UPDATED 5:30PM: At this time in Auckland, New Zealand there is every effort put in to Early Childhood Education by both Government and Pasifika communities to ensure that the majority of Pasifika children gain quality early learning before they enter primary schooling. Tongan people are on board with the Ministry of Education to try and address the requirements by Pasifika peoples in Early Childhood Education.
A new Tongan Early Childhood Playgroup and Educational Centre has opened at the suburb of Mt Roskill in Auckland on August 1 and named Muniao ‘o e ‘Ofa (in English, Net of Love) by Hon. Lupepau’u Tuita, the eldest daughter of Princess Pilolevu Tuita of the Kingdom of Tonga.
The opening and blessing of the Educational Centre and Playgroup was marked by a ceremony led by Father Line Folaumoeloa with Hon. Lupepau’u as the Guest of Honour.
The educational centre of Kau Fakana’ana’a ‘o Falelalava & Loto’Ofa WhatuManawa Educational Services will offer playgroups for two-days a week, starting on August 12. The line-up of services provided by the centre include ‘Api Fakakoloa, Early Childhood Home Base of the Loto’Ofa WhatuManawa Education Services; Tongan cultural resources and handicraft work of the Tongan Women Development Group of Aotearoa; and a Writing Retreat programme for Tongan educators of the Fakakoloa ‘a e Tonga ‘I Aotearoa Tongan Early Childhood Association to write Tongan reading materials for Tongan children in early childhood education. The centre will truly become a site of learning, a space of reflection and thinking, a home for mothers, children, parents, the elderly, teachers, educators and friends who enjoy the company of each other in working towards changing our thinking and actions for a better world that benefits our children and people.
The ideas and work for the Muniao ‘o e ‘Ofa Centre were originated by, and implemented under the join leadership of Mr. Johnny Grattan Vaea and Mele ‘Ileini Mahe Taione as co-directors of the Loto’Ofa WhatuManawa Education Services.
The centre is situated on the New Zealand Department of Conservation property while the New Zealand Ministry of Education contributed to funding the renovation of the building and fencing.
The guests include a team from the New Zealand Ministry of Education led by Yvette Guttenbeil-Po’uhila; Meleseini Tu’itupou, the President of the Fakakoloa ‘a e Tonga ‘I Aotearoa Tongan Early Childhood Association; educators from various Tongan Early Childhood Education centres in Auckland; Seini Rea, Heleine Kaho, Helena Kafoa with members of the Tongan Women Development Group of Aotearoa; members from other Government organisations and supporters of Early Childhood Education.
The Muniao ‘o e ‘Ofa Playgroup welcomes children and their parents from the neighbourhood and the suburb.
Our best wishes to all people, their work and education at the Muniao ‘o e ‘Ofa Education Centre.
King of Tonga’s nieces marry two commoners this month it has been revealed. Hon Sālote Lupepauʻu Salamasina Pureau Vahine Arii ‘o e Hau Tuita will marry his fiancé ‘Epeli Taione next week.
Hon Frederica Lupe ‘Uluiva Fatafehi ‘o Lapaha Tuita will wed Johnny Filipe this week.
The fuifuilupe – a metaphoric language used when addressing royal children meaning, ‘flock of dove’ are both Princess Pilolevu’s daughters. Hon Lupepau’u is the eldest and Hon Frederica is second to the youngest.
Princess Pilolevu is King Tupou VI’s only sister.
Both wedding have caused surprise within Tongan circles considering the protocol and how they bypassed strict rules that control royal families and who they can marry.
Traditionally, it was not normal for a high ranking royal woman to marry a commoner or a much lower ranking chief.
Hon. Lupepau’u is sixth and Hon Frederica is tenth in line to the Tongan throne.
Last year Prince Tupouto’a’s wedding with his cousin Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua triggered huge debates on overseas news and social media over the close genetic ties between the couple.
