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Vahefonua Tonga says ‘no to gay wedding ceremony’

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan Methodist churches’ executive body, known as Vahefonua Tonga in New Zealand, took a firm stand against gay marriage saying that its church buildings will not host gay wedding ceremonies and its presbyters will not solemnise them either.

This was declared by the Synod Superintendent of the Vahefonua Tonga O Aotearoa National Synod Rev Setaita Kinahoi Veikune in a letter sent to the Methodist general secretary Rev David Bush

It says, “While English-speaking parishes are deciding at the local level Vahefonua Tonga decided at the synod level that no presbyters stationed to Vahefonua Tonga will officiate at same-sex marriages and those marriages will not be hosted in any Vahefonua Tonga parish’.

There are 37 Tongan Methodist churches in New Zealand that come under the control of the Vahefonua Tonga. Among those churches, some Tongan congregation shares the use of a Methodist property with an English speaking congregation.

Rev Veikune told the general secretary if gay couples want their wedding performed in those churches, Vahefonua Tonga would like it to “be discussed with the parish council”.

Rev Veikune’s letter sided with the Methodist’s President against those gay couples who think they should be given the freedom to do their wedding in any Methodist Churches in New Zealand.

President Rev Rex Nathan, and vice president, Jan Tasker wrote that, “Methodist presbyters are permitted to officiate at same-sex marriages but are not required to do so, in line with the legislation. Local congregations can also make their own decisions on the use of their premises.”

The Marriage Amendment Act legalizing same-sex marriage in New Zealand took effect on April 19.

Since then the Methodist congregations and presbyters throughout the country have been grappling to find answers to divergent views over same-sex marriage, according to the Methodist’s Touchstone newspaper.

“Earlier this year, the congregations discussed two questions”, it says. “First, would they allow their church buildings to be used for a same-sex marriage? Second, would they be able to station a gay presbyter?”

The responses from the English congregations expressed different views ranges from in favour of and in opposition to hosting and to solemnising same-sex marriage.

“St Lukes Northcote voted strongly against hosting same-sex marriages and narrowly against stationing a gay presbyter.

The Takapuna congregation voted narrowly in favour of hosting same-sex marriages, and 60 percent were in favour of stationing a gay presbyter”.

In October last year, about 300 people from the Tongan community across Auckland marched in protest against the bill to legalise same-sex marriage.

The march was staged at the Lotofale’ia Methodist Church of Mangere.

Tokaikolo church continues its dismissal campaign

By
Kalino Latu
-

In what has become the latest in a slew of recent church disputes, the Tokaikolo Church has written to Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa telling him that he has been excommunicated by the church, according to a decision made in a meeting on September 26.

The letter of dismissal was signed by Rev Po’uli Vaki of the Tokaikolo Christian Church International Headquarter, based in Lavengamalie.

A removal order was also sent by the Tokaikolo to the parish pastor of the Kolomotu’a’s Mo’ui Fo’ou ‘Ia Kalaisi’s church residence, Rev Kava Faʻoliu demanding he moves out of the pastoral house by October 10.  

Dr Tu’i’onetoa is Tonga’s Auditor General and he was one of the founding members of the Tokaikolo church since its inception in 1980  by the Founder  Rev Pastor Senituli Koloi.

As an insider, Dr Tu’i’onetoa once described the situation in the Tokaikolo Church as ‘absolute chaos’. He also described the Leader Rev Liufau Saulala as a ‘prevaricator’ and a ‘fabricator’.  

The Mo’ui Fo’ou ‘Ia Kalaisi Church community of Kolomotu’a was one of the congregations that broke away from the Tokaikolo Church in July this year following a political conflict within the church and legal action filed in Auckland.  

That disturbance caused more than 80 percent of its members to defect and they established the Mo’ui Fo’ou ‘Ia Kalaisi Church.

In an email to Kaniva News, Dr Tu’i’onetoa regarded his expel by the Tokaikolo as a ‘laughing stock’ and ‘meaningless’.

He said the letter should have stated clearly what church’s policy or constitution he breached, if there were any.

The letter should also have given him a chance to respond to his dismissal, he added.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa was overseas at the time and he said the matter should have gone through ‘due process of law’ including allowing him to attend the meeting and make response to the charges.

