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Ashburton shooter arrested

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Police apprehended Russell John TULLY just after 5pm this evening following the armed incident in Ashburton this morning.

Canterbury dog section and AOS apprehended TULLY not far from Lake Hood. No shots were fired although TULLY will be treated for minor dog-bite injuries.

TULLY is now in custody at Ashburton Police Station

Police are still searching for the weapon used in this morning’s shootings.

A decision on charges will be made in due course. This may not happen until tomorrow.

Superintendent Gary Knowles says “the apprehension was a result of excellent teamwork by Police staff. I would like to commend the staff involved in today’s search. I would also like to extend my thanks to the people of Ashburton for their patience and understanding during today’s operation. We know this has been a very difficult day for the people of Ashburton and our thoughts remain with the families of the victims.”

We ask that you respect the privacy of the victim’s families.

Police continue to appeal for anyone with information relating to this incident to contact Christchurch police on (03) 363 7400.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Language: Enriching Aotearoa with Tongan Wisdom

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today launched Tongan Language Week at the Tongan Methodist Church in Otahuhu, Auckland.

Tongan Language Week runs from 1-7 September and the theme this year is‘Ko e kai ia ‘a e Tonga: Enriching Aotearoa with Tongan Wisdom.

“This week is about showcasing Tongan culture, pride and most importantly the Tongan language in New Zealand” Mr Lotu-Iiga said

“It is especially significant to launch this Tongan Language Week at an Early Childhood Education (ECE) fun day run by the Church. With over 300 children, parents and community members present, this truly is the future of the Tongan Language in New Zealand.”

Census data from 2013 shows us that there are 60,336 Tongans in New Zealand, making them the third largest Pacific group after Samoans and Cook Islanders. Tongans were also the fastest growing group since the last Census in 2006.

Tongans born in New Zealand also account for 56 percent of the total Tongan population and around 80 percent of Tongans live in Auckland.

“Preserving our culture, heritage and languages is important. This is why our Government continues to support Language weeks, Pacific resources in ECE and events such as the ASB Polyfest and Pasifika Festival.”

This launch also follows a successful Tongan youth rally held at the Lotofale’ia Church in Mangere last night. Over 800 young people and their families attended this event where the Prime Minister was the guest speaker.

“Speaking to the youth group, the Prime Minister and others spoke about attitude, believing in yourself and you get out of life what you put into it.”

“It is great to see initiatives like these celebrating and encouraging our young people to embrace their Tongan culture, heritage and language.” Mr Lotu-Iiga said

“Celebrating and sharing our cultural identity is essential for the wellbeing of our children, families and the wider community. There is an exciting program of events throughout the week and I would encourage all New Zealanders to take part.” Mr Lotu-Iiga added.

Tongan Language Week is promoted by the Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association alongside the Human Rights Commission. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, community members and other organisations also support this initiative.

Rift over Chinese aircraft splits Tu’ivakano and Deputy

By
Kalino Latu
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Lord Tu’ivakano has removed Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu from the Infrastructure portfolio amid speculation they rowed over the controversial Chinese MA60 aircraft.

The Tongan government has yet to officially release any information and as of today its website still lists Hon Vaipulu’s ministerial portfolio as Minister of Infrastructure, the ministry that responsible for Tonga’s civil aviation. He has been moved to another ministry.

When Vaipulu was Minister of Infrastructure he was instrumental in bringing the controversial Xian MA60 turpo prop to the kingdom.

New Zealand issued a travel advisory and withheld a NZ$18 million grant for Tonga’s Tourism industry because it believed the Chinese aircraft was unsafe.

The Prime Minister’s Acting Secretary did not respond to our email.

Read more:

Kaniva News can reveal that following complaints from Ha’apai islanders about the way Hon Vaipulu handled relief efforts for the islands, the Prime Minister removed him as minister responsible for NEMO, the department that co-ordinates cyclone relief efforts.

We have been reliably informed that tension between the Prime Minister and his deputy flared again after Tonga received a second aircraft from China early last month.

The Harbin Y-12 aircraft, which is operated by Real Tonga Airlines, was commissioned in Vava’u by His Majesty King Tupou VI.

The origins of the aircraft drama can be traced back to March this year when the Prime Minister visited New Zealand and met with New Zealand’s Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hon. Murray McCully.

Lord Tu’ivakano wanted New Zealand to release the tourism funding and remove its travel advisory.

He had to agree to ground the MA60 before New Zealand would back down.

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When the Prime Minister told his cabinet in Nuku’alofa to ground the aircraft,  Hon Vaipulu strongly rejected the move and insisted he would resign.

Hon. Vaipulu was one of the key figures who masterminded the formation of the current government and led to Lord Tu’ivakano to become the first Prime Minister of Tonga’s current system of government.

