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Auckland primary students isolating after Covid scare at ballet

By
Kaniva Staff
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Another Auckland school has been hit with a Covid-19 scare after students attended a ballet performance at a location of interest.

Redoubt North School in Clover Park, Auckland. Source: Google Maps

Redoubt North School notified parents Friday night after their year seven pupils came into contact with a positive case at the Royal New Zealand Ballet The Firebird performance at Aotea Centre.

“It has come to our attention that our year seven students attended the ballet on Friday the 13th August at a time now identified as a place of interest,” the school said.

The year seven pupils, along with anyone else who attended, is needing to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested as they are deemed close contacts.

Redoubt North School joins a growing list of Auckland schools coming in to contact with the Delta variant.

On Friday night, two Catholic schools, De La Salle College in Māngere and McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu were added to the list.

Find out more about latest locations of interest on the Ministry of Health’s website here.

Fiji university threat draws ire in New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

The New Zealand Government says it remains concerned by the ongoing management and governance challenges at the University of the South Pacific.

This week the Fijian Government announced it wouldn’t pay its multi-million grant to the university while the current vice chancellor Pal Ahluwalia remained at his post.

USP vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia speaking at a university open day.
USP vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia speaking at a university open day. Photo: USP

It has called for another investigation after an earlier one revealed significant abuses by the former Vice Chancellor, Rajesh Chandra, who is believed to have close links with the Fiji Government.

The Fiji Government earlier this year deported Professor Ahluwalia and his wife, after accusing them of immigration breaches.

But the USP governing Council headed by Nauru President, Lionel Aingamea, renewed his contract, and the professor is to work out of the Samoa campus.

New Zealand said it respects the collective decision of the Council and said it will continue to work with all stakeholders to find a solution that is in the best interests of students.

New Zealand and Australia give significant financial backing to the university which is owned by 12 Pacific Island states.

Long time USP academic, Professor VijayNaidu, said while Fiji pays the most in grant money, it is also the main beneficiary of the institution.

He said without the Fiji funding the university will struggle, “the university will survive until the end of this year, but looking beyond that they will obviously be looking to find other sources of funding. And given the fact that the GDPs of Pacific Island countries and the per capita income of the region is relatively low this would be a difficult challenge.”

Auckland University student tests positive for Covid-19

By
Kaniva Staff
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By One News/TVNZ. Republished with permission

A student resident at Auckland University has tested positive for Covid-19 after attending two days of classes.

The University of Auckland. Photo/Kalino Lātū

An email was sent by the university saying the student was a resident in Whitaker Block and takes meals in Waipārūrū Hall. They attended classes on Monday 16 August and Tuesday 17 August.

They then travelled to Wellington on Thursday where they are isolating with family after receiving the positive test on Friday.

Earlier, A medical centre in South Auckland has been added to Auckland’s Covid locations of interest.

A case visited The Local Doctors GP Practice in Ōtara on Tuesday 17 August between 4.21pm and 8.30pm. Those who visited the clinic at the time should isolate at home and get tested immediately and then on days five and 12 from exposure.

The addition is the latest to the list of over 150 locations and/or visits in Auckland.

A full list of locations is available here.

Roughly a 1000 people, including Seven Sharp co-host Hilary Barry, are isolating and being tested after a bar worker at a large awards ceremony at Spark Arena last Thursday later tested positive for Covid-19. That event is yet to be added to the official locations of interest.

A case also attended the Bayleys awards dinner on Friday night at the same venue from 10am through 10pm.

 

Decomposed body found in Tongatapu pond: reports

By
Kaniva Staff
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A decomposing body was discovered this morning in Vai-Ko-‘Oa pond in Puke, according to reports.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Kaniva News has contacted Tonga’s Ministry of Police for comment.

The Editor of Kakalu O Tonga ‘Alo Po’uhila claimed the body was believed to be of a young person.

He alleged it has been found in a decomposed condition.

Reports on Facebook early this morning mentioned Hōfoa town officer appealing to the public to help identify the deceased.

A report of a missing female student from St Andrew school had been shared to Facebook recently.

