Sunday, February 22, 2026
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 904

Three fined for hurling stones at police car

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan magistrate court has fined Thursday, November  21 three male teenagers hundreds of dollars for pelting  a police car with stones.

Soane Loloa, 17, Suli Lau’i 17, and ‘Alamoti Hopoi  19 were each told by Magistrate Similoni Tu’akalau to pay $666.67 to cover for the damages.  Tu’akalau also reprimanded the trio.

The magistrate court heard the Nuku'alofa Station Police Superintend Tevita Fifita was patrolling the Patangata area on September 14 at around 8pm..

When the police car approached the village the officer indicated the emergency lights. 

The accused were drunk and were at the roadside.

One of them yelled out and told the officer to just indicate only one light. The officer stopped and questioned the accused.

The teenagers eventually hurled abuse at him but the officer  got into the car and left to the other end of the village.

When he returned the boys threw stones at the car breaking the rear screen and disappeared.

Police were called to the scene and after scouring the area two of the accused were arrested.  The third was arrested later on and charged.  

The court was told the teenagers did not know that it was a police car and that the person they verbally abused was a Police Superintend.

The lawyer for the accused told the magistrate the boys have no previous criminal records and this was the first time they committed a crime.

He also told the magistrate the teenagers are unemployed and they just stay home and help their parents with domestic chores and fishing.

New procedure for police record needs

By
Kalino Latu
-

Press Release:

Due to pressure of work the following procedure will be followed for people wishing to get a police clearance. The only exceptions will be for urgent cases that were not known about in advance, such as funerals. These can only be approved by the Deputy Commissioner or Commissioner of Tonga Police. This will commence as of Monday the 2nd of December 2013.

Documents are required for the process of Police Record

  1. Original copy of IDs – Birth Certificate OR Passport.  Copies must be certified as true copy.
  2. Marriage certificate if maiden name needs changing
  3. If applicant for a Police Record is overseas, he/she is required to provide fingerprint taken at the nearest/available Police Station (POLICE STATION ONLY) and send together with either one of the above documents mentioned on numbers 1 & 2.

Procedure.

  1. Payment for Police Record is at the Nuku’alofa Central Police Station together with either your passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate if required.
  2. Address MUST also be given to the cashier.
  3. Processing time – Every police record MUST take 4 working days with effect from date of payment e.g. if you pay on a Monday, you should be able to pick it up from the office where the payment was made at 2.00pm (not earlier) on Friday of the same week.

Fee

  1. Tongan citizen                                 –           TOP$1.73 (for local use only)
  2. Tongan citizen                                 –           TOP$5.75 (when required for overseas purposes only)
  3. Foreigners                                         –           TOP$17.25

For further details if required please do not hesitate to contact the Scene of Crime Office, Nuku’alofa Central Police Station at telephone number 22-790.

Tonga Development Bank's new office in Hihifo

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku'alofa, TO:  On Wednesday morning, November 27, the Honourable Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano opened a new branch of the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) in the Western District of Tongatapu. This new office is based at the Tu’ivakano Poutele Hall in Nukunuku.

In addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister said that,” TDB continues its commitment to promoting Tonga’s economic and social advancement by providing high quality and responsive development banking and other selected commercial services, while operating professionally as a profitable and financially sound development financing institution.”

“It is a vision shared by the Government of Tonga and the Bank that this financial institution be recognized as Tonga's best provider of development finance with selected commercial activities which employs prudent banking principles to meet customer needs demonstrates integrity and operates profitably”, highlighted the Prime Minister.

While there are three other commercial banks in operation and a new International Commercial Bank from China to open next year, the Tonga Development Bank maintains its position as leading development financing institution for Tonga, its communities and people.

The Bank has loaned out T$45 million pa’anga to agriculture, women’s development projects, fisheries, construction, home development, school fees, tourism and other areas.

It is now reported to have more than 9900 customers. Over the past 3 years, an average of $17 million pa’anga a year is loaned out for economic related activities which helps boost the business sector in Tonga.

