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Body found by divers at Fātumu beach

By
Kaniva Staff
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Locals at the beach before divers recovered the body of the deceased. Photo/ʻIlaisaane Taumoepeau Matau (Facebook).

Local divers have recovered a body at Fatumu beach last night believed to be that of the 32-year-old man who was reported missing in the area earlier during the day.

Police have yet to identify and confirm the deceased but photos uploaded to Facebook this morning which purported to share the tragic  incident showed locals, police and divers were at the beach while a body was laid in a white sheet in the sand.

ʻIlaisaane Taumoepeau Mataʻu wrote on Facebook and said her brother Salesi Tapui, Rev Taufoʻou Fusikata and a man from Haʻasini by the name Angai were divers who found the body.

Lomu’s family receive PM Pohiva’s condolence, pleased with Prince coming to attend services

By
Kaniva Staff
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Lomu’s family and friends gathered outside his Auckland home on Friday morning where his old coach John Hart spoke on their behalf, announcing there would be a public service for Jonah, followed by a private funeral at the family’s church. Photo/Fairfax Media (Video)

Jonah Lomu’s family have received Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Letter of Condolence yesterday at their Epsom residence and were formally informed Prince Ata would attend the All Blacks legend’s memorial services.

The family were greatly pleased with what they were told in a meeting they organised to meet with the Tongan consul in Auckland, Stafford ‘Aho.

‘Aho told Kaniva News this morning he was warmly welcomed by Lomu’s wife Nadene and her family and he appreciated how they reacted when he presented them the Prime Minister’s letter and told them about the Prince’s coming.

According to ‘Aho, the family were really happy about the letter and the fact the Prince would be here to be with them at this very diffcult time.

Hon Pohiva’s letter

“In learning of the passing of All Blacks and Hall of Fame Rugby Union Star, Jonah Lomu, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, conveyed a message of condolence to the wife and family of Jonah Lomu, on behalf of the Government of Tonga on 20 November, 2015”, the Letter of Condolence by Hon. Pohiva says.

“The message highlighted Jonah Lomu as the ‘greatest rugby player in the world’ and “a true beloved son of Tonga.

“The Government of Tonga recognizes the valuable contribution of Jonah Lomu to sports in Tonga and the Pacific, especially towards the professional development and superb performance of rugby internationally.

During this time of mourning, Lomu’s legacy will not be forgotten, and the Government of Tonga would like to express its profound sorrow and heartfelt sympathy, for the loss of a young shining star, that will remain a vivid pillar of hope and inspiration for all Tongans, home and abroad”.

Former All Blacks head coach John Hart comforts mother of Jonah Lomu, Hepi Lomu with father of Lomu's wife Nadine, Mervyn Kuiek Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326400/Jonah-Lomu-s-mother-breaks-remembering-rugby-great-s-revealed-sudden-death-caused-heart-attack-related-kidney-problems.
Former All Blacks head coach John Hart comforts mother of Jonah Lomu, Hepi Lomu with father of Lomu’s wife Nadine, Mervyn Kuiek

His mother Hepi

Lomu’s mother, Hepi, broke down in tears during the press conference on Friday about her son’s death, as it was revealed it was her birthday.

She clutched two white roses while former All Blacks coach John Hart stood near to her, speaking on behalf of the rugby hero’s family.

Hart announced there would be a public service for Jonah, followed by a private funeral at the family’s church and confirmed Lomu had died from a heart attack related to the kidney disease he had battled for years.

ʻEpeli Taione resigns as chair of Tonga Rugby Union

By
Kalino Latu
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ʻEpeli Taione has resigned as chair of Tonga Rugby Union it has been reported in an exclusive interview with One News today.

The details of why he resigned had not been revealed.

One News said: “… a proposal is with the Tonga Rugby board for the Prime Minister to take on the role of president – a similar structure to the Samoa Rugby Union”.

Taione told Kaniva News in a previous interview he did not accept the outcome of how the Ikale Tahi performed in the Rugby World Cup 2015.

He said it was the best ever paid team Tonga had but the result was unacceptable.

Tonga won only one game against Namibia during the tournament and lost the rest to Georgia, Agentina and the All Blacks.

Tongan RSE worker flees Auckland airport to avoid return, community asked to help locate him

By
Kaniva Staff
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In picture: Fehoko Fifita authority believes he was hiding in Auckland. Photo/Supplied

A Tongan seasonal worker who was sponsored by his employer to come privately to New Zealand to have his injured knee operated on has repaid this generosity by absconding just as his flight was due to depart.

