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PM dismisses Tonga’s $150m debt to China while Blinken criticises Beijing’s behaviour

By
Philip Cass
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has criticised what he called China’s “predatory” economic policies in the Pacific, but Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said he was not concerned about Tonga’s debt to China.

Secretary Blinken made the comments on Wednesday during a visit to Nuku’alofa where he marked the opening of a new US embassy.

Tonga owes $150 million to China, the equivalent of about 25 per cent of its gross domestic product.

Hon. Sovaleni said he was not concerned about the large amount of money his country had borrowed from China and that Tonga had started to pay back the debt.

Blinken met with the Prime Minister other officials to discuss the bilateral relationship as well as regional and global issues, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

“President Biden is fully committed to working with Tonga, and with all Pacific Islands, to usher in an era of even closer collaboration to deliver on the issues that matter most to our people — rooted in mutual respect and mutual trust,” Blinken said.

The Prime Minister described Secretary Blinken’s visit as “historic.”

“It is the first visit by a sitting US Secretary of State to Tonga and the highest level visit we have received from the United States in our recent history,” he added.

“It is a clear indication to us of the desire and commitment by the United States to strengthen our relations. The United States and Kingdom of Tonga share a long-standing history and enduring partnership.”

Blinken said the United States did not object to nations in the region engaging with other countries, including China, but that there were concerns over Beijing’s “increasingly problematic behaviour.”

He accused China of asserting unlawful maritime claims, militarisation and investments that could undermine good governance and promote corruption.

Blinken also praised the return of Peace Corps volunteers, who left the island because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the opening of the US embassy underlined the strength of America’s commitment to the people of Tonga.

The embassy would allow Washington to deploy additional diplomatic personnel and resources, including the potential appointment of a resident ambassador to Tonga.

The United States has had diplomatic relations with the kingdom since 1972.

For more information

The U.S. dedicates a new embassy in Tonga in a bid for more influence in the Pacific

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/26/1190117738/the-u-s-dedicates-a-new-embassy-in-tonga-in-a-bid-for-more-influence-in-the-paci

US opens embassy in Tonga in new pushback against China in Pacific

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-opens-embassy-tonga-new-pushback-against-china-pacific-2023-05-09/

Blinken visits tiny Tonga as US continues diplomatic push to counter China in the Pacific

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2344391/world

US Secretary of State expresses concerns over China on visit to Tonga

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/494560/us-secretary-of-state-expresses-concerns-over-china-on-visit-to-tonga

Court rejects appeal against dismissal of bribery allegations, says claims unproven

By
Philip Cass
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The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by Feleti Ulakai over a ruling dismissing allegations of bribery during an election made against Paula Piveni Piukala.

Paula Piveni Piukala. Photo/Kaniva Tonga

On February 13, 2023, Judge Cooper dismissed a petition brought by Feleti Ulakai, challenging the election of Paula Piveni Piukala on November 3, 2022. Mr Ulakai was also ordered to pay the costs.

Ulakai subsequently appealed  against those orders.

The appeal was heard by Judges Randerson, White and Morrison.

Ulakai alleged that Piukala committed bribery under Section 21 of the Electoral Act, which states that  Every person commits the offence of bribery who, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf  gives any money or valuable gift to or for any elector, or to or for any other person on behalf of any elector or to or for any other person, in order to induce any elector to vote or refrain from voting.

In their summary of the case, the judges said Ulakai had to prove beyond reasonable doubt that money or a valuable gift was given (or offered) by Piukala directly, or indirectly by someone on his behalf;  the money or gift was given (or offered) to an elector, namely a registered voter; or to another person on behalf of a registered voter, or to someone else; and the money or gift was given (or offered) in order to induce a registered voter to vote or refrain from voting

Ulakai alleged the following specified acts constituting bribery had occurred:

Someone giving money on Piukala’s behalf to electors of Tokomololo, Pea and Ha’ateiho;   and someone gave a gift such as groceries on Piukala’s behalf to electors of Tokomololo, Pea and Ha’ateiho. 

Ulakai alleged that the money giving occurred in this way:

On September 20, 2022, at the residence of Mr Fevaleaki, prizes were announced for three people participating in a poetry competition;

On October 28, 2022, at Ha’ateiho, prizes were given for participants in a poetry competition;

The prizes for poetry competitions were, in each case, from sponsors and on September 17, at the Ha’ateiho Golf Club, the respondent gave an envelope of money to Tevita ‘Eli and a person called Pita.

On October 8, 2022, two women distributed groceries to older people at Ha’ateiho, including the home of Mamata Kohinoa.

Except in the case of the money given by Piukala’s himself at the Golf Club, all other acts were of things done indirectly on his behalf.

The judges said that Ulakai added nothing of substance to his affidavit in oral evidence.

