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The Australian Government provides TOP55.67 million aid to Tonga

By
Press Release
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The Australian Government will provide an estimated AUD32.2 million, equivalent to TOP55.67 million, in official development assistance to Tonga in 2013-14.

"Australia is committed to its Partnership for Development with Tonga. This latest round of funding will support the steps being taken by Tonga to build a resilient economy and promote development that is sustainable and inclusive," said Australia's High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Brett Aldam.

Australia's development assistance to Tonga is part of the Government's overall commitment to increase the size of the Australian aid program to AUD5.7 billion from AUD5.2 billion in 2012-13. This will increase Australia's Official Development Assistance to 0.37 per cent of its Gross National Income (GNI).

Australia remains committed to increasing its ODA to 0.5 per cent of GNI, however, the Government has decided to defer this scale up by one year to 2017-18.

"Australian assistance in 2013-14 will remain focused on supporting the Government of Tonga's efforts to boost economic development and promote health and education service delivery," said Mr Aldam.

New initiatives in the 2013-14 program for Tonga include a multi-year investment to improve basic education and learning outcomes, installing solar power in nine outer islands in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, a governance and parliamentary support program to be delivered by the UNDP, and initiatives to improve the political, economic and social advancement of women.

The 2013-14 Budget continues to implement the Government's Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework (CAPF). The CAPF enables the Australian Government to work together with Tonga to better plan and implement aid investments more effectively, delivering better results for the people of Tonga.

The 2011-12 Annual Review of Aid Effectiveness, which was released in January, demonstrated that Australian aid is effective and represents value for money. It also showed that Australia is making real progress towards the targets announced in the 2012-13 budget.

Judicial review over Government of Tonga alleged illegal lease payments

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga Democratic Party (TDP) member MP Sione Taione applied on May 29 to the Supreme  Court in Nuku’alofa for a judicial review of the government multi-million payments to three royal estate holders.

Taione claims the decision for the alleged illegal payments was made on March 23, 2011 and on June 30, 2011,  $2 million pa'anga was paid to Lord Kalaniuvalu. On February 10, 2012,  $1 million pa'anga was paid to Prince Tu'ipelehake and on June 16, 2011  $119,500 pa'anga was paid to Prince Tungi.

The matter was raised in Parliament early last year and again in the Party’s submission for a Vote of No Confidence against the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano in July 2012.

At one stage, Taione told the house he had the minute of the cabinet meeting number 205 with its decision to “immediately” pay Lord Kalaniuvalu $3.7 milion for a 99 years lease.

He said according to documents he obtained the payment has already been made to Kalaniuvalu without signing the deed of lease which was an absolute breach of Land Codes sections 124 and 126.

Deputy Prime Minister, Hon SamiuVaipulu insisted the lease payments went through government procedures and that they were legal.

Mr. Neil Adsett, Tonga’s Attorney General confirmed in a letter printed by Kele’a Newspaper at the time that the lease payments were illegal citing section 19 of the constitution says “no money shall be borrowed or expended by the Government except by the prior vote of the Legislative Assembly”.

The lease payments did not go through the Parliament.

The Prime Minister survived the vote of no confidence last year because he got the majority but the Party undertook to take their submission further with court and Taione’s judicial review application is one of the alleged corruption cases the Party had in their vote of no confidence's supporting documents.

Another government's alleged corruption case is taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal by MP ‘Akilisi Pohiva where he sued Princess Pilolevu and her Tongasat company, Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and Hon Clive Edwards for their involvement in an alleged illegal transference of a million grant from China to Tonga to the Princess’s company.

The Solicitor General, 'Aminiasi Kefu acts for the government and Taione represents himself.

Siope Sitanilei Lopeti: Kainga, families and friends say goodbye to a loved one

By
Kalino Latu
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A memorial service on May 21 was held by Sanalio’s and Lopeti’s families and  kainga of Pea, Tongatapu to farewell their beloved Mr Siope Sitanilei Lopeti (49) who died while he was sailing on a boat from Nuku’alofa to Vava’u Islands .