Nelson orchardist, David Easton who has employed workers from Vava’u each year for the last 9 years, is going to have a black mark against his name at Immigration New Zealand and is likely to fork out more money to meet the cost of finding his former employee.

He is asking the Tongan community to help persuade Fehoko Fifita and his family in Auckland to go home or his accreditation as an employer under the RSE scheme will be affected.

Twenty-four year old Fehoko Fifita from Vava’u was booked to return to Tonga on Friday last week, the day that his visa expires but after being checked in at Nelson airport, he managed to get his luggage off-loaded when he got to Auckland and did not board the flight.

Airport CCTV footage showed that Fehoko was with a woman when he asked for his luggage to off-loaded at the international terminal in Auckland and has since gone to ground suggesting that he is being aided by family members in Auckland.

RSE liaison officer in New Zealand, Sefita Hao’uli says that when he called Fehoko’s mobile phone and asked to speak to him, the phone was hung up.   He got a text message saying that Fehoko was away temporarily.

He said there was a hint that something like this was on the cards because the family approached Ministry of Internal Affairs staff in Tonga a few days prior and asked if Fehoko’s visa could be extended so that Fehoko could be with his mother who now lives in Auckland.

They supplied a contact number for  Mr Tevita Fakaʻata who is a used car salesman working for Tarnica Cars Limited in South Auckland.

“I told Faka’ata that the 30-day visa for Fehoko could not be extended as the sponsor, David Easton had told Immigration New Zealand that Fehoko will return within the 30 days and that if they want to bring him over, they should make a separate arrangement and he said he accepted it”, he said.

Fakaʻata told Kaniva News he only knew about Fehoko and his family through a friend of his in Auckland. The family asked him if he can help them find a way to extend Fehoko’s visa.

“It’s probably because of how I connected with the Tongan community here in Auckland and  I told them I have to talk to Tonga’s Ministry of Labour and Commerce”, Faka’ata said.

“In fact I do not know the family personally and even Fehoko. After I found out he was sponsored by an RSE employer here in New Zealand I told them I could not be able to help and that was it,” Faka’ata said.

Sefita said he was asked by David to meet Fehoko off the connecting flight from Nelson but Fehoko managed to evade him at the domestic terminal.

“You can imagine how hurtful this has been for David Easton and his wife Maryanne, and frankly, I find it incredibly embarrassing to deal with this level of ingratitude”, said Sefita.

“David told me over the phone, he didn’t have to do this but decided to do so because he felt sorry for the worker so and he forked out for his visa costs and airfares and looked after him in all the time that he was here.

“I thought that at the very least, Fehoko should have got better advice from those of his family here in New Zealand who are obviously looking after him now.

“It isn’t too late to do what I think would be the right and proper thing to do.  They should pack him off to Tonga as that will go some distance to putting this right.

“He has breached his visa conditions.  He has no regards to the generosity towards him.  He risks the livelihood of 50 families from Vava’u who rely on the Eastons for work every year.

“The reputational cost to many is huge and I think that this family will know that”.

Anyone with information they think might help locate the wherebout  of Fehoko can contact Sefita at 027 4531 000.

Veikune’s house lost to fire, four escape

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan chief, Siosifa Fatafehi Fuatakifolaha, formerly Noble Veikune  lost his home to fire today.

An occupant of the two storey home was quoted by local media as saying there were four people inside the house when the fire broke out after 3pm.

They escaped without injury.

Firefighters extinguished the fire. The extent of the damage was not yet known.

Fire safety investigators were at the house today to find out what started the blaze

Two Tongan sisters in US pleaded not guilty for the death of their mother

By
Kaniva Staff
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Moala Sia Foʻou Tātola, 40, and Tāfolosa Haisaane Tātola Mahe, 47, accused of negligently killing their mother after her decaying body was found lying in filth in their home two years ago,pleaded not guilty in a San Mateo court last Friday

According to US media prosecutors filed charges against the sisters after concluding they criminally neglected their 73-year-old mother while they lived together for about two years, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Monday.

The siblings were living with their mother as caregivers in a home in the 1600 block of East Third Avenue in San Mateo from sometime in 2011 until her death in early 2013, prosecutors were quoted by US media as saying.

They reported their mother’s death on March 9, 2013, and when police arrived, they found the mother lying nude on the bed, already decaying with faeces all around her. Her back and legs were nearly black from filth, gangrene and dying flesh, prosecutors said.

An autopsy revealed the woman died of pneumonia. The sisters told investigators they tried to care for her but she refused to go to a doctor despite suffering from diabetes. However, they said they didn’t notice the squalid condition she was in before her death, prosecutors said.

Wagstaffe said that after a lengthy investigation and review process, it was clear the woman could not have ended up in the condition she did if the daughters were not criminally neglectful.