Nukunuku is an ideal location as it is central to the villages in the Western District and will reduce expenses for these residents in commuting to Nuku’alofa for their banking needs. The Hihifo Office will also carry out all banking services offered at the Bank’s Head Office in Nuku’alofa.

Villages from Fatai to Ha’atafu and Ha’alalo to Houma will be serviced from this Hihifo District Office at Nukunuku. Similarly, the Eastern District of Tongatapu is serviced by the TDB’s Hahake District Office at Tatakamotonga

The Tonga Development Bank- Your Partner in Development marks 2013 as the 36th year of providing development banking services to the people of Tonga. TDB is committed to continue reaching out and making banking services conveniently accessible to all its valued customers.

Tongan Government's Christmas Holidays 2013

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku'alofa, TO : His Majesty’s Cabinet has approved on 21 November, 2013 that the Christmas and New Year Vacation 2013/2014 for the Public Service be observed from 8:30 am 23rd December 2013 until 4:30 pm 3rd January 2014.

This means that the last day for normal Government services will be Friday, December 20, 2013. Government will break for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 6, 2014.

Meanwhile, all Government offices in the Kingdom will be closed at 4:00pm, during the usual Prayer Week (Uike Lotu) of the first week of January 2014.

Angry Tongans lash out at UK article about Tongan royals

By
Kalino Latu
-

A number of furious Tongan royalists on social media branded an article published by a UK news website about the King of Tonga as “absolutely rubbish and borrowed material” and labelled a well-known UK writer as “a rude person”.

In the article this week, “Duke of Gloucester takes tea with the King of Tonga”, it says “King Tupou VI of Tonga attended the unveiling of a plaque in memory of his older brother King George Tupou V, who died of leukaemia last year, in Cleveland Square, Bayswater”.

The reporter grabbed the opportunity to jokingly reminisce on the past and how the Tongan royals connected with the British Royals but it received an outrage from the Tongan community.

King Tupou VI's grandmother Queen Salote Tupou III (1900 – 1965) attended the Queen of Britain’s coronation in 1953. 

It was raining during a long procession by leaders from various countries of the world who attended the royal event to show their respect for the British Queen.

The smiling Queen Salote won the hearts and acclaim of the waiting crowds as she refused to raise the roof of her carriage for protection from the rain.

There was a person sitting in front of Queen Salote’s carriage and Princess Marina supposed to ask Noel Coward, a well-known British writer, who is that little man.

Coward is said to have peered through the rain and said "Oh, her lunch, my dear."

This was quoted by the London Evening Standard’s website this week in its article for the King Tupou VI saying, “When asked who was the man in the carriage with her, Noël Coward is said to have replied: “Her lunch.”

A Tongan Falamoe Fau'ese Weber who lives in Leonberg, Germany found it offensive and wrote on Facebook .

“The so often told "lunch that sat beside Queen Salote during the Coronation in 1953" is not at all my type of humour!!” Weber said.

In a later interview with Walter Harris, Coward revealed it had been said by someone at White's Club and was immediately attributed to Coward.

"It was very flattering of course, except that I had intended to visit Tonga the following winter, and after that of course it was quite impossible," Coward was quoted by another website.

The London Standard Evening’s article however concludes by saying:

“How times change. There were no politically incorrect jokes yesterday, and no lunch. Just a Devonshire cream tea, with sandwiches and cakes”.

Another Tongan, Senolita Swan who lives in Britain was outraged and immediately registered a comment on the website yesterday saying:

“As a Tongan, I find it sad to see your writer(s) write absolutely nothing – you have not got anything what-so-ever to write about the King of Tonga unveiling the plaque in Bayswater.

“It occurs to me that you didn't even know anything about his visit. So you resolved to write absolutely rubbish and borrowed material from even more guttering shallow writing of the past – by snobbish writers.

“Get over yourselves – oh there are lots of evening classes where one could go and learn how to write basic story lines – perhaps you should all go back and learn how to write a story.

