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Mother killed with daughter laid to rest

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: A Tongan mother and her daughter who died in an alleged murder in Fiji have been laid to rest together at Viseisei in Lautoka today.

Sisi Taufa Patolo, 33, and her seven-month- old daughter Sarah Patolo  died after they were fatally stabbed last week.

Twin daughters Fisi'ipeau Patolo, 5, Grace Patolo, 5 and Ana Kaitonua Patolo, 3 were also been injured in the vicious attack.

Fisipeau and ‘Ana attended the memorial service and the burial ceremony of  their deceased mum and sister while twin sister Grace could not make it as she is still in critical condition in hospital.

About a hundred mourners gathered at a joint funeral for the two, who shared the same coffin and buried together in the  family burial grounds of the Sawaieke clan, close to the chiefly burial ground where the past chiefs of the village are buried.

The families and relatives of the accused attended the funeral and asked for forgiveness from the victims' family.

The Tongan pastor and cousin of the deceased, Paea-i-Fulton Taufatofua who conducted the prayer service for the funeral told the accused's family they have forgiven them.

‘Eleni Tevi Tongan community leader in Fiji said the Tongan community and the Tonga High School alumnus were represented in the funeral.

Taufa Patolo was an ex-student of Tonga High School 1993 – 1998.

Twenty-two-year old Priya Darshani, has been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder after the Wednesday brutal attack.

Darshani was brought to the family to look after the children while the mother, Taufa Patolo worked at night. She was later on had a son with Taufa Patolo's husband, Moeki Patolo,  but still they lived together with Darshani.

Repeated domestic disputes between the deceased mother and the accused because of their relationship with Mr Patolo were alleged to have been the motive behind the fatal attack.

Operation Ghost drugs bust linked to Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan freight company and premises in Auckland were some of the many targets police busted for drugs after more than 260kg of drugs used to cook methamphetamine were found hidden in a shipping container on Dec 15.

Ezi World Cargo Ltd’s director Mosese Uele told Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper police searched his premises and office.

They left and his office continued on its normal working hours and no charges laid against him and his company, he said.

It is understood police also searched premises of other Tongans in Auckland during their drug raids.

Through Operation Ghost detectives from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ), working alongside Customs Officers, intercepted a significant consignment of ContacNT and ephedrine, police statement says.

Police did not say where the shipment came from but Kaniva understands the seizure and the searches made in Auckland had link to other Tongans and Chinese in Tonga.

248 kilograms of Pseudoephedrine commonly referred to as ContacNT and 16 kilograms of pure Ephedrine both of which are Class B Controlled drugs and precursors used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, were discovered when a container ship arrived at Ports of Auckland on Sunday morning Dec 15.

Detective Inspector Bruce Good of OFCANZ said the consignment was big enough to produce methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $72 million.

“The ContacNT was disguised as legitimately imported commercial goods,” Mr Good said.

“The intelligence gathered during Operation Ghost was critical in assisting Police and Customs identify the importation and it’s whereabouts within the consignment.”

Earlier this month OFCANZ began the termination phase of Operation Ghost, an 18 month intensive multi-agency investigation which focused on a group of senior Asian organised crime figures operating in New Zealand.

Prior to the seizure of this 264 kilograms over 330 kilograms of ContacNT, 15.5 ounces of methamphetamine and approximately $1.5 million of cash have already been seized during Operation Ghost. Over $20 million worth of assets have also restrained during the investigation.

In total Operation Ghost has yielded 594 kilograms, or over half a tonne, of pseudoephedrine during the investigation.

“While we were confident our intelligence was accurate it was still a huge relief when we opened the shipping container at the Customs inspection facility and the drugs were discovered,” Mr Good said.

ContacNT is manufactured legally in China but it is a class B controlled drug in New Zealand.

Government approved 5% cost of living adjustment

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan public servants including casual employees in January 2014 will receive a 5% cost of living adjustment government said this week.

Ministry of Finance CEO Tatafu Moeaki said, it is the responsibility of government “to periodically adjust service staff salaries to the cost of living increases. 