Princess Pilolevu and the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho reportedly stated it was time to do away with Tongan royal’s ‘arranged high level marriages’ that allows cousin to marry cousin.
The princess and her mother eventually did not attend the wedding ceremony citing ‘disapprove of the paring’.
Hon Frederica’s wedding has been publicly announced. The fakalēlea – visit by the bridegroom’s families to the bride’s house normally on the night before the wedding was held last week at Tuita’s residence Mahina Fekite.
The news about Hon Lupepau’u’s wedding has been floating around the social media but Kaniva news was only able to get the confirmation recently from a reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source said Taione and Hon Lupepau’u will be “getting married next week in Fiji on Saturday the 17th. It’s a private affair for (their) inner circle which close friends and families only. It’s in an island resort in Fiji”
Hon Lupepau’u previously married Hon Mataʻiʻulua Fusituʻa and they had a daughter, Hon Phaedra ʻIkaleti ʻo Fangatapu Fusituʻa.
‘Epeli Taione is an ex-‘Ikale Tahi rugby star and is currently Tonga Rugby Union’s president.
Johnny Filipe’s father is a well-known business man in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
Five policemen and one civilian pleaded not guilty to charge they killed the New Zealand Policeman Kali Fungavaka when they appeared at supreme court in Nuku’alofa yesterday.
Police Inspector Kelepi Hala’ufia and Police Constables Tevita Vakalahi, Manu Tu’ivai, Salesi Maile, Fatai Faletau and civilian Semisi Kalisitiane Manu pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and grevious bodily harm.
All five policemen accused have chosen to be tried by a supreme court judge while the civilian Semisi Kalisitiane Manu chose to have his trial before a jury.
Justice Cato granted adjournment for the case till August 23 giving the counsels an opportunity to submit recommendation as to how the case would be heard as the accused variously chosen to be tried by a judge and a jury. He will then make decision before the hearing on September 5.
‘Aminiasi Kefu and Sione Sisifa acted on behalf of the Crown.
Kali Fungavaka died in hospital after he was arrested by police in August 2012.
UPDATED 4/08: The teenager who fatally shot himself in Vava’u in an incident police described as a suicide was ‘Eliesa Taumoefolau of the village of Tu’anekivale.
Police released the name of the victim to a local newspaper saying they found out that Taumoefolau allegedly fell out with his girlfriend in a social night held at one of the Mormon Church’s ward.
Police spoke with the girl who is a student at Vava’u High School.
It said Taumoefolau, a student at Saineha High School arrived at his home drunk. He invited his neighbour, Suli Taufa for a drink but Taufa refused.
Taumoefolau then went into his house and came outside with his father’s gun.
He told Taufa that he was going to shoot himself.
Despite attempts to interfere by Taufa, Taumoefolau placed the barrel in his chest and fired.
Condolences are pouring in as two of the three Tongan teenagers died in a car crash while travelling back from Utah, Salt Lake City to Euless, Texas were buried today August 2.
The memorial service for Lolo ‘Uhatafe 13 and Guis Va’enuku held today at 5pm. Polo Manukainiu’s farewell service will be held next week according to News 8.
The teenagers died when the car they were in rolled over along U.S. 550, according to New Mexico State Police.
It said the driver drifted off U.S. Highway 550 about 85 miles north of Albuquerque, over-corrected and lost control, causing the 2002 Toyota Sequoia to roll several times.
Two of the teens who died were ejected from the vehicle. Only the driver was wearing a seat belt. The accident occurred about 6:50 p.m.
All three attended school in Euless, the two oldest at Trinity High School and the youngest at Euless Junior High.
The victims are 19-year-old Polo Manukainiu, a redshirt freshman at Texas A&M University; 18-year-old Gaius Vaenuku, who is a freshman at the University of Utah; and 13-year-old Andrew Uhatafe.
Tongan communities around the globe showed great sympathy with the families and condolences hugely poured into the internet from families, relatives, friends as well as mourners.