He said he would talk to his lawyer regarding his dismissal.

The removal order sent to the Kolomotu’a pastor to leave the house implied the residence legally belongs to the Tokaikolo.

But Dr Tu’i’onetoa has a different story.

He said, since the establishment of the church in Kolomotu’a the residential property, the church building  and the land belonged to the church members of Kolomotuʻa and not the Tokaikolo church.

Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa said since the church members are mainly elderly he did not want to burden them with loans and donation to build the church .

Instead he and another church member, Hepeti Takeifanga, both working at the government decided to lodge a personal loan through the Westpac Bank of Tonga to build the Kolomotu’a Tokaikolo Church.

They asked the Tokaikolo Church head office to act as guarantor of the loan, but it was declined.

 “I still have with me a letter in 2008 from the Tokaikolo’s secretary at the time,  Rev Manatu Tu’iono informing me the Tokaikolo had declined our request to become a guarantor of a personal loan under my name and that of Hepeti Takeifanga,” Dr Tu’i’onetoa said in his email, in Tongan.

The letter from Tu’iono further stated that the Tokaikolo is not bound to get involved in parishes’ local matters. 

Tu’iono also emphasised his letter was in accordance with a decision made by him and President Liufau Saulala.

Dr Tu’ionetoa, however managed to have the loan approved by the bank and the Kolomotu’a church was built.

With regard to the removal order sent to Rev Faʻoliu, Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa said he advised him to disregard the order and never leave the residence.

The Tokaikolo Church released an announcement early this year saying the church would not ever talk to media answering any request for information. With that Kaniva News could not be able to obtain comments from them.

Tongan king arrives to warm welcome in Thailand

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The king of Tonga, King Tupou VI along with the Queen Nanasipau’u smiled happily as they were greeted and  welcomed on arrival by His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, Privy Councillor (Representative of His Majesty The King of Thailand); His Excellency Mr. Pradit Sintavanarong, Minister of Public Health (Representative of the Prime Minister) and the Director-General of the Department of Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A statement from the Palace Office in Nuku’alofa says, “On Monday 14th October, Their Majesties were hosted to a Luncheon by The Minister for Foreign Affairs, H E Dr Surapong Tovichakchaikul at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. Other guests included the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Director General of the Department of America and South Pacific Affairs and the Director General of the Department of International Development Cooperation Agency TICA. Exchanges during the Luncheon focused on fostering the close bilateral ties between Tonga and Thailand and on issues of import for future cooperation.

“An audience was granted on Tuesday 15th October for Dr Vili Fuavao Deputy Director from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, to provide an overview of agricultural issues of relevance to Tonga including the FAO ongoing and recent assistance and, the establishment of the FAO office in Nukualofa.

“On Wednesday 16th October, Their Majesties were accompanied by Mr George Chen the Honorary Consul to Hong Kong, to meet with Mr Chanin Donavanik, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Dusit International Group of Bangkok. Mr Donavanik and his wife Khun Vipada hosted a Dinner for Their Majesties at one of the Dusit Thani Hotels in Bangkok, Yesterday, October 20th, Their Majesties visited Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand where the Governor of the Province and the Chief Judge of the Region welcomed Their Majesties on arrival. The visit is an opportunity for Their Majesties to visit the House of Celadon of ceramics ware and the OTOP Tourism Village of local Thai products.
Their Majesties will return to Nukualofa at the end of the visit to the Chiang Mai Province.

Malia Sosefo (Tae) Guttenbeil of Vava’u was also introduced to Their Majesties during her visit to Bangkok to participate at the FAO World Food Day awards for Model farmers for outstanding achievements. Tae Guttenbeil is one of the four honourees to be recognised at a ceremony held at the FAO Regional office on 16th October. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand presented the FAO awards to the four model farmers from Bhutan, the Philippines, Thailand and Tonga. The awards honoured their outstanding achievements in agriculture and food production"
 

TRU board welcomes government’s sport funding

By
Kalino Latu
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The sports’ funding of TOP$400,000 that the Tongan government has granted for the sports’ federation in Tonga gave a huge relief to the ‘Ikale Tahi Team authorities and supporters.