"By the way – Noel Coward was a rude person who thought he was larger than life – what he said was not a joke, nor anything to do with political correctness – it was a bloody insult to foreign leaders who travelled to this country to the coronation.

We have never found Noel Coward joke funny and we didn't laugh then, we are not laughing now. Her Majesty Queen Salote III was most love by her people – this is not about political correctness, it is about respect – something your world is rather lack of……Malo"

 ‘Olivia Ve’etutu also wrote on Facebook, “One writer in a millions who sees crap all the time about other Royals who are respected and adored by their Monarch! We can understand they'll never have a chance to even take an interview with their own Royals”

Kiwis in Oz should be treated the same as Aussies in NZ

By
Kalino Latu
-

Auck, NZ: New Zealanders in Australia should be treated the same way as Australians in New Zealand are treated, Labour leader David Cunliffe has told an Australian audience this evening.

Mr. Cunliffe made his speech at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney.

“The fact is, for all sorts of historical reasons, New Zealanders living in Australia are not treated equivalently to Australians living in New Zealand.

The law was changed in 2001 preventing New Zealanders in Australia from accessing most government support and welfare programmes.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott declared his Government was unlikely to remove discrimination against expatriate Kiwis after Prime Minister John Key raised the issue during talks in Canberra last month.

Mr. Cunliffe said Australians studying in New Zealand can access New Zealand’s student support payments after two years, while most New Zealanders studying in Australia cannot access equivalent Commonwealth payments at all.

New Zealanders living in Australia must pay for public disability insurance, but most cannot access any if they become disabled. Australians living in New Zealand pay into our ACC system and can access it if the need arises.

Another fundamental area where the fair go does not go both ways lies in paths to citizenship.

Australian nationals who come to live in New Zealand and wish to become New Zealanders; who work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the community can eventually be full participants in New Zealand life.

But many New Zealand nationals who come to live in Australia, and who wish to become Australians; who work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the community have no equivalent path.

Australians who move to New Zealand become permanent residents on arrival, whereas most New Zealanders who move to Australia are not accorded the same status.

No one could argue against a reasonable and credible pathway to permanent residence for New Zealanders in Australia. But our shared commitment to a fair go requires us to have a hard look at the status quo.

There is a widespread but misconceived impression that NZ migrants to Australia are of lower than average skill levels and more likely than average to be unemployed.

The reality is very different. New Zealanders moving to Australia, of whom we have regrettably had over 200,000 in the life of our current government alone, tend to have higher than average skill levels and to be from younger than average age cohorts.

In many cases they bring with them the benefit of years of investment from the New Zealand education system, including at tertiary level.

Mr Cunliffe said he was committed to working with Australian counterparts to make sure that the ANZAC tradition of equality and respect was strengthened.  

Friend’s birthday missed Anaseini

By
Kalino Latu
-

AUCKALAND, NZ: A nine year old girl, Katrina Harimate said she planned to celebrate her birthday with her “real” friend ‘Anaseini Ma’asi, the six year old girl who died in a house fire Monday 25, at Onehunga.

Katrina and her brother Wayne were at the scene to lay a bouquet of flowers beside ‘Anaseini’s driveway.

“I missed her…Seini is just a nice girl, we used to play here” Katrina told Kaniva News, with her young brother Wayne adding, “That’s her bike there”, pointing his figure at Anaseini’s bike which was parked by a garage.

Katrina, who turned nine on Tuesday 26 and used to bike and cycle together with ‘Anaseini, rode her bike in a driveway they shared with the house where 'Anaseini lived but was in a sombre mood.

Fire investigators said the fire started as a result of a three-year-old child playing with matches.

Katrina’s grandmother, Kathlyn said her nine year old grandaughter looked forward to celebrate her birthday with ‘Anaseini yesterday Tuesday 26.

“She did not know what had happened because she was in Papatoetoe.

“I picked her up this morning it was really hard for me to explain to her what had happened and that Anaseini has gone,” the grandmother said.

Firefighters said when the family were alerted of the fire, the children’s mother, ‘Amelia Ma’asi did not know that ‘Anaseini was having a nap in the room.