These are some of the Facebook comments:
Watching this is soooooo sad ..just imagine if its happened to your own Kids …so devastating ..my heart goes out to the mother ‘n the father ..of the pain they go through ..tears ..tears…tears…RIP to their two sons ..I’m at work but I’m very emotional about this Pray to God for his comfort over this family …’ofa Atu from another Mother that feel your Pain Tulima …
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!! REALLY SAD SEE DAD ESPECIALLY MOTHER’S HEART!! TEARS…. FEELING SAD, EVEN DO WE DON’T THEM! OUR HEART GOES OUT ALL FAMILIES…<3<3. PROUD TO BE TONGAN PRAYERS GOES OUT TO ALL FAMILY!!!
LUV U TULIMA!!!
VERY SAD TO SEE SAM ESCORT HIS SON FROM THE PLANE AMERICAN AIRLINE!!,,,,’OFA ATU!!
Seeing this brings tears to my eyes…You and your family hold on…God has he’s arms wrapped around each and everyone of you..
Police have arrested and charged a 41 year old driver of a truck believed to have transported the Tupou College students to the village of Tofoa on the night of Thursday 18 with two counts of aiding criminal damage and conspiracy to commit willful damage.
Police confirmed the arrest and the charges. The person is in police custody to appear before the magistrate court on Monday August 5
The charge has brought the number of adults involved in aiding the attack to 4.
Two bus driver and a teacher have been charged with aiding criminal damage.
A Tonga College student, Taniela Mahe 15 was hospitalized following the attack but was discharged recently.
Former Tonga college student Taniela Halahuni is in critical condition.
Hopes for leaders in Tonga seeking solution for the school rivalry are high following todayʻs peaceful final game between Liahona High School and Tonga College with the president of the Tonga Secondary Schools Principal Association (TSSPA), Fr ‘Aisake Vaisima expecting students to keep to that spirit during this coming weekend.
Liahona since the last 23 years had today won the final game with 22 scores againts Tonga College team with only 15 scores.
The final between the two schools’ 1st XV was postponed following the attack by Tupou College students on a residence in Tofoa, Tongatapu, Tonga Islands on Thursday 18. More than 100 students arrested but released on bail early this week and three adults charged with aiding damage to a house.
One Tonga College student hospitalised but in a stable condition and a former Tonga College student is in a critical condition.
The incidence prompted TSSPA to postpone the final for all school rugby grades tournament scheduled for Friday 19. The decision was strongly backed up by the Ministry of Education and Police.
A TSSPA Meeting called on July 24 to discuss school violence was adjourned for the following day after the principals divided on whether to go ahead with the school rugby tournament finals or not.
The next meeting agreed for the final to be held only on condition that no spectators allowed except for the parents and guardians of those students in the team. A move TSSPA took as a step forward in trying to prevent school fights.
Fr. Vaisima told Kaniva News this evening the finals, on Tuesday and today Thursday 1st “went very well without any incidence”.
He said, “it was a great sigh of relief for all of us yet we are still crossing our fingers that there would be no fighting tomorrow Friday 2.
“It has been quite a common occurrence for fighting to take place on Fridays since this is the day that most students would be congregating in town after school.
“At the same time the Police will be working together with Prefects of the Schools in patrolling various areas of Nuku’alofa on Friday.
“It is part of the current leadership training for the Prefects of the Schools which is organized and run by the Tonga National Leadership Development Forum funded by AusAid through the Pacific Leadership Program.
I sincerely hope that these activities will help out in the efforts to keep the peace among schools in Tonga”, Vaisima said.
Liahona students joined a fight that broke out on July 11 after Tupou College lost to Tonga College on the 1st XV semifinal.
New Mexico State Police Officers were dispatched to a single vehicle roll over on US 550, mile post 85. As a result of this crash, three subjects were declared deceased upon arrival of Officers.
Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears as if the vehicle was traveling southbound on US 550. The driver, Siaosi Uhatafe (18) of Euless, Texas was traveling south and drifted off the road on the passenger side. Mr. Uhatafe over corrected back to the right, causing the vehicle to lose control and roll several times. The group was traveling back to Texas from Salt Lake City Utah.
Two of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle, while the third stayed lodged in the vehicle.
The three deceased subjects have been identified. They are: Andrew Uhatafe (13) of Euless TX; Gaius Vaenuku (18) of Euless TX; and Polo Manukainiu (19) of Euless TX.
Mr. Siaosi Uhatafe (driver) and Salesi Uhatafe Sr. (father) were transported to the San Juan Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico with minor injuries. Siaosi Uhatafe, the driver of the vehicle, was the only subject utilizing his seatbelt.
Furthermore, it appears as if the three deceased victims were not utilizing their seatbelts.
Our thoughts go out to the victims’ families during this tragic event.
-From staff and wire reports. Kate Hairopoulos contributed to this story.
UPDATES: The landlord of the house attacked in Tofoa on Thursday 18 by a mob of Tupou College students undertook to file a lawsuit againts the accussed.
Kepueli ‘Ioane former student of Tupou College and is now serving the Government of Tonga said although his whole secondary school life has been brought up in the college he strongly condemned the students’ action.
He said the tenant rented only the ground floor of his house but the intruders smashed both floors striking the walls with iron rods and the fence was also damaged.
He was absolutely devastated by what had happened.
Grant O’fee, Tonga’s Police Commissioner described the attack as similar to a gang attack in New Zealand.
147 Tupou College students and 3 adults have been detained and recently released on bail following the attack to re-appear before the Nuku’alofa Magistrate court on October 7- 10.
They faces charges ranging from trespassing and housebreaking to causing grievous bodily harm. One student has been charged with attempted arson. A teacher and two bus drivers have been charged with “aiding criminal damage.
Former Tonga College student Taniela Halahuni, 22, is in a critical condition in Vaiola hospital. Fellow student Taniela Mahe, 15 is in a stable condition.
The struggle among Tongan leaders to find appropriate solutions to the current relation between the students of Tupou and Tonga Colleges
It is with sadness to read on Tongan newspapers, Online news and regularly heard the news bulletins on radios and TVs as to the latest problems in the historical relationship between Tupou and Tonga Colleges in Tonga. The latest problem was the pre-mediated assaulting of Tonga College’s boys by a busload of boys from Tupou College at a Tofoa home. Not only there were over 100 students from Toloa but the damages they made, according to Tonga Commissioner of Police, Mr Fee, have included every breakable item in that household and private property.
This has been bad news to every Tongans living overseas and it also portraying Tonga as a violent country. The country is trying to portray a good image overseas following the recent death of a policeman from New Zealand with Tongan origin at the hands of at least five local Tongan policemen. In the same vein Tonga College is not blameless having regard to the recent episode where a prefect was shown in full view for all the world to see the beating with all his strength a group of innocent boys.
Individual Viewpoints
I am also aware of the view expressed by the Secretary-General of the Conference of the Siasi Tautaina ‘o Tonga ‘I Tonga (SUTT), Dr Tevita Havea, in that he recommended the closure of both existing colleges and then merge them into one school. With respect to Dr Havea, I am aware of the historical significance of the two colleges to all Tongans and for that reason alone I do not share Dr Sioeli Mataitini FotuHavea’s view. Tupou College was founded by Tupou I. His Majesty then specially requested the President and members of the Methodist Conference in New South Wales to allow the most eminent Rev. Dr Egan Moulton to be the first Principal of Tupou College in 1866. Dr Moulton was then the founding Principal of the Methodist’s Newington College in Sydney. The main aim of establishing Tupou College was to ensure that Tongan youths have a good education and also assisted in the spreading of the gospels around the Pacific neighbours and the world. On the other hand, the same King, Tupou I, and his Prime Minister and adviser, Rev. Shirley Baker, established Tonga College in 1882 as an attempt to ensure that Government sector of the Kingdom has a steady flow of workers. As an observer from overseas (ie New Zealand), I am proud of both Colleges with their history and their respective graduates who have contributed to the economy and the wealth of Tonga over the years. It is also important to have strong support from the ex-students of both Colleges who formed Associations in various overseas countries and these Associations have contributed moneys (and sometime goods and services) for the betterment of both Tupou College and Tonga College in Tonga respectively.
