A boat belonging to a missing Tongan fisherman has been found about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Canterbury’s Ashburton River.
The family of Pastor Lionati Fotofili, 47, are still looking for him after a member of the public discovered the half-submerged dinghy on the shoreline south of the river.
Lionati Fotofili
A family spokesperson told Stuff the dinghy “was found the same day Pastor was reported missing to police”.
“It was not until 26 days later they realised the dinghy they had found was the one Lionati Fotofili, 44, of Timaru, was last seen fishing from before he was reported missing on December 30” Stuff reported.
The family previously “release a photo of the green plastic boat/dinghy Fotofili was in on the night he disappeared” to media, “and asked people to look out for it”.
The family search continues. It has been assisted by groups from Multicultural Aoraki, Alliance Smithfield Timaru, and the Te Aitarakihi Trust who had been ‘’a phenomenal support’’.
The family also asked that members of the public continue to report sightings of items of interest as far north as Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), “specifically, a grey or blue tarpaulin, blue New South Wales league shorts’’.
The Court of Appeal has quashed life sentences imposed on three young convicted murderers.
The court said its decision did not set a precedent, and creating laws for sentencing young people was a task for Parliament. (file image) Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
In a judgment released today, it ruled the sentences unjust and replaced them with set terms of prison and shorter minimum periods.
The appeals were seen as test cases for sentencing young people – all three were aged under 20 when they committed the offences.
The court said its decision did not set a precedent, and creating laws for sentencing young people was a task for Parliament.
However, it found life sentences were hard for young people to grasp; that the 10-year minimum terms imposed on the three killers could exacerbate the adverse effects of prison; and that subjecting the three to possible recall to jail for the rest of their lives could be unjust.
Brown was 19 at the time of the killing and Dickey 16. Epiha was 18.
Instead of life sentences, Dickey was sentenced to 15 years’ jail, with a minimum term of seven years and six months; Brown 12 years, with a minimum term of six years; and Epiha 13 years, with a minimum term of seven years.
The court said it was mindful of Sentencing Act requirements that young people convicted of murder serve life sentences, unless it was unjust.
“The Children’s Commissioner suggested, and some of the appellants’ [lawyers] submitted we should create a special category for young persons,” the judgment said.
“We must, however, not trespass upon Parliament’s domain… Our judgment does not have the effect of creating a special category for young persons convicted of murder.”
Although being a youth was not by itself enough to establish an injustice to avoid a life sentence, mitigating circumstances of the offending and an offender’s personal circumstances could count on top of their age, the court said.
The appeals were heard in July. The court had reserved its decision.
The East Bay family and others were waiting for food outside a popular burrito truck when the fatal incident happened.
Reports at the time said, Police were investigating reports that the crash may have come shortly after an unauthorized pursuit of the Nissan by Oakland police. Two officers had been suspended from duty.
The family’s attorneys have announced the lawsuit today and released video of the incident that happened late last June.
“The family of Lolomanaia Soakai has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department for a ‘ghost pursuit’ — chasing a car without lights, sirens or authorization —that ended in a collision that struck and killed the young man, and severely injured his mother, along with his family and others waiting for food outside a popular burrito truck”, Civil rights attorney Adante Pointer said in a statement which was sent to Kaniva TongaNews.
“These officers engaged in an unsanctioned, deadly car chase in order to satisfy their ego and urge to arrest someone for a low-level traffic infraction,” Oakland civil rights attorney Adanté Pointer said. “We expect officers to have the maturity and discipline to not give chase, or to discontinue a vehicle peursuit, when the odds of catastrophic injury or death are high. These officers ignored their training and commonsense which cost a good man his life.
“On June 25, 2022 police pursued the suspect at speeds of up to 100 mph through heavily populated surface streets in Oakland until the driver of the Nissan 350Z lost control on International Boulevard. The driver slammed into a row of parked cars and motorcycles, and crushed 27-year-old Lolo Soakai. His mother, Lavina Soakai, was gravely injured with a broken back. Family members Ina Lavalu and Daniela Fifita, and a friend, Sam Finau, were injured.
“Instead of calling for medical assistance and stopping to render aid, the Oakland Police officers drove past the scene with one of them reportedly remarking that he hoped the driver of the Nissan had died in the crash. They returned minutes later once 911 was called and emergency responders were racing to the scene, pretending to be unaware of the horrendous crash.
“This was a tight-knit Tongan group who were celebrating a fellow church member’s college graduation.
“This was a man who took care of his widowed mother since his father died. He loved his job at Envoy Air, sang gospel in church and lived a quiet life devoted to family and friends.”
A Veitongo woman was caught with drugs in her bag including methamphetamine following a police search in Tonga’s Tongatapu main island.
Illicit drugs, cash and utensils seized. Photo/Tonga Police
The Police arrested the 29-year-old woman, her 43-year-old husband and another 24-year-old man from Ha’akame for possession and supplying of illicit drugs.
The Police arrested the couple after they intercepted their vehicle at a residence at ‘Anana.
“A further search was carried out at their Veitongo residence where the third accused was apprehended along with a pack of cannabis found in the room he occupies”, a Police statement said.
“Also included in the items seized were one scale, empty packs, and TOP$240 cash.
“All accused persons are being remanded in custody to appear in court.
“Anyone with information on drug-related activities can contact Police on 922, 740-1630 and 740-1632”.
The Tongan new Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet is Paula Ma’u.
He replaced former Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker, who retired last year.