There was no report of whether that missing girl was found or not.

Baby found dead at Onehunga recycling site, photos released in search for mum

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police have released information about items of clothing found with a dead baby discovered at an Onehunga recycling plant on Monday.

If you recognise any of these items contact the Operation Deer team. Photo / Supplied

Police are appealing to the public to help identify clothing that could help them find her mother.

A post-mortem carried out earlier this week confirmed it was baby girl who was born at full term and despite our appeals to the public, we have received limited information to help us identify her or her mum.

Now, Police are releasing images of items of clothing located in a blue plastic bag that was found during our scene examination.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard says the baby may have been in the blue bag, which also included several items of baby, children’s and adult clothing.

The clothing includes a child’s beanie, a distinctive pink child’s sweater and pink t-shirt, women’s belts and two women’s tops and a sequined skirt that appears to have been cut up.

There were also two baby onesies with colourful prints on them located in the area, which may have also come out of the bag.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard says while detectives can’t fully determine whether the clothing is definitely linked to the mother of this baby, anyone who recognises the items is urged to contact Police immediately.

“We are asking that if this clothing is known to you or you recognise who this clothing belongs to please contact us.

This information will greatly help us with our enquiries,” he says.

“Not only do we want to identify the baby girl’s mother to ensure her welfare and get her the medical assistance and support she needs, but we also want to get some answers for the sake of this little girl.

“She has no name and no one to mourn and bury her.

The sooner Police can identify her mother, the sooner this baby girl can be treated with the respect she deserves and laid to rest.”

Anyone with information can contact 105 quoting file number 210816/2825 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Some images are attached to this release but a number of additional images can be accessed via this dropbox link:

Covid-19 lockdown: NZ to remain at alert level 4 until Tuesday night

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

All of New Zealand will remain at alert level 4 until at least Tuesday midnight, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed.

Cabinet will meet on Monday to decide on the next move on the country’s alert levels.

Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have provided an update on the country’s alert level situation.

Watch the briefing here:

New Zealand went into lockdown at 11.59pm on Tuesday. Auckland and Coromandel were initially set to be in level 4 for seven days, while the rest of the country was put into level 4 for three days.

There have now been 31 community cases of Covid-19 officially confirmed in Auckland and Wellington, with 11 new cases announced this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said the delay in opening until Tuesday means there will be more time to assess how much of the country has been affected.

“We believe we’ll be in a better position to make an assessment about all of New Zealand with that full seven days, granted Auckland is looking like it will have the challenge of being the primary site of this outbreak.”

Ardern said the country was in a “reasonable position”, but it was still early days in the outbreak and it was too soon to draw any conclusions.

“We are still waiting on a large number of contacts to be tested,” she said.

“We just don’t quite know the full scale of this Delta outbreak. All in all this tells us we need to continue to be cautious.”

Ardern said it was important that the cases at this point appeared to be linked and there were not cases popping up where they were not expected.

The large number of locations also meant the country was likely dealing with more cases, and with cases confirmed in Wellington today, health authorities were now dealing with an outbreak that was not isolated to Auckland.

“It’s much better to assure ourselves now …. than allowing the virus to spread easily.”

She urged people to check locations of interest and if they have been there at the time they should get a test. However, she warned that if they were there earlier or later, a test was not necessary.

“Many people have been doing the right thing and have encountered long wait times at our testing stations. Please do remember you can also call your GP to see if they are testing.”

She said contacts should stay home and isolate. Others should, under level 4, stay home with their bubble.

She reminded New Zealanders that anyone over 12 visiting an essential service was required to wear a face mask.

“We are also asking people to just wear a mask as they leave their home generally. Remember people have got the virus just by walking past someone.”

People should be washing their hands, scanning in, and “please be kind” and check in with friends and family.

“Following the rules to the letter does mean we can reconnect faster.”

She said the lockdown method was tried and true.

“Keep up the amazing work and everyone – and I mean everyone – needs to play their part.”

Dr Bloomfield said the testing rates across the country have been six to 10 times the usual level, and “we need to keep that up”.