“In this regard, the Ministry’s duly responsibility and contribution to the appropriate COLA is to provide sound and timely advise based on thorough analysis of options to manage Government's affordability of COLA, cost control options of tax payers (public) money i.e. within budget and not undermining other Government priorities, its predictability (fiscal implication) and sustainability of these costs,” he said.

The 5% COLA was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu after the cabinet previously approved a 20% adjustment increase for its employees.

The Finance Minister Hon Lisiate Akolo said government has no money to fund the pay rise.

Cabinet however finally agree for the 5% to start with and said that would be reviewed later next year.

Former Catholic bishop dies

By
Kaniva Staff
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Dr Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki SM, 80,  a former and retired bishop of the diocese of Tonga and Niue died Tuesday 24 in Nuku’alofa.

A Vigil Mass by the Marist priests in Tonga will be held on Dec, 30 at the cathedral in Ma’ufanga.

His funeral Mass will also be held Dec, 31 at the cathedral and is expected to be led by his successor, Bishop Soane Mafi.

His body will then be laid to rest at the Ma’ufanga Catholic cemetery.

Bishop Foliaki, was ordained priest in 1955 and was consecrated bishop in 1994.

He was the second Tongan bishop to be appointed by the Vatican since Catholic was brought to Tonga in 1842 by members of the Society of Mary.

Bishop Foliaki retired in 2008.  

Ratu Mara offered island in the kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: A top Fijian military leader who fled his country in 2011 causing a war of words between Fiji and Tonga has been given an island and appointed by His Majesty King Tupou VI as his private secretary according to a report this week.

Ratu Uluilakeba Tevita Mara a former  Army Chief of Staff in Fiji was charged for attempting to overthrow Bainimarima's government in 2010.

Following Mara’s appearance in a Fijian court for his charge and while released on bail his family contacted their royal family in Tonga and asked to help rescued Mara, unconfirmed information said.

Tonga navy under a royal order arrived in Lau group and secretly picked up Mara in May 2011.

Bainimarama’s regime was furious after it learnt Tonga navy crossed its sea zone and rescued Mara but the Tongan authorities officially said it was "attracted to a distress signal" south of the Fiji's Lau groups, 365 kilometres west of Nuku'alofa.

Since then Mara was given sanctuary by the Tongan royals.

His co-accused Pita Diriti was sentenced in Fiji  early this month for 5 years imprisonments.   

Mara’s  grandfather  Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau was a half-brother of Tonga’s Queen Salote Tupou III.

Tonga’s current king, His Majesty Tupou VI is Queen Salote’s grandson.

Fiji Sun says the king’s sister Princess Pilolevu has given Mara an island while the king appointed him as his private secretary.  

The website did not give the name of the island.

Mara told Sun he is developing it for eco-tourism.

Visiting New Zealand in 2011 Mara told an audience in Auckland that Bainimarama’s government is “repressive”, “oppressive” and “illegal”.

The only solution is to restore democracy, he said.

The Fiji Sun website says the Tongan royals have asked Mara to avoid further voicing his political views against Fiji’s regime to keep the peace between the two countries.

Leader says ongoing feud led to gruesome murder

By
Kaniva Staff
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Regular disputes and jealousy were implicated as contributing causes in a murder case where a Tongan mother and a daughter were hacked to death Wednesday, Dec 18 while three other children suffered serious lacerations, according to a Tongan community leader in Fiji.

Sisi Taufa Patolo, 33, and her seven-month-old daughter, Sarah Patolo were pronounced dead on arrival at the Lautoka Hospital last week.

Twin daughters Fisi’ipeau Patolo, 5, Grace Patolo, 5 and Ana Kaitonua Patolo, 3 are in critical condition after allegedly stabbed by their attacker.

A 22-year-old, Priya Darshani who was in a de facto relationship with the father, Mokai Patolo, 31 was charged Sunday 22 with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the brutal attack.

She will appear at the High Court in Lautoka for mention on January 24, 2014.

Tongan community committee leader in Fiji ‘Eleni Tevi updated her friends on Facebook after she was interviewed by the Fijian media.

She said she found out the deceased mother Sisi Taufa Patolo, “was the more known Taufa Patolo who was a student of mine at Tonga High School 93-98”.

