The Tonga Court of Appeals has today in Nukuʻalofa upheld the conviction of a Tongan former Police Inspector sentenced to 11 years in prison after killing the New Zealand Policeman Kali Fungavaka.
In sentencing Kelepi Hala’ufia at the Supreme Court in July, Justice Charles Cato accepted that Hala’aufia, using a black torch, had struck Kali with a heavy blow to the top of his head on the night of August 17, 2012 when police arrested him and brought to the Nuku’alofa Police station.
Justice Cato referred to medical evidence from a New Zealand pathologist which shows Fungavaka had a fractured skull.
Justice Cato said: “It is plain that this blow delivered from behind when Kali was held by two officers was with considerable force by Hala’ufia who did have had any regard at all for the wellbeing of his prisoner. I found that this was a material and indeed a substantial cause of his death.”
Sesilia Monalisa Lātū, the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, has been awarded the Part-time Professor by the Liaocheng University in China early this month.
In receiving this award, Mrs Lātū has become a special researcher for the Pacific island countries at the university’s Research Center.
The President of the university was quoted in a statement from the Tongan Embassy in China as saying that Mrs Lātū’s award would help “to accelerate the development of the scientific construction of our university, especially the construction of the Pacific Island Countries’ Research Center”.
Lātū was graduated from the South Pacific University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts and a MA degree in education from the Auckland University in 2006.
She worked at Tonga High School, Tonga College, Tongan Education College, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in New Zealand, and Tonga Extension Services of University of South Pacific as a senior lecturer.
She was also an academic Dean of the New Zealand’s Te Wananga O Aotearoa institute.
She married to Siamelie Lātū, Tonga’s current Ambassador to China.
Pasuka Mapakaitolo, 34, was arrested for the violent attack of a woman he lives with in Japan on Monday 20, it has been reported.
The Kobelco Steelers player is accused of punching the 30-year-old woman fracturing her face and she is believed to have suffered a broken rib. She was also hit in the chest.
The Japanball.com report says Mapakaitolo told Police he hit the woman.
He played for the ‘Ikale-Tahi in June when the national team competed in the Pacific Nation Cup.
His Majesty King Tupou VI sent the Prime Minister and soldiers to persuade his son, Prince Ata, to stop a baptism ceremony that would have made him a Mormon.
The baptism was to be held in the Havelu Stake Centre at the beginning of last month.
The Prime Minister was sent after the Prince sent away soldiers, led by Lieutenant Kiu Tu’ivakanō, the son of the Prime Minister, who were ordered by the king to intervene in the prince’s baptism ceremony in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).
When the soldiers relayed the king’s message the prince refused to obey and told the Mormon leaders at the ceremony he wanted them to continue and baptise him.
Prince Ata is the king’s second son and fourth in line to the throne.
According to unconfirmed reports received by Kaniva News, His Majesty later warned Prince Ata he could have some of his princely privileges revoked if he was baptised into the Mormon church.
The Prime Minister’s office and the Palace Office did not respond to our requests for comments.
One of the top members of the Mormon Church in Tonga and also a Member of Parliament, Semisi Sika, who attended the
Prince Ata, the Guest of Honour at the Liahona and Sainehā Alumni Reunion 2014, in Hawaii. Liahona and Sainehā high schools belong to the Mormon Church.
prince’s baptism, spoke to Kaniva News about the ceremony.
Hon Sika told us the Prime Minister arrived and told the Prince the king had asked him to postpone the ceremony. The prince again refused to obey and told the Mormon leaders to go ahead and baptise him.
The Prime Minister asked the prince and the church leaders if they could wait as he wanted to go back and inform the king that Ata still wanted the baptism to go ahead.
The Prime Minister returned and told Prince Ata His Majesty asked to postpone the ceremony till they return from their overseas trips. With the help of the Nuku’alofa Stake President, ‘Alavini Sika, the prince finally agreed and he was not christened on the day.