The funding indicates the government is taking a promising direction in walking hand-in-hand with thousands of Tongan rugby union fans to support the ‘Ikale Tahi team.

The chairperson for Tonga Rugby Union, Epeli Taione applauded the initiative.

"I am probably speaking on behalf of both rugby codes, that we are absolutely grateful for such a contribution.

“We are more thankful that the relationship between Government and all the sports federations is heading on the right direction. We would like to acknowledge our Board member Samiu Vaipulu and (the government) for their help, and to Lord Vaea and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for making it happen. I am sure both the Mate Ma'a Tonga and the Ikaletahi will show us what they made of comes Nov,” Taione said.  

Last but not the least on behalf of the TRU Board, Management and Players I would like to wish Mate Ma'a Tonga a wonderful and successful Rugby League World Cup,” he added.

The allocation of the funds was TOP$100,000 for the ‘Ikale Tahi, TOP $250,000 for the Mate Ma'a Tonga National Rugby League and Tonga's Official Team to the 2014 Winter Olympics Games has been given TOP $50,000.

In a fundraising dinner in Auckland on Wednesday last week, MP Semisi Sika said when the Mate Ma’a Tonga team arrived in Tonga for their training sessions for the World Cup 2013, he approached the government in the House, begging for them to help fund the national rugby league team.

MP Sika is also the president of the Tonga Rugby League Association.

Although the funding he sought was primarily for the Mate Ma’a Tonga team, he said he was pleased the government’s grant package included other sports.

The TOP$100,000 allocated for the ‘Ikale Tahi was the first to be given to the national rugby union after a series of unsuccessful bids in the last two world cup tournaments, by the TRU board and People’s Members of Parliament for the government to help fund the 'Ikale Tahi  team.

The government declined to approve funding apparently because of the political upheavals and infighting that created chaos within the Rugby Union Board for years. 

Recently in May, the government insisted the TRU resolve their difficulties. This appears to have been achieved.

Captain Nili Latu of the 'Ikale Tahi team said he was thankful for the government's financial contribution. The funds for the 'Ikale Tahi and the Mate Ma'a Tonga teams will help pay the players' allowances.

Both 'Ikale Tahi and the Mate Ma’a Tonga teams set to be in Europe with the ‘Ikale Tahi touring the Northern Hemisphere  in November and the  Mate Ma'a Tonga National Rugby League Team is now joining the RLW 2013 in England.

PM to clarify 15 Tongan passports issued to Chinese couple

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lord Tu’ivakano’s office is yet to respond to a letter from the parliament’s opposition party asking to clarify why 15 Tongan passports were issued to a Chinese couple.

The guideline for the MPs tabling questions for responses states they must give ministers at least 14 days.

‘Akilisi Pohiva, Leader of the opposition party reportedly tabled his questions over the passport at the Prime Minister’s Office on September 30.

No response had been received as of October 15.

Mr. Sien Lee, the male couple was issued with eight Tongan ordinary passports and Ying Sien Lee, the female was issued with seven.

Audit report listed the dates each passport issued as from June 2001 to October 2012. The expiry dates ranges from 2012 to 2021.

Pōhiva claimed the issuing of the 15 passports was unlawful as the couple do not hold any naturalization certificates, something the law requires before issuing ordinary Tongan passports to foreigners. 

Pōhiva wanted the Prime Minister’s Office to declare the grounds for the issuing and whether allowing of 15 passports be given to a couple is legal or not.

Passport saga

A recent debate in parliament last month has turned the spotlight on the Tongan passport after Pohiva told the House he has information that Tongan blank passports are being abused.

He described the mishandling of the Tongan blank passports as a “net that was thrown outside the circle of the Tongan authorities”.

Pohiva would not tell parliament who was responsible for two blank passports being abused and did not give further comments as the matter linked to a passport case  in court.

In 1989 Pōhiva sued the Tongan government for illegally selling Tongan passport in Asia to more than 400 Chinese. The legal action prompted King Tupou IV in 1991 to call an emergency parliamentary session to alter the constitution and legalise the passport scandal.

The move outraged the nation prompting more than 2500 Tongans to stage a march to the palace office protesting against the constitutional change and the selling of the passports.