Lopeti who has just arrived in Tonga from Hawaii for his Church of Tonga Annual Conference to be held in Vava’u was expected to return to Tongatapu after the conference to join  his dad’s 75 birthday scheduled to be celebrated last week.

His brother, Nesiasi Kamoto Lopeti, told Kaniva News Sitanilei was “apparently died” in the boat and the voyage has to stop at Pangai,  Ha’apai to drop him off before it continued on to Vava’u.

He was taken to Niu’ui Hospital in Hihifo, Ha’apai before his younger brother arrived by aircraft from the mainland  Tongatapu to return his body.

Police could not be reached for comments but the family says they suspected heart attack was the cause of his death.

His wife Pakilau Lopeti has to fly from Hawaii with their only son ‘Alekisio Sateki Lopeti to join his funeral in Tonga.

Sitanilei Lopeti, an alumnus of Atenisi University served as a church steward in their Tongan community Church of Tonga in Hawaii.

He is the eldest son of Tekifaiva Sanalio Lopeti and Mele Lopeti of Pea, Tongatapu.

Shark Fins (Kaponga`i `Anga) being hung outside Chinese-owned Neiafu Shopping Centre

By
Kaniva Staff
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My name is ‘Eseta Schaaf, founder of the organization Keep Vava’u Green – based in Salt Lake City, Utah and working to raise awareness on social media about the most pressing environmental issues facing Vava’u today. Three weeks ago, I visited Vava’u to see some of the grassroots environmental projects put on by various community groups. Three months prior, I was informed by sources in Vava’u that shark fins were seen hanging outside the Chinese-owned Neiafu Shopping Centre, however, no pictures were available.

On May 14th during an afternoon walk in Neiafu, I saw – indeed — shark fins hanging outside Neiafu Shopping Centre. Upon inquiry, a staff member told me they were acquired from local fishermen and divers. I took photos and recorded a clip with my camera phone before going inside the shop to ask for more information. A Chinese female cashier told me the store owner’s name was Siaki Wong and gave me his phone number. I later called many times unsuccessfully – each to a busy tone.

Shark finning is a cruel practice of cutting off the fins of live shark before throwing them back into the ocean. Many times a shark cannot swim normally afterwards and will often get eaten by predators. Shark fins are used to make an expensive soup popular in China and Asian cuisine – this practice is contributing to the dwindling of the numbers of shark species worldwide.

A few days later, I reported the shark fins sighting to the Vava’u Police in Neiafu and was referred to the Ministry of Fisheries near the wharf. ‘Otenili Fisi’ikava at Fisheries told me there was currently a law in Tonga against shark finning but that it would be better if I phoned the main Fisheries office in Tongatapu.

I didn’t get a chance to call the Tongatapu office until I arrived back in Utah. When I did, Poasi told me Tonga doesn’t directly have a law against shark finning but that there were regulations in place regarding the amount of allowable tuna bycatch from long line fishing. Sharks are many times included in Tuna bycatch. The other protection measure for sharks would be under CITES regulations which currently prohibits the trade of two kinds of sharks – the Ocean White Tip and the Hammerhead.

Poasi said that although Tonga doesn’t directly have a law protecting sharks, the Fisheries Ministry is working with the Forum Fisheries Agency in the Solomon Islands on some measures of protection for sharks. In regards to the shark fins hanging outside Neiafu Shopping Centre, Poasi said they would need a license if they were selling it commercially or exporting them. However, using the shark fins for personal consumption would be okay, he said. And that is the current dilemma – we don’t know what the shark fins are being used for and what methods were used to obtain them from sea. Here’s hoping Tonga quickly works on getting specific laws in place prohibiting the cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning.