No evidence had been presented to show that an attempt had been made to verify the claims or to speak to the people involved in order to ascertain what had happened.

Nor had any effort  been made to find out whether the recipients of any prize money felt bribed or induced to vote in a particular way.

Much was made of unverified social media posts and video as evidence, but these did not in themselves prove the essential elements of the allegations.

There was evidence that the groceries had come from the charity St Vincent de Paul.

“This was a case based on circumstantial evidence,” the judges said.

“All the witnesses gave evidence based on what they saw after the event on videos or photos taken from the videos.

“With the exception of Mr Ulakai having been present when the groceries were given, no witness was actually present at any relevant time.

“No recipient of a money prize or gift was called, no sponsor of the poetry prizes was called, and the MC was not called. In fact, no evidence was given by any attendee at the poetry competitions.”

The challenge to the appeal was dismissed with costs against Ulakai.

Taumoepeau faces 25 charges with no bail after series of car burglaries in US

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan man in Saratoga Springs, Utah, has been charged with 25 counts of burglary in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins that occurred in Provo and Eagle Mountain last month.

Mosiah Vae Taumoepeau, 20, was arrested after he was found with stolen property from the break-ins, including Apple Airpods, credit cards, gift cards, and $1,000.

He reportedly admitted to deputies that he had burglarized over 10 vehicles and “lost track of time because there were so many.”

Taumoepeau was being held in Utah County Jail without bail.

Utah news media reported that Taumoepeau told deputies he was “just walking around with no real direction,” according to court documents. When asked for identification, he reportedly handed a deputy a phone and wallet that did not belong to him. He was then handcuffed and detained, according to court documents.

After being read his Miranda rights, Taumoepeau told deputies he was in the Ridley’s parking lot “hitting glass,” according to the affidavit. Deputies asked what he meant and he reportedly said “car burglaries.”

Taumoepeau told deputies his intent was not to break into vehicles — that he was going for a walk and decided to start breaking in when he arrived in the parking lot, according to the probable cause statement. He broke into “approximately” seven vehicles, according to court documents.

Taumoepeau is facing 25 charges, including:

  • Two counts of attempted burglary of a vehicle, a class B misdemeanor
  • Manufacture/possession of burglary tools, a class B misdemeanor
  • 12 counts of burglary of a vehicle, a class A misdemeanor
  • Two counts of theft of a value less than $500, a class B misdemeanor
  • Five counts of unlawful acquire/posses/transfer of financial card, a third degree felony
  • Unlawful possession of ID, a third degree felony
  • Property damage/destruction of less than $500, a class B misdemeanor
  • Theft of less than $500, a class B misdemeanor

Mother searched how to cause child drug overdose before killing daughters

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Adam Burns, Reporter of RNZ and is republished with permission

Warning: This story contains distressing content that may upset some readers.

Lauren Dickason made online searches on how to cause child drug overdoses in the weeks leading up to the deaths of her three young daughters.

Lauren Anne Dickason in the High Court at Christchurch on 17 July 2023. Photo: Pool / NZME/ George Heard

Dickason, originally from South Africa, is on trial in Christchurch for the murder of her children, Maya, Karla and Liané, in September 2021.

She denies the charges, arguing insanity and infanticide.

It was Dickason’s internet searches that were under the microscope in court on Monday.

“Search one is ‘alprazolam dose for children’, search term two is ‘ambien lethal dose’, ‘carbon monoxide death’ is search three, search four ‘children who bite’, search five ‘drugs to overdose kids’,” Detective Joshua Locke told the court.

Locke, from the police’s digital forensics team, was among the team who took the data from Dickason’s phone the day after her daughters died.

Those were among multiple web searches done around the time the three girls were killed, he said.

Most of the 12 searches happened in South Africa during July and August 2021, but some had been deleted by Dickason, limiting the data, said Locke.

“It cannot be determined what date and time the following searches were made: ‘Children who bite’, ‘fatal levels of ativan’, ‘how to deal with anxiety due to Covid’, ‘I hate what lockdown is making me’, ‘the worst pet as a child’,” he said.

But the defence said it was not clear what Dickason was thinking when these searches were made and some, such as ‘immigration stress’, were omitted entirely.

The defence entered their chosen messages from more than 135,000 present on Dickason’s phone into evidence on Monday. They mostly painted a picture of a hands-on mother, who enjoyed finding activities to do with her daughters, like arts and crafts, gymnastics and swimming.

She often messaged friends and family about what the girls were up to.

Detective Edward Mitchell read some to the court, including this one describing two-year-old twins, Maya and Karla: “Maya is the little mother, always helpful and peaceful and obedient. Karla is the firecracker. She can throw an amazing tantrum but is also loveable and talks a dog out of a bush.

“She and Liané are best friends. It’s so pretty. This is such a nice age – I wish they could stay this big forever.”

