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Disturbing pictures show bloodied man lying after attack by locals

By
Kalino Latu
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Disturbing pictures posted online had showed a man lying on the grass with blood on his body after he was allegedly beaten in Lakepa.

About five pictures had been shared on Facebook by users who claimed the photos were taken while the man was attacked.

The 24-year-old man from Kolomotuʻa  was taken to hospital for minor injuries before he was arrested and taken into Police custody, local media reported

It was alleged the man was beaten after he was captured at the Mormon Church complex in Lakepa with properties belonged to the church.

The attack on the suspect was made while the locals were waiting to Police, the reports said.

The man has history of psychiatric hospitalization, Police said.

After fruit pickers sent home, weeping mother claims daughter was abused

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan mother’s claim that her 15 years-old daughter was sexually abused in Kerikeri has come after eight Tongan fruit pickers were sent home last Friday.

Radio New Zealand reported the chief executive of Tonga’s Internal Affairs ministry, ‘Ana Bing Fonua, as saying the young men were sent home after being accused of drinking alcohol, causing violence and being unable to carry out their tasks.

The Tongan Broadcasting Commission said one of the returning fruit pickers had denied the allegations.

Kaniva News understands the fruit pickers were sent home after an investigation found they had been involved in incidents involving the girl.

The woman told Kaniva News she was devastated when she learned her daughter had been abused.

“I cried heavily when I knew about what had happened to her,” the mother said.

“She was too young for that.”

The mother did not identify her daughter’s attacker, but said she was abused while mingling and drinking with the Tongan boys.

She said the incidents began in 2015 when a Tongan group from Niua arrived in Kerikeri.

“Some of those boys, including married men, came here and I cooked for them because they were relatives of mine,” the mother said.

“But they had friends that came with them and they started befriending my daughters and that was when the incident started.“

The group of pickers from Tofoa arrived last year and like other groups of Tongan workers, became aware of the girls.

It appears that many Tongans either visited the girls or invited them to parties.

The mother, her 15-year-old daughter and another daughter,18, were staying with a palangi man in his house in Kerikeri.

She said her daughters were friends with a group of about eight Maori girls.

The boys  began having meal with the girls  and then partied with them.

The fruit picking authorities became aware of the episode when it was noticed that some of the boys were often absent from work.

They warned them but the girls went to where the boys were boarding and continued their relationship there.

At one stage the mother left for Auckland, leaving her daughters and their friends behind.

She said she trusted the palangi because they were friends in Auckland before he moved to Kerikeri, but later regretted her decision.

The mother said she sought help from social workers, but a formal complaint to Police was cancelled after fears about how one of the girls involved would react.

When she was interviewed, the mother said she wished the incident could be stopped.

Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan liaison officer who looked after the Tongan Recognized Seasonal Workers’ programme, reportedly pleaded with the fruit pickers to be disciplined and keep to the purpose of why they were coming here into New Zealand.

According to Radio New Zealand, the men came from Tofoa, Tongatapu.

The town officer there, ‘Usaia Fifita, said they had ruined the reputation of Tofoa and its people.

The main points

  • A Tongan mother’s claim that her 15 years-old daughter was sexually abused in Kerikeri has followed the deportation of eight young Tongan fruit pickers last Friday.
  • The woman told Kaniva News she was devastated when she learned her daughter had been abused.
  • Radio New Zealand reported the chief executive of Tonga’s Internal Affairs ministry, ‘Ana Bing Fonua, as saying the young men were accused of drinking alcohol, causing violence and being unable to carry out their tasks.
  • The Tongan Broadcasting Commission said one of the returning fruit pickers had denied the allegations.

Distraught passenger accused Real Tonga for favouritism after she was taken off plane

By
Kalino Latu
-

A distraught Tongan woman wept and sobbed in disappointment over the phone to her husband after she was told by Real Tonga her name was not on the passenger list.

Seini Kaihea’s husband Alex Kaihea claimed his wife was given a boarding pass, but was stopped as she was about to enter the aircraft and told her name was not on the list.

Seini suspected Real Tonga has given her seat to another man who had just purchased his ticket at the counter.

Alex said her wife saw the man, a former government CEO purchasing his ticket at the counter while they were in the queue.

He said his wife was surprised when she saw the man had boarded the plane after she was stopped.

He said he was devastated when his wife called him crying and explained what had happened to her at the Fu’amotu airport.

The Kaiheas, who live in Australia, flew from Brisbane to Tonga on December 17 on their way to Vava’u for a family reunion and to participate in the St Peter Chanel College 50th anniversary.

Alex Kaihea said their short holidaying was ruined by the incident.

His wife bought a return ticket on Real Tonga to Nuku’alofa on December 19, with a return ticket to  Vava’u on December 24 on the 10.45am flight.