Hon Sika said the prince was about to be baptised on a Friday and Their Majesties were on a planned travel to the United States and Europe on Saturday.
He said the Prime Minister had reported that Their Majesties wanted to attend Ata’s baptism ceremony after they returned from overseas.
Almost two months later Prince Ata has still not been christened, but attends the church’s regular Sunday prayer
Prince Ata (middle of the front row) . Caption on Facebook says – HRH Prince Ata attended the 5 Sessions of the October 2014 General Conference at the Havelu Mormon Church
programme and other activities.
It is understood Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u is currently in New Zealand and is expected to return to Tonga shortly.
The growth of the Mormon Church in Tonga has been dramatic. According to government statistics the church is now the second largest in Tonga after the Free Wesleyan Church. The Catholic church was previously the second largest church in Tonga.
Royals and church
The royal family and most of the nobility have been associated with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga since George Tupou 1, the founder of modern Tonga, allowed Christianity into Tonga.
He was baptised as Siaosi, the Tongan for George, in 1831.
When the church elects its president every three years, the president has to be confirmed by the king.
The Free Wesleyan Church is often seen as the state religion, although this is not officially the case.
In 2008, when the late King George V was crowned, he chose to be anointed by the Suva-based Anglican Archbishop of Polynesia, Jabez Bryce, instead of a clergyman from the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
In 1989 Princess Fusipala was the first member of the royal household to be baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the first cousin of King Tupou VI.
The main points
His Majesty King Tupou VI sent the Prime Minister and soldiers to persuade his son, Prince Ata, to stop a baptism ceremony that would have made him a Mormon at the beginning of last month.
Prince Ata is the king’s second son and fourth in line to the throne.
According to unconfirmed reports His Majesty warned Prince Ata he could have his title revoked.
The prince agreed to postpone the ceremony, but two months later he has still not been baptised, even though he continues to attend the LDS church.
PNG Police are investigating after Tongan women national soccer team players were robbed at their Queen Emma Lodge in Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea on Sunday 26.
Players had sporting gear, esky-cooler, two pairs of running shoes, two caps, a total of 18 team Adidas shirts (white in colour), two blue Adidas tops, five black shorts and one blue Puma short, and a bag of groceries stolen, local media reported.
Assistant Team Manager, Laite Tu’ivailala, told EM TV Online they had been told Kokopo was safe and friendly area.
“We were told it was safe so we did not expect this to happen to us. We thought that nobody would steal from us so we hung our things out to dry. We also had our blue esky-cooler stolen and groceries in a bag outside my room that were purchased earlier that afternoon. I put the bag outside my door with the groceries inside, these were all stolenâ€, said Tu’ivailala in a phone interview.
The Tongan team are attending the Oceania Football Confederation women’s soccer qualifier currently held in Kokopo.
Tongan taxpayers forked out about TP$30,000 to entertain and welcome the arrival of Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia canoes in the Friendly Islands last week, a Cabinet document says.
The government allocated a total of TP$11,950 for the reception in Vavaʻu which included TP$1,500 for purchasing of T-shirts for the crew, TP$2,000 for a welcoming dinner, $500 petrol vouchers to be paid for two boats to pull the canoes to shore.
The cabinet decision shows similar expenses from the host fund were allocated for reception when the canoes arrived in Tongatapu on Thursday 23.
Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia, which have been to 26 different countries and had been docked in 85 ports, have a mission of “supporting global movement toward a more sustainable world”.
The Hokule’a was, “founded on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, the Polynesian Voyaging Society seeks to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, each other, and their natural and cultural environments”.
The voyaging canoes were in Pago Pago, American Samoa before they departed for Tonga and now heading New Zealand.
Silakivai Vaea, a male teacher at Tonga High School, took his own life last week.
Police have yet to release details surrounding the incident but a family member has confirmed Vaea committed suicide.
His brother Henelē Vaea told Kakalu-ʻO-Tonga newspaper, the family regret Silakivai’s death. He said the family should have provided more care to Silakivai’s life conditions because they knew he suffered from “puputuʻu” (depression) for about 10 years now.
Henelē rejected rumours that Silakivai committed suicide after his marriage proposal was turned down.
The deceased was described as good character, quiet and a loner.
Henelē and his brother ʻAuka flew to Tonga from Auckland on Monday 20 to attend Silakivai’s funeral, the paper reported.
Registrations have closed at 3.00pm today with 106 candidates registered to contest Tonga’s 17 electorates , The Election Office has confirmed.
Sixteen women candidates run for Parliament this year and the total number of candidates shows a decrease from 2010 election which it had 144 registered candidates.
The candidates are:
TONGATAPU
TONGATAPU 1 :
1.  ‘Ilisapesi Tau’akitangata Seli Baker – Tu’atakilangi
2.  William Cocker – Kolomotu’a
3.  Soloni Lutui – Kolomotu’a
4.  Mosese Teu-ki-Veiuto Manuofetoa – Kolomotu’a
5.  ‘Emeline ‘Uheina Tuita – Kolomotu’a
6.  Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva – Sopu-‘o-Taufa’ahau
7.  ‘Ana Kanume Bing Fonua – Hala’ovave
8.  ‘Eliesa Fifita – Tufuenga
TONGATAPU 2 :
1.  Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika – Haveluloto
2.  Soane Patita Vakautafefine Fifita – Haveluloto
3.  Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu – Fanga-’o-Pilolevu
4.  Sione Tu’itavake Fonua – Kolofo’ou
TONGATAPU 3 :
1.  William Clive Edwards – Mataika
2.  Gabriella Renne Blake ‘Ilolahia – Fasimoeafi
3.  Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni – Ngele’ia
4.  Mesuilame Simote Vea – Kolofo’ou
5. Â Paula Lavulo – Pahu
6.  Tevita Palu – Fasimoeafi
7.  Mele Teusivi ‘Amanaki – Ma’ufanga
TONGATAPU 4 :
1.  Poli Tuaileva – Ma’ufanga
2.  ‘Etuate ‘Eniti Sakalia – Ma’ufanga
3.  Felise ‘Ulupano – Houmakelikao
4.  ‘Etika Koka – Houmakelikao
5.  Tominiko Setefano Folaumotuita Kama – Houmakelikao
6.  Tevita ‘Ita Koloamatangi – ‘Anana
7.  Mateni Tapueluelu – Houmakelikao
8.  Seketi Fo’ou Fuko – Ma’ufanga
9.  ‘Isileli Pulu – Fangaloto
TONGATAPU 5 :
1.  Lia Manatu Faoa – Kanokupolu
2.  ‘Aisake Valu Eke – Vaotu’u
3.  Viliami Kini Tukia H. P. Mangisi – Ha’avakatolo
4.  Maliu Takai – Fo’ui
TONGATAPU 6 :
1.  Sione Tatafu Angakehe Tafuna – Matangiake
2.  Siosifa Tu’itupou Tu’utafaiva – Ha’akame
3.  Salesi Finau Hu’ia Fotu – Houma
4.  Poasi Mataele Tei – Hofoa
TONGATAPU 7 :
1.  ‘Amanaki Paea Molitika – Tofoa
2.  Sione Sangster Saulala – Tofoa
3.  Pinomi Prescott – Ha’ateiho
4.  ‘Atalasa Misilemoti Pouvalu – Tofoa
5.  Sione Vuna Fa’otusia – Ha’ateiho
6.  Siosifa Filini Sikuea – Tofoa
7.  Mavaetangi Manavahetau – Tokomololo
8.  Sipola Fakaanga Havili Halafihi – Ha’ateiho
TONGATAPU 8 :
1.  Semisi Fakahau – Folaha
2.  Mafile’o Mataele – Folaha
3.  Tevita Tu’i Uata – Vaini
4.  P. Sione Havea Taione – Vaini
5. Â Sipaisi Kutu – Folaha
TONGATAPU 9 :
1.  Samipeni Uaine Finau – Fatumu
2.  Tomavilanova Tu’ipulotu – Fua’amotu
3.  Vika Fusimalohi – Tatakamotonga
4.  Tevita Tupu ‘Ofa – Fua’amotu
5.  Lemasingo Tania Nai – Fua’amotu
6.  Penisimani ‘Epenisa Fifita – Tatakamotonga
7. Â Falisi Tupou – Tatakamotonga
TONGATAPU 10 :
1.  Seini Teu – Navutoka
2.  Daniel Kimball Fale – Lapaha
3.  Semisi Palu ‘Ifoni Tapueluelu – Talafo’ou
4.  Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa – Makaunga
5.  Faka’osilea Kaufusi – Navutoka
‘EUA
‘EUA 11 :
1.  Sunia Manu Fili – ‘Ohonua
2.  Tevita Lavemaau – Petani
3.  Silivia Loumaile Mahe – Angaha
4.  Suliasi Pouvalu Fonise ‘Aholelei – Futu
5.  Taniela Fusimalohi – ‘Ohonua
HA’APAI
HA’APAI 12 :
1.  Vili Manuopangai Hingano – ‘Uiha
2.  Mo’ale Finau – Hihifo
3.  Pita Faiva Taufatofua – Hihifo
4.  Pita Vi – Pangai
5.  Tu’ivaita Ueleni – Felemea
6. Â Latiume Kaufusi – Hihifo
HA’APAI 13 :
1.  ‘Anau ki Lifuka ‘Anau – Nomuka
2.  Samiuela Takapuna Fangaloka – Lotofoa
3.  Veivosa Light of Life Taka – Faleloa
4.  Sosaia Langitoto Helu – Lotofoa
5.  Sione Talanoa Fifita – Ha’ano
VAVA’U
VAVA’U 14 :
1.  Tongovua T. Toloke Appleton – Hunga
2.  Taniela Fakalolo Kivalu – Nuapapu
3.  Matini Fatanitavake Ma’afu ‘o Veikune Tu’i Tonga Veikune – Longomapu
4.  Saia Ma’u Piukala – Pangaimotu
5.  Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo – Longomapu
6.  Tu’amelie H. Faitu’a Kemoe’atu – Falevai
7. Â Latu Niua Lepolo – Falevai
VAVA’U 15 :
1.  ‘Alekisio Kaita’eifo – Toula
2.  Alwyn Thomas Moa – Neiafu
3.  Viliami Kaufusi Helu – Neiafu
4.  Henele Tu’ulau Fononga – Neiafu
5.  Tomifa Paea – Fungamisi
6.  Sione Sosefo Fitu Mailangi – Neiafu
7.  Samiu Kuita Vaipulu – Neiafu
8.  ‘Elieta Sapate Toke – Fungamisi
9.  Kukufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield – Neiafu
10.  Keuli Pasina Lavaki – Neiafu
11.  Viliami Pasikala – Neiafu
12. Â Salesi Kauvaka – Makave
VAVA’U 16 :
1.  Tupoulahi Manuofetoa – Holonga
2.  ‘Ikani Loneli Taliai – Ha’akio
3.  ‘Ipeni ‘Alamoni Siale – Ta’anea
4.  Viliami Lolohea – Houma
5.  Viliami Uasike Latu – Leimatu’a
6.  ‘Aisea Silivenusi – Leimatu’a
7.  ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu – Leimatu’a
ONGO NIUA
ONGO NIUA 17 :
1.  Sosefo Fe’aomoeata Vakata – Vaipoa, Niuatoputapu
2.  Vatau Hui – Falehau, Niuatoputapu
3.  Sione Peauafi Haukinima – Vaipoa, Niuatoputapu
New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan hymn ” ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua” which was recorded and is now on Youtube.
