Police have reopened a homicide investigation into the suspected murder of David John Robinson, more than 26 years after he was found dead on a remote beach on the West Coast.
A police car (file). (Source: 1News)
The investigation was first launched on 28 December 1998, after the 25-year-old’s body was found on a remote beach on the West Coast near Ross.
Robinson was killed around 10 days before his body was found, Detective Inspector Geoff Baber said.
During its initial investigation, police found Robinson’s possessions scattered across the beach, which suggested he had likely been staying in the area before he died.
An “extensive” investigation was launched, which saw police interview several people in the community and conduct searches of the nearby beach, bush, and river areas.
Eventually, it was “scaled back”.
Since then, the probe has “been periodically reviewed, and police continue to make additional enquiries over the years,” Barber said.
“I want David’s family and the community to know we will not give up – Police are determined to find out what happened in this small rural community shortly before Christmas over 26 years ago.”
Barber said police were canvasing the Kakapotahi area this week, with enquiries expected to continue over the coming days and weeks.
“We know people may not have wanted to previously tell us what they saw or heard, but the passing of time may have changed things for them, and they may see things differently now with regards to David and what happened to him.
“If you do know something, we encourage you to come forward and speak to us – it is not too late to provide David’s family with answers.”
Anyone with information is being asked to call 105.
COMMENTARY – A recent report indicating a judge’s concern about a missing file from the court registry added to a growing list of long-standing issues related to the performance of specific Ministries that have been worrying some court judges.
Minister for Justice Mo’ale Finau. Photo/Fale Alea ‘o Tonga
In his decision earlier this month to set aside a court order he had previously announced regarding a dispute between the Tonga Development Bank and media whistle-blowers, Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop turned the spotlight on the court’s filing system.
He noted that there have been instances where important legal documents have gone missing or been misfiled, raising questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the current process.
In his decision, Mr Bishop said:
“… there is some dispute or least difficulty about matter but having regard to the unfortunate circumstance that documents filed sometimes go astray in the present State Of the registry”.
The document in question was a response submitted by one of the accused addressing the TDB’s allegations against him. Due to the absence of this document, the Chief Justice previously imposed more than a million fine on the accused after he allegedly failed to submit a reply within the stipulated timeframe.
However, the accused disputed the decision and submitted an affidavit to prove he had filed his response on time, and the Chief Justice finally agreed.
Mr Bishop’s concern is only the tip of the iceberg, indicating a much deeper problem within the government ministries and departments. Therefore, it is pertinent to look at a selection of the issues that have been reported in the media previously.
We previously reported concerns raised by a former Chief Justice regarding the Ministry of Transport’s issuance of a driver’s license under the table to a disabled young man. The disabled, while driving his car, struck a mother, resulting in her death.
Police performance challenged
As Kaniva News reported previously, Justice Nicholas Cooper had been concerned about the police’s failure to disclose what appeared to be names of drug ringleaders listed in “note books” confiscated during a drug bust.
He was concerned about the police failing to submit to court the list to assist in his decision making.
He described Laimani’s case as very serious, and “it was large scale commercial supply” of drugs. He said, “ the presence of a firearm in the context of this drug dealing I consider a serious aggravating feature”.
Ministry Lands staff
We also previously reported that the Land Court of Tonga has ruled that the Minister for Lands was incorrect in refusing to rectify a mistake made by his office on a land deed.
In that case, it was claimed that the Ministry of Lands mishandled files and only found a minor mistake they overlooked when confronted with them in court.
The court ruled in favour of the client, however, the judges expressed concerns regarding the inability to resolve such a minor issue at the Ministry level. This failure to address the matter adequately escalated to the judicial system, ultimately imposing a financial burden on the taxpayers.
The judges’ remarks reflect growing frustration within the community, including Tongans in the diaspora, about persistent problems in maintaining accurate and accessible court files.
The Ministry of Lands is commonly associated with issues related to missing files and inadequate record-keeping, which have resulted in various ongoing challenges.
Police Records unlawfully cleared
As reported in 2013, 172 former criminals in Tonga had their records wiped by police officers.
Tonga police had created the scheme to dishonestly clear former records of criminals who had wanted to allow them to apply for visas for overseas travel.
The then Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee made a quick turnaround of the police record keeping and said:
“We’ve put new locks on doors, we are in the throes of replacing filing cabinets and ensuring that it is physically locked away. The staff – the young staff that work in that office are very good people – and I am working very, very closely with the New Zealand and the Australian High Commissions to ensure that they get all the information that I have got. I have done everything that is humanly possible to ensure it does not happen again, but I am not going to use the word guarantee.”
Eke review policy
The Eke government is currently conducting reviews of all ministries and departments.
It was to ensure each ministry was functioning properly and delivering intended outcomes in line with government goals.
However, it has also been indicated that the objectives included reviewing to identify potential deficiencies that allegedly pertained to mismanagement and the abuse of authority.
Establishing guidelines for thoroughly investigating and tracing all instances of reported mismanagement highlighted in the media is essential.
This program should document each case and analyse the context, patterns, and consequences of the mismanagement.
By doing so, it can identify systemic issues, hold those responsible accountable, and implement necessary reforms to prevent future occurrences.
A transparent and accountable approach will enhance public trust and ensure that the concerns raised by the media are addressed effectively.
A chaotic punch-up among women on a street in Tonga has been captured on video.
The footage, which appeared to have been taken from inside a vehicle before being shared on Facebook, shows about a dozen women throwing punches at each other, resulting in some falling to the ground.
They proceeded to attack each other numerous times for around 20 seconds before some men rushed in, trying to diffuse the situation.
Kaniva News could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
The viral footage has drawn significant attention, prompting discussions about the underlying issues contributing to the confrontation.
Some were guessing about the identity of the women.
“It is because they missed their Valentines”, a commenter wrote in Tongan.
“They were workers at Luna’eva”, one commenter wrote.
“They appeared to be people leaving the Tonga High School in-house athletic competition”, another wrote.
An investigation is currently underway into the suspected suicide of a female teenager at Tatakamotonga.
Tonga Police said they responded to a report of the 15-year-old female teenager’s death.
“While police investigation remains ongoing to establish further details surrounding this incident, we extend our condolences to the family during this difficult time to find comfort in their tragic loss”, a statement said.
If you’re struggling with suicide, you are not alone. There are always people who can help. 1 free helplines are available in Tonga for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts. If you’re feeling any of the following, reach out and talk to someone who understands and can help.
Looking up information about how to kill yourself
Having urges to hurt yourself
Thinking about killing yourself
Feeling a deep sense of loneliness or isolation
Thinking that the world would be better off without you
Feeling like your own health and wellbeing no longer matter
Fascination with the concept of death and dying
Not wanting to be alive anymore
Experiencing suicidal feelings is a response to intense emotional pain that feels impossible to escape from. It’s not uncommon to feel that nothing can be solved when you’re emotionally overwhelmed. However, with the right support, you can end your emotional suffering without having to end your life.
You may be concerned that nobody will understand what you’re going through, but helpline volunteers in Tonga are specially trained to offer support to people in an emotional crisis. There is no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings. Reaching out for help is what counts.
Consider contacting a hotline in Tonga right away for free, private help with suicide – 08004444
Four Tongan cousins who tragically lost their lives in a vehicle crash in the United States in 2013 were honoured on the 12th anniversary of the incident.
Maria Moa, 17, David Moa, 19, George Moa 19, and Rachel Fisiiahi, 19, were pronounced dead after a solo-vehicle crash around on state Highway 58 just north of California City, according to the Kern County coroner’s office.
Reports said at the time, there were five people in the car, with the sole survivor a male passenger who was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, according to coroner’s officials.
The cousins were returning home after a weekend spent attending a rugby match in Las Vegas when George Moa lost consciousness while driving, resulting in a collision that caused the vehicle to overturn.
Their memory was celebrated by family and friends, reflecting on the impact they had on their loved ones and the community.
The St Benedict Church in Oakland, California, celebrated the anniversary.
“Over 10 years now but forever remembered. Forever loved. May you continue to rest peacefully”.
Taufa Moa also shared the church’s tribute.
“Happy 12 years anniversary in paradise our beloved children! happy valentines too!!! umaaa atu ki si’o mou ngaahi fofonga takitaha si’emau fanau pele hoko atu aa si’omou mohe until we meet again!”
