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‘Uiha Islanders present food at palace ahead of gift of kaati to Princess Lātūfuipeka next week

The people of ‘Uiha Island conducted a prayer service and presented gifts at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa yesterday as part of Hon Makahokovalu Malupoo’s courtship of Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka.

Wearing black clothes, as a sign of respect for the royal family which is still mourning the loss of a family member, the ‘Uihans took baked goods, root crops such as yams, plantain and  tui kakala (fragrant flowers made into necklaces  and sisi – ornamented girdles).

The island of ‘Uiha belongs to Makahokovalu’s father, Lord Maupō.

Yesterday’s occasion was a preliminary event to be followed by the presentation of the cultural Christmas card (known as kaati) to the Princess next Tuesday, December 23.

A reliable source told Kaniva News yesterday’s event also included taking ‘ilo (food to be eaten by the nobles or royals) to Princess Pilolevu.

Princess Pilolevu is Princess Lātūfuipeka’s mehingtanga (paternal aunt – a social status that traditionally can make a final decision in a wedding proposal).

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Next Tuesday Malupoo’s kāinga (relatives and villagers) will present the kaati and there will be another presentation of fine mats, ngatu, pigs, money and food. A māʻuluʻulu dance will also be performed.

Most of the gifts were donated by the people of ‘Uiha. Each ‘Uiha man was told to donate two yam crops for the presentation on Tuesday.

Yams are traditionally regarded as regal crops and are culturally significant, especially the yams classified as kahokaho, which are presented at formal social and cultural activities.

On Wednesday next week the ‘Uihans will present taumafa (food to be eaten by the queen or the king) to the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho. Princess Angelika was named after her grandmother, the queen mother.

Her Royal HIghness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mata'aho Napua Okalani Tuku'aho
Her Royal HIghness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Napua Okalani Tuku’aho

Banter

Lord Nuku’s eldest son Fakaʻosifono Valevale and his kāinga from Kolonga presented his proposal early this year in February to Princess Angelika.

Hon. Makahokovalu will present his proposal to the Princess in March next year.

According to the kingdom’s constitution, it is up to the king to declare who is going to marry his daughter.

The courtship of the two suitors for the princess’s hand has caused exchanges of friendly teasing between their kāinga  on social media, a cultural action that was intentionally made to heighten the honour and the prestige of the suitors.

If this was not done critics would say that the suitors and their supporters were admitting their proposal would be rejected.

The Uihans have been practicing the māʻuluʻulu for a month.

When photos from the dance practices were uploaded the captions combined phrases like ‘tue tue’ (to shout out in exultation) and ‘ tue tue’ ( while the shouter beckon with the hand).

Photos of Hon. Makahokovalu and Fakaʻosifono were also uploaded to Facebook and they quickly stirred discussion and gave their supporters the chance to sing their praises.

However, some of the commentators were warned by the princess’s close family not to overstep the boundaries and say things that might anger the royal family.

Her supporters said the princess could not be compared to her suitors because she was attractive, was the only daughter of the king and had obtained two Masters in Business and Management from the National University of Australia.

The comments were intended to express the princess’s prestige and honour.

The main points

  • The people of ‘Uiha Island conducted a prayer service and presented gifts at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa yesterday as part of Hon Makahokovalu Malupoo’s courtship of Princess Angelica Lātūfuipeka.
  • The ‘Uihans presented baked goods, root crops such as yams and plantain, tui kakala (fragrant flowers made into necklaces) and sisi (ornamented girdles).
  • Yesterday’s occasion was a preliminary event to be followed by the presentation of the cultural Christmas card (known as kaati) to the Princess next week.
  • The event also included taking ‘ilo (food to be eaten by the nobles or royals) to Princess Pilolevu.

Defeated candidate files petition with Supreme Court, alleging Deputy Prime Minister broke election rules

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu, has been accused of breaching election regulations.

The accusations against Hon Vaipulu, who won the seat for Vava’u 15 in the recent elections, have been made by unsuccessful candidate Tomifa Paea.

Paea filed what he described as an “election petition” with the Supreme Court of Tonga against Hon Vaipulu on December 18.

Paea claimed MP Vaipulu hosted free lunches at his resident for about three weeks in breach of Section 21 (Bribery) and Section 24 (Campaign Expenses) of the Electoral Act.

The defeated candidate also claimed that electoral officers, supervisor and returning officers attended these free lunches even though they had been sworn in on November 17, 10 days before the election.

The defeated candidate lodged an earlier complaint with the Election Commission on December 3. He claimed the police were involved in the investigation.

Election Commissioner and Supervisor Pita Vuki said his office was investigating Paea’s complaints.

