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Corruption and malpractice claims follow order for Tokaikolo’s school to close

By
Kalino Latu
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In image: Tokaikolo Church’s Pacific Christian School. Photo/Kalino Latu, Kaniva News

A South Auckland church leader claimed yesterday that corruption and malpractice was widespread at a private Christian school which has been ordered to close down by the government.

Rev Faka’osi Hau, one of the leaders of the new Mo’ui ‘Ia Kalaisi fellowship in South Auckland, made his allegations in the wake of revelations that the Pacific Christian School had been given a fortnight to close down and that its principal was not a registered teacher.

Rev Hau’s group broke away from the Tokaikolo church and he has been a fierce opponent of its President, Liufau Saulala, for the past 10 years.

Rev Hau, who worked in the office of the Tokaikolo church in Mangere, claimed last night that:

  • In some cases students’ marks had been altered to benefit children of those who supported the church leader to get top places.
  • Teachers were frequently not paid.
  • He had advised the Board of Trustees to de-register the school.

Rev Hau told Kaniva News he moved his son to another school because he believed his results had been altered. He claimed that the changes benefitted children related to senior church officials.

He said he had been told by a teacher at the school that based on exam results, his son had actually come second in the class. However, on prize giving day he was ranked fourth.

He said President Liufau asked him to return his son to the school, saying it was important that they stood together to support the institution, but he refused.

Rev Hau said he had openly poured out his disappointment to Tokaikolo Church Former Superintendent Rev Pita Vai about the situation.

He said he told the church the action by the school did not match the Christian values the school and church preached.

He also alleged that  teachers repeatedly turned up at his office and complained that they were either not paid on time or not paid at all.

Rev Hau claimed that non-payment of teachers was a big problem at the time. He said many teachers, including a number of Indians, left the school after repeated complaints about non-payment.

He said he believed these teachers did not go public or complaint to the government because they had agreed not to criticise or publicly raise any concerns about the school.

Rev Hau said he believed teachers’ pay was still a problem when he and his followers broke away two years ago.

Rev Hau said that while he was with the Tokaikolo Church he had advised the Board of Trustees to deregister the school for five to 10 years so the congregation could concentrate on paying off the multi-million dollar loan that was taken out to build their church in Mangere but his advice was ignored.

He said he made the advice because teachers were not often paid because the church made loan payments a priority. He said the bank was warned a number of times about late payments. Rev Hau was eventually removed from the board.

The Pacific Christian School will be closed down in two weeks with New Zealand’s Ministry of Education saying it was concerned to the safety of the 70 students enrolled with the school.

It has been revealed the Principal, Lisita Paongo, is not a trained teacher and only holds a Limited Authority to Teach – a temporary permit which limits her rights to teach at the school.

According to Rev Hau the school’s curriculum was based on a US syllabus which it had little relevance to students’ lives in New Zealand and according to a report from the New Zealand ERO it “did not support…the children language, culture and identity”.

This is the first time the ministry had suspended a private school’s registration in New Zealand.

The Pacific Christian School enrolls students in years one to eight. It is located on Coronation Rd in Mangere.

In June last year Police were called to the school after a 10-year-old boy was stabbed with  a pair of scissors by  another pupil. There have also been complaints about teachers hitting students and pupils claiming they were going to be whipped by staff.

The Education Ministry said every effort had been made to create a safer environment at the school. However, after a number of meetings the school was unable to assure the Ministry that they had systems in place for managing all aspects of providing a safe environment for students.

“We have taken into account a special review from the Education Office Review Report that has found a number of concerns remain, including the quality of teaching and learning and the welfare of students.  It recommended that we review the school’s licence,” a statement from the Ministry said.

Kaniva News and the Tokakailo church

Attempts by Kaniva News to contact the school and the church were unsuccessful.

Our staff were at the area yesterday trying to obtain information and take photos, but we were unable to enter the Tokaikolo property.

This was because Kaniva News was served with a trespass notices by the Tokaikolo Church in 2012 in retaliation for our revelation of allegations of chaos and strife within the church that led to the 2013 defection of most of the church members.

The main points

  • A South Auckland church leader claimed yesterday that corruption and malpractice was widespread at a private Christian school which has been ordered to close down by the government.
  • Rev Faka’osi Hau, one of the leaders of the new Mo’ui ‘Ia Kalaisi fellowship in South Auckland, made his allegations in the wake of revelations that the Pacific Christian School had been given a fortnight to close down and that its principal was not a registered teacher.
  • Rev Hau claimed that students’ marks had been altered and that teachers had not been paid.
  • He said that while working for the Tokaikolo church office he had repeatedly advised the school’s Board of Trustees to de-register the school.