It was only when they came out of the house she realised Anaseini was not with them.

Attempts by family and neighbours to retrieve the six year old from the second storey of the house were unsuccessful as the fire grew strong and beat them back.

The fire brigade arrived and managed to remove the victim’s body from the house, but despite several attempts to revive her, she died.

Fire Service national manager of fire investigation and arson Peter Wilding said fires grow incredibly quickly and the family did not have enough time to save both of the children.

"In the time it took to remove that one little child out of that room, take them downstairs and come back to the room the fire had developed to a point they couldn't make entry again and that is the tragedy.

"Neighbours had a go but the products that are in a home nowadays – the polyurethane foams, the cushions, the linings, it generates so much smoke it's just impenetrable if you don't have the sort of equipment that firefighters have,"

He said a fire alarm in the Housing New Zealand home had given enough warning for the small child to be removed and the rest of the family to safely evacuate.

"So from that point of view it could have been a lot worse without a smoke alarm."

Miss Face of Beauty International 2013 exclusive interview

By
Kalino Latu
-

Exclusive:

Kalino: You have been awarded Miss Face of Beauty International 2013 in Thailand while you represented Tonga. What is the plan now?

Diamond: I am looking to go out to New York or London for a casting I have been offered to peruse my career in Modelling. In the time being my focus right now is to help the people in the Philippines as much as I can I will be having a Fundraiser soon to raise money to take to back to the Philippines.

Kalino: I assume that you had never expected going to London or US before you won the Face of Beauty International, how did you feel when you were offered the opportunity?

Diamond: I was raised in America before coming to Australia, one day I knew I had to go back to America or to London to peruse Modelling. Truly grateful for the opportunities that have opened up but it wouldn't have been possible without the guidance & help of God & my parents. 

Kalino: Let’s look at Bankok.  Did you have any expectations of what the Island might be like before you arrived?

Diamond: No I didn't have any expectations. It was my first time travelling to Bangkok so I went there with an open mind to learn as much as I can about the culture but most importantly the people. 

Kalino: So what were your first impressions of Pattaya and Bankok?

Diamond: My First impressions of Pattaya & Bangkok was how friendly the people where there. It has a tropical atmosphere with all the palm trees & water surroundings. It reminds me of the Islands. The night life is huge & busy in Thailand, to my surprise markets & shops are still open very late & everyone is still selling food or making something. I thought it was interesting & exciting to take on board their culture & lifestyle & learn more about it. 

Kalino: Can you name and describe some of the tourist attractions in Pattaya you have been to as part of the contest?

Diamond: Some of the Tourist attractions that I loved in Pattaya during the contest that we went to visit was the "Pattaya Floating Markets" All the contestants got into a little boat that could fit about 4-8 people and we would travel in water & see all the shops that we could buy clothes from & food stalls we could grab something to eat. 

"The Golden Mount" was a heavenly experience for me. We walked up to the top of the Mount seeing beautiful displays along the way & as we reached the top it almost felt like I was in Heaven. It was very peaceful with positive surrounding everywhere you walked, with a stunning view of the city.

"The Sanctuary Of Truth" Was a place I couldn't stop saying wow to every where I looked. The whole place was made out of wood carvings with meaning to each & every display that was carved. This is the place I first encountered an Elephant & touched one. 

"Nongnooch Garden & Resort" This was probably the biggest garden & animal display I have ever seen in my life. We got to ride on the Elephant & took a tour around the Garden getting to see all the plants & flowers that were there. It would probably take 2 days to see the whole place without missing anything.

Kalino: Have you been enjoying the unique local cuisine of Pattaya? Have you managed to sample any of Pattaya's incredible sea foods?

Diamond: I loved the cuisine in Pattaya. At first I wasn't use to eating so much rice but now I'm the biggest fan & still eat rice with everything here at home. The spicy foods was something I still had to get use to but I loved the flavours they put together. I had quite a bit of sea food when I was there I couldn't miss out sea food is my favourite. 

