The Queen Mother died this afternoon Sunday 19 at the age of 90, the Tongan Consulate in Auckland said this morning.
Stafford ʻAho, the Tongan consul in New Zealand had “confirmed” the Queen’s passing to Kaniva News
He declined to give further details saying “work is being processed”.
It is understood Princess Mata’aho, Queen Halaevalu’s granddaughter and namesake was by her bedside in an Auckland hospital.
More to come……
Toxic chemicals from used super heavy duty batteries and diapers could affect drinking water and food, the Tongan Parliament was told last week.
People dumped these items as rubbish on tax allotments without the owners’ permission.
The Education Minister, Hon. Penisimani Fifita, said he was surprised when he saw this kind of rubbish being dumped in his tax allotment in Hahake.
He said he was concerned that the toxic chemicals could leach into the soil and contaminate drinking groundwater causing serious health problems.
The Minister was making the comment before the House approved new regulations to control the way people dispose of their rubbish, penalising those who do not do the right thing.
The law has made burning rubbish and waste on private property a crime.
The Deputy Prime Minister said if neighbours complained because rubbish burning affected them, law enforcement officers would first alert and warn the offender about the complaint.
Some MPs were concerned that the law could make fei’umu (baking food in an open ground oven) on Sundays unlawful.
They said the whole of Tonga made ‘umu on Sundays,  but the Deputy Prime Minster said it was excluded in the law.
Most Members of Parliament agreed that the regulation was of great importance for Tonga.
However some were concerned at the high penalty fines imposed including fines of TP$2000-5000 for disposing of dangerous waste.
However, Minister of Law Vuna Fa’otusia told the House not to panic.
He said the judges were professional and they would consider the offences and the affordability of the offenders before they fined them.
Littering
Littering was already a criminal offense in Tonga punishable with a fine as set out by statutes for the public, but it was not enforced, the Deputy Prime Minister told the House.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is responsible to the Ministry of Environment and Waste Management said this was because the government wanted to consult with the public on the clauses of the regulation including the way the fines were imposed on spot before an offender could be taken to courts.
New regulations came into force in May last year to penalise people who do not dispose of their rubbish properly.
Under the Environment Management (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations 2016 police, environment officers, health inspectors and other designated officers, can issue notifications to clean up dumped waste or cease burning. They can also give on-the-spot fines to offenders.
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The Met Office has warned of very strong winds along the Tonga islands throughout the weekend.
It said a strong wind warning remains inforce for Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas.
Forecasters said a trough lies slow moving to the west of Tonga. Associated clouds with occasional showers may affect parts of the group.
Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga:
For Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
Strong east to northeast winds. Mostly cloudy with occassional rain, possibly heavy at times.
For vava’u and ha’apai:
Light to moderate east to northeast winds, fresh at times.
Mostly cloudy with occassional showers, possibly heavy at times.
For the Niuas:
Light to moderate west to northwest winds, fresh at times.
Mostly cloudy with possible scattered showers.
Professional news media were told to stop taking photos at the former All Black Sione Lauaki’s burial service this afternoon amid claims they had been banned by the rugby number eight’s family.
Dr Viliami Tūtone, the family’s ‘ulumotu’a (head of Lauaki’s paternal clan) warmly greeted Kaniva Tonga News at the Waikumete cemetery shortly after the arrival of Lauaki’s coffin and informed them about the ban.
It was not immediately clear whether or not the ban included social media as while Dr Tūtone was talking to Kaniva, some of the mourners were busy taking photos at the scene with their cellphones.
Dr Tūtone said he was just doing his job and let us know about the family’s wish. He would not provide any reasons for the ban.
Dr Tutone said the palangi media had been informed.
He asked to respect the family’s decision.
Today’s farewell service at the Glen Eden’s cemetery was attended by hundreds of mourners in a ceremony that began with a religious service at the Te Atu Church Unlimited this morning at 10am.
The Rugby World was represented at the services by Ian Foster.
The memorial service was conducted by the Mo’ui Fo’ou ‘Ia Kalasi church.
Lauaki, 35, died on Sunday after suffering from renal failure and cardiovascular problems.
He was born in June 22, 1981 in Tonga before he relocated to New Zealand when he was eight.
Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby announced Thursday that they were moving the test between the ‘Ikale Tahi and Wales out of Tonga as a result of the state’s “redevelopment work on its national stadium”.
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies issued a statement and said: “…unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game.”
Wales’ match against Tonga was likely to be moved to Auckland.
Wales Online has reported that, “World Rugby have confirmed the June 17 fixture will be moved from the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa because of redevelopment work on the national stadium”.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “World Rugby shares in Tonga’s disappointment that this match will be moved given the huge effort made by the TRU to date but the decision was jointly agreed by the WRU and World Rugby with the objective of ensuring that the fixture can go ahead albeit in a different location.
“We are working with our friends at the Tonga Rugby Union to deliver a match venue befitting of such an occasion and we remain committed to supporting the union with future Test match hosting opportunities.”
