The New Zealand Financial Market authority has issued another warning about investment company Validus.
The FMA said it was aware that seminars had been held in New Zealand to promote the company’s products and services.
“We are concerned that Validus is operating in breach of the New Zealand financial markets legislation, in particular, Validus is providing financial services in New Zealand without registration as a financial service provider as required by the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008,” the FMS said.
“We strongly recommend that investors do not trade or invest with entities that are not registered and/or licensed in New Zealand.”
The FMA said Validus had contacted it to claim it was not connected to the website teamsvalidus.com or Validus-team-official.com.
As we reported earlier this year, Validus’s services had been popular with some Tongans in New Zealand, Tonga and Australia.
It is understood Validus has arrived in Tonga and promotions of its services have been shared on social media for the kingdom.
The Tongan community has already been affected by scams, including pyramid schemes in which people have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In February Stuff reported that Validus was holding a meeting in South Auckland.
In February the FMA issued an interim Stop Order to Validus International LLC (registered in Delaware, USA). This prohibited the company from making offers, issues, sales or other acquisitions or disposals of financial products, accepting applications for financial products, or accepting further contributions, investments, or deposits .
The FMA said Validus and its staff appeared to be dishonest and misleading.
“The public should exercise caution in dealing with this company and its associates,” the FMA said.
The FMA warning is the latest in a series of glo bal warnings about Validus.
Last year the Australian securities and Investment Commission described the company’s activities as suspicious.
“Do not deal with, or transfer money to this entity,” ASIC said.
ASIC warned that Validus was not licensed to operate in Australia and said its claims of high returns were unrealistic.
For more information
Financial authority issues ‘interim stop order’ against Validus company
Sir Ashley Bloomfield said the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic appeared to be over – three years on today from Aotearoa’s first lockdown.
Sir Ashley Bloomfield says it feels like we are out the other side of the pandemic. Photo: 2021 Getty Images
But he said lockdowns “may have a place” still in the future.
More than 2,250,000 people have been infected with the virus here, despite New Zealand stopping most community transmission in 2020 and 2021.
The former director-general of health – who is now a population health professor at the University of Auckland – told RNZ on reflection: “It’s clear, we’re past the worst of the pandemic, it feels like we’re out the other side, and that’s the sense I have both in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also internationally.”
He said it had been “a pretty bumpy journey” but recent travel overseas had shown him: “Everyone’s sort of life’s getting almost back to completely normal. So that’s a good thing.”
Sir Ashley said he was greatly satisfied that three years on from the first lockdown, Aotearoa still had negative excess mortality.
This metric predicts the number of expected deaths every year in a country, and compares it to current totals.
“What we found in Aotearoa – in 2020, 2021 – we had less deaths than you would have predicted based on the previous years. And whilst once the Omicron variant came along, yes, we did see Covid-related deaths, the numbers have climbed. Still, if you look over those three years, cumulatively, we’re still not back at the level, the number, you would have expected.
“That is unique, virtually unique around the world,” he said.
“Lockdowns were an important tool in the overall response and not one we had anticipated using, but one now that we do have experience with and know that if we are in a similar situation in the future, with that same degree of uncertainty, while we understand the virus better – and while a vaccine has been developed – it is a tool that we can deploy,” Sir Ashley said.
“It’s hard to know what the likelihood of future lockdown is … lockdowns may have a place.
“It is dependent on the nature of the virus and of course, the speed with which we act.”
The former director-general also said he was proud of the collective efforts New Zealanders had made as well as compliance.
“Some people say ‘oh Kiwis are just kind of more compliant and more likely to do what the government asks them than other countries’. Well, actually, I don’t think so. That’s not my experience in everyday life.
“But I think what was effective about our first lockdown, especially, but even subsequently, of course [is], you cannot police a lockdown – it requires the vast majority of people to understand and own and act on the request.”
He has had uplifting feedback from overseas health leaders – but does not take credit for how New Zealanders worked collectively upon request.
“Dr Mike Ryan, he’s from Ireland originally, he’s been involved in health emergency response for many years … And he said, ‘Look, I’m not just saying it because you’re here [at the World Health Assembly] Ashley, but we in WHO do think of New Zealand’s response as one of the best in the world and really setting an example for other countries.”
Sir Ashley has also welcomed the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Aotearoa’s pandemic response.
“I am also really pleased that we are having a Royal Commission because that gives us a chance to really have a look and see – not a ‘Spanish Inquisition’ about every single decision – but actually what do we need to do to be even better prepared for the next time.”