Woman charged with murder of three daughters. Graham & Lauren Dickason and kids Liane 6 and twins Maya and Karla 2 Dickason

Lauren Dickason consistently updated family back in South Africa about her daughters. Photo: Supplied

Many messages had accompanying images or videos of the girls – including one which reads ‘my kids are crazy’, with a picture of all three in an outdoor pool in winter.

Dickason’s lawyer, Anne Toohey, said the pictures provide crucial context to the Crown’s sample of messages.

“There are literally hundreds of photos and videos that Dickason shares to WhatsApp groups of the twins and her daughter, Liané, playing and doing fun things. And you haven’t noted that anywhere in your evidence.”

As the family isolated and then flew to New Zealand, Dickason’s friends and family began to be concerned by the few messages they received.

Mitchell told the court Dickason replied reassuringly.

“Thank you friends. I promise when my inability to speak has passed and the absolute shock of everything that has happened has settled, we’ll FaceTime. I love you all so much,” Dickason wrote in August 2021.

Her communication faded rapidly in the final months the girls were alive, Toohey said.

“In July 2021, 2885 messages were sent from Lauren’s phone. In August 2021, the next month, it drops to 965,” she said.

“In September, acknowledging of course that this only encompasses the first 16 days in September, it drops again to 330 messages.”

The case continues on Tuesday.

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Kiri Allan charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest, resigns as Justice Minister, PM says

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says Kiri Allan has been charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest.

File photo. Justice Minister Kiri Allan. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Allan was taken into police custody on Sunday night after a car crash in Wellington and “is assisting with inquiries”.

She also returned a breath test over the legal limit, Hipkins said.

He said Kiri Allan has resigned as a minister.

Allan did not respond to RNZ’s request for comment this morning.

In a statement, the police said they received a report of a crash involving two vehicles on Evans Bay Parade in Roseneath shortly after 9pm.

“One person was taken in to custody and is assisting police with inquiries into the circumstances of the crash.

“The road was blocked for a short time, no injuries are reported.”

RNZ has been provided photos taken last night of a Hyundai Kona – a electric car available to ministers – blocking one lane of a road.

Allan returned to her full ministerial duties on Monday last week after taking some time away from Parliament due in part to a relationship break-up.

While she was taking a few days of mental health leave, separate allegations were reported regarding her treatment of staff, which she strongly denied.

She then took another two weeks off over Parliament’s recess.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins spoke to Allan on 14 July after returning from his trip to Europe and confirmed then she would return to work.

“I’m pleased she is in a much better space after taking some time off and getting some professional support,” he said.

“Mental wellbeing should never be a source of shame or embarrassment. I commend Kiri for speaking publicly about her recent struggles and I’ve been resolutely committed to supporting her through that.”

Allan also issued a blanket apology to “anyone who has found my behaviour towards them unacceptable” and Hipkins said she would receive workplace coaching.

Last Monday, Hipkins told reporters he considered the matter closed.

“Kiri gave me some assurances that she feels well, she’s in a good space to come back to work, and certainly the conversations I’ve had with her over the last week or so, the last few days, give me confidence in that.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Allan acknowledged she had gone through “a bit of a rough time”.

“I’ve struggled with my mental health for a good part of my adult life. That’s something I try not to shy away from.”

Petrol station blaze closes part of Auckland’s Great South Road

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

About 50 firefighters have battled a petrol station blaze on Auckland’s Great South Road.

Firefighters at Z in Takanini following a fire on Monday morning. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

Fire and Emergency received an alarm activation for the fire at the Z petrol station at Takanini at 3.45am on Monday.

The petrol station is connected to a fast food restaurant.

Part of the building’s roof was dismantled to help with damping down hot spots.

By 6am the fire was almost out, and no one was injured.

In a statement, police said Great South Road, near the intersection of Taka Street and Walter Stevens Drive, was closed in both directions.

It would remain closed until the scene was cleared.

“Diversions are in place, however motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid the area where possible.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Newshub.co.nz

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Tonga, New Zealand and Australia next week to discuss regional security and cooperation and attend the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the State Department said on Thursday.

Blinken plans to dedicate a new U.S. Embassy in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, a Pacific island the United States considers strategically important amid efforts by China to expand its influence across the Pacific.

The United States has stepped up engagements with countries in the Pacific region as geostrategic competition with China intensifies.

President Joe Biden hosted a first ever summit in Washington with Pacific island leaders last September and reached an agreement this year with Britain and Australia to supply the latter with nuclear-powered submarines.

Biden has invited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a state visit later this year and will also host a second summit with leaders of Pacific island nations in September.

At last year’s summit, the U.S. pledged to help Pacific island leaders stave off China’s “economic coercion,” and to work harder with allies and partners to address islanders’ needs.

Blinken will travel to Wellington, New Zealand on July 27 to meet with senior government partners and attend the Women’s World Cup when the U.S. women’s team plays, the department said.

