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

By
Kalino Latu
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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
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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
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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
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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.

Soakai Motu'apuaka retires from police

By
Kalino Latu
-

Soakai Motu’apuaka, 60, a Deputy Commissioner of Community has retired from Tonga’s Ministry of Police after serving for 35 years.

Deputy Commissioner Lau'aitu Tupouniua in a statement read at a farewell occasion for Motu'apuaka says Motuapuaka joined the Tonga Police Force on August 14, 1978 after serving in the United States Army with a diploma.

He started as a corporal police officer before being promoted to Sergeant of Police in 1984.

Motu'apuaka became an Inspector of Police, Assistant Chief Inspector of Police, Chief Inspector, Assistant Superintendent and Assistant Police Commander, before his final promotion as the Deputy Commissioner of Community Policing this year.

He attended the New Zealand Police College in Porirua in 1994 and graduated as a police cadet.

In his farewell speech the outgoing Deputy Commissioner of Police was emotional and said:

“This has been my life for the last 35 years.”

Motu’apuaka was also praised for his contribution to Tonga’s rugby union while being a policeman.

He was one of the key players in the Force’s 1st XV team in which at one stage he became captain.

Motu'apuaka also joined Tonga’s National Rugby Union Team ‘Ikale Tahi.

An earlier version of this story said Lautoa Faletau read 'a statement in a farewell ocassion for Motu'apuaka. The person who read the statement was Lau'aitu Tupouniua according to the Tonga Police Media and Communication Officer.

Touliki Home Gas Ltd scandal revealed seven fired

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nuku’alofa: A team of investigators recently conducted surprise inspections at LP Home Gas Ltd at Touliki in Ma’ofanga, on the mainland of Tongatapu.

This resulted in seven of the staff members dismissed, the board of directors was dissolved and the company underwent major restructuring.

The Minister for Public Enterprises Hon.Fe'ao  Vakata said the board that operated the Home Gas Company had since been brought under the control of the Tonga Power Board. 

The investigators found out the company’s staff duped customers, by filling lower quantity of liquefied petroleum gas bottles than was proper for the full amount paid and customers paid less money for full bottles.

It was unknown what prompted the investigation but it has been revealed the scandal remained uncovered in the company for more than ten years.

Hon. Vakata said it was found out that refuelers at the company had been known to offer customers  the chance to purchase gas under the table. 

The customers paid less money at the office for gas. According to the procedure, they took with them the receipts to the refuelers, to confirm they have paid and what amount of gas to fill.

When they handed their receipts to the refueler, it was found some handed them over together with just small amount of extra money. The refueler would pocket it, understanding that he has to fill the bottle up.

To make sure the authorities would not become aware of any accounting discrepancies the refuelers reduced the amount of gas filled on bottles they delivered to the gas stations or retail shops, the investigators found.

The normal quantity for a bottle of gas is 13 kilos. The investigators found that many of the bottles were only filled with 9kg, and sold for the price of 13kg. 

It was also found the refuelers have their own empty gas bottles.

They secretly filled these bottles and delivered them together with bottles that are registered by the  company’s office, to gas stations.

When they collected the money from the gas stations, then they pocketed the money for their own bottles.

Tonga Power has so far made major overhaul to the Home Gas operational system making replacements to weighing scales and supplied the retail shops and gas stations with weighing scales to make sure people would measure their bottle of gases it they doubt them.

Surveillance cameras are also installed now at the building where the gas is filled.

US$5 Million to Boost Tonga’s Economy

By
Kaniva Staff
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WASHINGTON, November 18, 2013 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$5 million for the First Economic Support Development Policy Operation to help the Kingdom of Tonga overcome recent economic shocks, support job creation, and build economic resilience.

The First Economic Support Development Policy Operation is one of two planned operations designed to support the government’s effort to promote a longer lasting recovery by improving the mobilization and use of public resources and by addressing constraints to private sector development which is needed to create jobs in the longer term. It will support measures to reduce costs for local businesses by streamlining licensing procedures and will promote improvements in public financial management.

“This operation will support the Government of Tonga to create the conditions for stronger growth and improved economic resilience, both of which are important to ensure that Tonga can continue to improve the quality of life for all citizens,” said Franz Drees-Gross, Country Director for the World Bank in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands.

Tonga’s small size and remoteness pose unique economic challenges and make the country of 104,000 people extremely vulnerable to external shocks. The Global Financial Crisis hit the country hard, with a substantial decline in remittances and tourism revenue negatively affecting households. Despite many gains, the country has faced a slow and difficult recovery.

“We are focused on building a stronger economy that is more resilient to external shocks from the global economy, economic impacts of natural disasters, and the challenges of small island economy,” said Hon. Lisiate ‘Aloveita’ Akolo, Tonga’s Minister for Finance and National Planning. “This operation supports government-led reforms that will build business confidence in the economy and improve how we mobilize and utilize public resources to best serve the people of Tonga.”

The operation is funded through a US$2.5 million grant and a US$2.5 million highly concessional credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries. The operation builds on gains achieved by previous budget support operations in 2011 and 2012.

Valerie Adams wins Pacific Sportswoman of the year award

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Valerie Adams has won the supreme gong at the NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards in Auckland tonight.

The champion shotputter, who this year collected a fourth world title at August's World Championships in Moscow, won the Pacific Sportswoman of the year award and the Supreme Sports Person award.

Up and coming heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker won the Pacific Sportsman of the year, while All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes won leader of the year.

The New Zealand Black Sox, who in March won the softball world championship, were named team of the year.

Samoan rugby legend Peter Fatialofa, who passed away earlier this month, boxing great David Tua, who retired last week and Kiwis league great Kevin Iro were all notable recipients of the Legendary Lifetime Achievement awards.

Pacific Island Sports Awards winners

1. Young Sportsperson ; Gabrielle Fa`amausili.
2. Emerging Talent : Magan Maka.
3. Sports Admin: Dain Guttenbeil.
4. Coach of the year: Eddie Kohlase.
5. Team of the year: NZ Black Sox.
6. Leadership: DJ Forbes.
7. Public Choice: Christian Erick.
8. Sportswoman: Valerie Adams.
9. Sportsman: Joseph Parker.
10. Supreme Sports Person: Valerie Adams

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Legendary Lifetime Achievement recipients

Fred Ah Kuoi
Rita Fatialofa
Lolo Heimuli
Kevin Iro
Peter Fatialofa
David Tua

SOURCE: One Sport

Seta Vaka wins Miss Charity Ambassador 2013

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kalesita Luseta Vaka from Auckland New Zealand known as Seta Vaka has been crowned Miss Charity Ambassador 2013 Saturday 16 in the Auckland Townhall.

The achievement comes as part of a career she pursues since high school.

“I love modelling so much and I’m planning to go as far as I can in this industry. Ever since I started Modelling and every opportunity that comes my way I grab it and what motivates me more to join this kind of contest is the help and support from my loving family and friends,” she told Kaniva News.

Miss Seta Vaka,20, from Otara talked about the secret she keeps so she could consistently maintain natural beauty.   

“ [I] go for a run morning and afternoon or whenever I’m free, eating lots of vegetable and fruits and cut out the meat and never miss breakfast and drink heaps of water".

What experienced as a hindrance to her endeavour to fulfil her modelling career was the angafaka-Tonga, but she was advised that it won’t be a problem.  

“As a young Tongan girl at first I found it hard to wear revealing clothes specially the beach wear because of our cultures rank of respect but than my family told me that it is okay and they understand that it is part of being a model is to wear beach wear etc.

“And so as a model I’ve been in competitions such as Bikini wear competition, My Calendar Girl Model Search NZ/Aussie and International Lingerie Model Search where I had to wear swimwear or bikinis and this made it easier for me when it comes to beauty contest and all.

I’m a Loud and Proud Tongan girl I love my people and I love my family and I’m really grateful and just wana thank all of them for supporting me throughout my journey in life but most of all I wana thank the Heavenly Father for Blessing me with such an amazing people that are really supportive and for blessing me with all these opportunities. “Ko e ‘Otua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofi’a”

Family: Her dad is Piliseni Vaka from Neiafu Vava’u, Niuatoputapu, Kolofo’ou, Ma’ufanga Tongatapu and her mom is Pauline Ofanoa Vaka from Nomuka, Uiha, Felemea, and Faleloa Ha’apai.

We had an earlier version of this story that said the event took place in Nuku'alofa. The beauty peagant took place in Auckland.

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