He said the 24,000 swabs in one day in Auckland is 50 percent higher than the previous single-day record.

Yesterday health authorities managed to link the current cases of the Delta variant in this country to a traveller who arrived from New South Wales and was taken to Middlemore Hospital earlier this week.

Vaccination clinics have resumed operating after a one day pause to get alert level 4 protocols in place, but one Auckland clinic said it was now doing half the number of vaccinations that it was prior to the lockdown.

Vava’u cocaine accused identified as court hearing postponed to October

By
Kaniva Staff
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The identities of five accused who appeared in a Vava’u court yesterday in connection with multi-million worth of cocaine seized in Vava’u last month can now be revealed.

They included the three foreigners, named as Ian Robin Cox, 70, a British national, his wife Brenda Cox, 58 and Calvin Manuceau, 25, who are both Americans.

Matangi Tonga Report said these accused all live in Houmelei.

Two Tongan accused were named as Andrew Motuliki from ‘Utulangivaka and Kapeni Tamo’ua of ‘Utungake.

The court case will go to the Supreme Court on October 4.

Police have so far recovered 14 kilograms of washed-up cocaine with an estimated street value of more than TOP$5 million.

Police previously said 12 people (9 males and 3 females have been arrested to date – 10 in Vava’u and 2 in Tongatapu.)

They are facing criminal charges relating to possession and engaging with others in the supply of illicit drugs.

“Others have been charged for intentionally lying to Police.”

Police also said previously they seized almost 2kg of cocaine from a workshop at Neiafu owned by the Coxes as well as from their rented residence at Houmelei.

As Kaniva News reported previously, cocaine worth more than TOP$4 million has washed up on Hōleva and Ha’alaufuli beaches, before police scoured nearby shores for similar illicit packages.

In 2012, a yacht which washed up in Vava’u seas with a badly decomposed body on board was carrying more than 200kg of cocaine worth up to US$120 million.

Covid-19 update: 11 new cases in the community, including three in Wellington

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission

There have been 11 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the community this afternoon, including three in Wellington, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said there were now 31 cases associated with the current Auckland community outbreak.

“All cases have or are being transferred safely to a managed isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE.”

The Ministry said the three in Wellington had recently travelled to Auckland and visited a location of interest there.

The 11 new community cases reported today include three seperate cases were in family bubbles with previously reported cases, while two of today’s cases are also in a family bubble together.

“Public health officials are currently conducting interviews to establish how the new cases were infected and to determine further details of their movements. We will continue to release this information as it becomes available.”

It also said the international Air New Zealand crew member reported yesterday has now been confirmed as a border-related case, and not linked to the Auckland outbreak, based on the results of whole genome sequencing.

The Ministry said there were also two new cases in managed isolation.

There were 27,899 tests were processed across New Zealand.

The Ministry said testing centres in Auckland had their busiest day ever, by more than 50 percent.

“More than 24,000 community tests were performed across Auckland yesterday, with more than 8000 at community testing centres and around 16,000 at general practice and urgent care clinics. Police are helping to manage traffic flows at sites.

“There are 13 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland today, including seven pop-up community testing centres at Narrow Neck, St Lukes, Wairau Valley, St Johns, Albany, Mângere East, and Pakuranga Heights. There is additional dedicated testing for Avondale College staff, students and whânau, who are considered to be close contacts.”

About 2600 swabs have also been taken from Auckland City Hospital staff and all have been negative so far, after a fully vaccinated staff member worked there while unknowingly potentially infectious.

Earlier today North Shore Hospital took action after it was confirmed a patient who has now tested positive for Covid-19 was treated there. New Zealand Post also revealed a positive Covid-19 case this morning, a temporary worker at their Auckland Operations Centre in Highbrook.

Cabinet is currently meeting to decide whether the country’s alert level settings should be changed or not and is expected to make an announcement at 3pm.

***

This is an official Covid-19 ALERT.

All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.

The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.

A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.

Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of Covid-19 and SAVE LIVES.

Everyone is asked to:

Wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance from others whenever you leave your home.

If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.

Keep on scanning QR codes whenever you leave your home.

Practice good hygiene – wash hands often.

Services including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics & petrol stations will stay open at Alert Level 4. Face coverings are mandatory for all people – both employees and customers – at businesses and services operating at Alert Level 4 involving customer contact.

For more information on Alert Level 4 go to [the government website www.covid19.govt.nz]

***

RNZ is the statutory Lifeline Utility responsible for radio broadcasting under the Emergency Management Act 2002 and it has a memorandum of understanding with Government which has been activated to help deal with potential health issues related to the pandemic. RNZ’s Lifeline Utility obligations do not affect our editorial independence as a public media organisation or the rigour of our news gathering and reporting operations.

As New Zealand’s Lifeline Utility radio broadcaster, RNZ is required to maintain essential public information channels and news during times of national emergency and we are committed to supporting all New Zealanders.

We are also committed to looking after the health and well-being of our staff.

RNZ will continue to provide essential information services – broadcasting and publishing critical public service announcements on air, on our website and via social media channels. Comprehensive news will be available on air and via our website and digital services.

If necessary RNZ Concert and RNZ Pacific will carry news and information from RNZ National. Parliament will continue to be broadcast on the AM network when the House is sitting. As the country’s public service media organisation, RNZ is committed to supporting all New Zealanders.

Kia Kaha – Stay Strong

Fight breaks out in the middle of Tongan church fundraising in US

By
Kaniva Staff
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Footage has emerged of a brawl inside a Tongan church building in East Palo Alto in the United states.

Tongan church members in Palo Alto intervened and stopped the fight

The video clip, which has been widely shared on Facebook this week, shows a man wearing a formal red Tongan attire speaking into a microphone.

It appeared he was attempting to share his concerns with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga congregation.

But while he was speaking he was intermittently interrupted and stopped by another man wearing a formal white Tongan attire and was standing short distance away.

Some church members can be heard pleading with the duo to stop the quarrel as they were in a church building.

The man in white attire was seen walking towards the man in red before some members of the church intervened and attempted to stop them.

Kaniva News has not been able to confirm the authenticity of the video or who filmed it.

It is understood the church was conducting a misinale fundraising.

In 2019, a man appeared at an East Palo Alto court after trying to slit a fellow parishioner’s throat while she was eating in their Tongan East Palo Alto church’s dining hall.

In 2018, a footage of a brutal brawl outside a Tongan church in East Palo Alto was shared on social media.

Two Auckland high schools confirm Covid-19 cases

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two separate Auckland high schools have reported Covid-19 cases on Thursday night.

It was confirmed that a student at Lynfield College had contracted the virus, with all staff and students at the school considered close contacts.

Earlier, a student at Northcote College has been confirmed as having Covid-19.

Both students attended their respective schools on Monday and Tuesday while infectious.

Students and staff from both schools must now isolate for 14 days.

The positive results at Northcote and Lynfield mean four education facilities have reported a case amongst its students and staff after a teacher from Avondale College and an AUT student both tested positive on Wednesday.

Parents and students at Northcote College are not surprised that a Covid case has been identified at the school on Auckland’s North Shore.

The parent of a year 11 student who didn’t want to be identified, told 1 NEWS “I haven’t left the house because I didn’t want to be the one who brought the Weet-Bix box home with Covid on it.”

She’s relieved that both her and her 16-year-old son had their first vaccination two weeks ago because she is immuno-compromised.

“My teen and all his mates hang out at the mall. It’s become a hot spot which is really concerning.”

But ultimately she’s not surprised.

“I’m not shocked because it was all feeling very close to home this week.”

It’s a sentiment shared by the parent of a 13-year-old student at the school.

“I was saying it was only a matter of time. It felt like the situation was closing in on us with all these locations in our community being listed all around us.”

Staff at Northcote College are currently in meetings and unavailable to respond to questions from 1 NEWS.

The case adds to a growing list of populous locations of interest tied to the Auckland Delta outbreak which also has supermarkets, shopping malls and a church.

It also comes after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today Kiwis aged 12-15 years old will now be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

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