Paula Pouvalu Ma’u and Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. Photo/PM Office
He was appointed by the Public Service Commission and has already signed his contract today for four years, a statement said.
“This morning he took his oath before the Honourable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku witnessed by members of Cabinet”, it said.
“He started with the Government of Tonga as Head of the Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance in 1993, before taking the Deputy Secretary post at the Prime Minister’s Office in 1996, a post he held for 16 years.
“He was appointed as the first Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) in 2020, and he is the longest serving Chief Executive Officer and has recently served at MEIDECC.
It is understood Ma’u has been acting in the role before his appointment.
Kiwis experiencing Long Covid often find that doctors dismiss, ignore, or downplay their unusual symptoms, a latest nationwide Covid-19 study has revealed.
One in five participants reported having symptoms of Long Covid including shortness of breath, muscle aches, brain fog and joint pain according to an article published today by Victoria University of Wellington.
However, co-leader of the research Dr Mona Jeffreys says these Kiwis are not feeling heard.
“About half felt the healthcare they received wasn’t adequate and reported not feeling listened to or understood,” says Jeffreys.
The results of this study has prompted recommendations that call for the Government to develop a consumer-led Long Covid service, integrated with primary health care services.
Those with a pre-existing heart disease or a high body mass index (BMI) were also found to be more at risk of developing Long Covid.
The study’s other major findings were around groups who reported feeling disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.
They found that Māori, Pasifika and disabled people faced more emotional and physical challenges due to Covid-19 than other participants.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone but it’s had much greater health, social, and financial impacts on populations that are already significantly disadvantaged,” says study co-leader Dr Lynne Russell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou).
These groups were reported more difficulty accessing their GP, higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic as well as financial stress resulting from Covid-19.
Information for the study was collected from people who caught Covid-19 before December 1st 2021 and included in depth interviews with 52 people, commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
Fakamatala faka-Tonga
Ko e kau Kiwi ko ia ‘oku nau fa’a puke he Long Covid ‘oku nau fa’a ‘ilo ‘a hono faka’ikai’i, fakatutkutuku’i pe fakama’ama’a’i ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga ‘ikai angamaheni ‘oku nau ma’u fakatatau ‘eni ki ha fakatotolo fakaako fakafonua ki he Koviti kuo toki tuku mai ‘i hano pulusi ‘e he ‘Univesiti Vikatōlia ‘i Uelingatoni.
Ko e ngaahi ola ‘o e fakatotolo ni kuo ne fakavave’i ha ui ki he pule’anga ke fa’u ha sēvesi ki he Long Covid kau atu ki ai ‘a e primary health care services. Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he fakatotolo ko kinautolu ne nau ‘osi puke he mahaki mafu pe toto ma’olunga ne nau ‘i he tu’unga laveangofua ange ke nau ma’u ‘a e Koviti Taungaloloa pe Long Covid.
Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he sitati ko ‘eni’ ha ngaahi kulupu na’e lipooti ‘enau ongo’i ‘ikai tu’otu’otatau hono ma’u kinautolu ‘e he Koviti-19.
Na’e ‘ilo ai ko e kau Māori, Pasifika mo e kakai mamatea’ ne nau fehangahangai mo e ngaahi pole ne loto ue’ingofua ange mo fisikale tu’unga he Koviti-19, ‘ia kinautolu kehe ne kau’.
Na’e uesia ‘e he penitemiki Koviti-19 ‘a e taha kotoa ka ne kovi ange i he falukunga kakai ne ‘osi fusimo’omo lahi ‘i he’ene mo’ui, sosiale mo ‘enau tu’unga fakapa’anga’.
Ko e ngaahi kulupu ko ‘eni na’e lipooti ‘a ‘enau faingata’a’ia ange ke lava sio ki he’enau GP, lahi ange ‘enau ongo’i lotomo’ua pea mo e loto ta’ota’omia kau ai mo e situlesi tupu mei he Koviti-19.
Police are conducting a new inquiry into the death of Francis ‘Iohasi Tu’amoheloa’s death.
The case was reopened after the deceased’s mother lodged an official complaint with the “Professional Standards Unit (PSU) stating their dissatisfaction with the result of the police investigation and the inquest”.
Talanoa Leakona Lemoto
Tu’amoheloa died after getting into trouble in the water at Vaipua Harbour, Vava’u. Police would not say when did the sea fatality happen.
“PSU further investigated the complaint and concluded that the inquest was improperly handled, following which was the direction from Police Commissioner to reopen the case”, a Police statement said.
“Meanwhile, the investigation into the matter continues with no significant person of interest at this stage. It is likely to be completed by mid-March and further updates will be provided if anything significant occurs”.
Talanoa Lemoto investigation
On a separate note, Police said an inquest on the death of 35-year-old Talanoa Leakona Lemoto of Hala’ovave whose body was recovered from underwater on Monday, December 13, 2022 was conducted on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
It concluded with three main findings:
1. The positive identification of the deceased as Talanoa Leakona Lemoto.
2. The cause of death was by accident after Mr. Lemoto’s vehicle fell into the water whilst he was intoxicated (Body sample has been sent to NZ for toxicology test).
3. There is no evidence indicating any foul play or criminal activities related to the death of Mr. Lemoto. The inquest panel was Chaired by Magistrate Salesi Mafi with independent members of the Ma’ufanga community including the pathologist, CEO Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola who conducted the autopsy, and the deceased’s wife and family. The autopsy reveals no signs of any internal or external injuries or bruises in the deceased’s body. The car was also preserved and forensically examined.