He said he was not aware a suit had been filed with the Supreme Court, but said Paea was entitled to take this action under the law.

Paea said his legal action against Samiu Vaipulu for breach offences under section 21 (bribery) and section 24(5) (election expenses) was registered at the Supreme Court as Case No. CV91/2014.

He said the Solicitor General and Attorney General should look at the outcome of investigation.

Kaniva News was unable to contact Hon. Vaipulu for comment.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu, has been accused of breaching election regulations.
  • The accusations against Hon Vaipulu, who won the seat for Vava’u 15 in the recent elections, have been made by unsuccessful candidate Tomifa Paea.
  • Paea filed what he described as an “election petition” with the Supreme Court of Tonga against Hon Vaipulu on December 18, alleging Hon Vaipulu had breached Section 21 (Bribery) and Section 24 (Campaign Expenses) of the Electoral Act.
  • He lodged an earlier complaint with the Election Commission on December 3.

For more information

Tonga Electoral Commission

Independents and nobility nominate MP Samiu Vaipulu as Prime Minister

The seven elected independent MPs and nine elected nobles agreed in a meeting last night they would nominate MP Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu as Tonga’s next Prime Minister, Lord Vaea has confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon.

But he was cautious and said he understood negotiations were ongoing between the Democratic Party and the Independents and there was a possibility their premiership nomination could not stand when it comes to the election of the Prime Minister. Vaea said  the decision to nominate Hon. Vaipulu and to form a government led by the nobles and the independents, however,  was confirmed and they would hold on to it until the election day.

The meeting was attended by all members of elected nobles and the seven elected MPs, Vaea said.

He said the nobility since the nobles’ election results were announced two weeks ago nominated him as their nominee for the Prime Minister election and the nomination stood throughout five meetings they had until last night they all decided to support the nomination of Hon Vaipulu as Tonga’s next Prime Minister.

“We thought it was time for us to give the opportunity to lead the country to the people’s representatives and so we decided to support the nomination of  Samiu Vaipulu by the independents,” Vaea said.

He said all other ministerial posts including Deputy Prime Minister would be announced after the premiership election.

Lord Vaea was asked why they did not bring the Democratic Party to the negotiation table together with the independents if they believed it was about time to give the country’s leadership to the people’s elected MPs. In his response he said they sent negotiators from the nobility to the Democratic Party and based on information they returned with the elected nobles decided to just align themselves with the seven independent MPs.

When he was asked whether they knew complaints had been lodged against Hon Vaipulu  for alleged breaches of the election spending limit stipulated by the Electoral Acts, Vaea said the issue has been raised in the meeting last night but they were satisfied with the information they received from the Election Office regarding the complaints.

Leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva

Democratic Leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said he was informed this morning about the decision made by the nobles and the independents to nominate Samiu Vaipulu as the Prime Minister but his Party was still negotiating with the independents.

He said he was optimistic and believed the nomination of MP Vaipulu to the premiership was not fully supported by the seven elected independents.

“It was just my feeling and personal view based on what I have heard when talking to some of the independents,” Pōhiva said.

The Democratic Party wants four more independent MPs so they can form the government.

If the nobles and the independent MPs nomination wins on election day Hon. Vaipulu, who was only elected by 747 voters of Vava’u 15 would become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.

The Democratic Leader said three representatives from the independents bloc were meeting with three representatives from the Democratic Party today at 2pm.

The independents’ reps were MP Samiu Vaipulu, MP Siaosi Sovaleni and MP Saia Piukala while the Democratic Party was represented by Leader Pohiva, MP Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa and MP Semisi Fakahau.

Lawyer Pomeʻe struck off by tribunal

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan lawyer who practised law in New Zealand be struck from the roll of Barristers and Solicitors.

An investigation was conducted and found Ilaisaane Valu Pome’e guilty of eight charges, including two charges of misconduct, on 1 December 2014.

A statement from the New Zealand Law Society says, “Ms Pome’e acted as counsel for her clients in Family Court proceedings and agreed to adopt their niece and make an application to Immigration New Zealand for a permit to allow the niece to remain in the country. She failed to renew a temporary permit that was granted, which resulted in the niece being unlawfully in New Zealand.

“Ms Pome’e made false representations to her clients concerning the niece’s permit application and failed to respond to directions from the court. This led to adoption proceedings being struck out.

“She made a further application to Immigration New Zealand for another permit without instructions and made false representations in support of that application.

“New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says it is unacceptable for lawyers to mislead clients and third parties.

“The overriding duty of a lawyer acting in litigation is to the court concerned. A lawyer must not act in a way that undermines the processes of a court.”