The government authorities at the time repeatedly told the people these more than 400 Chinese would not ever come to Tonga. They only bought the Tongan passports to enable their travels around the rich countries of the world.  

Today, about1000 Chinese are living in Tonga. Most of them are Tongans and  became Tongan citizens after purchasing passports in the 1980s passport scandal, legalized by the 1991 constitution amendment.

Opposition concerned

Citizens of Tonga and China who hold valid diplomatic, official and public affairs passports are allowed to enter China and Tonga without a visa.

MP Sunia Fili in August 2012 however questioned the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Vaipulu in the House regarding the Tongan government allowing the Chinese to use diplomatic, official and service passports.

Fili said the deal for free visas between the two countries allows Tongans to enter China without a visa but when the Chinese come to Tonga they are given the diplomatic passport, official passport and the service passports.

In his response, Hon Vaipulu said the reasons why they are given the three passports is to facilitate  Chinese diplomats, officials and “service providers” along with the  group of architects and planners that come to Tonga for the construction of the St George Palace.

The opposition party said the concern now is over the degree to which the passport will be used only for diplomatic and employment reasons.

It opened a door for the authorities to abuse it.

Complaint: Immigration says Finefeuiaki is not an employee

By
Kalino Latu
-

An alleged immigration fraud was believed to have wrought havoc the Tongan communities in Auckland for years, a complaint lodged with Immigration Advisors Authority has claimed.

The woman who is in the middle of the complaint is Halaevalu Faleafā Finefeuiaki. She claimed she worked for the Immigration New Zealand.

Finefeuiakiʻs Linkedin profile matched her employment claim. It says, Finefeuiaki was a student at the University of Auckland and she works for the Immigration New Zealand. Kaniva however checked her Linkedin account this evening and it has been taken down.

Immigration New Zealand denied that it employed Finefeuiaki.

The alleged fraud surfaced after one of the Tongan immigration consultants in New Zealand, Tufui Fonua Kama complaint to IAA and INZ.

Kama’s complaint says she obtained information that Finefeuiaki advertised through words of mouth in her church community that she was “one of my staff”.

Kama denied to Kaniva News Finefeuiaki’s claim that she worked for her and she did not know her by any means.

Finefeuiaki did not return Kaniva's message.

A female victim, Kalesita To’a has come forward and declared she was defrauded by Finefeuiaki.

Toʻa told Kaniva News she met Finefeuiaki at her Epsom church community in Auckland. Finefeuiaki told her that she worked for Immigration New Zealand.

At one point, Finefeuiaki told To’a, who has just visited New Zealand from Tonga that she can apply to obtain her a permanent resident permit.

To’a paid her about $400 and gave Finefeuiaki her passport.

To’a found out later from her church community that Finefeuiaki was not working for Immigration New Zealand. She managed to claim her passport but could not retrieve all her money.

Kama told Kaniva News that according to information she gathered from her clients who were victims of Finefeuiaki, the immigration swindle has been around the Tongan community for years but was never reported.

She said there were also Tongans in Tonga who fell victims to Finefeuiaki’s unscrupulous activity.

These people had been duped into giving Finefeuiaki money and koloa faka-Tonga after she promised she would secure them New Zealand immigration visas and permits, Kama said.

Kaniva News contacted IAA regarding Finefuiaki but Maheesha Kottegoda said, “We do not provide information on investigations”.

Face of Beauty International -Tonga: Vote for Diamond Langi

By
Kaniva Staff
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A campaign has been launched on social media inviting people to vote and support  Miss Diamond Langi’s quest to win the  Face of Beauty International 2013 World Final.

Diamond Langi comes from Vaini, Tongatapu and is a Sydney based Model. Modelling experience of 7 years in, Editorial, Commercial, Beauty, and Runway. She joined last year’s Tonga Miss Heilala Beauty Pageant.

People can vote online via http://www.faceofbeautyinternational.com/vote-online/

“Face of Beauty International 2013 World Final will be held in Bangkok and Pattaya City, Thailand, 3 to 13 November 2013. Grand Final will be held at Pattaya Colosseum Show on the 12 November 2013.

“This year Miss Teen Face of Beauty International extended its age and has now branched to become Face of Beauty International. With its second year running over 40 young women will join together at Face of Beauty International 2013.