For example, if she refused to go to the doctor, the sisters could have sought assistance from San Mateo County Adult and Aging Services, he said.

While the pathologist was unable to pinpoint exactly when the woman died, it’s possible the sisters continued living with her for some time before reporting her death, Wagstaffe said.

The woman “couldn’t be in that condition without being totally ignored,” Wagstaffe said.

The sisters remain in custody on $150,000 bail and are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 25.

Prince Ata to attend Lomu services on behalf of His Majesty and nation

By
Kaniva Staff
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Prince Ata will arrive here in Auckland next week to attend services for Jonah Lomu, the Tongan consul in ‘Atalanga has confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon.

The Prince will come to New Zealand to represent His Majesty and the nation in paying their respects to the memory of Lomu and to participate in memorial events, said the Tongan consul, Stafford ‘Aho.

ʻAho said he has also received a Letter of Condolence by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva on the passing of Lomu.

He said he would be at Lomu’s residence in Epsom tomorrow to pass on the letter to his family.

‘Aho said the family have yet to announce the official programme for the memorial services but they were in contact as he has to update the Prince on latest developments.

Meanwhile the Tongan community in Auckland has organised a memorial service for the global superstar in sport of rugby to be held this Sunday 22 at Lotofale’ia church in Mangere from 6pm – 9pm.

John Hart, Lomu’s old coach in the days he arose as All Blacks’ great said this morning that the family have “got their dad back in the house with them now”.

Lomu’s body would likely stay at the family home until the funeral, he said.

Hart, who spoke to media outside the family’s residence said that Queen Elizabeth had written to Prime Minister John Key asking him to pass on to Lomu’s wife, Nadene how much she mourns their loss.

Hart also confirmed Lomu “clearly had cardiac arrest” and it clearly related to his health condition.

‘Atalanga told by Tongan government to update them on Lomu’s funeral; royals express sympathy

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan consul in ‘Atalanga said the royals have been informed and he had a feeling maybe some of them would attend Lomu’s funeral. Photo/Kaniva Pacific News

The Tongan government has asked to be kept informed on details of Jonah Lomu’s funeral service.

Stafford ‘Aho , the Tongan consul at ‘Atalanga, the kingdom’s official residence in Auckland,  told Kaniva News today he had received a message from the government last night directing him to keep them updated on developments.

ʻAho said he understood His Majesty King Tupou VI and the royal family had been informed and had expressed their sympathy over the death of the man described as the rugby superstar of all times.

The consul said the Tongan government’s request was rare as there were no guidelines for consuls to follow when occasions like Lomu’s death happened.

“But you can see how significant Lomu was and his death was not just a minor thing to the government of Tonga. It’s really a big thing,” ‘Aho told Kaniva News.

He said he would contact the Prime Minister’s Office for further guidance.

“I just had a feeling the government would either tell me to organise and lead a Tongan national vigil service here in Auckland for Lomu or for me to expect and receive representatives from the government who would attend the funeral here,” ‘Aho said.

“I know the royals have been informed. I just had a feeling maybe some of them would also come.”

‘Aho said he was talking to Lomu’s family and Mormon church authorities,  but they were yet to finalise details of the funeral.

“I would like personally to pay my tribute to Lomu’s family especially at this time. My thoughts are with his family,” ‘Aho said.

Lomu’s cause of death is still undetermined but his doctor told Fairfax media it was probably related to his renal [kidney] disease.

It is understood his kidney ailment had been kept under control, but people who have renal problems are believed to have a higher incidence of heart and lung problems.

If the consul in ‘Atalanga is told to organise a vigil service on behalf of the Tongan government and the Tongan community in New Zealand, it will be the first time such a move has  been made here.

For many years the Tongan community in Auckland has wanted the consul to take a lead in organising big services and important community occasions such as Lomu’s funeral.

However, Kaniva News understands the post of consul is regarded as purely diplomatic and cannot be seen as an opportunity for a Tongan representative to interfere with domestic matters in New Zealand.

Media reports quoted Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs Fe’ao Vakata as saying he would propose to the House to consider formally marking Lomu’s death.

“Even people here in Tonga have named their children after Jonah Lomu and everybody has been saying they are related to Jonah Lomu,” Hon Vakatā told Radio New Zealand.

“That’s how much we are proud and appreciate what he had given Tonga and New Zealand and world rugby.”

Back in the islands Lomu’s death has brought his maternal island of Ha’apai together.

The governor of the Ha’apai island group said Lomu’s family was in mourning as word spread of his death.

“It’s a very touching moment because it’s a loss of a superstar, especially because Jonah has grown up here,” Mo’ale Finau was quoted by the New Zealand Herald as saying.

“This is sad, not only for Ha’apai but for all the people of Tonga as well,” Finau said.

“The whole village will be mourning. Some of the people are wearing black already.”

Lomu’s mother is from Holopeka in Ha’apai and he was brought up there before he moved to Auckland when he was five.

The villagers will perform a full cultural funeral service in mourning, which will last for 10 days.

Lomu is survived by his wife Nadene and their two young sons; Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5.

The main points

  • The Tongan government has asked to be kept informed on details of Jonah Lomu’s funeral service.
  • Stafford ‘Aho , the Tongan consul at ‘Atalanga, the kingdom’s official residence in Auckland, told Kaniva News today he had received a message from the government last night directing him to keep them updated on developments.
  • ʻAho said he understood His Majesty King Tupou and the royal family had been informed and had expressed their sympathy over the death of the man described as the rugby superstar of all times.
  • ‘Aho said he was talking to Lomu’s family and Mormon church authorities, but they were yet to finalise details of the funeral.

For more information

Rugby great Jonah Lomu dead at 40 (CNN  video)

Jonah Lomu: New Zealand rugby union great dies aged 40 (BBC video)

How world reacted to Lomu’s death (New Zealand Herald)

Paternity challenged in Fielakepa court battle

By
Kalino Latu
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The King appointed Tonga Poʻuli Aleamotuʻa on February 18, 2013 as trustee of the title and later to the title Fielakepa.

Tonga’s Supreme Court has been told the man challenging for the right to inherit the title of Fielakepa is not the son of the person who was expected to hold the title after the Late Baron Fielakepa.

Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a is challenging the decision to bestow the title on his uncle.

It was claimed in court that he was in fact the biological son of ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa, the person second in line after Baron Fielakepa.

His Majesty King Tupou VI conferred the title on His Armed Forces’ Commander, Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa in April this year. His eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.

The next in line to the hereditary title after the death of Baron Fielakepa was Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa, but he died suddenly in 2007. He was survived by his mother Lady Tuna Fielakepa and his wife Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a and their nine children.

Lord Fielakepa’s estate is Haveluloto and Felemea.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Laki Niu said his client, Tupou Tongaliuaki Filoʻaulo Aleamotu’a, was the son of Mosese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa.

Niu told the court his client was born on October 1, 1991 to Mele Simiki Aleamotuʻa and Mōsese Taulupe.

Niu told the court that the present Fielakepa, Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa, claimed that Tongaliuaki’s biological father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not his late brother.

In court yesterday the plaintiff’s mother, Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a and paternal grandmother, Lady Tuna Fielakepa, were witnesses on his behalf.

Tongaliuaki denied claims that his biological father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and told defence lawyer Sifa Tu’utafaiva that he would voluntarily provide a DNA test to prove his paternity.

Because of the sensitivity and severity of the case and the significance of the Tongan culture of fakaʻapaʻapa, Chief Justice Michael Scott warned that while it was important to respect the privacy of  the plaintiff’s mother, proof of paternity could be made publicly in court.

Mele Simiki Aleamotuʻa  said her son was not satisfied when he found out after his father died that the king had conferred the title of Fielakepa on his uncle.

Tongaliuaki said he wrote to His Majesty to express his dissatisfaction, but he had not received any reply.

Lady Tuna who appeared in court as a witness for Tongaliuaki, denied claims made by her son Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa that his brother had been forced to marry Mele Simiki.

She said she did not question the fact Tongapoʻuli was registered as a trustee in the title Fielakepa after Baron Fielakepa died but she was surprised when she heard the title had been conferred on him.

The hearing continues today.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has been told the man challenging for the right to inherit the title of Fielakepa is not the son of the previous title holder.
  • Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a is challenging the decision to bestow the title on his uncle.
  • It was claimed in court that he was in fact the biological son of ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not the late Baron Fielakepa, Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa.
  • His Majesty King Tupou VI conferred the title on His Armed Forces’ Commander Tupou Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a in April this year. His eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.

For more information

Fielakepa title conferred on His Majesty’s Armed Forces Commander

Baron Fielakepa

Jonah Lomu dies at age 40

By
Kalino Latu
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All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland today at the age of 40.

Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew confirmed Lomu had died unexpectedly this morning.

“On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9 this morning” Mayhew said.

“The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances.

“The family have requested privacy at this stage, they are obviously going through a terrible time.

“It was totally unexpected. Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning.”

Lomu had been in the United Kingdom with his family as a spokesman for Heineken during the Rugby World Cup

  • Source 3News
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