Former All Blacks Sione Lauaki marries in Cook Island

Former All Blacks Sione Lauaki has married his Cook Island fiancée Stephanie Mataroa.

The wedding was celebrated at the Crown Beach Resort and Spa in Cook Island Wednesday 7 according to Cook Island News.

It was attended by current All Blacks Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, NZ Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei and Lauaki’s brother Epalahame, also a former NZ Warrior and Kiwi test player.

The 33-year-old Tongan-born flanker / number eight made his debut for the All Blacks in 2005 against Fiji.

His final match for New Zealand was in 2008 against Samoa. During his time with the All Blacks he was capped 17 times and scored three tries.

Stalemate as independent MPs fail to attend weekend meeting with Democratic Party

Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.

Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.

The meeting was announced by the independents’ elected MPs’ spokesperson ‘Etuate Lavulavu last week.

Lavulavu told Matangi Tonga Online on December 11 the independents would meet with the Democrats on Saturday and the Nobles on Monday.

He said he anticipated that by Wednesday next week it should be clear which group they would align with.

However, only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.

Pohiva said they eventually had a short meeting, but he did not give the details of what he discussed with Hon Vaipulu.

He said they met after he found out the other independents would not make it to the meeting.

When Kaniva News asked Lavulavu this evening whether they still regarded themselves as independent MPs, with all the seven members elected as independents, Lavulavu agreed.

Lavulavu said Pohiva and Vaipulu were supposed to meet at 4pm and then with all 17 elected MPs.

Pohiva said he did not know why all seven independents did not turn up to the meeting.

Representatives

Pohiva said because of difficulties in organising further meetings, the two factions had agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.

When we asked Lavulavu whether the independents had selected representatives to meet with the Democratic Party he said MPs Vaipulu and Siaosi Sovaleni would deal with the issue.

When asked if it was true some of their independent MPs no longer stood by their group Lavulavu disagreed.

Prime Minister

Lavulavu said he wanted to correct information released by one of the local radio stations last week which said that he had given Pohiva a list that showed Samiu Vaipulu as the independents’ nomination for Prime Minister and Lord Nuku, from the nobility, as Deputy Prime Minister.

Pohiva said he had not been informed of Lavulavu’s claim, but confirmed that Vaipulu had told him he would be the independents’ nominee for the premiership.

Pohiva said the Democratic Party had yet to nominate its candidate for the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

Meanwhile Kalafi Moala, Publisher of the Taimi Network, was quoted by Radio New Zealand last week as saying that three of the nobles and four of the independents were ready to support the Democrats.

The main points

  • Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.
  • Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.
  • Only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.
  • The two factions have agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.

Tongan family’s heartbreak after father dies and is buried before they arrive to say goodbye

A man who travelled from Auckland to Tonga to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday died and had to be buried before his family could farewell him because there was no refrigerated morgue on the island.

Kaliopasi Kioa, 38, died on December 9 on his home island of Niuafo’ou. He had travelled there with a container of goods and a van as part of his family preparations to celebrate their father Tonga Kioa’s 80th birthday.

Kaliopasi’s siblings had travelled from New Zealand and the United States for their father’s birthday celebration.

His wife, Muna Kioa and their daughter arrived in Tonga from New Zealand on December 11 and were due to travel from Tongatapu to Niuafo’ou later this week to meet with Kaliopasi and his family.

The cause of Kaliopasi’s death is unknown, but his sister-in-law, Tita Nonu ‘Otai, told Kaniva News the dead man had to be buried after the family was told by Niuafo’ou’s health authority they could not embalm the body.

“My sister and their daughter said goodbye to the sand covering the top of Kaliopasi’s grave,” ‘Otai said.

“It is so heart-breaking.”

‘Otai said the family was devastated. This would have been the first time Kaliopasi’s wife and family would have met his family.

Friends and family who paid tributes to Kaliopasi on Facebook described him as a “good character,” with a “smiling face” and “loving.”

Niuafo’ou

Niuafo’ou is in the north of the kingdom and is the furthest from the mainland, Tongatapu, where the capital city Nuku’alofa is located.

Niuafo’ou is 574 km away from Tongatapu and according to the 2006 census has a population of 650.

Regarded as one of the most remote islands in the world, a vessel from Tongatapu arrives at Niuafo’ou once a month with passengers, goods for the shops, petrol and mail.

Flights from Tongatapu on Real Tonga Airline arrive once a fortnight depending on the weather. According to the South Pacific Handbook, the island’s airstrip is aligned so that dangerously strong winds whip across it.

“When that happens, the plane has to fly all the way back to Vava’u, and the people on the island see their long-awaited cargo go back where it came from for two weeks,” the Handbook says.