Kalino: How would you describe Pattaya to your friends and families back in Australia and Tonga who have never heard of it before?

Diamond: If I had to describe Pattaya I would say it's one of the biggest loud/night life city's I have been to. Everyone is awake, stores are still open. It's good for those who love shopping you would defiantly shop till morning there. 

Kalino: What benefit the Kingdom of Tonga would have from your  winning of the Face of Beauty International contest title?

Diamond: The benefit of The Kingdom would be more tourist would want to visit our island & also be interested in learning about the culture. Putting Tonga on the Map on a international platform when it comes to High fashion, beauty within our island & modelling. 

Kalino: Have you been receiving any contacts from the Tongan authorities like Tourism after your  award?

Diamond: I haven't been receiving any contact from the Tongan Tourism authorities. Everyone contacts my National director. But I will be in Tonga soon working with the Tongan Tourism to help our people & do charity work. 

Kalino: What does winning the Miss Face of Beauty International title mean to you?

Diamond: Winning the Title means so much to me. It gives me the opportunity to show the world what our friendly kingdom has to offer but most importantly it Gives me the opportunity to help those in need & give those who don't have a voice the chance to be heard. 

Kalino: So finally Diamond you are going to represent Tonga at the coming Miss Earth competition. When is that and can you describe why you should become the next Miss Earth?

Diamond: Since winning the Title for Face of beauty I cannot compete in another beauty competition till my reigning finishes in 12 months. But Miss Earth has announced I'm the first candidate for Miss Earth 2014 

Tongan girl killed in fire named

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED: A six year old girl who died in a house fire yesterday afternoon at the corner of Oranga and Rawhiti Rd in Onehunga has now been named.

Desperate attempts at CPR by paramedics and fire crew were unsuccessful at reviving ‘Anaseini Ma’asi, who died after inhaling fumes from a fire that caused by a three year old toddler playing with matches.

Parents Muli and ‘Amelia Ma’asi were not at the scene when Kaniva News arrived this afternoon but a Tongan who lived closed by said the family moved and now staying at Muli’s parents’.

She called on her cellphone to talk to 'Amelia  telling Kaniva she is her close friend and wanted to ask her when would ‘Anaseini’s body be released from hospital.  No one answered the phone.

Eight children were in the house while the second storey went ablaze.

A ten-year-old managed to drag the three-year-old to safety after the house's smoke alarm went off.

Fire Service national manager of fire investigation and arson Peter Wilding said fires grow incredibly quickly and the family did not have enough time to save both of the children.

"In the time it took to remove that one little child out of that room, take them downstairs and come back to the room the fire had developed to a point they couldn't make entry again and that is the tragedy".

Fire investigators were working at the scene but left when Kaniva News arrived.

They will be back tomorrow morning, they said.

The Fire Service says the incident has been the first fatality in a series of 200 house fires lit by children over the past three years.

House fire: Tongan family mourn death of six year old girl

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police are investigating a house fire which killed a six year old girl in South Auckland Monday 25.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Oranga Ave in Onehunga around 4:40pm to  find the second storey of a Housing New Zealand's house went ablaze.

Preliminary examinations by firefighters have revealed the fire started as a result of another child, aged three, playing with matches inside the house.

Smoke alarms were installed in the house, which were set off quickly – alerting a ten-year-old child to drag the toddler to safety while those in the house called 111.

Kaniva understand there were eight members in the house when the fire started.  

"It is very sad that the six year- old was unable to be rescued," says Fire Investigation and Arson's Peter Wilding.

"This tragic incident shows the importance of keeping matches out of children's hands and out of harms way."

Paramedics performed CPR on the girl, who was found deceased in a bedroom.

Mr Wilding says it had been over three years since a child died in a house fire in New Zealand.

A Tongan resident at Onehunga talked to Kaniva News and said he understands a Tongan family belong to the Tongan- Catholic Church of Assumption at Onehunga were staying in the house. They are from Lapaha in Tonga, he added.

1...903904905...930Page 904 of 930
© Copyright 2026 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment