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AIS St Helens graduation 2013

By
Kalino Latu
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 — AIS St Helens

Over 400 graduated this year from AIS St Helens including more than 30 Tongans, most came directly from Tonga as International students.  This year’s graduation ceremony is a very good year for our Tongan graduates where most of the Special Awards at the Graduation Ceremony were picked up by Tongans.  They were:

Top Scholar Award for the Bachelor of International Business Programmes:

Crystal Angelina Dominique ‘Ake (Bachelor of International Business, Marketing)

Crystal ‘Ake did not join AIS St Helens Graduation Ceremony, she is looking at joining Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training Graduation ceremony in December this year to celebrate together with her family living in Tonga.  Crystal came to AIS St Helens with a Diploma in International Business from our sister school in Tonga, which is under Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training.  Crystal ‘Ake is the daughter of Mrs Nanuma and Dr Malakai ‘Ake of Kolomotu’a.

Industry Award for the Bachelor of International Business Programmes:

Faneola Lynch Vaea (Bachelor of International Business, Management) of Neiafu Vava’u, daughter of Mrs Manatu Palu Lynch and Mr Tomasi Lynch.  Faneola is married to Mr Sione Vaea of Pangai, ‘Eua.

Industry Award for the Bachelor of Tourism Management Programmes:

Kalolaine Heilala ‘O Pulotu Po’oi Sikuvea (Bachelor of Tourism Management), daughter of Kaluseti Holani Po’oi and Mr Maleko Po’oi ‘of Hala Pili, Ngele’ia, Tongatapu.  Kalolaine is married to Sikuvea Jr Sikuvea of Ha’alaufuli, Vava’u.

Industry Award for the Information Technology Degree Programmes:

Soane Ngutukoula Fatai (Bachelor of Information Technology, Computer Networks), son of Mrs Lea’aetoa Fakatava Fatai and Mr Ponove Fatai of Pangaimotu, Vava’u.

Ezi World Cargo & Travel Limited Award for High Achievement by a Pasifika Graduate in a Bachelor’s Degree Programme:

Filipe Fatongia Pau (Bachelor of Tourism Management), son of Mrs Pelenatita and Mr Taupeaafe Pau of ‘Ahau, Tongatapu.  Filipe came to New Zealand in 2010 on a one year Rugby Scholarship and studied at Auckland Boys Grammar.  Upon the completion of his Rugby scholarship, a Kiwi family namely Mrs Makale’ohiva & Mr Ronald Baas saw the potential that Filipe has as an educator thus supported him financially and morally by enrolling him with AIS St Helens just to see him graduate amongst the best.  Filipe is forever grateful to his Kiwi family for their vision and support.

Most Dedicated All Round Maori Pasifika Graduate Cup for 2013:

Salome Muimui Kovi ‘a Lavinia Veiongo ki Pouono Ve’etutuu of Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu, daughter of Mrs ‘Ilafehi and Mr ‘Atunaisa Ve’etutuu.

This Most Dedicated All Round Maori Pasifika Graduate Cup was presented at the annual Special Pasifika Celebration known as the Aloha Night, celebrating the achievements of Pasifika graduates in the presence of their families and friends, prior to the actual AIS St Helens Graduation Ceremony.

Faka-Sepitema: Women in white

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan-Auckland based protestant  churches held women’s Sepitema day today Saturday.

At the Free Church of Tonga in Mangere, Auckland,  women wore white clothes the normal colour  for the formal occasion.

The annual event  held in the month of September, hence its name,  is a religious ceremony  where every woman in  the church stands up and answers yes when her name is called out.

It is one of the biggest events all Tongan protestant church members looked forward to during the year.

Free Church of Tonga parishioners travelled all the way down from Northland and the  Bay of Plenty to attend their Septema day at their Favona headquarter in Mangere.

The President Reverend Semisi Fonua chaired the Faka-Sepitema.

A pōhiva (religious evening singing) was arranged by the church for tomorrow  to mark the  conclusion of  the women's Sepitema ceremony.

Vava'u: Two tourists die within days of each other

By
Kalino Latu
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An Australian tourist died after leaving a church on September 15. Brettian Mamilton 53 and his partner Leanne Maftession attended a Sunday service at the village of Talau in Vavaʻu.

On their way back to the Talau Guest House where they lived, Mr. Mamilton fell ill and gradually fell to the ground. He was rushed to the hospital but died before he was arrived.

Vava’u Police Superintend Netane Falakiseni told Kaniva News a report by  Dr Sonasi Hu’ahulu at the Neiafu Hospital says the deceased died from heart attack.