The main points

  • A man who travelled from Auckland to Tonga to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday died and had to be buried before his family could farewell him because there was no refrigerated morgue on the island.
  • Kaliopasi Kioa, 38, died on December 9 on his home island of Niuafo’ou.
  • His sister-in-law, Tita Nonu ‘Otai, told Kaniva News the family was devastated.
  • “My sister and their daughter said goodbye to the sand covering the top of Kaliopasi’s grave,” ‘Otai said.
  • “It is so heart-breaking.”

Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva calls on people to be patient

Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva says he has high hopes that he and his Democratic Party will form the next government.

In an interview with Kaniva News yesterday he asked the people of Tonga to keep the peace while negotiations were in process to form a government that best for all Tongans. He did not say who the Party was talking to.

Pohiva’s response came after he was asked to comment on the independents’ claim they would not support a Prime Minister nominated by the Democratic Party.

The independents’ spokesperson, MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, told Kaniva News on Monday that if the Democrats would not support the election of an independent MP as Prime Minister, they would align themselves with the nobility to form up the government.

Lavulavu said the independents wanted the Democrats to come to them if they wanted to negotiate. He said the independents did not want to chase the Democrats around and do what they demanded. MP Lavulavu said that was not fair because the independents won the popular vote and the Democrats were a minority.

The MP for Vava’u 16’s revelation came a week after a joint meeting by the Democrats and independents that was applauded by people who commended their willingness to put aside their own political views and stand together to form a people led- government.

However, Lavulavu’s latest statements have prompted heated debates on social media. There have been mixed reactions from both supporters of the independents and the Democrats.

Some Democratic supporters blasted the independents, accusing them of being opportunists who wanted to be given the Premiership and Deputy Premiership before they would work together with the Democrats to form a government led by the people.

Independent supporters have retaliated by saying the independents were elected independently and were not bound to affiliate with a particular political group.

Public reaction

After talking to Democratic Party leader Pohiva, it appears that hopes for a coalition with the independents are increasingly uncertain.

“The only thing I can say now is that I still hope the Democratic Party will be able to form the next government without the full support of the independents,” Pohiva said.

He did not give details of what steps he was taking to make sure the Democrats would form the government, but said he would make a statement as soon as he could.

Pohiva said he understood the independents could have changed their minds after their initial meeting with the Democrats, but the door was still open for more discussions.

He said he was pressured by the concerns raised by his supporters to make sure the Democratic Party would lead the next government.

Pohiva said he wanted the people to understand he was working hard with his Party colleagues to make sure they would form the government.

He said that with 10 MPS, the Democrats were the majority group in the House.

In doubt

Two weeks from now the MPs will submit the nominations for the Prime Ministership, but the relationship between the Democrats and the independents has deteriorated and the hope for a further negotiations is gloomy.

The independents met with the nobles on Monday night, but spokesman Lavulavu declined to give any details, saying negotiation was continuing.

When asked to confirm whether their planned meeting with the independents continued last night Lavulavu denied that any such meeting had been planned.

When Kaniva News attempted to convince him that he was the one who told us on Sunday night from Vava’u that they would meet the nobility on Monday and then with the Democrats yesterday (Tuesday 9) he said the independents wanted a formal request from the Democrats through their spokesperson Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

Lavulavu said he had received e-mails from the Democratic Party inviting them to a meeting, but said the independents wanted the Democrats to come to them.

The independents’ spokesman said he had heard the Democrats had met with the people on Saturday at Vaolōloa. He said the independents had been invited, but none of them had turned up.

Lavulavu said the meeting was organised by people who were not MPs.

He claimed that after the meeting the Democratic Party decided they would approach the nobility about forming a new government.

Kaniva News was unable to confirm Lavulavu’s claim with the nobility or Democrats.

The main points

  • Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he has high hopes that he and his Democratic Party will form the next government.
  • In an interview with Kaniva News, he asked Tongans to remain peaceful while negotiations continued, but did not say who the party was talking to.
  • The independents’ spokesperson, MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, told Kaniva News on Monday that if the Democrats would not support the election of an independent MP as Prime Minister, they would align themselves with the nobility to form up the government.
  • Lavulavu’s statement came in the wake of a meeting with the Democrats which appeared to indicate they were willing to co-operate on the election of the Prime Minister.

Tongan baby dies after being runover in driveway in Mangere

An 18-month-old girl was accidentally run over by a car in her parents driveway and died at the Starship Hospital Sunday 7, according to police.

Vaimoana Mafi suffered serious injuries after she was hit outside the family’s Massey Rd flat on Saturday 6.