Alex said his wife arrived at 9pm instead.

He said the airline’s failure to give any explanation of why they stopped his wife after she was issued with a boarding pass had hugely infuriated him.

He said when his wife went to the counter and asked why they stopped her from boarding the aeroplane the woman she spoke to looked irritated.

Seini Kaihea finally flew to Vava’u on an evening flight. Her husband  criticised the airline for not giving his wife lunch.

He said he was disappointed that there were repeated delays on the flight arrival time in Vava’u which the airline did not announce.

He said he repeatedly drove to the airport to receive his wife and only knew at the airport the flight was delayed.

He pleaded with the airline to stop practising nepotism and favouritism so that the airline services in Tonga could be improved.

We asked Real Tonga Airline for comments two weeks ago.

CEO Tevita Palu said he would respond to our queries.

We are still waiting for his response.

The main points

  • A distraught Tongan woman wept and sobbed in disappointment over the phone to her husband after she was told by Real Tonga her name was not on the passenger list.
  • Seini Kaihea’s husband Alex Kaihea claimed his wife was given a boarding pass, but was stopped as she was about to enter the aircraft and told her name was not on the list.
  • Seini suspected Real Tonga has given her seat to another man who had just purchased his ticket at the counter.
  • The Kaiheas, who live in Australia, flew from Brisbane to Tonga on December 17 on their way to Vava’u for a family reunion and to participate in the St Peter Chanel College 50th anniversary.

Passengers stranded at sea in Vava’u during bad weather

By
Alpha Latu
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Eight people were rescued on Saturday in Vava’u after their boat the MV Elanoa 1 encountered a mechanical failure.

A local fishing vessel was sent to help on Friday but was forced to return to Neiafu due to rough seas.

It finally reached the distressed boat on Saturday and towed it safely back to Neiafu with all the passengers, Police said.

Both boats arrived at Neiafu at approximately 4:50pm.

On a separate note  Police in Nuku’alofa rescued a capsized boat after it  left  ‘Atatā for Nukuʻaofa carrying six people.

Police helped brought four passengers out of the water and transported them home while the skipper and another crew stayed to salvage their boat.

Rotary Club donates Emergency Response Kits to Tonga

By
Todd Henry
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Rotary Club Nuku’alofa has placed a container with 298 Emergency Response Kits at the Scenic Hotel.

The kits, valued at total of NZ$178,000, were obtained through the Emergency Response Kit initiative and supported by Rotary Clubs New Zealand.

Two containers are currently under the management of Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) where they will remain on standby for distribution in the case of an emergency.

During Cyclone Ian in January 2014, Emergency Response Kits were distributed and used to support residents in Ha’apai in the days immediately following the destructive weather event.

The kits, packed in NZ by Rotary Club members and supporters, allow families to set up a basic shelter to protect them from the elements immediately following a disaster.

Each box also holds more than 60 items that could be vital for a family to survive an emergency situation.

The items include: two weatherproof tarpaulins, a hammer and nails, a folding shovel, fishing kit, hunting knife, machete, basic clothing, a cooking grate and Bombay pot, as well as bowls and mugs for serving food. A first-aid medical kit is packed with items such as water purifying tablets, soap, pain killers and antiseptic cream.

The Emergency Response Kit is packed in plastic container, which can be emptied, fitted with an included tap, and used to hold up to 78 litres of treated drinking water.

For additional details, please visit the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa facebook page or visit www.erk.rotarysouthpacific.org to download a brochure.

Heavyweight Fa looks forward to fight with undefeated American boxer

By
Philip Cass
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A year after turning professional, heavyweight New Zealand boxer Junior Fa is looking forward to his first bout under his new professional contract.

Fa will box on the undercard of undefeated WBC pugilist Deontay wilder on February 25.

The fight is part of a three year contract Fa has signed with promoter Lou Dibella, who has 70 fighters on his books.

Fa was DiBella’s first signing since a recent alliance with Australian boxing agent Brendan Bourke to seek out talent for him in the Asia Pacific region.

Under his new contract, Fa will step into the ring at last three times a year in the United States.

In his first match he will fight in Birmingham, Alabama, on the undercard of Wilder’s defence of his title against Gerald Washington.

Deontay has won all of his 37 fights and Fa has won all of his nine fights.

Fa, 27, will fight Keith Barr in the 18,000 seater Legacy Arena.

The 27-year-old, who has family in California and Utah, will fight American boxer Keith Barr over six rounds.

Fa, who has family in the United States, told Stuff he felt he needed to go overseas to reach his potential.

“It’s a big thing. This will be a new exciting experience for me,” he told Stuff.

“The class of boxing over there is a bit higher so it’s going to be really good.”