“The couple moved to Fiji and stayed in Lautoka for about 5yrs and never made contacts with relatives thereafter,”  Tevi Said.

“Taufa works nights and  (the) 22yrs old Priya Darshani moved in to help care for the kids at night.

She later had a son with Mr Patolo and continued to stay with the couple”.

Darshani was reportedly a former Indian beauty pageant contestant and her son with Mr Patolo turned one year-old this week.

Tevi said, when Darshani found out Sisi Taufa was having another baby girl  with Mr Patolo about five months after Darshani born their son, a feud between the two women continuously erupted leading to Wednesday’s shocking incident.

Horrific Murder: Tongan community in Fiji reeling

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: A Tongan community is dumbfounded after a mother and her daughter were found lying dead in a pool of blood in their home near Viseisei, Lautoka in Fiji, on Wednesday 18.

The incident is alleged to have occurred as a result of a domestic dispute between the deceased and the woman around 10am and 12midday on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more at: http://fijilive.com/news/2013/12/woman-22-charged-over-lautoka-murder/56037.Fijilive
Copyright 2013 © Fijilive.com

The incident is alleged to have occurred as a result of a domestic dispute between the deceased and the woman around 10am and 12midday on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more at: http://fijilive.com/news/2013/12/woman-22-charged-over-lautoka-murder/56037.Fijilive
Copyright 2013 © Fijilive.com

Fiji Times Online report says the deceased were Tongan mother Sisi Taufa Patolo, 33, and her seven-month-old baby Sarah Patolo.

Three other children Fisi Peau, 5, Grace Patolo, 5, Ana Kaitonua, 3 are also being hospitalised after allegedly being knifed by the attacker, the website says.

The children are in critical condition.

Official statement says, "Police received a report from health authorities that a woman and her child were brought to the hospital and were pronounced dead on arrival”.

The 22-year-old, Priya Darshani who was in a de facto relationship with the father, Mokai Patolo was charged Sunday 22 with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the brutal attacks.

Darshani will appear at the High Court in Lautoka for mention on January 24, 2014.

It was alleged a domestic dispute between the deceased and Darshani had been the cause of the gruesome incident.

Police said the deceased and Darshani were staying in the same house with a 31 old man in defacto relationship.

Tongan community members in Lautoka, who had mobilized and prayed for the deceased were in disbelief after hearing the news that the mother and her children had been slain and injured.

The Secretary of the Tongan Community committee in Fiji Eleni Tevi was reported by the Fiji Times as saying:  

"I am starting to dialogue with the committee about the incident," she said.

"I am contacting Tongans living in Tonga about the identity of the deceased.

"And I will be looking into people who wish to assist in terms of the funeral arrangements and perhaps Christmas presents for the children."

"The unfortunate inhumane incident of the killing itself is sad because it happened during a joyous occasion," she said.

"If you wish to help, this is a good way to help for Christmas."

Ms Tevi is urging members of the public and Tongans in Fiji to come forward and assist the three children during this time of "uncertainty in their lives".

New Zealand Tongan Rugby Association rugby awards

By
Kaniva Staff
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An awards ceremony in South Auckland last week marked a milestone in an attempt by the New Zealand Tongan Rugby Association to revive the Aoniu Tournament, an opportunity for the local players in Tonga and overseas to join the  'Ikale Tahi squad and overseas professional rugby union clubs.

More than 30 prizes presented to players who deemed the Most Improved Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, Back of the Year, Player of the Year and Coaches of the Year.  

The tournament began with a Rugby Sevens Tournament in September and it was the first time a Tongan rugby association hold Sevens tournemanent in New Zealand.

‘Emosi Koloto, President of the NZTRA said the tournament ran from September to December and the result was brilliant and successful.

“After the tournament we will select one team from the six teams participated. That team would be called the Siutaka,” Koloto said.

“We have talked to the Tonga Rugby Union with president ‘Epeli Taione and Vice President Soape Tu’iono. They agreed with our idea to bring back the Aoniu Tounament,” he said.

