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Tonga marks police rememberance day

By
Malia Lesina Kelela Latu
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Tonga was one of the South Pacific nations that commemorate  Police Rememberance Day  on September 29 to remember officers who gave their lives serving the Tongan community.

Senior Constable ‘Amanaki Kisina, Inspector Latu Lavaki and Senior Constable Siaosi Tu’ivailala who passed away while on duty were honoured along with six deceased retirees.

Inspector Latu Lavaki, 51, who headed the Tonga Police Drug Squad, died from a suspected heart attack on June 13, 2014.

Senior constable Siaosi Tu’ivailala died while on duty at the Fua’amotu International Airport in July.

Families of the fallen as well as Tonga's Commissioner of Police, Grant O'Fee
Families of the deceased as well as Tonga’s Commissioner of Police, Grant O’Fee

Minister of Police Siosifa Tu’utafaiva, Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee and New Zealand High Commissioner HE Mark Tablot attended the memorial service with families of the fallen at the Tonga Police Headquaters in Longolongo.

The historical ceremony is held on September 29 every year since 1886 in Austtralia and New Zealand.

Democratic Party meets at Kolonga despite warning from Lord Nuku

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Democratic Party met with constituents of Tongtapu 10 at Kolonga despite being issued with words of prohibition notice on September 20 by the estate holder, Lord Nuku.

Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva told Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, the Party’s candidate for Tongatapu 10 they would meet in Kolonga after Tuʻiʻonetoa relayed to him the message.

The meeting was held and Nuku’s prohibition notice was not enforced.

It was one of the meetings organized by the Party to hold at various constituencies to give supports for their candidates before the November general election.

In an interview with Kaniva News in Tongan, Lord Nuku said after he heard from a radio announcement that the Party has organised a meeting at his estate he contacted Tuʻiʻonetoa and told him he just wanted him to come and meet with the people of Kolonga without the Party

Asked to give the reason why he stopped the Party from meeting in his estate, Nuku said it was because he believed the Party’s agendas would divide his people.

L-R: Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and Lord Nuku
L-R: Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and Lord Nuku

He said he wanted to leave his people to decide for their own in political matters.

Asked whether he believes it was lawful and constitutional for the people to meet and discuss matters of common interest Nuku said he believes the Party should not be supported as Tongan system of government has no party system.

The minister of Police, Hon Siosifa Tuʻutafaiva said police has no power to stop any such meeting or enforce any such prohibition notice given by nobles.

Tuʻutafaiva referred to the Tongan constitution clause 8 which says that people can, “meet and consult concerning matters…provided that they meet peaceably without arms and without disorder”.

When asked what Police would do if Nuku arrived at the meeting and stop them Tuʻutafaiva said what he understood was that the owner of the place where the meeting was conducted in the village should ask the noble to leave.

He has no right to stop the meeting in his house or church building or community hall.

Kolonga was ‘Akilisi’s stronghold and he reminded people who attended the meeting that he was always voted number one in Kolonga before the vote system was changed in 2010.

He also told the audience he is Kolongan through his great grandparent, Nuku Moimoi Angahā.

The meeting was organized by one of Nuku’s uncles, Sione Finefeuiaki also known as Sione Peni.

Kolonga’s town officer was at the meeting and he was reportedly welcomed the Party.

Lord Nuku is one of the 33 nobles of the realm and he was one of the nobles that become a fierce opponent of ʻAkilisi and his colleague in Parliament.

IRB blasts TRU, suggests it “review decision” not to re-appoint ʻŌtai as national rugby head coach

By
Kalino Latu
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The International Rugby Board has told the Tongan Rugby Union it “may wish to review its decision” not to re-appoint Mana ʻŌtai as head coach of the kingdom’s national team, ʻIkale Tahi’.

The suggestion comes as the sting in the tail of a strongly worded letter to the TRU from IRB General Manager for Oceania William Glenwright.

Glenwright told TRU interim CEO Fuka Kitekei’aho the Tongan board’s decision breached a strategic investment agreement with the IRB.

He said the IRB was not prepared to invest any more money in any TRU high performance staff development programme

L-R: 'Ä’peli Taione and Mana 'ÅŒtai.
L-R: ‘Ä’peli Taione and Mana ‘ÅŒtai.

until it could be assured it would be properly managed.

“Mana had been profiled and a professional development plan put in place for him by IRB High Performance consultant David Hadfield,” Glenwright said in the letter, which was dated September 12.

“The IRB has invested approximately TOP370,000 (NZ$241,000) in his employment and development”.