Her parents Danny and Lopelini Mafi were preparing to move to a new home in Tennessee Ave, Mangere when the incident happened.

According to Police it was believed Vaimoana was struck after Danny reversed a ute but he did not see his little daughter was  playing on the driveway.

The Tongan community gathered with family and friends since yesterday at the Tennessee Ave house for a service for Vaimoana.

It was understood the baby would be farewelled at a funeral tomorrow.

Independents say they must elect Prime Minister, not Democratic Party or nobles

Tonga’s independent MPs have declared that the Prime Minister must be elected by them and not the Democratic Party or nobility.

But they have also warned that if the Democrats don’t support them, then the independents will side with the nobility to form the next government.

Their statement comes as a surprise after they agreed last week to keep talking with the Democrats about forming a government.

The independents had agreed to meet with the Democrats again this week.

Last week’s meeting, in which they agreed to put aside their own political agendas to form a government and agree on a Prime Minister, was described as ‘productive’, ‘joyful’ and ‘warming.’

Democratic Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva told the independents he agreed to put aside his Party’s Memorandum of Understanding and policies so they could work together to form the next government.

However, last night the independents’ spokesperson, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, confirmed to Kaniva News they would not support a Prime Minister from the Democratic Party.

He claimed the independents represented the popular vote and said the nobles and Democrats were minorities.

Lavulavu claimed the independents represented more than “26,100 voters” who voted for the independents in the last election while the Democrats were only supported by “11,000 voters”. The nobility was only voted in by 33 nobles. Lavulavu said the independents had the sole right to form the next government and choose the Prime Minister.

Pohiva publicly declared last Saturday in a gathering dubbed ‘the people’s meeting’ at Tupou High School in Vaolōloa that it did not matter whether he was elected Prime Minister or not. He said that what mattered to him most was that Tonga’s next Prime Minister be elected by the people’s MPs and not the nobility.

Pohiva said the people at the meeting made clear they wanted a government led by the people’s MPs and not the nobility.

A week before nominations for the Prime Ministership have to be made, the Democratic Party has 10 MPs, after Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke confirmed he would stick with the Party and MP Sione Vuna Fa’otusia signed the Party’s MOU.

This has reduced the number of the independents to seven, while the nobles have nine members.

The Prime Minister

Pohiva’s supporters want him to be Tonga’s next Prime Minister. They claim he has led Tonga’s opposition for about 30 years and had proved to be reliable and trustworthy in whatever he has promised to the people.

Pohiva has a long history of suing the government leaders, members of the royal family and the nobility, accusing them of using national resources and assets for their own gain.

He has paid for almost all legal costs and expenses, especially lawsuits that involve his New Zealand legal counsel Dr Rodney Harrison.

However, his critics want him to stay with the opposition saying that his strength lies in warning the government from time to time so that leaders could make sure they lead the country on the right track.

Meeting with nobility

The independents will meet the nobles for the second time this evening (December 8).

Last week they told the nobles they would also be meeting with the Democrats. During last week’s the nobility proposed Lord Vaea as their candidate for Prime Minister.

However, the independents rejected this suggestion, saying they wanted the Prime Minister to be chosen by the people’s elected MPs.

Fe’ao Vakatā told Kaniva News this afternoon the nobles expected the independents would reveal their nomination for the Premiership this evening. He did not say who they would nominate as the Prime Minister.

According to Lavulavu, Samiu Vaipulu was a potential candidate, but he said this had not been confirmed.

The independents’ spokesperson said another meeting with the independents was scheduled for tomorrow (December 9).

Lavulavu said if the Democrats did not agree to support their candidate for the upcoming Prime Ministerial election they would then align themselves with the nobility to form the government.

He said the decision had been made by all seven independents, including MP Siaosi Sovaleni (Tongatapu 3), MP Poasi Tei (Tongatapu 6), MP Viliami Hingano Manuopangai (Ha’apai 12), MP Saia Ma’u Piukala (Vava’u 14), MP Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu (Vava’u 15), MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavuavu (Vava’u 16) and MP Fe’ao Vakata (Niua 17).

Two of the independents, Lavulavu from Vava’u 16 and Vaipulu from Vava’u 15 are now under investigation following complaints received by the Election Office that they breached the spending rules limit stipulated by Tonga’s Electoral Act.

The main points

  • Tonga’s independent MPs have declared that the Prime Minister must be elected by them and not the Democratic Party or nobility.
  • But they have also warned that if the Democrats don’t support them, then the independents will side with the nobility to form the next government.
  • Their statement comes as a surprise after they agreed last week to keep talking with the Democrats about forming a government.
  • The independents will meet the nobles for the second time this evening (December 8).