For more information

Pacific Christian School principal not registered (Manukau Courier)

Private Christian school shut down (RNZI)

Tokaikolo school in Mangere shut down, Police warned teachers

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Ministry of Education has suspended the registration of the Tokaikolo Church’s Pacific Christian School in Mangere Bridge, Auckland because of serious and ongoing concerns about the safety and welfare of the students.

Police have warned four teachers at the school following alleged physical disciplines of some of the students.

The Ministry was also concerned about the quality of teaching at the school and it says it will closely monitor it while its registration was suspended.

This was the first time the Ministry has suspended a private school in News Zealand and it was not an easy decision to be made, it says.

In a statement in Tongan and in English released to Kaniva News this morning the Ministry says it has met with the private school a number of time in an attempt to make sure the students are safe while they are at school “but they haven’t provided us with any assurances to change our view that the children at this school are at risk. That can’t be allowed to continue”.

“We have taken into account a special review from the Education Office Review Report that has found a number of concerns remain, including the quality of teaching and learning and the welfare of students.  It recommended that we review the school’s licence”.

“We have also been working with Police and Child, Youth and Family as they completed their investigations into allegations of physical discipline that followed a serious incident at the school last year.  Police have advised us that four teachers have been formally warned over their actions and that they have advised the Education Council of the outcome of their investigation.

“While all of those investigations have been carried out, the Ministry has been watching the school very closely and we would have acted immediately if required.

“The suspension of the school’s registration takes effect from September the 25th.   We will be very closely monitoring the school until then and making sure that we are fully supporting the students at the school and their families.  We have a team of Tongan speaking staff who will be working alongside the families to make sure the 70 students are enrolled at new schools by the start of Term Four.

The suspension will remain in place until the school can satisfy us that students would not be at risk in terms of both their learning and safety and welfare.  If that doesn’t happen, we have the option of cancelling the registration”.

Church minister’s son to appear in court following Muitoa beating

By
Kaniva Staff
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A church minister’s son and another man accused of beating a 12-year-old boy in Muitoa, Kauvai Hāʻano in Haʻapai are scheduled to appear in court in December when the next court session is scheduled for the islands, Police said.

The accused in their 20s have been reported to Police by the boy’s mother after her son was horrifically beaten and hospitalised last month.

A report from the Haʻapai medical officer to police seen by Kaniva News confirmed Talaiasi Tauʻatāina Lātū suffered severe pain and physical difficulties from the alleged beating.

Following the mother’s complaint a Police Officer was dispatched to the island on September 2 to work on the case, Police said.

Upon arrival, the son of the minister of the Free Church of Tonga was arrested along with another man Police said was his friend and were charged in relation to the beating.

READ MORE:

President Vili Vete of Tonga’s PSA dies

By
Kaniva Staff
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Vili Vete, the President of Tonga’s Public Service Association (PSA) has died yesterday September 9.

In a message posted to PSA’s Facebook page this morning the organisation expressed its regret over the death of Mr Vete and announced that it has arranged a prayer vigil service this evening for its members at Vaiola mortuary in Tofoa where his body is laid.

New CEO for Tonga’s Internal Affairs

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs has appointed Mrs ‘Ana Bing Fonua as its new Chief Executive Officer effective September 9.

Mrs. ‘Ana Kanume Bing Fonua’s employment by Government is for a period of three (3) years.

Mrs. Fonua began her career in the private sector where she held various positions at the Bank of Tonga, Western Union Money Transfer, Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawaii and Star Cinemas from 1998 to 2006.

Later in 2006, Mrs. Fonua joined the Office of the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa as Office and Finance Manager and later continued as Program Manager from 2007 until early 2013.

In February, 2013 Mrs. Fonua was contracted as a Procurement Specialist and later the National Team Leader under the Tonga Strategic Program for Climate Resilience funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In October, 2014 Mrs. Fonua was engaged by the Ministry of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster Management, Meteorology, Information and Communication as a Program Coordinator under the Climate Resilience Sector Project (CRSP) and Cyclone Ian Recovery Project (CIRP) prior to taking up her appointment as Chief Executive Officer for Internal Affairs.

Mrs. Fonua is also involved in various community programs which includes her role as the Young Women President for Youth of the Nuku’alofa Central Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mrs. Fonua also participated in the First Practice Parliament for Women in Tonga whereby she was appointed as ‘Mock’ Prime Minister and No. 1 Noble Representative for Tongatapu.