This means Tonga and Tongans in Australia are expected to run local rubgy tournaments and would select their best players into one team respectivlely to participate in the Aoniu Tournament.

Aoniu Tournament was run in 1990s but discontinued  in 2000s.

 

Team

Most Improve Player of the Year

1st

Eastern Stars

Taniela Ofa

2nd

Toloa

Lea Mohetau

3rd

Saineha

Toa Kivalu

4th

Fasi/Ma'ufanga

Siua Hefa

5th

Kauvai

Lisitoni Vaka'uta

6th

Manurewa

Jr Matavao Fanguna

     
 

Back of the year

Forward of the Year

1st

Solo Kata

Siua Moala

2nd

Mo'ui Tau

Tevita Maka

3rd

Tonga Malupo

Siua Katoa

4th

Leakona Tovi

Loa Havili

5th

Setefano Vaka'uta

Poualo 'I Taula

6th

Lui Lauhingoa

Jonathan Talia'uli

 

2013 FInal Prize Most Improve Player of the Year

3rd

Jr Matavao Fanguna

2nd

Lea Mohetau (Toloa)

1st

Siua Hefa (Fasi/Ma'ufanga)

 

Forward of the year

3rd

Siua Katoa (Sineha (2))

2nd

Timote Milton (Toloa (8))

1st

Kainga Pesalili (Eastern Stars)

 

Back of the year

3rd

Leakona Tovi (Fasi/ Ma'ufanga (9))

2nd

Sione Katoa (Toloa (10))

1st

Michael Pongi (Easter Stars (9/10))

 

Coach of the Year (2013)

2nd

Ofa Topini (Toloa)

1st

Sione Ma'u Fifita (Eastern Stars)

 

2013 Final Prize Player of the Year

3rd

Antonio Talakai (Saineha (7)

2nd

Timote Milton (Toloa (8))

1st

Kainga Pesalili (Eastern (7)

TRU board sacks 'Ikale Tahi Sevens' coaches

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga Rugby Union board has officially decided early this month to sack Sevens' Head Coach Edward Waqa and Assistant Tevita Tu’ifua because they were not willing to cooperate with a series of measures the board had endorsed.

Considering their dismissal the board said the coaches failed to take the rugby Sevens to the South Pacific Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna and they left the team without informing ICEO.

In August Coach Waqa and Tu’ifua refused to travel by sea after they were told they have to take the MV 'Otuanga'ofa to Wallis for the Mini Games.

The team were then led at the Games by Manu Vunipola. They won bronze.

Vunipola is understood to be the interim coach for Tonga’s Rugby Sevens.

Waqa and Tu'ifua could not be reached for comments.

Val awarded Lonsdale Cup for fourth time

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Double Olympic champion Valerie Adams has been awarded the Lonsdale Cup for an unprecedented fourth time.

New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith says she is delighted to award the trophy to Adams.

“Valerie is an inspiration to young New Zealanders and continues to perform at the very top of her field. Four world championship wins is outstanding.”

Smith added that Adams’ contribution to sport extends to her work an ambassador to the Get Set Go youth programme delivered by Athletics New Zealand. 

Adams herself said she was honoured to receive the New Zealand Olympic Committee award. "I am so humbled by this, what an amazing year it has been for New Zealand sport and Olympic sports producing World Champions. I am very proud of my year and especially creating history for New Zealand. It’s great that the New Zealand Olympic Committee recognises achievements like this each year and I thank them for this. It is a very special award."

Adams was shortlisted for the Female Athlete of the Year by the IAAF. 

Adams won the Lonsdale Cup in 2006, 2007 and 2011 and was the first person to be awarded the award for both a third and fourth time. 

The Cup was first presented in 1961 to Sir Murray Halberg. 

Since then it has been awarded to outstanding New Zealand athletes including Sir John Walker, Sir Peter Snell, Rob Waddell and Hamish Bond and Eric Murray.

The Cup is sterling silver and of historic value, having its origins in a 1911 sporting festival between the United Kingdom, Canada and Australasia held to honour the accession of George V.

The Lonsdale Cup winner is selected by New Zealand Olympic President’s Council (business and sporting leaders) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee Board.

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