Chinese aviation reps in kingdom

Last week Hon. Vaipulu introduced a civil aviation bill in Parliament, saying it was intended to fix the 1990 Civil Aviation Act.

While introducing his bill, Vaipulu revealed that a team of 14 personnel from China’s Civil Aviation Administration was in Tonga to help with the kingdom’s aviation law.

He then moved for the Speaker to take a ballot on the bill.

Unusually, the Prime Minister stood up and told his Minister for Law to postpone the balloting as he needed time to look at it. The Prime Minister then reportedly left the House.

The Speaker agreed and the bill was not put to the vote.

The main points

  • Lord Tu’ivakano has removed Deputy Prime Minister Hon Vaipulu from the Transport portfolio amid speculation they rowed over the controversial  Chinese MA60 aircraft.
  • The Tongan  government has yet to officially release any information, but its website lists Hon Vaipulu’s ministerial portfolio as Minister of Infrastructure.
  • Last week Hon Vaipulu introduced a civil aviation bill in Parliament, saying it was intended to fix the 1990 Civil Aviation Act.
  • While introducing his bill, Vaipulu revealed that a team of 14 personnel from China’s Civil Aviation Administration was in Tonga to help with the kingdom’s aviation law.

More information

Harbin Y11/12

‘One killed in Kenyan Y-12 crash’

Two confirmed dead after WINZ shooting

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Police confirm that a male in black balaclava entered the Ashburton WINZ office this morning and has discharged a firearm.

As a result two people are deceased and a third person is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Police have named homeless man John Henry Tully as person of interest.

This is an ongoing situation and a full police response has been deployed.

Residents in the Ashburton area are asked to stay inside at this time.

The male left the scene on a push bike and should not be approached.

Police have no further comment at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Christchurch police on (03) 363 7400.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Loughborough to host Tonga and Namibia

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The University of Loughborough will host Namibia and Tonga’s national rugby union teams in next year’s Rugby World Cup.

It’s one of 41 team bases that will host the 20 teams participating in the tournament in England and Wales which will run between September 18 and October 31, 2015.

Both Namibia and Tonga will be based at the university ahead of their games against Argentina at the King Power Stadium, which will be renamed the Leicester City Stadium for the tournament.

And one of the play off winners to be decided in a competition this October will also have a base at the university.

The Loughborough University Team Base will consist of outdoor pitches and indoor training facilities comprising the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall, the 50 metre swimming pool and Powerbase gym.

Ben Aherne, sports business development manager at Loughborough University, said: “I am delighted that Loughborough University has been selected as an official Team Base for Rugby World Cup 2015, and that we will host some of the teams who will be playing matches in the Midlands region.

“We have built our reputation on sporting excellence and have vast experience of hosting elite teams that have competed at global sporting events.

“Therefore we look forward to welcoming teams onto our campus and supporting their preparations for the tournament.”

England Rugby 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans said: “Rugby, rightly, is at the heart of all our planning and we have worked closely with the teams to ensure that they have access to facilities and a Team Base that meet their individual needs.

“I would like to thank all those who have been part of the Team Base selection process and we are lucky to have some fantastic facilities right across the country.

“With a wide range of excellent facilities and locations secured the teams can be assured of having all their training needs met.”

– Loughborough University.

Man charged over record snapper catch

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An Auckland man was sentenced to 320 hours community work in Papakura District Court on August 15 for taking 325 snappers. 

This is the largest recorded breach of the daily recreational snapper limit.

Loseli Utumoengalu, 43, of Three Kings, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of taking more than his daily recreational allowance of snapper and the intention sell his catch.

It is illegal for recreational fishers to sell their catch. The maximum penalty is five years in prison or a fine of $250,000.

At the time of the offence the daily recreational allowance for snapper for the northeast North Island was nine per person per day. It is now seven per person per day.

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Compliance officers inspected Mr Utumoengalu’s boat at Kawakawa Bay on the 10th of October last year and the catch of the three fishers on board. They were shown a bin containing 27 snapper, which was the joint recreational limit for three fishers.

A further 40 snapper were located under the floor, at which point compliance officers impounded the boat awaiting a court hearing.

On the 14th of October compliance officers noticed an increasingly strong smell of fish coming from the vessel. After unscrewing part of the floor, a further inspection found 258 snapper in the bow of the boat (see picture attached), bringing the total to 325 fish.

During interviews Mr Utumoengalu claimed all the fish were his and he intended to sell them.

One of his fellow fishers, Nancy Utumoengalu, 42, of Three Kings, is also facing charges.

He told compliance officers he wanted to start fishing commercially and he intending to sell the fish to help pay for his start up costs.