Commentary – Tonga must maintain a firm stance of vigilance in light of the recent cyber-attacks on Samoa, which have been attributed to the China-backed APT40 hacking group.
The incident in Samoa follows the ransomware attack experienced by Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), the state-owned telecommunications provider, in the year 2023.
At the time, TCC reportedly said:
“Ransomware attack has been confirmed to encrypt and lock access to part of TCC’s system. This does not affect voice and internet service delivery to the customers, however, it may slow down the process of connecting new customers, delivering of bills and managing customers’ enquiries.”
TCC controls all fixed telephone lines and has a 70 per cent market share of dial-up and broadband internet.
It managed about half of the mobile phone services through its UCall service.
The Medusa ransomware group took credit for the attack on TCC, according to Cybersecurity expert Dominic Alvieri.
Sources claimed Medusa is known for attacking healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors. They have also targeted the government and finance sectors.
Pacific Islands Forum attack
The Pacific Islands Forum Fiji’s-based offices were victims of a cyber security attack last year.
China had been blamed for the damage.
However, Media outlet Global Times reported China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning as saying at the time the claim that it was involved in a cyber attack on the Forum is “politically motivated disinformation”.
Samoa Cyber Attack
An ABC report this afternoon said Samoa’s government has blamed the Chinese state-backed hacking group for a series of sophisticated cyber attacks,
It said the group has been conducting “malicious cyber operations against government and key critical infrastructure system” across the Pacific.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Blake Johnson said that APT40 typically “infiltrates networks and stays hidden for potentially quite some time” as it tries to siphon valuable intelligence back to the Chinese government.
Australia and key intelligence partners previously accused the Chinese group of conducting a wide-scale cyber espionage operation in the continent.
Australian experts say APT 40 has targeted regional government and private sector networks by infiltrating devices.
“By staying hidden it can regularly monitor activity, collect data and explore through the network to try to identify higher-value targets, like potentially senior government accounts that may contain sensitive government or personal information that could be used to China’s advantage,” he told the ABC.
The ABC said the Samoan report marks the first time a Pacific island nation has issued a public advisory which attributes cyber espionage to a Chinese government-linked group.
The ABC approached the Chinese Embassy in Samoa for comment but hasn’t yet received a response.
Tonga vulnerability
A 2016 research project undertaken in Tonga showed that the kingdom’s computer systems are susceptible and can be easily exploited by cybercriminals.
Dr Siuta Laulaupea’alu raised concerns in the project about how organizations and government departments in Tonga, as well as the general public, can effectively prepare for the anticipated rise in cybercrime and cyberattacks in the Pacific region.
Laulaupea’alu recommended that the government of Tonga start implementing measures to address the security weaknesses in their systems.
“Failure to act quickly on these vulnerabilities will lead to a higher number and greater depth of cybersecurity attacks.”
A security guard working at the Tonga Higher Education Institute (TIHE) has been sentenced to jail after police discovered drugs in his possession.
Falakiko Uatahausi
Falakiko Uatahausi pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 1.33g of methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of utensils.
The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop sentenced him to 12 months, with the last six months being suspended.
The court was told that Uatahausi was caught red-handed while being in a vehicle parked near TIHE.
He was in the driver seat near one of the shelters, and when approached by the police, illicit drugs were found in the vehicle, together with a smoking pipe.
Mr Bishop said: “Methamphetamine is a scourge in the kingdom of Tonga. It fosters crime destroys lives, places in intolerable burden on the health care service and the court must do all they can to stamp it out”.
The Judge acknowledged Uatahausi’s decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Bishiop also noted that for the last 20 years, he has seemingly stayed clear of trouble, especially with regard to drug-related offences.
The court judgment revealed that Uatahausi has a history of possessing illicit drugs, dating back to September 5, 2005, when he was convicted of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, which resulted in a two-month suspended sentence.
“Sadly you have now re-offended”.
Announcing his sentence, Mr Bishop said: “I take your case starting point at 18 months’ imprisonment, which I reduced by six months to take account of your mitigating factors as already outlined. [12months]
“Count 2 is a less serious offence and the sentence there is six months concurrent”.
