teacher allegedly threatened to beat the children’s parents if they told them about their punishment.

She said her grandchild was terrified and when she asked to take him with her to the school and talk to the teacher he refused.

“To make sure that any victim of this kind of crime should have the courage to come forward and also in the long term, to create an environment in school that is more safe and more friendly and welcomes every member of society here,” Radio New Zealand has quoted Tonga’s Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea as saying.

Artist calls for a world that nurtures children and their hopes for the future

By
Philip Cass
-

Tongan artist Ruha Fifita hopes that Tongan children will grow up in an environment that nurtures their potential.

Fifita, whose ngatu (painted tapa) work was recently on show at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, said in a recent interview that children were like seeds.

“The environment we create should nurture the growth of each seed and, as a result, ensure the world can benefit from the fruits latent within each,” Fifita said.

She said children should receive an education that developed every aspect of their humanity and their aspirations.

“This education, among other things, includes having the opportunity to be involved in meaningful, service-oriented community and family life, and being encouraged to reflect on and develop individual talents and qualities.

“The environment should be free of criticism and infused with love, encouragement and faith in the profound capacity of every individual.”

Fifita, who has exhibited her work in several galleries in New Zealand and Australia, often in collaboration with New Zealand artist Robin White,  said she hoped Tonga would become a place where its own culture and global knowledge.

“Perhaps we need to get better at consulting, generating new ideas in unity and then acting together, and reflecting on our actions,” the artist said.

“Perhaps if we were eager to learn from others we would discover that even the grandest ideals become possible.”

Fifita said the Pacific had a generation of young people curious about the world and thirsty to live lives of significance and contribute to causes greater than themselves.

“We’re a very young population, with a wealth of energy, new ideas and fresh perspectives of the world.” she said.

“If we can support the children and youth of our nation to realise the important role they can play in our society we will see these small island nations become lights of guidance to others, radiant examples of thriving communities living in harmony with each other and their natural environment.

“What a valuable service that would be to the world!”

The main points

  • Tongan artist Ruha Fifita hopes that Tongan children will grow up in an environment that nurtures their potential.
  • Fifita, whose ngatu (painted tapa) work has been on show at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, said in a recent interview that children were like seeds.
  • “The environment we create should nurture the growth of each seed and, as a result, ensure the world can benefit from the fruits latent within each,” Fifita said.
  • She said children should receive an education that developed every aspect of their humanity and their aspirations.

US and Tongan authorities join forces to deal effectively with returning deportees

By
Kalino Latu
-

The United States authorities had overhauled the country’s deportation system so they could inform the Tongan government before sending back deportees to the kingdom.

The centrepiece of the reform was to allow Tongan authorities time to prepare and could communicate with the US authorities in anything they want regarding the deportees.

This had been revealed yesterday in Nukuʻalofa during a three-day conference with the Tongan government and law enforcement officials.

The U.S. Ambassador to Tonga, Judith Cefkin was one of the speakers at the conference.

She said: “Last year our regional security office consulted with Tongan law enforcement officials to overhaul the process for all returning deportees from the U.S which includes providing an advance notice and more complete information prior to deportation which might be useful to Tongan law enforcement”.

“The Tongan National Deportation Reintegration Conference is the result of two years of consultation and discussion between the U.S and Tongan government and law enforcement officials to create a platform to share our experiences dealing with deportee reintegration,” Cefkin said.

Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said the conference was “a new beginning to finding solution to growing concerns in Tonga relating to reintegration of deportees”.

The Tongan government will establish a task force to deal directly with the returning deportees, he said.

There were 20,800 Tongans in the United States according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates 2013. The United States have deported 22 Tongan citizens to Tonga since last year.

As we reported last year Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in New Zealand in August that he was concerned about high risk deportees being sent back to the kingdom.

Hon. Pohiva said the Tongan government was not told about the crimes they had committed overseas.

He said after the deportees arrived in Tonga they were released into the community and there was nothing the government could do to make sure they would do no more harm to the society.

Hon. Pohiva said it was important for the government to be informed so they could alert people if any criminal deportees moved into the community.

 Rehabilitation facility

Tonga’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Vaʻinga Tōnē who was also in the meeting with Hon. Pohiva in Auckland, told the audience there had been discussion with the governments of New Zealand and Australia to help fund a rehabilitation facility in Tonga.

He said this was a big issue for Tonga, especially for deportees who were sent directly from prison to Tonga and did not usually join any rehabilitation programmes after their release.

In November last year it was reported that Patrick ʻUnga, who had received a life sentence for murdering his fiancé in New Zealand in 2003, killed again in Tonga only a few months after his deportation to Tonga.

He was sentenced to more than 12 years in jail for manslaughter after the death of Sitanilei Sime in Nuku’alofa in April 2014.

Yesterdayʻs  opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of China to Tonga, H.E Mr. Huang Huaguang, Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E Mr. Andrew Ford, New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E Ms. Sarah Walsh, Assistant Adjutant General Army/Director Joint Staff Nevada Guard Brigadier General Zachary F. Doser, Police Commissioner Mr. Stephen Caldwell, Members of Parliament, Church Leaders, Representatives from line Ministries, NGOs and Town Officers.

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