Ministry for Primary Industries Compliance Officer Justen Maxwell-McGinn says the huge catch, the effort to conceal it and the intention to sell it makes it a very serious offence.

“This sort of offending is a real risk to the sustainability of any fishery. There wouldn’t be many fish left if everyone behaved like that.

Huge brawl erupts in central Nuku’alofa

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A mass brawl broke out in central Nuku’alofa yesterday Saturday 30, Police have confirmed this morning but could not give further "details".

Police allegedly met with difficulties in trying to break up the fight. An unconfirmed report says it followed with call for Tonga’s military force for back-up.

Comments on social media claim the brawl has led to some of the shop owners in Nuku’alofa to close their doors to avoid the risk of looting and violence.

The brawl involved people who indentified themselves as students of some of the high schools in Tongatapu but people at the scene said majority of them were no longer students.  

The cause of the fight is still unclear but many claimed it was part of recent violence that involved ex-students and supporters of high school rugby teams.

Tonga's Acting Police Commissioner, Pelenatita Fe'ao, says there was a fight but they "don't have details at this point in time". .

Vodafone and TCC sign deal

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) has signed a strategic partnership deal with Vodafone Fiji today at Vodafone’s headquarters in Suva.

The partnership deal is one of the attempts by TCC to resolve challenges it face against its network system.

Fiji Vodafone will assist the Tongan communications company so that it can provide high standard and affordable services to its customers.

The TCC Chair, Larna Aloma Johansson was in Fiji to sign the deal.

She said: “There have been many challenges for us. Perhaps may be the most has been in the area of the network system and providing for the people of Tonga an opportunity to be able to communicate with each other nationally as well as internationally”.

In 2013 Vodafone Fiji recorded about $190million in revenue compared to about $170m in 2012.

Tonga Communications Corporation is a 100% Tongan owned company. In 2013 it made an overall profit of TP$2 million representing an increase of 31% over the previous year.

“TCC operates 2.75G and 3G Mobile as well as 4G Communications networks supporting the very latest in multimedia and mobile Internet services.

“Its local coverage spans all island groups of Tonga including the Niuas, while International Roaming Services are also provided across global countries.

 “The company also invested in securing bandwidth to Tonga via a submarine cable, triggering the single largest infusion of International Bandwidth to Tonga”.

Judith Collins resigns as a Minister

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Prime Minister John Key today announced that Hon Judith Collins has resigned from Cabinet.

Mr Key says the resignation of Ms Collins followed the receipt of new information that raises allegations about Ms Collins’ conduct as a Minister.

“The relationship between a Minister and their Chief Executive is vital, and goes right to the heart of a trusted, effective government.

“This new information suggests Ms Collins may have been engaged in discussions with a blogger in 2011 aimed at undermining the then Director of the Serious Fraud Office. Ms Collins was the Minister responsible for the SFO at the time.

Mr Key released an email which had been recently been provided to his office.

“I have spoken with Ms Collins about the matters in the email, and she strongly denies any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour on her part.

“Ms Collins accepts these are serious allegations and that resigning as a Minister is the honourable step to take in these circumstances.

Mr Key says Ms Collins resignation takes effect immediately, and Hon Christopher Finlayson will be Acting Minister of Justice, Hon Craig Foss will be Acting Minister for ACC, and Hon Hekia Parata will be Acting Minister for Ethnic Affairs.

Pacific languages recognised under Labour

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Labour will act to recognise the five main Pacific languages in New Zealand including through the education system, said Pacific Affairs spokesperson Su'a William Sio.

Announcing Labour's Pacific Island policy he said that there must be a strong commitment to Pacific languages now and into the future. Labour will work alongside Pasifika communities to achieve their aspirations for the next generation of Pasifika people to thrive in New Zealand and to be smart, healthy and bilingual.

"Instead of seeing Pacific languages and cultures as barriers, we should see them as resources, as a gift to the nation and something that enriches all our lives. Unless New Zealand acts quickly and decisively will they cease to be living languages in the coming generations.

"Labour recognises the importance of Pacific people becoming highly skilled and we will fund 1,500 Pasifika Trade trainees over the next four years 

"We will bring together Pasifika community groups, the Industry Training Organisations and tertiary providers to encourage young Pasifika people to succeed.

"Labour will investigate, as part of our wider commitment to public broadcasting, the establishment of a Pasifika television channel.

"Labour will also establish a Pacific Futures Forum. This will build a new collective vision for Pacific people in New Zealand.

"We have one of the fastest growing and most youthful populations in New Zealand. These demographics affirm the role that Pacific people will play in New Zealand's future.

"For New Zealand to do well, Labour believes Pacific People must also do well. The significant role that Pacific people will play in the future social, economic and political fabric of New Zealand cannot be overstated," says Su'a William Sio.

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