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Battle to spread truth about Covid-19 vaccine in Pacific communities

By
Kaniva Staff
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This RNZ.co.nz story is republished with permission

The race is on to reach Pasifika communities to counter the spread of misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine.

The consent form for the Covid 19 vaccination at a facility in South Auckland
The consent form for the Covid-19 vaccination at a facility in South Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

Pacific and Māori communities have the highest risk of dying from Covid-19 and that has caused leaders and doctors within this group to work hard to dispel fears and misinformation about what it might mean to get the jab.

“People can have confidence that the vaccine is effective and safe,” said Auckland University public health professor Dr Colin Tukuitonga, who has 40 years’ experience in medicine.

The amount of research, testing and studies behind the vaccine was “phenomenal”, he said.

People with reservations have every right to ask questions – but can rest assured there is nothing to be worried about, he said.

“It is highly effective. There is increasing evidence that it reduces transmission to others and protects us all as a nation and community.”

There have also been very few side effects so far, besides a headache and sore arm and most medication and vaccines have side effects anyway, he said.

“In Israel where they have pretty much vaccinated everyone, they have found the vaccine to reduce hospitalisation and infection.”

Widespread vaccination against Covid-19 was an important tool in efforts to control the pandemic.

What to know about Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine

  • New Zealand has secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine – enough for 5m people to get two doses.
  • The vaccine is for people over 16 years because it is yet to be tested on a younger age group.
  • Like all medicines, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may cause side effects like a headache and/or sore arm in some people. These are common, are usually mild and don’t last long.
  • Nine out of 10 people will be protected.
  • There has been at least 250m doses given around the world.
  • New Zealand’s Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, Medsafe is closely monitoring the safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
  • Impacts of the vaccine are monitored and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Cultural nuances when communicating to Island communities

Dr Colin Tukuitonga
Colin Tukuitonga Photo: PMA

The Pacific peoples’ ethnic group is the fourth largest major ethnic group in New Zealand, behind European, Māori and Asian ethnic groups.

The Ministry of Health has been on a mission to communicate helpful information to people about the vaccination.

Anyone calling the Covid Healthline can speak with someone in their own language, with access to interpreters for over 150 languages, including te reo Māori and the nine main Pacific languages.

Māori and Pacific providers hold trusted relationships with the whānau they serve and play a crucial role to maximize uptake and achieve equity, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said.

Dr Tukuitonga praised Associate Minister of Health Hon Aupito William Sio for organising meetings with Pacific leaders and groups about the vaccine – which sometimes included up to 500 people over Zoom.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson said it planned to support district health boards to engage with people who may be hesitant about getting a vaccine dose.

Otara Health chairperson Efeso Collins.
Efeso Collins said a conversation approach is needed to connect with Māori and Pacific communities. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang

But Manukau councillor Efeso Collins was “not convinced” that the Ministry of Health had been taking the “right approach” to connect with Māori and Pacific communities – although small improvements were only just being made.

“Those of us who were raised in the islands have an oral tradition. The Ministry of Health need to understand that just sending out information on a sheet of A4 or link on a website isn’t the way you engage with these communities.”

He wanted “trusted community champions” to be sent into communities to have a korero and discussion around the table.

Change could only truly happen in family homes, he said, where they can air any fears around the vaccine and address certain distrust when it comes to public institutions.

“If we don’t take a conversation approach then we will always allow misinformation to win the battle and that’s where I believe the Ministry of Health have fallen over, because we haven’t trusted local organisations to go into the community and talk to the families.”

Church influence and community champions

About 70 percent of Pacific Islanders attend church regularly, so leaders of these congregations are being reminded of the influential role they play as a vaccine messenger.

Efeso Collins planned to help those on the fence about the vaccine in his South Auckland electorate.

He encouraged the importance of “a conversation after church … with a coffee and a muffin to talk through distrust to make a difference”.

Social workers and community groups who already have trusted connections with whānau would also be valuable in helping vulnerable people who had digested misinformation.

There were still small groups across the country who did not believe in vaccines and their views had led to the spread of misinformation and wild allegations, founded on rumours and falsehoods.

“The Tamakis of this world are a nuisance,” Dr Tukuitonga said, but believed overall that most Pacific peoples would choose the vaccine.

Slain Tongan daughter promises ‘cake for her mum’s birthday’ today; instead of celebration mum laments her daughter’s violent death

By
Kalino Latu
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“She told me she would come with a birthday cake and candle for me to blow out. It’s a pity that it did not happen,”  ‘Alilia Teu Kata told Kaniva News of a special gift her murdered daughter promised for her birthday today Friday 19 March.

(L-R) Toakase Finau, Viliami Latu

The bodies of her daughter Toakase Finau and her husband Viliami Latu are expected to be laid to rest at 9am tomorrow morning Saturday, March 20 at the Manukau Memorial Garden in Papatoetoe.

Kata’s reactions during her birthday appear to show she was attempting to cope with the tragedy that killed her daughter. She has welcomed her friends and members of her family who have paid tributes and wished her well on her special day.