The Royal Commission of Inquiry is expected to be completed in June 2024.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
Kuo fakaha ‘e Sir Ashley Bloomfield ko e kovi taha ‘o e Koviti kuo ngali mavahe ia ta’u ‘eni ‘e tolu mei he loka ‘a ‘Aotealoa.
Ka ne ne pehē ‘e kei lava pe ke kei ‘i he kaha’u pe ‘a e vailasi ni.
Ko e toko 2,250,000 ‘a e kakai kuo pihia ‘i he vailasi heni neongo hono ta’ofi ‘e Nu’u Sila ‘a ‘ene mafola ‘i he kominitii’ ‘i he 2020 ki he 2021.
Na’e fakahā ‘e he talēkita ki mu’a ko eni ‘a e Potungaue Mo’ui ki he RNZ kuo mahino ia kuo tau paasi mei he kovi taha ‘o e Koviti’.
Na’a ne pehe ko e fononga ne ‘ikai haohaoa ka ‘i he ngaahi folau ki mui ki mui ni mai ne ha kiate ia ‘i he’ene vakai ngali kuo foki a e mo’ui ‘a e kakai ‘o nomolo.
Na’a ne pehe ‘oku kei fakafiemali pe ‘a e tu’unga ‘o e lahi ‘o e kau mate ‘i ‘Aotealo.
‘Oku vavalo’i ‘e he Koviti ko eni ko e lahi ‘o e kau mate ‘i he ta’u taki taha pea fakahoa ia ki he tokolahi lolotonga’.
Ko e me’a kuo tau ‘ilo ‘i Aotealoa i he 2020 , 2021 ne si’i ange ‘a e mate ‘i he me’a ne tau fakakaukau ki ai ‘i he ngaahi ta’u ki mu’a’. Pea ne hu mai ‘a e ‘Omikoloni io mahino pe ne kaka ‘a e mate ka ‘i he fakahoa ki he ngaahi ta’u ki mu’a ‘oku ‘ikai toe foki ia ki he fika ko ia’.
Pea ‘oku makehe ia pea mei makehe ‘i ha toe fonua ‘i mamani.
Oku mahu’inga ‘a e loka’i ‘i hono talia ‘a e faingata’a pea ne ‘ikai ke tau anga ha me’a pehe ka kuo tau taukei ‘eni ‘i hono ngaueaki ka toe hoko mai ha me’a pehe ‘i he kaha’u.
Oku faingata’a ke ‘ilo pe ‘e he fefe ha toe loka’i ‘i he kaha’u.
Ka ‘e fakafalala pe ‘i he natula ‘o e vailasi’.
Na’e polepole ‘a e Talekita ki mu’a ni ‘i he ngaue fakataha ‘a Nu’u Sila mo talangofua’.
The 21-year-old man who was killed in a shooting Tuesday at a Concord strip mall, California was Tongan man Eric Cavazos, police and relatives said.
Cavazos’ stepfather who is also a Tongan was wounded in the shooting.
Loved ones identified Eric Cavazos, 21, as the man fatally shot at a Concord strip mall on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
A woman by the name Haley Sparks Hadsell, 19, of Martinez was taken into custody, after fleeing the shooting scene at Solano Way and Broadmoor Avenue, Concord police Lt. Mark Robison reportedly said.
The other Tongan suspect Sione ‘Ono’ ‘Amanaki was still at large.
The 21-year-old victim was shot in the head and his body lay underneath a tarp at the mall. The second victim was taken to the hospital, police said.
A law enforcement source said the victims had pulled up in their car and parked outside Payless Cigarettes and that Cavazos was confronted by a man with a rifle.
The two men began struggling over the weapon, and the victim fell to the ground and was shot, the source said.
Concord police scoured the neighbourhood for the assailants and processed the scene for evidence.
Relatives and family tributes on social media to the deceased appeared to show his mother and his step father were both Tongans.
Sione “Ono” ‘Amanaki still at large
“It’s truly a pity that a Tongan killed a Tongan. Love heaps to you sister Elasi Siokapesi Maile for the distressful situation you have experienced after the death of your son while your husband was in a critical condition. RIL Eric the short time you spent with us in Salt Lake City is unforgettable. Speed recovery Sione Maile”, a relative tribute was shared on Facebook.
“It’s a shame one lost his life and another lost his freedom”, a commenter wrote.
