Countries across the Pacific have now begun to receive a wide range of new television programmes from New Zealand.
The Pacific Broadcasting initiative, which was announced by New Zealand’s Prime Minister in September last year, is now distributing up to 8 hours per day of television programmes to Pacific nations.
“I am pleased that New Zealand sports, news, current affairs, documentaries and factual series are now available to local free-to-air stations, Tonga Broadcasting Commission and TVWAN (formerly DigiTV), to air” says Sarah Walsh, New Zealand High Commissioner.
“This exciting initiative aims to inform, educate and entertain people across the region. I strongly believe Tonga will see some great shows and sports from New Zealand.
“The New Zealand Government is proud to support this initiative,” says Sarah Walsh, “And we are grateful to the New Zealand and international content providers for their generosity in providing the content at no cost to the Pacific.”
“We want to continue to foster and develop the relationships we have with our Pacific Island neighbours. Showcasing our culture and identity through television is a great way to do this.”
In addition to sending New Zealand content, there is interest in using the service as a platform to rebroadcast local Pacific content.
As part of this initiative, there will also be a training programme for local technicians (i.e. camera operators, vision switchers and studio technicians). This will help build skills across the region.
Pasifika TV content is available for the local free-to-air television stations, Tonga Broadcasting Commission and TVWAN, to air.
Tonga’s road to the Pacific Games in 2019 hit another pothole today after with the leaking of letters from Pacific Games Council chair Vidhy Lakhan warning the kingdom could lose the international tournament.
The Nuku’alofa Times reported today that Vidhy Lakhan gave the warning in a letter to a committee chaired by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
The Times said Lakhan told the Audit and Governance Authority, which is headed by Hon. Pohiva, that if its proposal to ask for Lord Sevele’s resignation as chair of the Games’ organising committee went ahead, the Pacific Games Council would start looking at the termination clauses of the host country agreement signed by Tonga.
The Prime Minister’s dissatisfaction with Lord Sevele is of long standing.
Hon. Pohiva wrote to Lord Sevele on December 18 last year demanding his resignation over alleged failings and delays in preparation for the Games.
At the time Lord Sevele denied Hon. Pohiva’s accusations, accusing the government of not acting fast enough to support the planning and wanting to change the way preparations were carried out.
Lakhan said neither the Tongan government nor the Audit and Governance Authority had the right to remove Lord Sevele without consulting the Pacific Games Council first.
At a media conference in Tonga earlier today May 5, Lord Sevele said the government should pull itself together and concentrate on preparing for the Games.
Meanwhile, Lord Tupou, a former President of TASANOC and a member of the Organizing Committee, said the AGA did not have the power to terminate Lord Sevele.
Tonga’s ambitions to host the Games have faced a number of problems, including dissension among those organising the Games and the sheer cost of running an international event.
The government has announced a variety of measures to raise money for the event, including increasing airport taxes and international money transaction fees.
According to a report from consultants Beca International, the kingdom will need to find up to NZ$73.6 million to fund the Games, but the real cost could be more than NZ$100 million.
Beca International said its cost estimates were accurate within a range of minus 15% to plus 40%, which means they might be slightly less, but could be nearly half as much again.
All facilities used in the Games have to meet international standards, particularly those of the International Rugby Board and the International Amateur Athletics association. The main expenditure items are work on the Tonga High School, the rugby sports field and a new golf course.
Work on the Tonga High school site is estimated to cost NZ$30.32 million.
According to the report, NZ$13.67 million will need to be spent on the Teufaiva National Stadium.
The other major cost item is the golf course which will need to be redeveloped to a par 72 facility with clubrooms. Costs are estimated at being between NZ$6.5 and 8.7 million.
The main points
Tonga’s road to the Pacific Games in 2019 hit another pothole today after with the leaking of letters from Pacific Games Council chair Vidhy Lakhan warning the kingdom could lose the international tournament.
The Nuku’alofa Times reported today that Vidhy Lakhan gave the warning in a letter to a committee chaired by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
The Times said Lakhan told the Audit and Governance Authority, which is headed by Hon. Pohiva, that if its proposal to ask for Lord Sevele’s resignation as chair of the Games’ organising committee went ahead, the Pacific Games Council would start looking at the termination clauses of the host country agreement signed by Tonga.
Pohiva wrote to Lord Sevele on December 18 last year demanding his resignation over alleged failings and delays in preparation for the Games.
The Australian government is donating AU$12 million in the next three years to help pay the public servants salaries, a statement from the Tongan government said.
The money was part of an agreement signed in Nuku’alofa today through the Performance Link Agreement which is part of Donor’s Harmonized Policy Reform matrix led by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Commission and the Government of New Zealand.