“I would like to thank our heavenly father for the love and blessing in which I have another year of life. Happy birthday to me,” Kata wrote on Facebook in Tongan.

The outpouring of love and birthday wishes for Kata’s birthday on social media showed how she was overwhelmed with support after the tragic death of her daughter.

“Happy birthday ‘Alilia Teu Kata on this very devastating day,” a commenter wrote on Facebook.

“We love you and thinking of you while you are grieving your daughter’s death,” another wrote.

‘Alilia Teu Kata in the middle, third from the right. Some of Toakase’s children are understood to be in the photo but Kaniva News couldn’t be able to identify them.

The wake tonight at the Kingwater & Sons Funeral, Burial and Cremation, Ōtāhuhu, has brought together both families of the couple to mourn their deaths in front of their coffins.

The body of estranged Finau of Māngere, was found at a property on McNally Road, Pukekohe while Police carrying out a bail check on Wednesday 10. Latu was also found at the property with critical injuries and rushed to hospital where he died two days later.

Latu, the father of Finau’s four children, was on electronic bail following a violent rampage where he shoved a child from a moving car before allegedly assaulting a witness, Stuff reported.

It is believed he contacted Finau last week wanting to see their children at his court-appointed bail address.

Finau’s family also believed the couple met after Finau arrived and discussed their relationship during which Finau appeared to have declined a suggestion by Latu for them to reunite.

Deaths, injuries after ‘serious incident’ in Epsom – police

By
Kaniva Staff
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This RNZ.co.nz story is republished with permission

Police have confirmed two people are dead and a third is in a critical condition after a “serious incident” in Epsom.

Police at the scene of a 'serious incident' in Epsom, Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Police said they were called to an address at The Drive, Epsom about 11.30am and found two people with critical injuries. The pair died despite efforts to help them.

A third person found at the home was taken to hospital with critical injuries.

Police put a scene guard in place.

St John Ambulance said there was a rapid response team, three incident managers and one crew on site.

Police at the scene of a 'serious incident' in Epsom, Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

An RNZ reporter near the scene in Epsom said there was a cordon and police vehicles nearby.

An area of Green Lane Road West and The Drive was cordoned off to pedestrians.

Emergency services refused to comment further on the nature of the incident at this stage.

Police expect to provide more details shortly.

More to come…

Former Deputy PM called as witness in Lavulavus’ alleged land lease forged document case

By
Kalino Latu
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Former Deputy Prime Minister Sēmisi Sika was called as a witness in the case of a high profile couple accused of committing forgery.

Tourism MInister ‘Akosita Lavulavu, Former Tourism Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu, Opposition Leader Sēmisi Sika

Disgraced Former MP and Cabinet Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu and his wife Akosita Lavulavu, the Minister of Infrastructure failed to appear at the Fasi Magistrate Court today.

They had been charged with using a document, knowing it to be false, with the intent that it in any way be used or acted upon as genuine.

Sika, who is also the PTOA Party Leader was concerned after he and other witnesses arrived at the court today but the hearing was postponed until March 29 after the Lavulavus did not turn up. He said this was not the first time they attended the court before the case was adjourned.

Sika’s witness summon seen by Kaniva News says the hearing was expected to run for two days.

“You are ordered to attend at the Fasi Magistrate on 18 – 19 March 2021 and give evidence in the case of Akosita and ‘Etuate Lavulavu who were committed to the sitting of the Magistrate Court because they knowingly used a forged document on 6 September 2017,” Sika’s notice read in Tongan.

It is understood, all Cabinet Ministers including ‘Etuate were still in Vava’u.

As Kaniva News reported late last year a landlord in Vava’u has vehemently denied writing and signing a letter which was submitted to the Ministry of Lands and Survey telling them he agreed to allow ousted Cabinet Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu to quarry rocks on his land.

The letter was believed to be written by the Lavulavus.

Sione Tunufa’i Tui said he learned further quarrying activities operated on seven acres of his eight acre tax allotment in Ta’anea were based on a letter he claimed he did not know was submitted to the Ministry of Lands and Survey three years ago.

Tui said they only agreed for ‘Etuate to lease only three acres of his land.

The letter was written on September 5, 2017 to the Ministry  telling the authority Tui had agreed to alter the lease purpose from business to quarrying.

The letter, which was written in Tongan, also claimed the reason Tui agreed to the lease was to facilitate ‘Etuate’s agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure to provide quarrying activities.

“Not only that but also I agree to allow ‘Etuate Lavulavu and his Inter Pacific company to operate the tax allotment for quarry purpose and to sell it for profit,” the letter read.

A copy of the letter, seen by Kaniva News, was purportedly showed Tui’s signature.

Tui denial

Tui told Kaniva News in an exclusive interview he knew nothing about the letter.

He said the first time he knew about it was when he was handed a copy by a staff member at the Ministry of Lands and Survey after he made inquiries.