ESPN has reported that if all goes well in Alabama, Fa will return for fights in New Zealand in March and May.

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

Fa’s father is from Ha’alaufuli in Vava’u while his mother is from Matangiake in Tongatapu.

The main points

  • A year after turning professional, heavyweight New Zealand boxer Junior Fa is looking forward to his first bout under his new professional contract.
  • Fa will box on the undercard of undefeated WBC pugilist Deontay wilder on February 25.
  • The fight is part of a three year contract Fa has signed with promoter Lou Dibella, who has 70 fighters on his books.
  • Under his new contract, Fa will step into the ring at last three times a year in the United States.

For more information

Kiwi boxing heavyweight Junior Fa to fight on Deontay Wilder’s world title undercard 

Heavyweight prospect Junior Fa to make American debut Feb. 25

Jnr Fa congratulates former rival Parker for world championship after his own victory 

Vavaʻu Police involved in US suspect’s escape to stand trial as accused granted extradition

By
Kalino Latu
-

Several Police officers in Vavaʻu will face a tribunal next week following a ministerial investigation into their involvement in the escape of American murder suspect Dean Jay Fletcher.

Tonga’s Police Minister Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa told Parliament yesterday the tribunal was expected to be held next Wednesday, February 15.

He said police wanted to know why the murder suspect had escaped.

Fletcher, 54, fled from Vava’u police in September while he awaiting a murder trial. He was accused of killing his wife, Patricia Linne Kearney.

Kearney was found beaten to death while the couple’s yacht, the Sea Oak, was anchored in the northern islands of Vava’u late in July.

Fletcher was recaptured by authorities in American Samoa a few days after he fled.

The Minister said Tonga has contacted the US authorities, asking them to escort Fletcher back to Tonga.

“The man was a soldier and it would be more secure for the US to bring him back for his trial here,”  Hon. Tuʻiʻonetoa said.

The Federal court in Honolulu last week allowed the extradition of Fletcher to Tonga.

The US Department of Justice requested his extradition after he was turned over to US Marshal Service agents in Pago Pago and taken to Honolulu.

US Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield concluded that Fletcher could be sent back to Tonga for  each offence for which extradition was requested.

Under US Federal law, the US Secretary of State will maks the final decision to extradite Mr Fletcher, who remains in the custody of the US Marshal Service in Honolulu.

The main points

  • Several Police officers in Vavaʻu will face a tribunal next week following a ministerial investigation into their involvement in the escape of US murder suspect Dean Jay Fletcher.
  • The tribunal is expected to be held next Wednesday, February 15.
  • Fletcher, 54, fled from Vava’u police in September while he awaiting a murder trial.
  • He was accused of killing his wife, Patricia Linne Kearney, who was found beaten to death on their yacht in July.

For more information

Fugitive who fled Tonga detained in American Samoa (RNZI)

Tongan police quiet on how murder accused escaped

PM plans to save TP$2m on games preparation as Lord Sevele blasts building delays

By
Philip Cass
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says the government will save TP$2 million by building a new golf course at Popua instead of expanding the ‘Atele golf course for the 2019 Pacific Games.

During a heated debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Pohiva said he was confident the games facilities would be ready by 2019.

He was responding to a letter from the President of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association, Lord Tupou and Chair of Organising Committee, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi.

They said they feared Tonga would be stripped of its rights to host the Games if the facilities were not ready.

The Prime Minister said he was confident the sports facilities would be ready by 2019.

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said expanding the ‘Atele golf course was the most reasonable option.

In rebuttal, Hon. Pohiva said work on the ‘Atele would cost more than a new facility at Popua.

He said expanding the ‘Atele course would cost TP$14 million.

If the government spent TP$14 million at ‘Atele, ownership would go to Sione Wight and the noble estate holder after the Games. However, the Popua site would remain the government’s property.

He said the government had similar plans in the 1990s.

Pohiva said Government technical experts would work on the project with the aid of an American designer.

The technical team presented their proposal for the Popua project to Cabinet.

Hon. Pohiva said a new course at Popua would boost tourism in the future.

Sports stadium

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said they were concerned about the renovation of Teufaiva Sports Stadium and the field. They said nothing had been done in the past two years and only three years were left until the Games.

They said the Prime Minister had disregarded the committee’s plans to upgrade the Teufaiva Stadium facility, which was meant to start in December 2015 and be completed by March 31 this year.

A company from New Zealand called Creative Spaces Ltd was given the green light to manage the project at a cost of TP$24 million. The decision was approved by both the Audit and Governance Authority (AGA) and Government Facilities Committee.

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said that in December 2015 the Prime Minister rejected the proposal, which prevented the Creative Space Ltd from implementing the project.