Mrs. Fonua holds a Master Degree in Sustainability (2012) and a Graduate Diploma in International Development and Environment (2011) – both from Monash University, Australia. Mrs. Fonua also holds a Bachelor of Science (2010) from Brigham Young University, Hawaii.

Fundraisers must make sure money for ‘Ikale Tahi is wisely managed, Sika warns

By
Kalino Latu
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Any fundraising for Tonga’s national rugby union team while they are in England for the World Cup next week must be wisely managed, Parliament has been warned.

The Whole House Committee Chairperson Hon. Sēmisi Sika told Parliament on Monday that any money raised must be spent on its intended purpose.

Hon. Sika made the comments while telling the House about a national fundraising campaign for the the ‘Ikale Tahi, who face Georgia in a Pool C game in Kingsholm, Gloster, on September 19.

The fundraising event will be held in Nuku’alofa this Friday.

Hon. Sika warned that in the past Tongan sport teams competing overseas had not received most of the money raised because the events were not well planned and managed.

Hon. Sika, who is the chairman of the Tonga Rugby League Committee, referred to two fundraising campaigns in Auckland in 2011 and 2013.

He said: “Ko e motu’á ni ‘oku fuoloa mai ‘eku fa’a poupou ki he ngaahi me’a pehé ní. Ko ‘etau ‘osi kotoa atu ko ia ki ‘Okalani ‘i he 2011, na’a tau kau atu ki he ngaahi feinga pa’anga na’e fai aí. Na’e ‘i ai e feinga pa’anga ia na’e tānaki e 1 kilu pea ‘osi pea to e ‘alu pē kilú ia ki he ngaahi fakamole ko ia na’e faí”.

(Translation: “I have been involved in supporting fundraising such as this one for a long time. We were all in Auckland in 2011 and we participated in fundraising there. One fundraising campaign raised NZ$100,000 and nearly all the money raised went on paying for the expense of holding the activity.”)

Hon Sika said that in 2013 he was in Auckland with the Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league team and a committee in New Zealand staged a fundraising for the team before they flew to England.

He said once again most of the money raised went to paying for the expenses of organising the fundraising event.

Hon. Sika said it appeared this pattern of unsuccessful fundraising was common among the Tongan community in Tonga and Tongans overseas.

He said people should take notice of previous failures so they would not be repeated when raising money for the ‘Ikale Tahi.

Prince Taufa’ahau takes the lead

Hon. Sika said the royal family had been informed about Friday’s activity and young Prince Tau’ahau already bought five tickets.

He told the House all money raised on Friday would all go to the ‘Ikale Tahi team, except for some minor expenses that had to be paid from the money.

This would be limited to necessary equipment such as chairs and tables hired to be used during the fundraising and nothing else.

Hon. Sika said there had been plans to ask some of the members of the public to help pay for these items so they could save money.

However, given that people had only recently paid for their kavenga (obligations such as presenting gifts) during the coronation of His Majesty, he thought it might be better to use part of the money raised to pay for the equipment and the rest would go the ‘Ikale Tahi players.

Fundraising in Auckland

In 2011 a committee in New Zealand was set up to raise fund for the ‘Ikale Tahi. The committee was believed to have raised about NZ$100,000 dollars, but most of the money was used to pay expenses such as the hotel in the city where the fundraising dinner was held.

It is believed that not all the money owing for the NZ$1000 per table tickets could be collected.

The fundraising in 2013 for the Mate Ma’a Tonga was held at the Otahuhu Rugby League Club.

Kaniva News attended the fundraising night and witnessed people standing outside the door complaining that they had pre-paid for tables at the dinner, but when they arrived all tables were fully occupied.

When they complained to the organiser, they were told the tables had been taken by people who arrived earlier and paid at the door.

The issue was widely discussed on social media the following day. Many people believed the main problem was that people who did the fundraisings were only volunteers and Good Samaritans who were willing to help, but did not have the skills or knowledge to organise such events.

The main points

  • Any fundraising for Tonga’s national rugby union team while they are in England for the World Cup next week must be wisely managed, Parliament has been warned.
  • The Whole House Committee Chairperson Hon Sēmisi Sika told Parliament on Monday that any money raised must be spent on its intended purpose.
  • Sika made the comments while telling the House about a national fundraising campaign for the the ‘Ikale Tahi to be held in Nuku’alofa this Friday.
  • Tonga play Georgia on September 19.