Shark fin
Shark fins hanging outside Neiafu Shopping Centre

 

Neiafu Shopping Centre
Neiafu Shopping Centre

“Fale-ʻo-Tupou” poses for photo – a truly sense of togetherness

By
Kalino Latu
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Members of the Royal Family posed for photos in Auckland suggests peace and harmony remained in the House of Tupou and House of Ha’a Moheofo.

Statement released from the Palace Office  included photos showing the Queen Mother  Halaevalu Mata’aho, her son His Majesty King Tupou VI, Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u,  Crown Prince Tupouto’a,  Crown Princess Sinaitakala and the New Born Prince Taufa’ahau Manumataongo.

Princess Ofeina Fakafanua and Lord Fakafanua also joint the formal photos.

The royal family were recently blessed with the born of the new prince and Her Majesty the Queen Mother just celebrated her 87th birthday on May 29 in San Francisco.

Last year Prince Tupouto’a married Princess Sinaitakala but their marriage “caused division over the close genetic ties between the couple”.

Her Majesty Queen Mother Halaevalu Mataʻaho was reportedly disapproved of the pairing and did not attend the ceremony.

The royal photos were however  taken before the Queen Mother left for San Francisco couple of weeks ago.

She was reported to have joint a reception arranged to welcome the Ikale-Tahi team after they arrived Sunday this week as part of their PNC tournament tour to US.

Yesterday the Queen Mother provided a “wonderful meal” for the ʻIkale-Tahi members.

The kainga of ‘Ulukalala, Tupouto’a, Fakafanua and Vaea  lately visited ‘Atalanga  to pay homage to His Majesty The King and the new born Prince with the Tongan traditional presentation of veifua, pae as well as fakauʻuta of  Puaka Toho (hog), fine mats and tapa.

Their Majesties are expected to return to Tonga today Saturday 1 while HRH Prince Taufa’ahau Manumataongo will reside at ‘Atalanga Royal Residence with TRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Uluakalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakalala until the end of June when they are expected to return to Nuku’alofa.

Featured image by www.mic.gov.to

‘Ikale-Tahi team served with taumafa from the Queen Mother

By
Kalino Latu
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The 'Ikale-Tahi team were today served with a wonderful meal given by the Queen Mother of Tonga, Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho.

The taumafa was delivered by the Queen's  niece, Hon Lavinia Veiongo Latuniua ‘Ahome'e  and nephew Hon Pavel Takanga-moe-Mafi ´Ahome'e, to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City, San Francisco where the team stay.

It was received by the Team Manager, Dr Viliami Fukofuka before it was given to the team members .

Her Majesty is in the States and while she is there Her  Royal families celebrated her 87th Birthday on May 29.

The Tonga National Rugby Team will depart San Francisco on June 4 to play against Canada on their next PNC rugby tournament at Richardson Stadium, Kingston.

Bennett stands back while services wiped out

By
Press Release
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Countless support services will be forced to close their doors over the next few months after the Government’s refusal to reinstate funding, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.

The Community Response Fund was set up in 2009 to help key support agencies address cost and demand pressures through the recession. In 2011 it was extended for another year.

“Paula Bennett has now decided that those organisations no longer require support, with no new funding in this month’s budget.

“The need for these services has not suddenly disappeared. Many are reporting demand is at an all-time high.

“These are core social services – Ms Bennett herself describes them as ‘critical’.

“One, the Rainbow Umbrella Charitable Trust, provides after school programmes for children and young people with disabilities. It will close its doors today, leaving up to 35 disabled children without specialised care.

“Age Concern, which provides professional help each year to 1500 older people who are abused physically, emotionally or financially, will lose services in Kaitaia, Rodney, Rotorua, Wairoa and Marlborough due to the Community Response Fund coming to an end.

“And victims of sexual violence are facing longer waiting times for support from HELP and Wellington Rape Crisis, because of the cutbacks.

“There are more than 290 organisations in a similar position.

“Ms Bennett cannot continue to claim victory for these services when so many of them will close their doors under her watch.

“It’s time she either explained to the community that they’re no longer needed, or steps in to help.”

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