“The Prime Minister continually interferes and intervenes with the Organising Committee and Government Facilities Committees’ plan of actions,” they said.

They claimed the initial cost of upgrading the Teufaiva facility was TP$24 million. However, the cost had risen by TP$3 million due to the fluctuation of the currency exchange rate.

However, the Prime Minister said that despite the delay in rebuilding of Teufaiva, the sports stadium would be upgraded to international standard in time for the Games.

Rugby

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele claimed inaction over sporting opportunities meant Tonga had lost its chance to host a rugby match against Wales in June at Teufaiva.

The Prime Minister denied this and said Tonga would host the rugby match with Wales in June.

He said Cabinet had told the Welsh Teufaiva would be ready for the upcoming game.

He said it was up to Wales to decide whether to come to Tonga or New Zealand as originally scheduled.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says the government will save TP$2 million by building a new golf course at Popua instead of expanding the ‘Atele golf course for the 2019 Pacififc Games.
  • During a heated debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Pohiva said he was confident the games facilities would be ready by 2019.
  • He was responding to a letter from the President of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association, Lord Tupou and Chair of Organising Committee, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi.
  • They said they feared Tonga would be stripped of its rights to host the Games if the facilities were not ready

For more information

Government considers not giving fund to TASANOC after Sevele was re-elected

Tongan football players sign on to Cougars at BYU’s 2017 National Signing Day

By
Todd Henry
-

Last Wednesday, Brigham Young University’s (BYU) football team, the Cougars made the official announcement that seven players had submitted letters expressing interest in playing for the team.  Players of Tongan descent were heavily represented on the list of new talent for the team.

Head coach Kalani Sitake and his coaching staff spent the past year searching for and recruiting players whose goals and playing style are in line with that of the Cougars.

The first Tongan to sign a BYU contract was Khyiris Tonga, a former Utah player.  He had been waiting to complete his LDS mission before commiting himself to full time football.  Also signing on to BYU was Alden Tofa, a defensive lineman from West Jordan, Utah.

The Cougars recruiting team celebrated another player selection victory when defensive lineman, Langi Tuifua signed on to the team.  He was previously recruited by a number of Pac-12 schools including Utah, and his on field skills are highly regarded by many.

Hawaii’s 350-pound (158.7 kg) Mango Finau signed to play for the Cougars offensive line.  He is described as a player who brings a distinctive advantage to the team.

To round out the of player selections, two more Utah players of Tongan descent submitted their letters of intent to BYU.  Cedar quarterback Mason Fakahua and Bingham defensive back Tongi Langi made their official commitments to play for Cougars.

BYU did not, however, manage to recruit every player they desired, with two highly touted Tongan players making the decision to play for different teams. East defensive end Jordan Lolohea will go to Washington after serving an LDS mission, and Bingham’s Jay Tufele will play for the University of Southern California (USC).

Many of those who recently signed up to play for BYU are planning to first serve LDS missions before they head on to the field for the team, so it will be some time before their presence is felt.

Wife rejects vandals’ request to withdraw complaint after ‘Okati’s grave attacked

By
Kalino Latu
-

The widow of Tonga’s Rugby Sevens captain has rejected an apology and requests to withdraw a complaint lodged with Police after ‘Atelea ‘Okati’s grave was attacked and damaged.

A distraught Lu’isa Folau ‘Okati told Kaniva News a young woman in Ha’akame village was sick and her family believed her claim that she was haunted by ‘Atelea’s spirit.

“That’s complete fabrication and it really angered me”, she said in Tongan.

Lu’isa said she was deeply disappointed and had refused to accept the family’s apologies for what they did.

She said they disrespectfully put Tongan traditional medicines in the grave, and they also damaged a layer of bricks that covered the top.

She said she has lodged a complaint with Police and could not withdraw it.

Okati died following a car accident on December 28 last year in Tonga.

He was laid to rest at a cemetery in Ha’akame.

‘Okati played for Sydney Premier Rugby Shute Shield side Penrith in the 15-man game before heading to Romania to take up a role with CSM Olimpia in Bucharest.

He was instrumental in the team’s winning third place in the 2015 Super CEC Bank season and played with the side up until leaving in July 2016.

The main points

  • The widow of Tonga’s Rugby Sevens captain has rejected an apology and requests to withdraw a complaint lodged with Police after ‘Atelea ‘Okati’s grave was attacked and damaged.
  • A distraught Lu’isa Folau ‘Okati told Kaniva News a young woman in Ha’akame village was sick and her family believed her claim that she was haunted by ‘Atele’a’s spirit.
  • “That’s complete fabrication and it really angered me”, she said in Tongan.
  • Lu’isa said she was deeply disappointed and had refused to accept the family’s apologies for what they did.

For more information

Two killed in Veitongo collision this morning

 

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