“Love you so much Eric. RIP. It is so heart-breaking to think of your mum Pesi and the difficulties she has gone through”.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku has yet to release a statement about questions over what appears to be customers being asked to pay for the government’s electricity subsidy.
The Prime Minister told a press conference on March 16 that the government had not removed the subsidy.
He assured the press during the meeting, which was livestreamed, that he would ask the Treasury and Tonga Power to provide him with details about the matter.
He said he would then make a press release to clarify the issue.
The Prime Minister was responding after a journalist asked him why the government had stopped paying the energy subsidy.
A copy of a power bill dated June 2022 seen by Kaniva News shows that the Tonga Power company told electricity consumers the government had made two financial contributions to help them in paying for their bills.
The invoice says:
“Government Policy Obligation (GPO) subsidised at 0.0683 per kWh reducing new tariffs from 0.9791 to 0.9108 per kWh.
“Government Lifeline Tariff Scheme provides a 17.91 seniti per kWh rebate for all customers who use 150 kWh or less per month.”
Reporter Melemanu Fiu Bloomfield, who raised the question during the press conference, told the Prime Minister the government’s sole electricity supplier had recently told customers when they were paying their bills that the government no longer paid the subsidy.
Bloomfield said the power company told consumers it had reversed the subsidy charge adjustments and told consumers to pay them back.
A copy of an electricity power bill invoice on February 28, 2023 seen by Kaniva News showed two extra payments customers must pay on top of their monthly bills. They appeared as two adjustments in the invoice which are described as “Adj – Government Subsidy Reversal.”
It appeared the charge backs were made to cover what is thought to be the government’s failure to pay its subsidy to the Tonga Power.
The Prime Minister told the press he was unaware of the charge backs.
“I do not know about the reversal. As far as I know we have not stopped the subsidy. I will get back with a press release on that”, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said.
The Prime Minister said it could be that the adjustments were a result of “a double payment or an under payment.”
It is presumed that as an electricity consumer Hon. Hu’akavameiliku must have received a power bill invoice in February showing the adjustment charges.
Bloomfield told Kaniva News she had followed up her question with the government, but had received no response.
The news came amid electricity consumers’ ongoing complaints on social media about the electricity costs which they deemed it as extremely expensive.
There have also been complaints about recent power outages in Tongatapu which the company said were mostly due to maintenance issues.
By Courier Mail, edited and abridged by Kaniva News
A Tongan female drug trafficker in Australia has been sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended, and a conviction was recorded. She was not further punished for other offences.
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court Mele Lineti Cross had a passion and talent for music, which would lead to a scholarship at Griffith University.
Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross, 29, pleaded guilty and was convicted of four offences, including drug trafficking and theft.
The police operation which led to the arrest of Mele Cross at her Mundubbera home on September 9, 2021 was the result of a tragic story.
In her sentencing on February 14, 2023, the Bundaberg Supreme Court heard that Mele Cross was on a university scholarship but the loss of her two brothers years earlier haunted her.
Tragedy was to hit once more when her 11 family members perished in Queensland’s most horrific house fire tragedy in 2011.
A bright and gifted young girl with huge academic potential, her life spiralled after a series of blows and life challenges, the Australian’s Courier Mail reported.
Mele Cross turned to drugs and became enslaved by them, until she was eventually convicted of drug trafficking and received the suspended sentence.
At the time of her arrest Mele Cross allegedly had more than 40 customers across the Burnett.
Police found digital scales, a glass pipe, clip seal bags, a mobile phone and a reportedly stolen rental car at her home.
She was arrested, charged with 147 offences, including 139 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs in what police alleged was a highly developed drug “syndicate”.
For the trafficking, she was sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended, and a conviction was recorded.
Two of her associates were also arrested as part of Operation Konopie.
Just some of the firearms, ammunition, cash and drug supplies obtained by police during Operation Konopie.
SHE CLAIMED MORE THAN $60K FROM CENTRELINK
In the 18 month period between June 2020 and August 2021, Cross supplied cannabis and more than 60 grams of meth to her customers, making more than $100,000 while also feeding her own drug habits.
Police revealed she was well aware of the business she was conducting, and made efforts to avoid police during her regular trips to Brisbane and other areas to obtain drugs for her clients, and even employed others to drive her around to make sales.
Text messages between Cross and her husband revealed she accepted any payment for her wares, including a revolver and an AK-style rifle in exchange for meth.
Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross
Cross told her husband in the text exchange “I haven’t done this before, but it’s no different to any other thing anyone does for money”.