Salesa’s interviews with Kaniva News showed she strongly believed in the Tongan saying – “Ko e lotu eni Ê»a e fanga kuÆ– “It’s the grandparents’ praying that led me to now reach one of the top positions in the New Zealand government.â€
Tongans believe that every contribution and attention by parents to religious activities must be returned as good luck through their children and grandchildren.
So whenever a member of the family achieves something or become successful, especially on the international level, it is a huge thing for the
Jenny LÄtÅ« Salesa (sitting infront). Standing: His parents SÄmiu and LÅketi TuÊ»inukuafe LÄtÅ« (centre)
family.
The family and the kÄinga then have to be formally informed about the achievement.
The response would mostly be “Kuo tali e lotu ‘a e fanga kui†– “The grandparents prayers had been accepted.â€
This is the Tongan custom of Tala KÄinga or informing the kÄinga (relatives) and letting them know about what has been achieved.
In the past theTala KÄinga was relayed by somebody from the house of Ê»UlumotuÊ»a (head of the clan) who was sent from place to place to inform familes.
When the kÄinga were informed the identity of the achiever also had to be revealed as some of the kÄinga may have not known him or her.
Nowadays the Tala KÄinga no longer involves informing the individual members of the clan.
Today the public can be informed via the radio or it can be posted on social media.
Salesa performed the Tala KÄinga for her achievement through Kaniva News.
“I would like to attribute the glory and gratitude to God our Lord the Almighty for He has treasured us with this new duty,†Salesa told Kaniva News.
“I took my oath in Parliament [yesterday morning and it] was a really big day for me, my family and the many volunteers who helped me during this journey.
“My other oath endures, to serve the people of Manukau East and all New Zealanders to the best of my abilities.
“I am truly humbled to enter New Zealand’s Parliament to represent and advocate for and on behalf of the good people of Manukau East.
“I am also humbled as the daughter of Mr SÄmiuela LÄtÅ« and Mrs LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu, born and raised in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga to have made it this far.
Her father served as a public servant in Tonga for 36 years and he was Tonga’s first pharmacist.
“Many of my fanga kui (grand parents) were faifekau (church ministers) and I have a number of them who are my uncles from both the Latu and Tukutau families of the Free Wesleyan Church.â€
Salesa said  the ‘ulumotu’a (head of the clan) of her mother’s family came from the village of Pea from the Tu’inukuafe’s family. This meant she was related to the Rev Lopini Filise, the Superintendent Minister at Tuingapapai Free Wesleyan Church in Mangere.
Her mother’s uncles include the Rev ‘Ahokava Latu, former President of the Church of Tonga. Her mother was cousin to the Late Bishop Patelesio Finau, Leader of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Fr Lava Enosi who once the Catholic Church’s Vicar general.
Her mother, LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu’s, parents were Manulevu Tonga and Meleseini Tu’inukuafe.
Her father’s parents were Mr. ‘Alifeleti LÄtÅ« Tangulu of Lotofoa, Ha’apai and Mrs Ê»Ema Ê»Amalani LÄtÅ«
The Tangulu clans originally from Tefisi, Vava’u.
She congratulated her husband Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa for his hard work during her campaign. He is a professor at the University of Auckland.
“I had an allocation of two guests for the State Opening of Parliament and another Labour MP let me have their guest tickets so yesterday I had my husband and both my parents.â€
Sepuloni’s father was full Tongan and she was the first to be listed by the Labour Party and New Zealand Parliament as a Tongan MP of Tongan descent in 2008.
Sepuloni stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 2011, but won the Kelston electorate in last month’s elections.
Click here to listen to Jenny Salesa’s Maiden Speech
The main points
New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan popular hymn ‘ ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua.’
Salesa represents Manukau East.
Her parents and husband were in parliament to hear her maiden speech.