Three days later another Australian fell ill after joining a group of whale watchers at ‘Euakafa Island. Mrs Jane Elizabeth Robinson eventually fainted and was rushed to the hospital at Neiafu on September 18.

Falakiseni said  Robinson was declared dead 10 minutes upon arrival at the hospital. A report by Dr Sisi Longoa’a Latu says she suffered from heart attack.

The two deceased have been flown on a chartered flight from Vava’u to Tongatapu on September 20 and were expected to be departed for Australia on September 26, Falakiseni said.

Auckland Rugby Union Blues U16: Tongan support promising

By
Kalino Latu
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This article is sponsored by Kelekolio Tapueluelu and  GM Cars Ltd

The Auckland Central U16 coach said he was moved by the number of supports received from the Tongan fans who turned up to support his team during the Auckland Rugby Unions Blues U16 tournament.

Four teams played during the last three weeks since September 7 are U16 Central, U16 West Team, U16 East Team, U16 South Team . The final will be held this Saturday 28.

Coach John Kens said, “We have lost two games with some bad luck, losing by one point to Auckland South, they had two intercept tries and we lost to the first placed team on Sunday by six points again very unlucky”, he told Kaniva Sports.

“The more time they play together the better they are performing as a team and they appear to have the strongest front row in the tournament.

There are 10 Tongans in the squad and Kens said he “thoroughly enjoyed the boys attitude to training and there natural skill level, the natural Tongan attitude is something that is refreshing and if they use this to their advantage they will do well and go far.

“The support of their respective families is also extremely important and all ten boys have this support.

Decent Tongan players in the Auckland Central U16  – Maake Tapueluelu, Kepu Lokotui, Keni Hala, Loketi Manu, Sean Fusitua, Siaosi Pulu, Sione Ahokava, Sione Taliai, Siosifa Tukutau, and Sunia FineFuieake.

The Central Team U16:

The Auckland Under 16 Central Team Management would like to thank all players who took part in the pre-season trainings and those who are unavailable for selection due to injury. Congratulations to the following players who have been selected for the 2013 Auckland Under 16 Central Team:

Aleks Dabek (St Peters College)

Brook Wilson (Auckland Grammar)

Connor Wihongi (Auckland Grammar)

Daniel Perez (St Peters College)

Iliaitia Ravudi (Onehunga High School)

Keni Hala (Onehunga High School)

Kepu Lokotui (Onehunga High School)

Loketi Manu (Auckland Grammar)

Mahe Vailanu (Auckland Grammar)

Mark Tapueluelu (One Tree Hill College)

Noah Mataia (St Peters College)

Phillip Ega (St Pauls College)

Reiko Ioane (Auckland Grammar)

Sam McConnell (Auckland Grammar)

Sean Fusitua (Dilworth School)

Siaosi Kafalava (Auckland Grammar)

Siaosi Pulu (Marcellin College)

Sione Ahokava (Dilworth School)

Sione Taliai (Onehunga High School)

Siosifa Tukutau (Dilworth School)

Sunia FineFuieake (Auckland Grammar)

Theodore Solipo (St Peters College)

Uasi Leota (St Pauls College)

Wiseguy Faiane (Auckland Grammar)

Tongan deputy police commissioner dies after fight with cancer

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan deputy police commissioner ‘Atelaite Koloale’o Soakai has died in Nuku’alofa.

Soakai, 47 has been battling cancer for a few years and had multiple treatments to try and prolong her life.

She joint Tonga Police Force in December 1989 and retired on medical ground in July this year.

Upon retirement she was awarded the Police Employment Award for distinguished service rendered to the Tonga Police Force. She was the first police officer to be awarded with the silver medal.

While joining the force Soakai regularly left for  overseas to study on various field of education and training ranges from discipline and counselling  to management and administration to information and technology. She studied  in countries such as USA, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Fiji and New Zealand.

Born in May 14, 1966 in the town of Kolofo’ou, Soakai died after she served the force for 23 years.

Surveyors' new book about Tonga brings back memories

By
Kalino Latu
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by Dr Malakai Koloamatangi

“So much had changed” was how authors and former surveyors Bruce Alexander and Larry Wordsworth described Tonga after some 50 years absence from the Island Kingdom. Bruce and Larry were surveyors in Tonga in 1957. Having been jointly hired by the Tongan and New Zealand governments, they were responsible for dividing the bush allotments into their current and constitutionally guaranteed 8.25 acre plot. Every Tongan male 16 years and over, upon reaching tax-paying age, is entitled to receive a town and bush allotment. Bruce and Larry’s experiences of their time in Tonga were turned into a book titled 100 Fathoms Square.