Cross’ husband was not charged with any crime in relation to the investigation and no allegations of wrongdoing are made in respect of him.
In her February 2023 Supreme Court appearance the court heard she claimed more than $60,000 from Centrelink as a single parent while sharing her family home with her working husband.
BROTHERS KILLED IN HIT AND RUN TRAGEDY
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court of the shattering personal history that had contributed to her drug dependency and subsequent dealing.
She had been born and raised in Australia under Tongan immigrant parents, who were said to be hardworking and caring.
Raised and schooled in Greenslopes as the youngest of five, Mr Briggs told the court Cross had shown “academic promise” from a young age.
She experienced her first taste of tragedy when she was 11 years old, when her two oldest brothers were killed in a hit and run, which remains unsolved to this day.
As a result of the family tragedy, Cross was sent to live with her extended family in New South Wales in the hopes she could put the distress of her loss behind her.
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court Mele Lineti Cross had a passion and talent for music, which would lead to a scholarship at Griffith University.
By Year 10 she had returned to Slacks Creek Brisbane, where she lived with a number of family members and was a “gifted” musician. Her musical talents were so extensive she gained enrolment at Mabel Park High School, known at the time for its musical programs.
In August of 2011, after graduating from high school while still living with her extended family in Slacks Creek, Mr Briggs told the court Cross had decided to spend the night away from her family home.
Flowers and tributes at the scene of the house fire, Wagensveldt Street, Slacks Creek, where 11 members of the family of Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross died in 2011.
All 11 members of her family, many of whom were children, lost their lives to the tragedy that was ultimately not ruled suspicious.
Mr Briggs told the court Cross experienced an intense period of “survivors guilt” and after she entered Griffith University on a scholarship, she began experimenting with drugs to cope with the loss of her family.
That experimentation grew steadily into the addiction that would come to define her and destroy her life.
Fiji’s Coalition government will not interfere with the law as investigations into former government ministers and senior elections official continues.
Manoa Kamikamica is welcomed to the meeting with the Fijian community in Wellington Photo: Iliesa Tora/RNZ Pacific
The Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, made the comments as he met members of the Fijian community in Wellington on Wednesday.
In the capital, leading a Trade Mission seeking discussions on possible investments in Fiji and partnerships focused on helping revive the Fijian economy, Kamikamica said a return to true democracy was the new government’s focus.
“And that includes letting the justice system takes its own course, with no interference from government,” he told the gathering at the Taranaki Wesley Church hall.
“I want to confirm here tonight that we, your government, does not have anything to do with current Police investigations against the former Prime Minister, the suspended Police Commissioner, the former Attorney General or the former Supervisor of Elections.
“Fiji Police is doing their own investigations on reports filed by members of the public in Fiji.”
Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the Suva Magistrates court on March 10, with one charge each of abuse of office. They were bailed and told not to leave the country.
The former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Mohammed Saneem, the former Supervisor of Elections, were both interviewed by Fiji Police this week.
Kamikamica said the Coalition government in place now wants to ensure there is true democracy across the board in Fiji.
Manoa Kamikamica is garlanded during his meeting with the Fijian community in Wellington Photo: Iliesa Tora/RNZ Pacific
Trade mission
Three months into government, Kamikamica, who is also Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, said the trade mission to New Zealand is important in a lot of ways to Fiji.
He told the community members that both countries have a long-standing relationship that goes back a long time.
“For us the trade mission is important because it gives us the opportunity to meet with investors, business owners here and those of our own who have made it successfully here, and tell them that Fiji is ready to welcome them,” he said.
“Government has identified some key areas that we want to develop and these are what we are discussing with businesses and likely investors. This includes renewable energy, agriculture and manufacturing. We want to tell interested investors that Fiji is ready to host them and be the place for them to do business.”
The trade mission hopes to secure at least 50 companies and investors to invest in Fiji on this trip, the first by the Coalition government to any country.
Pacific hub
Manoa Kamikamica revealed that the government wants to make Fiji the business hub of the Pacific.
That, he added, would help lift the Fijian economy while at the same time also help boost economies of Pacific countries.
For example, he revealed that a Fijian company in Nadi will be manufacturing LED lightings that will be exported to New Zealand.
“That is a plus and something that we want to develop so we also become the hub of business in the Pacific and assist other Pacific economies in that way,” Mr Kamikamica stated.
“That creates more work for Fijians and also boosts the economy at home and assist here in New Zealand.”
Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho has had the third COVID jab, her Tonga Mission Canberra office said Thursday.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anglika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho. Photo/ Tonga Mission Canberra
The 39-year-old daughter of the king of Tonga got his COVID-19 booster shot before what appeared to be livestream video and mobile phone cameras.
Her office promoted the booster and shared Her Royal Highness’ supporting the vaccines in Tongan.
‘Ko e ‘amanaki lelei eni ki he kaha’ú ketau fili fakapotopoto ‘o huhu malu’i. ‘I he ‘etau malu mo haó fili fakapotpopoto ma’au, ma’ae fāmilí, ma’ae komiunitī!
Ke hokohoko atu etau huhu malu’i !’, the Princess was quoted as saying in Tongan.
In English she said: ‘Getting the vaccination is a wise choice in the good hope it will protect you, the family and the community. May we continue to get the vaccination’.
Her Royal Highness’s jab came after her father King Tupou VI took his third booster jab early this month.
It followed by the Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku who received his third jab last week.
Tonga had 16,813 confirmed positive cases and 12 deaths.
It has been reported last week that New Zealand’s Pacific community and health providers have reached 96% of the community including Tongans since the arrival of Covid-19.
Speaking at the opening of the Pasifika Futures Whānau Ora conference in Auckland’s Manukau on Thursday, New Zealand based paediatrician Cook Islander Dr Kiki Maoate urged Pacific stakeholders to continue doing all they could to reach the rest of Pasifika Aotearoa.
A Tongan man is still at large after a fatal shooting outside a tobacco shop near a strip mall in Concord, California about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, the Concord Police Department said.
Sione “Ono” Amanaki is sought in connection with a homicide investigation in Concord. Police said he may be in Oakland. (Concord Police Department)
Police have now launched a homicide investigation into the death of the victim, a 21-year-old man.
One suspect, a 19-year-old woman from Martinez, was arrested Tuesday evening, but a second suspect in the shooting is still at large and believed to be in Oakland, officials reportedly said.
Officials identified the second suspect as Sione “Ono” Amanaki, a 20-year-old man from Concord, the Bay Area’s The Daily reported.
Officers arrived at the scene in the area of Solano Way and Broadmoor Avenue after receiving a call at about 9.48 am. regarding gunshots, police said.
Police said two people were found with gunshot wounds; a 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other person was taken to the hospital. KTVU reported that the wounded individual was the 21-year-old’s stepfather.
Lieutenant Sean Donnelly with the Concord police told SFGATE that the surviving person is in critical condition. He said the motive is “most likely drug-related.”
Concord police said the investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective James Nielsen with CPD’s Major Crimes Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #23-2834. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.
The Supreme Court will hear an application for contempt of court against the Ministry of Infrastructure brought by three roading contractors on April 12.
Minister for Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua
The contractors claim the Ministry and Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua have ignored court orders made against them.
The companies, City Engineering and Constructions Ltd, Inter Pacific Ltd and Island Dredging Ltd, were originally contracted by the previous government to work on its highly controversial roading programme.
The present government issued a call for new tenders on September 22, 2022.
It then issued notices of termination against the three companies on January 18 this year.
The three companies brought an action against the Ministry and Hon. Toumo’ua and earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled in their favour.
In his summary of the case, dated February 23, Lord Chief Justice Whitten said that pending the final hearing and determination of the proceedings, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Minister were not to take any further action on an invitation for new bids for the Supply and Delivery of Coral Fills to Constituency 9, Matatoa, Kanokupolu and Masilamea Atatā.
They were ordered not act on letters purporting to be Notices of Termination dated 18 January 2023 in respect of the Contracts between it and City Engineering and Constructions Ltd and Inter Pacific Ltd.
They were also ordered to do what was necessary to resume the supply of coral fill to the three contractors.
On March 6 2023, the three companies filed an application for leave to start proceedings against the Ministry and Hon. Toumo’ua for contempt of court on the grounds that it had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s orders.
Lord Chief Justice Whitten said that by March 16, it appeared that all that had happened since the orders were made was that a number of meetings with Ministry staff had been conducted to discuss resumption of the works.
However, the plaintiffs had alleged with evidence, that the Minister had expressed an intention to continue with contracts let to other companies, despite an undertaking given on behalf of the Ministry that this would not happen.
“In order to consider those decisions and to enable whatever agreements or decisions that have been reached during the various meetings to date to come to fruition with, hopefully, the resumption of works, it was agreed that further consideration of the application be adjourned to 12 April 2023 at 9 am,” the Lord Chief Justice said.