The six months suspension conditions included
a. He must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment
b. He will be placed under Probation for the period of your suspended sentence
c. He must report to the probation office within 48 hours of your release from custody
d. He must complete a drugs and alcohol course at the direction of the Probation Officer during the suspension period.
President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding an immediate release of all hostages by midday on Saturday.
He emphasized the critical importance of the situation, warning that “all hell is going to break out” if the group fails to return the hostages taken more than 15 months ago.
Mr Trump said the Gaza ceasefire should be cancelled if all remaining Israeli hostages are not returned by noon on Saturday.
The US president’s intervention came hours after Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages and accused Israel of violating their ceasefire deal, Sky News reported.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office late on Monday, the US president also said he might withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if those countries do not take Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza, the Guardian reported.
Trump’s comments came after Hamas said it wasdelaying the release of hostages indefinitely over “violations” of the ceasefire deal, prompting Israel’s defence minister to put the country’s military on alert with orders to prepare for “any scenario in Gaza”.
Trump said the hostages should be released “not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two”.
“We want them all back. I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but for myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock – and if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” he said.
Trump indicated he had not spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu about the timeline he suggested. Asked about any concrete measures he was threatening to take to enforce his demand, Trump said: “You’ll find out. And they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean. These are sick people.”
He did not directly respond to a question on whether or not that would entail US military action.
A Tongan man recently appeared in Wellington High Court following a significant police operation that uncovered a staggering $673,000 in cash along with illegal drugs hidden in his vehicle.
Police allegedly seized methamphetamine, other drugs including cocaine, and more than $600,000 in cash. Photo / NZ Police
Sunia Mano To’ofohe, 45, was stopped by Police in May 2023 as he drove back from Auckland to Wellington, a report by the NZ Herald said this morning.
Inside the car police allegedly found 29g of methamphetamine, 5.9g of cocaine, 23 Oxycodone pills and almost $126,000 in cash.
Later that evening during a search of To’ofohe’s room at his Lower Hutt flat, police also claim to have found about 11kg of methamphetamine, spread across a number of different containers and packages.
The Crown says that during the search police also found 26 tabs of LSD, 80 more Oxycodone pills, 580ml of fantasy or GBL, 140ml of another controlled drug known as 1-4 Butanediol and 200g of cannabis. They also allegedly found a rifle, ammunition and a further $547,000 in cash.
Van der Lem told the jury police estimated To’ofohe had supplied almost a kilogram of methamphetamine between February and May 2023.
He said To’ofohe had photographed the drug as he weighed it on different dates, showing the weights in the packages.
Screenshots of his messages, allegedly show he had supplied 226g in eight months to one user alone.
The Crown also says To’ofohe was keeping handwritten records of his drug dealing. He even did a stocktake of the methamphetamine in his possession in early 2023, van der Lem said.
As a result of what the police allegedly found in his car, bedroom and home To’ofohe faces 15 charges, including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, Oxycodone, GBL, LSD and 1-4 Butanediol for supply.
He is also charged with possessing cannabis for sale, possession of a firearm and ammunition, two charges of supplying methamphetamine and failing to assist in a search.
To’ofohe denies all charges.
His lawyer, Keith Jefferies, urged the jury to keep an open mind.
The Crown will call more than 20 witnesses and produce 11 photo booklets during the trial before Justice Cheryl Gwyn. It is expected to continue at least this week.
Police are continuing to search almost a week on for the person responsible for a stabbing that left a man critically injured in Auckland’s Birkenhead.
Armed police block off Birkenhead Ave on Auckland’s North Shore. (Source: Supplied)
A man was found with serious injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public at around 2pm on February 4.
Hato Hone St John said it responded to the incident with one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles.
“One patient, in a critical condition, was transported to Auckland City Hospital.”
A witness told 1News that they saw a badly injured man lying on the side of the road on his back at around 2pm.
“An elderly lady stopped to help him, then a cop car pulled up.”
North Shore area commander inspector Stefan Sagar earlier said that police did not believe it was a “random incident”.
Police said today the victim was recovering from his injuries.
“Since the incident occurred, police have completed a scene examination and area canvas as part of the investigation,” a spokesperson said.
Anyone with relevant information could call police on 105.