His trip will conclude on July 28-29 with a stop in Brisbane, Australia, where he will attend the annual meeting of U.S. and Australian defense and foreign ministers, known as AUSMIN.

The Tonga stop will be Blinken’s first there as secretary of state and his third to a Pacific island country, a State Department official told a briefing on the trip. It will be his 12th to the Indo-Pacific region as a whole since he became America’s top diplomat in January 2021, while he will be the first U.S. secretary of state to visit New Zealand since 2017.

The official said temporary U.S. duty officers were already in Tonga and a first directly assigned officer would be there “in a few short weeks,” with the intention being to have an ambassador resident there.

Mele Ilafau Lenati Tupou sentenced to community work for assaulting Timaru woman

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Tongan woman who assaulted a woman outside a Timaru dairy, New Zealand has been ordered to carry 80 hours community work and pay the victim $600 for emotional harm.

Mele Ilafau Lenati Tupou, of Pareora, assaulted the woman over an unintentional queue-jump.

The victim, who was in line to pay for food at Night ’n Day in Timaru, called Tupou “rude” after she unintentionally cut in front of her. A further argument ensued as they left the shop and went to their vehicles, Stuff reported.

Tupou then threw an ice block into the victim’s windscreen, which started another verbal argument. Tupou then approached the victim aggressively and threw several punches at her head, hitting her in the left shoulder and right cheek.

The victim suffered a sore left shoulder and numerous bruises to her face and legs.

Tupou’s lawyer said the assault was out of character and that she had offered an apology to the victim.

Judge Dravitzki said he accepted that Tupou had not eaten during the day and tended to become irritable without food, but that her behaviour was “a lot more than irritable” and “an unacceptable and nasty assault on another person.”

Tupou was sentenced to 80 hours community work and ordered to pay the victim $600 for emotional harm.

Notorious teen thief who stole $15000 from a Tongatapu vendor is jailed  

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A teenage girl with several previous theft convictions has been sent to jail for six months with the last two months being suspended.

‘Ilaisaane Kolo

She pleaded guilty and said she did not want a pre-sentence report. She requested she be sentenced as soon as possible.

‘Ilaisaane Kolo, 19, went to a fea (“vendor”) at Ma’ofanga and while being there she spotted a handbag, that contained $15,000.

The handbag was left unattended so she stole it.

That same day Kolo used $6,000 of the money to buy a car.

The owner of the hand bag, Roslyn Vaka, immediately announced her hand bag and the amount of money missing on Facebook.

The couple who had sold the defendant the car contacted Vaka and the police became involved and arrested Kolo.

They recovered $5,155 of the stolen money and Kolo admitted stealing it.

Kolo is no stranger to the court.

She has a number of previous convictions, all dealt with in the Magistrate court including an offence of theft in 2020. A further offence of theft in 2021, both led to community penalties being imposed. Also there was a matter of escaping lawful custody.

In October 2022 she was sentenced to nine month’s imprisonment in which the last three months were suspended for one year, for another theft of $500.

For her latest conviction Justice Cooper had suspended part of her imprisonment term on the following conditions:

  • not to commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;
  • report to Probation within 48 hours of her release, and
  • to satisfactorily complete an alcohol awareness course.

“Any breach of those conditions will lead her to be sentenced to the suspended portion of that term. Any breach is reserved to myself”.

Lulutai cancels flights after aircraft hit by aircraft tug

By
Kaniva Staff
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Lulutai’s Y12  plane collides with an aircraft tug after the tow-bar snapped during towing at Fua’amotu hangar on Wednesday.

Poasi Tei

Passengers from Ha’apai to Tongatapu told Kaniva News their flight was delayed before it was cancelled on Wednesday.

They were told the aircraft was undergoing mechanical maintenance.

The collision triggered cancellation to the aircraft’s flights until yesterday, Thursday 20, the Lulutai chief executive Poasi Tei has confirmed to Kaniva News this morning.

He said the damage was fixed and the aircraft returned to services the following day.

In Tongan Tei said: “Ko e mo’oni ne tau e tow he vakapuna Y12 ‘i hono toho kitu’a mei he hangar ‘o uesia ai e konga ‘o e vakapuna.

Ne ngaahi ‘e he kau ‘enisinia he ‘aho ko ia pea puna he ‘aho hoko’ pe”.

The news comes after the airlines’ flight on July 4 from ‘Eua to Tongatapu was cancelled after the same passenger aircraft veered off the runway during its take-off run.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, the Chinese-built Harbin Y12 aircraft spent 20 minutes trying to take off before it returned to the terminal at Kaufana airport.

The aircraft stuttered repeatedly when it touched down before making it to the terminal.

Eyewitnesses said at the time  the aircraft appeared to have engine problems when it arrived at the airport.

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