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies said: “Everyone involved in the planning for this tour wanted the game to be hosted in Tonga and this is the reason we have delayed before confirming the fixture.
“The Tonga Rugby Union should be commended for their efforts in relation to the redevelopment of their national stadium but unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game.”
Wales are also known to have been concerned with a lack of medical facilities in Tonga of the standard required by a modern Test squad, Wales Online reported.
“As part of the same tour, Wales will play Samoa in Apia on 24 June . Combined with Italy and Scotland playing Test matches in Fiji in June, Fiji playing Australia in Melbourne and the Oceania Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification fixtures in July, the Pacific Island teams will have a strong schedule of international Test matches in June/July of this year”.
An internship with Auckland Council has taught a Tongan law student from Waikato University the importance of building relationship in an organisation.
Ana Tupou, 28, was placed with the Council as part of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s summer internship programme.
She has been interning at Auckland Council as part of a team working on legal compliance.
Tupou told the PCF Newsletter the internship had given her more than what she originally expected.
“This internship has definitely prepared me for getting into the workplace.”
When Tupou completes her studies next year, she hopes to return to Tonga, and implement some of the innovative systems and processes she has learnt during her placement.
Having witnessed how Auckland Council interacts with its staff, the law student is determined to take what she has learnt back to Tonga.
“From day one I felt like a part of the team and with that came responsibilities,” Tupou said.”
“The leadership skills and team work is almost unbelievable.
“I’ve seen how much relationship building and transparency is crucial in the organisation,” she adds.
Ana recommends future interns and student peers to make the most of opportunities such as the one provided through PCF’s Summer Internship.
“What you put into the internship is what you get out of it,” she said.
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In picture: (L-R) John Pulu and Stan Walker. Photo by John Pulu, Tangata Pasifika
The Australian-born New Zealand winner of the Australian Idol, Stan Walker was performing live tonight at the new Tanoa Dateline International hotel.
Photos uploaded to Facebook by the New Zealand’s Tangata Pasifika correspondent John Pulu who was the Masters of Ceremony during the events showed Walker and his band had appeared on stage.
Walker tweeted this afternoon and said: “We here & we performing tonight…”.
We here & we performing tonight… gonna perform my new single “MESSAGES” out in 7 days #SWmessages pic.twitter.com/cv9mtBlaIg
— Stan Walker (@1stanwalker) February 17, 2017
He was performing at an evening champagne reception held to celebrate the launch, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and members of the royal family.
His Majesty King Tupou VI officially launched the kingdom’s new largest hotel on Thursday 16.
The 122-room hotel with Bar Cafe represents a multi-million investment and has created about 100 new jobs in the Friendly Islands.
The celebration was also attended by a New Zealand business delegation led by the country’s Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development, Shane Jones.
Jones told guests at the opening ceremony he was glad to see Tonga’s tourist accommodation services had acquired a four star hotel.
He said he knew about the owner, the Reddy Group because they have nine other hotels in the Pacific including two in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the government saw the new venture as a great economic opportunity for Tonga.
“Our role in government is to create appropriate supporting domestic policy environment to facilitate economic growth. As a matter of fact we need a strong and solid foundation on which to build our economy,†he said.
He said the national hotel, which was formerly known as Dateline International hotel “was in a poor condition†when government undertook to search for a foreign hotel investor.
“Project’s aim is on direct corresponds contributing to our economic development as stated in the Tonga Strategic Development Framework, the government continues to seek to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth through the promotional of economic growth and for further strengthening of business in Tonga,†Hon Pohiva said.
Reddy Group Managing Director Mr. Rohit Reddy said: “Our journey began some four years ago when it reaches our interests in this hotel with lots of negotiation we finally concluded a deal with the Government of Tonga in March 2015. This project has been an extremely difficult project for us which requires lots of patientâ€.
Auckland University economics and finance graduate Malia Laumanu Mafi, said her experience with the Pacific Cooperation Foundation have helped in her new job with Tonga’s Retirement Fund Board.
Laumanu, who is from Ma’ufanga, was one of the students involved in the Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s first summer internship programme in 2015-16.
“The RFB looks after Tonga’s civil servants’ retirement money and as investment analysts, our team is responsible for finding viable investment options that maximize long term real returns whilst minimising short term risks,” Laumanu told the PCF Newsletter.
She said the skills she had learned while at PCF have been extremely useful.
“The analytical skills I developed while conducting the business case analysis for the Grow Pacific Project have been extremely useful.
“In my role at RFB I have to do similar tasks and I’m glad I had a little bit of experience in the area.
“I still have more to learn, but the task was not as daunting as it would’ve been if I hadn’t done the internship with PCF.”
Laumanu said that ultimately she would like to work for a policy making institution, such as the Reserve Bank.
During her time in this exciting new role, Laumanu hopes to get more familiar with the Tongan economy.
“Being a part of the investment team is fun,” she said.
“You have to keep up with all the developments in government as well as in the private sector, to keep an eye out for investment opportunities.”
At the beginning of 2016 she also spent five works as an intern with the Bank of New Zealand.