There are those who prefer the law to take its course. Rev. Siupeli Taliai, a former Principal of Tupou College, is said to prefer that approach. I respect him on that stand as the rivalry between the two established Colleges did resulted in some clashes during his tenure as the Principal of Tupou College. However, Rev. Siupeli Taliai did let the law take its course with some of those outlandish students from the respective Colleges moulded their behavior accordingly. There is nothing wrong with rivalry and clean competitions. Competitions in the sport fields or in the class rooms usually bring out the best in every student. This is quite healthy in a democracy like Tonga. With a bit of personal restraint, through tolerance and proper counseling, the students of both Colleges would realize their full potentials. That is what Tonga’s leaders wanted to see.
Proposed Actions to be Taken by the Government
Supposing the Government closes both Colleges and then starts a new College. This will be a bad decision as it destroyed a rich history tied to both Tupou and Tonga Colleges and the Kingdom as a whole. The strong supporters of both Colleges through the assistance and contributions by their former students will be sorely missed as there will be an instant stop to that regular flow of assistances and contributions. The new College, if establishes at all, will take years to establish itself and the creation of the networks of its graduates locally and internationally. This option is not a favourable one among both Colleges’ supporters both at home and overseas.
I argue also for the enforcement of the law to mould the behavior of these students. Those who have broken the law of the land should be punished according to the law of the land. The Constitution Act 1875 gives every the freedom or individual rights to everyone. The right to choose by parents where to send your children to study is also protected. Once the parents chose a school for their child then the State should protect that choice by enforcing the law to the full. The authority should investigate those accomplices that assisted with the planning of the attack should be dismissed from their jobs. The message should be clear and loud that the law of the land must prevail.
There are those who put forward an idea of forming a group who may ‘spy’ on those that will likely to start a fight between the students of these opposing Colleges. I think that this idea is against the law violating those individual rights that the Constitution is trying to protect. Once this idea is allowed then the State may interfere in the daily lives of all Tongans.
I have an idea and that is not new. How about the idea of having a Chaplain appointed by the respective Board of Trustees to both Colleges? I am referring here to those tutors that started Tonga College. They were anointed Ministers of the Church (ie Rev. Pauliasi Taumoepeau). My suggestion is that that a Tonga College graduated Minister (who has been schooled at Sia’atoutai also) must be appointed to Tupou College. Similarly, a Tupou College graduated Minister must be appointed as Chaplain to Tonga College. The students and members of the staff of both Colleges should consult these Chaplains during the time of personal crisis.
We have witnessed the value of these Chaplains in colleges and secondary schools here in New Zealand. They are invaluable.
Hope
If we keep on the dialogue about the future of these two established Colleges we may arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
My idea of appointing Chaplains to the two Colleges and the manner in which that they are selected is perhaps of lesser evil than a panel of selected people who will become ‘spies’ for the police, I guess.
Competition in the sporting fields and the classrooms do bring out the best from the students of both Colleges. It is a question of training oneself to keep ones composure even during adversity. It will then be a time that a student from either of the two established Colleges can be said to be educated and to have experienced God.
Sioeli TuitaMataitini Fotu
Barrister and Solicitor
Former Student and Head Prefect of Tonga College
President of the Tonga College Old Boys in Aotearoa for 18 years and continuing.