The donation starts this year with AU$4 million and continues in the next two years with a AU$4 million respectively.
CEO for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Mr Tatafu Moeaki said “that a total of $AUD12million will be distributed equally for the next three fiscal years”.
Australian High Commissioner to Tonga HE Mr. Andrew Ford and the Minister of Revenue& Customs and Acting Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon. Tevita Lavemaau signing the agreement
“It is a great support as this amount of money will be allocated to the government’s budget and it will be used on the usual expenses of the government like salaries and others. This is estimated to TOP$7million pa’anga in each financial year,” he said.
HE Mr Andrew Ford said : “This shows Australia’s commitment to ongoing development in Tonga as well as economic reform”.
“It reflects Australia’s strong commitment to development and also reforming the Pacific.”
IPSWICH rugby league product Joe Ofahengaue will have plenty of support when he runs out for Tonga this weekend, declaring “half the island is related” to the young Brisbane Broncos forward.
The 20-year-old was named in the Mate Ma’a Tonga side to play Toa Samoa in the Pacific Test this weekend.
As he arrived at the Tongan camp this week, Ofahengaue opened up about how much his selection meant to the Broncos powerhouse.
“It was a very proud moment for myself and my family,” he said.
“It’s not just with our jersey, I think any player picked for their Island team would be pretty stoked.
“When you are playing for your Island nation it is a different story and obviously the whole team has a lot of pride.”
Last year he postponed his dreams of playing for Queensland and Australia, to instead declare himself available for Tonga.
Joe ʻOfahengāue. Photo/Queensland Times
In October, he was part of Tonga’s 28-8 win over the Cook Islands which secured the Pacific Island nation a spot in the 2017 World Cup.
Despite relishing his time under Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, the former Peter Claver College student described being part of the Tongan camp as a unique experience.
“I loved it (last year),” he said. “I rang my dad up afterwards and told him it was the best camp I’ve ever been on.
“We only had five days together to bond but just in that first day you feel like you’re home.”
Amongst his fellow Tongan teammates Ofahengaue said he felt comfortable being himself.
“Last year I came into the camp thinking it was just another ordinary camp,” he said. “I didn’t realise how much freedom we would have to just be ourselves.
“I think being an Island boy you’re not as open around other nationalities, you’re not as open to the team as much. But here everyone feels more at home, it felt really spiritual how everyone comes together.”
The former Ipswich junior has made a huge impact for the Broncos coming off the bench this year.
Named to take his preferred position of lock for Tonga was the cherry on top for Ofahengaue.
“I knew I was in the team but I didn’t know where I would be position wise,” he said. “I was pretty happy to find out I get to play in the number 13. I played there last year and it where I want to be playing.”
The Collingwood Park resident will be reunited with a number of former teammates from across the NRL.
“It will be good to see my good mate Pat Kaufusi,” he said. “I’ve known Patty for a while now and it is good to see a familiar face.
“I’ve known Sione Katoa for six years and I’m looking forward to seeing Sika Manu from Super League.”
The Broncos will be well represented during the international round with Matt Gillett, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd named in the Kanga- roos side facing teammates Adam Blair, Kodi Nikorima and Jordan Kahu for New Zealand.
Ofahengaue said his fellow Broncos would not be disheartened by their close loss to Cronulla on the weekend.
“It’s always good to change it up a bit,” he said.
“It would have been better to get the win but we just seemed to run out of time.
“Hopefully I can just do my job the best that I can.
“(This weekend) is all about doing my job on the field.”
Ofahengaue will come up against another Ipswich product in Manly hooker Matt Parcell when Brisbane host the Sea Eagles next week at Suncorp Stadium.
The former Ipswich Jet has made himself a mainstay of coach Trent Barrett’s new-look side.
“He’s been going really well,” Ofahengaue said. “I watched the Cowboys game last week and he was always pushing up and is always the first one there if a grubber kick goes in.
“It’s good to see him doing well, but there are no friends on the field.”
Mate Ma’a Tonga side to play Toa Samoa in the Pacific Test on Saturday:
1. David Fusitua
2. Mosese Pangai
3. Solomone Kata
4. Vai Toutai
5. Michael Oldfield
6. Feleti Mateo
7. Samisoni Langi
8. Peni Terepo
9. Sione Katoa
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Sika Manu
12. Tony Williams
13. Joe Ofahengaue
14. Nafi Seluini
15. David Fifita
16. Siosaia Vave
17. Patrick Kaufusi
18. Micky Paea
Tonga play Samoa from 7.40pm on Saturday at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta.
A report about a woman who lost a day’s holiday after she was turned away from her flight to Tonga on Monday because the aircraft had reached its maximum take-off weight has raised a storm on Facebook.