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A Tongan father who uploaded live footage of his son being born to Facebook last year has lost a fight to claim copyright on the video.
Kali Kanongataa has tried to stop companies using the video, claiming this infringed on his copyright of the video, but a Manhattan court closed the case closed on Wednesday (February 15).
Kanongataa had filed a series of lawsuits to try to stop other people using the video.
As Kaniva News reported last May, Kanongataa uploaded video of his son’s birth through Facebook Live.
The American television programme Good Morning America showed a brief, 22-second excerpt from the 45-minute video.
A snippet of the video also appeared on a number of websites and television stations in the United States.
Kanongataa, who is originally from Nuku’alofa, but lives in California, later said he thought his family in Tonga would be able to view the video, but didn’t expect it to be seen by the public at large.
The ABC television network argued before Judge Lewis Kaplan that it had a “fair use” right to show a portion of the clip in conjunction with an item about the growth of live-streaming.
ABC said it had used the clip of the birth to report on a socially significant and newsworthy event.
Kanongataʻa, who goes by the name Fakamalo Ki He ʻEiki on Facebook said he accidentally posted the video to Facebook Live.
He said his intention had been to share with his close family in Tonga.
“I didn’t notice it was on the public feed until someone said ‘Push, Push’ and it was my little cousin,” Kanongataʻa said.
When we ran our story in May last year it had already been seen by more than 300,000 people.
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Tongan father live stream of son’s birth on Facebook goes viral
A claim for millions of pa’anga in compensation over claims of illegal use of tax allotments for commercial purposes will finally go to court on April 10, nearly a year after it was filed with the Land Court.
On March 21 last year, Sione Fonua filed a claim on behalf of Lord Luani of Malapo demanding millions of pa’anga in compensation from Lord Nuku of Kolonga and a Chinese company.
Kaniva News has tried to obtain comment from Lord Nuku without success.
However, Lord Nuku’s solicitor, Samiu Vaipulu, was quoted by Tongan media this morning as saying his client had tried to settle the issue with Lord Luani out of court, but was unsuccessful.
In his claim, Lord Luani claims that Lord Nuku and the Yan Jian Group Co Ltd had unlawfully interfered with his possession of his Tax Allotments, thereby causing irreparable damage.
He said he was the registered holder of a Tax Allotment described as Block 76/95 Lot 90 at Malapo, referred to in the rest of the claim as Tax Allotment 1.
Lord Nuku asked the late Lord Luani (the father of the present title holder) to lease Tax Allotment 1 to him trading as Island Quarry.
Lord Luani claimed that Lord Nuku told his father that the purpose of the lease was for a commercial site such as animal farming or for growing commercial crops.
“He failed to explain to the late Lord Luani that Tax Allotment 1 would be used in a way that would destroy the environment,” Lord Luani said.
He intended to store rocks of different sizes on Tax Allotment 1.
Lord Luani claimed that Lord Nuku did not tell the late Lord Luani that the Tax Allotment 1 would be occupied by the second defendant’s heavy trucks and equipment which damaged the land and its landscape.
On March 22, 2010, or thereabouts an application for lease of the Tax Allotment 1 was completed by Lord Nuku and signed by the late Lord Luani. It was then submitted to Cabinet for its consent.
Lord Luani’s father died on May 12, 2010.
On May 19, 2010, Cabinet, in which Lord Nuku was Deputy Prime Minister, consented to a 10 year lease, with an annual rental of TP500.
Lord Luani claimed that no deed of lease was created and therefore no lease was ever registered to create a legal interest in Tax Allotment 1 in favour of Lord Nuku.
Cabinet reversed its approval of the lease on August 23, 2013, but Lord Nuku and Yan Jian Group Co Ltd had continued to unlawfully possess and occupy the land until the present day, Lord Luani said.
Lord Luani’s claim alleged that plaintiff claims that the Yan Jien Group had made $250,000 profit each year they had occupied Tax allotment 1.
He asked for an eviction notice to be served on Lord Nuku and Yan Jien Group and TP$100,000 compensation to be paid by Lord Nuku.
He also asked for TP$1.25 million compensation to be paid for trespass and the profits made by the defendants. Lord Luani also asked for TP$2.25 million from the Yan Jien Group for special damages.
In his claim, Lord Luani said Lord Nuku had illegally taken possession of a block of land, referred to as Tax Allotment 2, after paying its occupant, Paula Kava, TP$30,000.
He said when Kava relinquished the land, the legal procedures that were followed meant that the land actually reverted to him, as hereditary lord. Any agreements between the defendants and Kava were therefore illegal, especially an agreement to permit quarrying on the land, in contravention of the Land Regulations.
He claimed that Lord Nuku made TP$500,000 profits during his possession of the land. He said the Yan Jien Group had made TP$11.96 million by illegally extracting coral rocks from Tax allotment.
Lord Luaini said the Yan Jien Group should pay him at least TP$10 million in exemplary damages and all the profits (TP$11.96 million) it had made from mining.
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