The book was launched by HRH Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu of Tonga on 12 September at Massey University’s Albany campus. Despite the rain (though some saw it as a blessing) around 40 people from the community, Tongan and non-Tongan, and Massey University staff turned out for the launch. Reverend Tevita Finau of the Northcote Tongan Methodist church officiated with an opening prayer then Bruce gave an informative and at times emotional account of his and Larry’s sojourn in Tonga. Of particular interest were the relationships they were able to forge with local co-workers and their perspectives on Tongan life – even those aspects they did not understand.

Princess Siu’ilikutapu formally launched the book then she gave a personal account of her role in bringing the book to fruition. She also reminded everyone that her father HRH Prince Tu’ipelehake was Prime Minister of Tonga at the time. She showed particular interest in one of photo which showed Prince Tu’ipelehake and the surveyors in one of the villages on Tongatapu. Mention was made that in addition to the historical and social significance of the book, there are many coloured photographs depicting town and village life as they were in the mid-1950s. Some people were able to recognise family and friends in the photographs, which made the book all the more valuable. So much so that Bruce was able to sell many signed copies of the book on the night.

For the record: the Tongan expression teau ‘e taha referring to a bush allotment of 8.25 acres comes from its equivalent ‘100 fathoms’ hence the title of the book. Of interest too is the fact, which is shown pictorially in the book, that a specific monetary creation the silini ‘e fa or four shillings was made because a box of bananas for export used to cost this amount exactly.

Copies of the book can be bought from Margot Moller macmoller@xtra.co.nz

Fiji eye surgeons refuse to travel on MA-60 aircraft

By
Kalino Latu
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A team of eye surgeons from Fiji said they will not use the Real Tongan MA-60 airplane when they will be in the kingdom next month.

The surgeons from the Pacific Eye Institute (PEI) are expected to travel from Nuku’alofa to Vava’u on October 14 to perform eye surgeries and treatments.

The Real Tonga new turboprop MA60, built by Chinese-government-owned Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corp became a subject of serious concerns after revelations it has experienced significant number of accidents in the past.

It  is not certified to travel in New Zealand, Australia, US and European countries.

The Tongan authotirites insisted the aircraft is safe. The Real Tonga  airline said there was no ground in which they need to ground the aircraft.

PEI is an initiative of the New Zealand’s Fred Hollows Foundation.

Director of the PEI, Dr John Szetu told Kaniva News their policy does not allow the team to “travel in an aircraft that is not recommended by the New Zealand government”.

The policy requires travellers to be insured but that is something an insurance company could not offer if travellers travel on unsafe aircraft, Dr Szetu said.

The institute is negotiating with Dr Paula Vivili from Tonga to sort things out but Dr. Szetu confirmed  the team, which will also perform eye surgeries on the mainland Tongatapu will travel by ferry to Vava’u.

About 200 Tongan eye patients are expected to be seen by the 12 surgeons in two weeks before they return to Fiji on October 26.

The PEI refusal was the second within one month after the Mormon Church in Tonga told its officials and employees the church would no longer pay airfares for them to travel on the Real Tonga MA-60 for safety reasons.

In 2011, a MA-60 crashed in Indonesia killing all 27 on board.

First Tongan Women to become police officers hold reunion in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
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A group of Tongan women enjoyed welcoming feasts and entertaining activities in Kelston, Auckland on September 8 – 11 to formally mark the 43 anniversary of the first ever women to join the Tonga police force in September 8, 1970.

Eight female pioneers who first recruited to the force were Fapiola Matāpule, Loukinikini ‘Ahio,  Heleine Tu’ihalamaka, Paea Kalavi, Ane Kinahoi, Saane Inukiha’ananga, Simaima Halapua Finau and Mele Ma’afu Halapua.

All eight still alive and well but only some of them were able to attend the reunion.

Fapiola Matāpule remembered the time when they first joined Recruitment Four at the Tonga Police academy.

“It was challenging but rewarding you know we were equally trained with the boys in everything like physical activities that were needed for us to fulfill. And I remember there was always rival between us women and the men especially when it came to exam times because you know  the men always think they can do better than us in police,” Matāpule told Kaniva News.

The three days reunion which began with a prayer service at the Domion Methodist Church was the first ever formal occasion for the former police women to meet and reminisced about their past.