“Face of Beauty International aims to empower our contestants to find beauty and to become that beauty by gaining greater confidence in themselves through sharing their knowledge, experience, and developed skills with many young women who struggle to find their beauty and potential within themselves around the world. We believe that such positive encouragement and support from our peers and family is needed in our society.

“We will find out what beauty means to our Face of Beauty contestants through their journey in Thailand, and particularly in the I AM ME Workshop. With no height or weight restrictions to Face of Beauty International competition, we believe all young women are perfect and beautifully unique in their own way.

Our contestants and winners will continue to be Faces of Beauty worldwide and encourage young women to find their own beauty/confidence to help them strive for the best in their lives. Heads up beauty is around us, we just need to open our eyes to see it”.

Tongan artists arrive in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu
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Six Tongan artists have visited New Zealand this week as part of a cultural exchange to share their knowledge of heritage arts and celebrate the close ties between the people of Tonga and New Zealand.

The artists will participate in a free public programme of workshops, demonstrations and talks at Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. They will also take a tour of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and meet with local Māori and Pacific artists to exchange cultural knowledge.

The week-long programme begins on Saturday 19 October at Mangere Arts Centre with a ‘Tongan heritage arts and community day’, celebrating with local community groups and artists.

“We have a large Tongan community in Aotearoa, and this exchange recognises and celebrates the special relationship between Tonga and New Zealand,” says Cath Cardiff, Creative New Zealand’s Senior Manager Arts Policy, Capability and International.

“Creative New Zealand aims to support the preservation of Pacific heritage arts in New Zealand and we are grateful for the support of the three leading venues that are helping to facilitate this programme.”

The visiting artists represent the three genres of Tongan arts – tufunga (material), faiva (performance) and nimamea’a (fine) arts.

The artists include Tamale (Tonga Mohenoa) who comes from a long line of master artists who specialise in the material art of tufunga lalava (kafa sennit-lashing); Metuliki Fakatava who is an established punake – a master artist who specialises in all three performance arts of faiva ta’anga (poetry), faiva hiva (music) and faiva haka (dance); and three women who specialise in nimamea’a lālānga, the Tongan fine art of weaving: Ane ‘Ata Tupou Pongi, Paea he Lotu Mailau and Teilaiti Fungatau’akipulu Lasa.

The group will be led by Lady Tunakaimanu Fielakepa, who is an expert on Tongan cultural protocols relating to women’s fine arts of material wealth. She will act as spokesperson for the group of artists.

Creative New Zealand would also like to acknowledge Tonga’s Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Programme, which has been instrumental in making this exchange happen.

The visit is funded through Creative New Zealand’s Pacific cultural exchange programme. Last year’s exchange saw Samoan heritage artists visit New Zealand.

Sex scandal: Tonga’s Democratic Party found no evidence

By
Kalino Latu
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The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands said it will take no further action follwoing an allegation that two of its party members involved in a sex scandal. The annoucement came after an internal inquiry has found no concrete evidence against the accused.  

The duo allegedly fathered children with two women respectively, an action the party says it against its memorandum of understanding signed by all party members.

The news was first revealed by the local newspaper Kele’a saying it got it from its weekly evangelical columnist, Dr Ma‘afu Palu.

MP Sione Havea Taione, the secretary for the party told Kaniva News he talked to the person who brought the accussation against the two members and he found out it was based on “hearsay”.

Taione said,  the party has made a decision that the accusation was invalid.

Human skeletal remains identified as Malapo man

By
Kalino Latu
-

Authorities in Tonga say the human remains found on June 25 have been identified as those of  Niumataevalu Talanoa Lelei (47), from the village of Malapo.

Tonga police said a group of local fishermen  found the decomposed human remains near a sea cliff at the village of Veitongo.

The remains were sent to New Zealand and a report received last week confirmed the outcome after the forensic pathologists matched DNA of the deceased with a relative, Tonga police said.

There was no evidence of foul play over the death of Lelei, and the information submitted to an inquest confirmed that it was a suicide.

Police report says at the time they found a briefcase and Tongan passports at the scene. A rope was also found hanging from a nearby tree.

Lelei was not reported missing, acccording to Police.

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