Glenwright said the TRU would have to provide a written explanation of why a performance review was not conducted prior to the decision not to renew the head coach was made.

He described the timing of the TRU’s decision as unwise and inappropriate.

Glenwright laid down a strict set of conditions the TRU would have to meet before the international body would consider any further funding. This included strict terms on how a new coach was to be selected.

He said it would not be possible for the TRU to meet all these requirements before the November tour.

“However the IRB does not believe the recruitment process of the best possible coaching team for Rugby World Cup should be compromised on account of the timing of the decision by the TRU Board and as such the TRU may wish to review its decision whilst the recruitment process is undertaken,” Glenwright said.

Headcoach’s response

ʻŌtai was told by letter on August 20 that his contract would not be renewed when it expired on September 3. He has asked for a formal performance review to explain why he was not renewed, but so far without success.

The TRU told ʻŌtai he was not being renewed because Ikale Tahi had slipped from ninth to 13th place in the world rankings during his tenure.

However, ʻŌtai said that when he started as Tonga’s head coach on September 3, 2012, Íkale Tahi was placed 12th..

‘Ōtai said he brought it up to 11th place by the end of November 2012, although it slipped back to number 12 in December 2013.

ʻIkale Tahi had been ranked 13th for two months, but there were still three more tests in November.

ʻŌtai also denied the TRU’s claim that his relationship with senior players in the Tongan national team was not good.

The TRU has not meet with ʻŌtai to formally discuss its decision. He told Kaniva News in August the first time he knew of the board’s decision not to renew his contract was when he received a telephone call from TRU chair ‘Epeli Taione.

In a written response to the TRU, ʻŌtai said: “I ask that a formal review of my performance is carried out with you all at your earliest convenience.

“I will also answer any questions or concerns you might have as there are a lot of perceptions and documented misinformation about relationship issues between me and senior players, Regulation 9, selection issues to name a few.

“I hope this will lead to a new era in your leadership to create, nurture and sustain a more professional and transparent working environment where we put aside our differences and come together to pass on that experience and feelings to the athletes that are entrusted to us.”

IRB warning

The IRB has expressed serious concern about the TRU’s plan to recruit a new head coach.

Glenwright said the recruitment process for a new head coach for the national team had to be clear and transparent. The position had to be advertised internationally, with a clear job description and a proper shortlisting process.

The selection panel had to be approved by the IRB.

In his letter, Glenwright said some of the members of the selection panel proposed by the TRU were related to some of the applications and this was a clear conflict of interest.

The proposed number of panelists was a concern and that a maximum of three people should be considered.

Most of the panelists did not have experience of the “Modern Game or coaching practices required to assess applicants,” he said.

“Some of the identified coaches are currently contracted to other organizations and we query their availability for the November tour in the meantime.”

In any case, Glenwright has told TRU it must sign the Strategic Investment agreement and meet all the requirements of the IRB, including providing a full explanation of its decision, before the international body would consider any more funding.

KitekeiÊ»aho and Taione did not respond to Kaniva’s request for comments.

The main points

  • The International Rugby Board has told the Tongan Rugby Union it may want to review its decision not to re-appoint Mana ʻŌtai as head coach of the kingdom’s national team, Ê»Ikale Tahi’.
  • The suggestion comes as the sting in the tail of a strongly worded letter to the TRU from the IRB.
  • The Tongan board’s decision breached a strategic investment agreement with the international body, the letter said.
  • The IRB laid down a strict set of conditions the TRU would have to meet before the international body would consider any further funding. This included strict terms on how a new coach was to be selected.

For more information

International Rugby Board

IRB national rugby team rankings

King Tupou VI gives his views on “post 2015 development agenda” to UN

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan people are premised on the sustainable development, management and conservation of the ocean, said His Majesty King Tupou VI in a UN speech yesterday.

The King said Tonga was a “custodian of the Pacific Ocean”, whose natural resources were the “bedrock” of the islands’ economic, social and environmental development.

King Tupou VI’s statement:

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to warmly congratulate you, Mr. Presiden§ on your assumption of the presidency of the Sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly. I assure you that the Tongan delegation will fully support the crucial work ahead vder yow able leadership.

May I express gratitude to yow predecessor, His Excellency Dr. John Ashe, for the sterling manner in which he conducted the previous session, especially his championing of Small Island Developing States issues.

I also pay tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for his exemplary stewardship to advance the United Nations’ commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous world in the midst of diverse, multiples issues it faces today.