Matāpule said she resigned from the force after 16 years of employment and relocated with her family to New Zealand in 1986.

She said  others worked until they were pensioned off including Mele Maʻafu Halapua and Simaima Halapua Finau who had the chance of holding the post of police inspector.

The group decided to meet in Tonga next year  to celebrate the 44 anniversary.

Matāpule said the reunion is expected to be returned to Auckland in 2015 when they will celebrate their  45  anniversary.

Other ex-women officers who joined the reunion from Tonga were  Heleine Tu’ihalamaka, ‘Ileiana Taulua, Teti Leha’uli Kava, Mafi Taulahi, Toa Fifita, Milise Fakakovi, Veuki Lavemai Teisina and Hakalo

The police-women who are currently in the force were represented in the reunion by Folola Halahingano Vaikona and Sokopeti Faletau.

The Group Officials – President: Simaima Halapua Finau, Treasurer: Fapiola Matāpule, Secretary: Saunaleva Halaifonua Hēhēpoto and the campaigner  (angi) is Tupou Lyden.

Cigarette lighter thief to reappear in court

By
Kalino Latu
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TAURANGA, NZ: A Tongan man accused of smashing a supermarket window because he wanted to steal a cigarette lighter is expected to reappear in the Tauranga Registrar’s Court tomorrow, September 23.

Samuela Haitonga Kavenga, 57, was arrested for allegedly stealing a Bic lighter from Countdown Fraser Cove on the night of Friday, August 2.

Kavenga appeared in court last month but his lawyer Genevieve Denize asked for an adjournment so that an interpreter could be scheduled for Kavenga.

At the time of the arrest, Tauranga Police acting Senior Sergeant Craig Madden said the man needed a light to have a cigarette, so took a trolley and smashed it through the supermarket window.

“He walked into the shop and grabbed a Bic lighter.”

The damage, which cost the super market several thousands, has been fixed overnight and Countdown was open for business on Saturday morning.

Tongan soldiers in question after Taliban attack

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED 10:00pm,  22 Sept: The Tongan contingents deployed to Camp Bastion, one of the largest NATO bases in Afghanistan, are in hot water following a deadly attack by the Taliban that saw two US marines died and a destruction of  eight Harrier jump jets worth US$200 million.

“Several watchtowers at Bastion were manned at the time, but the Tongan soldiers in those posts could not observe the area around the empty tower”, officials told Washington Post

“There was dead space,” one official said.

The Washington Post’s national editor Rajiv Chandrasekaran “confirmed that watchtowers were indeed left to Tongans”. He added that Tongan soldiers are “notorious at the base for sleeping on the job”.

Fifteen Taliban attackers managed to break through Camp Bastion’s perimeter in September 14, 2012 and quickly made their way to the US Marine Harrier flight line.

They disguised themselves as US soldiers and in quick succession, they fired rocket-propelled grenades at eight Harrier jump jets under canvas hangers, destroying six and damaging two.

After a six-hour firefight, the incursion was put down,  ABC7 I-Team investigation  report says.

Chandrasekaran says “Security patrols of the perimeter, which were conducted by the Marines … had been scaled back substantially in the months leading up to the attack”.

“Simply blaming the Tongans, however, is not accountability. U.S. staff decisions made it easier for the Taliban to reconnoitre the compound and then enter without resistance,” according to Chadrasekaran’s sources with direct knowledge of the incident.

ABC7 I-Team asked the military “Why were Tongan soldiers being used for perimeter security?”

The military responded,   “it would be premature to comment on any findings, recommendations, or possible actions related” to the  investigation of the attack.

Tonga Defense Service Brigadier ‘Uta’atu told Taimi Online the Tongan soldiers  “not only participate in force protection and security around the Camp, but part of them provide quick reaction force if something happens inside the camp.”

He described what the Tongan troops are doing at the camp as “highly sensitive and very dangerous.”

A Taliban statement said the attack was made in retaliation for an American–made film insulting the Prophet Mohammed.

Bastion camp was where Prince Harry served and Taliban said that was one of the reasons for their attack.

Tongan government has committed 275 of its soldiers over two years with an initial 55 soldiers in 2010 to Afghanistan.

A further three rotations of 55 marines sent to  form part of the guard at the main British base, Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province where the attack by Taliban took place.

NOTE: An earlier version of this article said the Taliban entered the Bastion Camp on September 24, 2012. That was not correct. It was on September 14, 2012.

Featured image:  Sgt Corrine Buxton/ UK MOD

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