Keleʻa loses defamation appeal; must pay former Deputy PM Vaipulu $10,000

By
Kalino Latu
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In picture: L-R: Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu and Māteni Tapueluelu. Photo/Soane Gallagher Niukapu

Tonga’s Supreme Court has thrown out an appeal by Keleʻa newspaper against an order by the Magistrate’s Court that it pay $10,000 to Former Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu.

Lord Chief Justice O.G.Paulsen dismissed the appeal by Keleʻa Publications, its editor Māteni Tapueluelu and Publisher Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu on September 1.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Tapueluelu had made a serious allegation against Vaipulu and was “ignorant,” “not in good heart” and “malicious” when he wrote the article.

He said the editor had failed in his duty to obtain all the facts surrounding the article and had not allowed Vaipulu to have his say.

The Lord Chief Justice’s decision means the Magistrate’s Court order against Keleʻa and the Tapueluelus stands.

On January 16, 2012 Māteni Tapueluelu ran an article in Tongan in Keleʻa accusing Vaipulu and Lord Nuku of misusing a TP$80 million (NZ$50 million) grant from China to help renovate roads in Tonga.

The editor also claimed that Vaipulu, who was also the then Minister of Works, had a quarry that was used by construction operators to buy gravel to be used for the renovation of the roads.

Vaipulu denied the claims in the article and after exchanging legal documents with the publication in an attempt to gain a retraction, he took Kele’a and the Tapueluelus to court.

In the original trial, the former Deputy Prime Minister told the Magistrate’s court the article was false and that he did not own a quarry. He also said he had never received any money from the road construction project.

Māteni claimed his story was based on statements made in Parliament while the House discussed a Parliamentary Resolution.

However, he failed to submit any evidence that there had in fact been a Parliamentary debate of the issues raised in his article.

Magistrate Paula Tatafu ruled against the Tapueluelus and Keleʻa and fined them $10,000 and ordered them to pay costs of $5,348.50. The Tapueluelus then appealed Tatafu’s decision.

In the appeal before Justice Paulsen, ‘Ofa Pouono represented the Tapueluelus and Kele’a while William Clive Edwards Jr acted for Vaipulu.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has thrown out an appeal by Kele’a newspaper against an order by the Magistrate’s Court that it pay $10,000 to Former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu.
  • Lord Chief Justice O.G.Paulsen dismissed the appeal by Kele’a Publications, its editor Mateni Tapueluelu and Publisher Lautala Pohiva Tapueluelu on July 21.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Tapueluelu had made a serious allegation against Vaipulu and was “ignorant,” “not in good heart” and “malicious” when he wrote the article.
  • He said the editor had failed in his duty to obtain all the facts surrounding the article and had not allowed Vaipulu to have his say.

Man from Haveluloto dies after diving with hookah rig

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 33-year-old man from Haveluloto died after a dive using a hookah rig breathing apparatus offshore of Mānima island near Patangata on Friday morning at about 3am, according to Police.

The deceased was last known to have lived in Pātangata and he was with five others while on the fishing trip, according to Police Communication Officer, Telesia Adams.

The diving practice is illegal. Last year Police charged a man in connection to the death of a hookah diver from Navutoka who died while diving at Kelefesia Island in Tongatapu.

Soldier dies after fall from vehicle in Haʻateiho, driver charged

By
Kaniva Staff
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The person appeared in the image has been identified on Facebook as Pita Tonga. Photo/’Isileli Latu Tangulu (Facebook).

A 26-year-old serving soldier died after an incident involving a vehicle he was a passenger in at Haʻateiho Saturday 5.

Telesia Adams from Police Communication Unit at Longolongo  said the deceased was identified as Pita Tonga  from Vavaʻu and he was serving in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Adams said Police believed the deceased died after falling off the back of a moving pick up truck on a road in Haʻateiho.

A 48-year-old man from Halaleva was arrested and charged with reckless driving causing death. When the incident happened Police said the driver stopped and helped rush Mr. Tonga to hospital where he died later.

Adams said Police investigation was ongoing and further information would be released once they become available.

Man shot in Maʻufanga petrol station armed robbery

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 37-year-old man was being treated in hospital with an apparent gunshot wound following an armed robbery Friday morning September 4 in Maʻufanga.

Police said the alleged armed robber entered the Kinikinilau service station in disguise while carrying a gun.

He threatened the staff before shooting him, Police Communication Officer Telesia Adams said.

Adams also said that this was the only information she could release to Kaniva at this stage while Police investigation was ongoing.

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