Mr. President,

My delegation and I welcome your Theme for this year’s General Debate: “Delivering on and implemenfing a Transfomative Post-2015 Development Agenda” and look forward to the three High-Level Thematic Debates and High-Level Event you will convene next year. As we work together to formulate a historical Post-2015 Development Agenda, we are cognizant that we must be ambition and transformative in our approach to ensure tangible benefits for our people. Responsive access to financial resources is needed to cement the adoption of a meaningful Development Agenda and its full implementation.

Mr. President,

Tonga supports the affirmation that the Intergovernmental Report of the Open-Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be integrated into the Post-2015 Development Agenda, with a global commitment to eradicate Poverty by 2030. The proposed SDGs on Ocean, Seas and Marine resources and Climate Change are intimately, and intricately, woven to the very fabric of the survival of Pacific Small Islands Developing States.

Without them, our joint aspirations for sustainable development and economic growth will not be achieved and we will be left behind. The Small Island Developing States (SDS) Accelerated modality, known as the SAMOA Pathway outcome document, was endorsed by the leaders of SIDS and their partners earlier this month. It is a blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States for thc next decade and therefore must be integrated into the form and substance of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

In order to guarantee harmony in our implementation of the Development Agenda, Tonga concurs that each country should  take primary responsibility for its own economic growth, social development, and environment sustainability. However, this can only be fully realized with the active engagement of all relevant stakeholders through genuine and durable partnerships. We look forword to working together towords ke Summit the September 2015 when Heads of State and Government will adopt a Post-2015 Development Agendn, which will be inclusive and people-cenoed. It will be a historical event adding further meaning to the celebration of the 70‘ Anniversary of the United Nations.

Mr. President,

This year, the Pacific Island Leaders endorsed the Palau Declaration “The Ocean: Life & Future” Charting a Course to Sustaincibility.

Tonga is a joint custodian of ke Pacific Ocean whose natural resources are the bedrock of Pacific Island economic, social, and environmental development. The well-being of the Tongan people is therefore, premised on the Sustainable Development, management. and conservation of the Ocean and its resources.

The management of seabed exploration and exploitation is an important facet of Tonga’s interests in the oceans and has worked diligently through the relevant insnméons established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to ensure activity within the Area located in the Pacific Ocean is managed appropriately for the benefit of humankind.

Mr President,

Tonga, for the first time, sought election to a seat at the relevant body established under UNCLOS, the Council of the International Seabed Authority, and was elected by acclamation by the member States. This year, Tonga passed legislation related to seabed mining activities within Tonga’s jurisdiction and under the provisions of the UNCLOS. Tonga joined its Pacific Island neighbours in supporting the call for the launching of negotiations by September 2015 for an International Agreement under UNCLOS for the management, and conservation of the Ocean and its resources both within, and in areas beyond its national jurisdiction.

Mr. President,

Tonga commends the Secretary-General’s initiative to convene the recent Climate Summit for World leaders, to deliver bold announcements on Climate Change mitigation and adaptation. In the spirit of sustaining International cooperation, we support the call to urgently address the adverse impact of Climate Change. The collective response will be subject to the outcome of the on-going negotiations through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Nevertheless, the response must be based upon the principles of equity, and of common but differentiated responsibility as enshrined within the Convention. The principles and overall objective espoused by the Convention, have to be fully observed, if the threat of Climate Change is to be effectively addressed and overcome for our common benefit.

The 2013 World Risk Report had ranked Tonga as the second most vulnerable country in the world to natural disasters. This vulnerability was evidenced by our first Category 5 Cyclone earlier this year that devastated our cenral island   group, displacing thousands, resulting in millions or dollar worth of damage. However and fortunately, it caused only one fatality. Today, this same central island group is experiencing an unseasonal drought.

Tonga has used a whole-of-country approach, through its Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management, to find a basis to move forward with its adaptation measures. In terms of mitigation, Tonga is incrementally reducing its fossil fuel consumption.

Mr. President,

Tonga applauds the High-Level Event on Combating Climate Change and recalls Pacific Island countries as among the first to raise the alarm on the implications of Security and Climate Change, both regionally and universally. In this regard, Tonga supports the call for the reconsideration by the Security Council to recognize the linkage between Climate Change and International peace and security.

Furthermore, Tonga advocates the call for the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative on Climate and Security to research this linkage   and report back to Member States.

Mr. President,

Tonga associates itself with Member States to appeal for a meaningful approach beyond the rhetoric, to reform the Council to be more representative and inclusive through the Intergovernmental process. Moreover, we underpin the supplication by Heads of State and Government in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, to include the important work of revitalizing the General Assembly.

This overall reform process must continue in order to ensure greater efficiency, representativeness, and transparency throughout the United Nation system as a whole. This will allow this great Institution to be more adequately prepared to respond to the realities of which we live in today.

Mr. President,

Finally, for future generations to live in a better world, we must work harmoniously to fulfil our responsibilities and seek the Almighty God to guide us through rising challenges.

Labour leader David Cunliffe resigns

By
Kaniva Staff
-

I have today decided to resign the leadership of the Labour Party, effective from the end of caucus on Tuesday.

The party has suffered an historic election loss and in resigning as leader I take responsibility for that.

The party will review all the contributing factors. That process has begun and I give it my full support.

Labour’s values are New Zealand’s values. But the election result has reinforced that the Labour Party must change in order to uphold and communicate those values.

I was elected one year ago with a mandate to lead change.

In that time I have worked to pull the party and caucus together and put every resource available to the service of the campaign.

Clearly there is much more to do, and the party’s direction must be respected. There is no room for division or airing differences through the media despite agreement to the contrary.

The recent election confirms that Labour needs a more comprehensive overhaul.

We need to renew and rebuild our culture, accountabilities, how we do things and present to the world.

Achieving that in time for the 2017 election will require experienced and determined leadership with a broad mandate.

Whatever decisions are made must be in the best interests of New Zealand to have a strong and vital Labour Party.

The Party’s interests must come before any personal interests. I have thought carefully before responding to the calls to re-offer myself for the leadership of the party.

Consultation with colleagues, members and affiliates has affirmed that the whole party must participate in this choice, and not just one part of it.

Therefore I am announcing today that I will nominate for a primary contest, which will be held across the caucus, the party membership and the affiliates as the party constitution requires.

The process is a matter for the party Council, but the work we have begun towards creating a better country with opportunities for all New Zealanders must be fast tracked.

I would like to take this moment once again to thank my family and friends, my parliamentary colleagues, my office staff, my electorate committee, staff and volunteers, and the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who voted Labour and who believe that Labour is a vital part of New Zealand’s future.

It is a privilege to lead the Labour Party. It is a great and proud party. It has the best interests of all New Zealanders at heart.

It has the values needed to create a fairer and more progressive society. I intend with the endorsement of the Party, to lead Labour to victory in 2017 so we can implement them.

I am now going to resume a long-booked family holiday until Monday evening and won’t be available for further media comment.

 

Primary school boy dies after imitating suicide

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A government primary school boy was found hanging from a rotary clothesline in his home last week after he tried to imitate the act of committing suicide.

Latu Kali, a class six student at Popua Primary School was believed to have been playing with his classmates when he put his t-shirt around his neck and tied it to the clothesline.

He told his friends to leave as he was going to sleep but he was later found dead.

An autopsy report says the death has been classified as a suicide.

Kali’s funeral was held on Wednesday 24.

He was the fourth of nine children born to Vaivevea and Naisa Kali of Popua.

Fa’asisila family desperate for answers to 15-year mystery

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The parents of 13-year-old James William Faʻasisila whose body was discovered wrapped in a blanket three days later near the Union Pacific railroad tracks at Huntwood Avenue and Newhall Street, believe someone out there knows what had happened.

On a miserable day in August 12, 1999 James was last seen riding with an older boy on a bicycle.

Police had officially closed the case without being able to locate who killed or how James died.

William James Faʻasisila
William James Faʻasisila

After 15 years, his parents Pauline and Tuʻineau as well as other family members and friends recently visited and laid flowers at the scene where James was found dead.

James spent a month with his family in Tonga before they returned home in the United States where he unexpectedly died.

Government agrees to discuss PSA's concerns over appointment of acting chief secretary and secretary to cabinet

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu met with Public Service Association (PSA) yesterday to discuss matters related to what it claimed as “unlawful employment of the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet”, Mr ʻAholotu Palu.

The PSA demanded that the Finance Minister Hon. Dr. ʻAisake Eke immediately resigns from his ministerial post.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō PSA also said it was extremely concerned by the resignation of the PSC’s commissioners and CEO following a decision made by cabinet not to support an appointment they made for a new chairperson for the Public Service Commission. Kaniva News has been informed the Deputy Prime Minister, who is currently the acting Prime Minister,  has yet to accept the resignation.

PSA claimed the Finance Minister Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke supported a decision made by cabinet to dissolve the PSC because they delayed re-appointing Palu as an interim Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.

Kaniva’s attempts to obtain comments from the Prime Minister’s Office were unsuccessful.

The PSA also claims Hon. Eke refused to recommend to Cabinet “a fair and just COLA for the employees in Government in the past 8 months”.

It also said it was ready to take “strike action” if government ignores its demands.

The letter was sent yesterday Thursday 25 to the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. It was immediately responded to by the Deputy Prime Minister.

PSA says Hon. Vaipulu promised in yesterday’s meeting that further “Talanoa” (talks) will be conducted between PSA and government until they resolve the issues.

“The PSA is grateful for this first step made by the Acting PM to resolve the issues before an industrial takes place,” PSA’s Secretary General Mele ‘Amanaki said.

PSA previously threatened to go on strike claiming government did not fully keep to its promise for a 5 percent rise it promised at the beginning of this year. The association announced it will go on strike next month.

The strike threat loomed last week after the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) CEO and its commissioners tendered their resignations claiming the government of Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō did not support the appointment of a chairperson for the PSC chosen by a panel that involved  PSC’s CEO Dr Pelenatina Langa’oi, PSC’s commissioner Finau Tutone, Tonga’s Auditor General Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, CEO for the Ministry of Information Paula Ma’u and Minister of Education, Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki.

More IRB eligibility changes end Pacific teams’ hope

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Further changes made by IRB to its player eligibility rules had been lambasted as a move to cripple the Pacific Islands rugby union teams.

Tonga Rugby Union chair, ‘Epeli Taione, criticised the new changes and said Tonga will launch a complaint.

After the Olympic committee agreed to recognise rugby sevens as an Olympic sport starting in 2016, IRB announced in July that under its handbook regulation 8, players can switch to a second nation in sevens at the 2016 Olympics if they hold a passport for that country, have not played international rugby for at least 18 months and play at least one tournament in the upcoming World Series.

IRB has again changed the rules and now the fifteen players have to serve a three-year stand-down and play in four sevens tournaments and at the Olympics before they can make the switch.

This was bad news for Pacific Island countries who began inviting players who played at tier one nations to play for them in next year’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The new rules say the earliest to recruit  players from other countries  will be at the end of 2016. This was because players who wanted to play for their new countries have to participate in the sevens tournament at Rio’s Olympic Games 2016.

Also the players who will switch nations will not be able to revert to their former Union should their application to play for a second Union fall through, the new rules say.

Taione told Radio New Zealand International they were disappointed by the latest changes.

He said: “… They call it the Rugby World Cup but it might as well be one just for New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the home nations, because they don’t want anybody else to compete. It is quite frustrating and I’m pretty sure that Fiji and Samoa share the views on this. We will have a formal complaint about this. We certainly don’t think it is in the right spirit of the sport – they seem to make the rules as they go.”

Obituary: Feofaʻaki-Ki-Nasinu Pāongo dies

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Feʻofaʻaki Ki-Nasinu Pāongo, age 47, passed away suddenly, Saturday, September 20, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He was born November 1, 1966 in Koulo, Haʻapai, Tonga to Sēfana Malupō and Fātima Tokomaʻata Pāongo.

On December 17, 1988 he married Lavinia Veiongo Lutui in the Tonga LDS Temple.

Aki grew up in Tonga. After his mother’s untimely death, he was raised by his adopted family, Asulusi & Piuela Vailea in Tonga, with his two adopted sisters, Sisilia Taliauli (Toni) and Mounga Pututau (Mataliki) . He served an L.D.S. Mission in Tonga before his marriage. They moved to Hawaii for a year before moving to Bunkerville in 2008.

Aki worked as an electrician. He was a very fun, and loving friend, husband and father. He was always laughing and joking and making

Feofaʻaki Ki-Nasinu Pāongo,
Feʻofaʻaki Ki-Nasinu Pāongo,

everyone feel welcome and comfortable. He dedicated his life to his family and he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife Lavinia; three sons & three daughters all of Mesquite, except two daughters on Missions: Sioeli, Francis in the Dallas Texas Mission, Gabriella in the Chicago Illinois Mission; Fatima, Feofaaki Jr. and Melekiseteki; four brothers and two sisters: Sioeli (Akesa) of Texas; Unaloto (Lisia) of Tonga; Fangufangu (Misinale) Tautuiaki of Hawaii; Semisi (Ofeina) of Tonga; Tevita (Brenda) of Hawaii and Haunani (Petueli) Tuita of Tonga.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center. Visitation will be Friday, September 26, 2014 from 6 – 10 p.m. and again from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Interment will follow in the Bunkerville Cemetery.

SOURCE: meaningfulfuneral̄.net

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