Some readers thought Air New Zealand was being unfair, some thought she should have read the small print on her ticket while one reader said she should be glad she was spending less time in Tonga.
A report by John Anthony on Stuff said Alex Catchpole-Ozpınar had been put off the plane on Monday because the Air bus A320 had reached its weight limit.
The 168 seat A320s has a maximum take off load of 77 tonnes.
Catchpole-Ozpinar said she had booked her seat in February, but was told that in such circumstances the last person to book online was removed.
She said she was told she was not flying at 6.30am, three hours before the flight was supposed to depart.
As a result of the incident she lost a day’s holiday in Tonga. She was re-booked on the Tuesday flight, but said her accommodation was not refundable.
Air New Zealand said that it could refuse to carry any time for safety reasons.
It said she should talk to her travel insurance broker about getting money back for her missed hotel night.
The story attracted a barrage of online comments, including one from a writer signing themselves J.Edgar who said she should be glad she only had to spend four nights in Tonga rather than five.
“Tonga is a horrible place for a holiday,” he wrote.
“Samoa is much nicer, or Rarotonga if you just want to do nothing on a beach.”
Other on-line commentators speculated that Air New Zealand had oversold the flight, that it was carrying more freight than expected or that it was carrying too much fuel because it had to be able to divert to Nadi.
The reality is that flight are sometimes oversold and people are bumped off.
When this happens some airlines – but not, in this case, Air New Zealand – ask for volunteers and offer to pay cash as an incentive, or even to put up people in a hotel if necessary.
Others will leave behind passenger luggage, especially if there is a flight immediately following.
The fact is, however, that many airlines weigh passengers individually before each flight, especially if there are concerns about critical take-off weight.
And the reality is that some airlines in the Pacific and elsewhere do charge passengers by how much they weigh.
Samoa Air started charging passengers per kilo of body weight rather than per seat in 2013.
Central Asian carrier Uzbekistan Airways followed suit in 2015.
The airline claimed at the time that its policy was making people more aware of obesity as a health issue.
The Stuff report quoted former Air New Zealand employee Irene King as saying the airline used to calculate passenger weights for Tongans as higher than other passengers.
“It used to be pretty challenging because the standard passenger was not standard for the Tonga community,” King said.
What do you think?
Should airlines charge passengers by weight?
And would that discriminate against Tongans and Samoans?
If people can’t fly, should the airline compensate them?
Should it call for volunteers from people who would be happy to accept a reward for waiting for a later flight?
And is Tonga really an awful place to have a holiday?
Let Kaniva News know what you think.
The main points
A report about a woman who lost a day’s holiday after she was turned away from her flight to Tonga on Monday because the aircraft had reached its maximum take-off weight has raised a storm on Facebook.
Some readers thought Air New Zealand was being unfair, some thought she should have read the small print on her ticket while one reader said she should be glad she was spending less time in Tonga.
A report by John Anthony on Stuff said Alex Catchpole-Ozpınar had been put off the plane on Monday because the Air bus A320 had reached its weight limit.
Catchpole-Ozpinar said she was told she was not flying at 6.30am, three hours before the flight was supposed to depart.
Floodwaters in the village of Fakakai in the island of Kauvai in Ha’apai washed out a roadway and dislodged a big cement water tank as well as water pipes.
Dramatic images of the damages uploaded to Facebook showed a huge section of the main road had been washed away.
Facebook users from the village were unhappy with the incident because, according to them there is an upcoming event in which many from overseas will arrive in the village to celebrate.
There was also flooding reported in the neighbouring island of Foa with flood waters rising above road levels by about 30 centimetres high in some areas.
Pacific Islands News association President Moses Stevens has called for governments to support efforts by members of their respective media industries to maintain local media associations.
Speaking on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Stevens said it was only logical for governments to support the setting up of national media associations because the media represented society.
Stevens said governments could help media associations develop training for media workers and raise the standard of reporting across the Pacific region.
There are media councils in Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea Media Council and Palau.
However, national media associations in many countries had collapsed because of government pressure.
Stevens said problems faced by media in the Pacific might not be on the same scale as in those countries where journalists had been killed, but it was important them media did not wait for such incidents to occur before taking action.
He said there had been positive developments in Vanuatu where the Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu was working with the government and others to develop mechanisms that will enhance access to information.
It is understood a Freedom of Information (FOI) bill was before the Vanuatu Parliament and successive governments had appointed experienced media personalities to the position of Public Relations Officer at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In Fiji last week, the government announced it would introduce its FOI Bill at the next sitting of Parliament.
“These positive developments indicate that our governments are complying with international conventions to give the media and the public the right to access information held by public bodies, which is conducive to participatory democracies, sustainable development and good governance,” Stevens said.