“I decided to use the law to resolve our problems and this was just the beginning,” Tui said.

He said he had also taken legal action against Hon. ‘Akosita because Etuate allegedly subleased the tax allotment to her.

In another letter seen by Kaniva News, Tui wrote to the Ministry of Lands on  January 27, 2020 and told its CEO he wanted to cancel the lease in question.

“The letter of September 5, 2017, which purported to show it was written by me was not mine. That was not my signature. And I haven’t seen any paper work like that before,” the letter read.

“We never talked about leasing and for a payment of $1500 per year. They were all made up by ‘Etuate Lavulavu,” Tui claimed.

Tui told the Ministry the signature he used to sign his letter of 27 January 2020 was his real signature which was totally different from the signature appeared on the letter apparently submitted to the Ministry dated on September 5, 2017.

‘Etuate’s response

‘Etuate, the People’s Party Deputy Chairman – the Party in which the Prime Minister was a founding member –  told Kaniva News Tui allegedly signed the letter and there were people who could bear witness to it.

He claimed Tui’s signature varied whenever he signed.

He claimed he did not forge the letter or falsify any documents.

‘Etuate also alleged some opposition politicians were behind Tui and wanted to defame him.

Under the spotlight

As Kaniva News reported last week, ‘Etuate came under the spotlight after Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa revealed Inter Pacific Ltd was one of the three contractors the government awarded with contracts to supply rocks for the government’s new multimillion road project.

‘Etuate was made a Director of Inter-Pacific Limited in February 2016, but was replaced by ‘Inoke Finau Vala in May last year.

In 2016 Tonga’s Supreme Court convicted ‘Etuate of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign.

The judge said Lavulavu was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.

Last year, the Supreme Court also ruled that ‘Etuate and Akosita must jointly stand trial on three counts of obtaining money by false pretences and three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents.

The charges arise from an investigation of the finances of the ‘Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute, a private education provider.

Akosita was the director and ‘Etuate was the president.

In a case in 2000, Lavulavu was sued by the Late Prince Tu’ipelehake for damages and unlawful cultivation of his land. In his summing up of the trial, Lord Chief Justice Ward said Lavulavu “was willing to say almost anything that seemed to suit the moment with a repeated disregard for the truth.”

Prayer vigil held in memory of Toakase Finau as tributes flow for her husband Viliami Lātū following tragic deaths

By
Kalino Latu
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The family and kāinga of Toakase Finau, 29, who died after what appears to be a murder suicide in Pukekohe last week have held a prayer vigil at the 7 Teretere Lane, Mt Wellington, Auckland last night.

Toakase Finau (L) and Viliami Latu

The solemn vigil was led by Vunahuo, one of the mātu’a and matāpule of the kāinga, a spokesperson said.

He shared a verse from the Holy Bible Psalm 107 which says: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.”

The family believed Finau was murdered by his estranged husband Viliami Latu, 31, the father of her four children before he attempted to take his own life. He died in hospital two days later.

The family believed the couple’s relationship came to a head in November after Finau obtained the protection order against Latu after suffering extensive violence at his hands. Latu was released on bail in the same month and his attempts to restore his relationship with Finau was unsuccessful.

It is believed he contacted Finau last week wanting to see their children at his court-appointed bail address, his brother’s property in McNally Rd, Pukekohe.

The family alleged that the couple met after Finau arrived and discussed their relationship during which Finau appeared to have declined a suggestion by Latu for them to reunite.

During the vigil the members of the kāinga remembered her as a woman of good character and she cared for her children.

The family believed Police found a note in Latu’s pocket indicating the body of his estranged partner was in the boot of her blue Honda hatchback parked on his brother’s lawn.

Meanwhile, a tribute for Latu was posted on Facebook.

A Facebook user by the name Mele Taufa wrote in Tongan: “I love you Viliami and surprised at the pathway you chose for you and your wife to go though but how about your children they are in a situation where they did not really understand the circumstances surrounding your deaths. I am sorry if I failed in my pastoral role for you.”

A report by Stuff said questions are being raised around a decision to allow a man at the centre of a suspected murder suicide to remain in the community, despite absconding from police while already on bail.

It said Latu also had a history of violence against Finau, and of ignoring a protection order.

He was allowed to remain on bail despite allegedly escaping police custody when officers discovered him breaching release conditions.

America’s Cup: Victory on home waters for Team NZ

By
Kalino Latu
-

This RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission

Team New Zealand has successfully defended the America’s Cup on home waters.

Team New Zealand's skipper Peter Burling (C) holds the America's Cup, affectionately known as the Auld Mug, after winning the 36th America's Cup against Luna Rossa Prada in Auckland on March 17, 2021.
Photo: AFP

The Kiwi syndicate wrapped up a 7-3 series win over Luna Rossa with a 46 second victory in race 10 of the regatta on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday.

“It’s absolutely unreal,” Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling said on board Te Rehutai.

“Just coming back to the chase boat and seeing all the people involved in this campaign over three or so years and how many Kiwis are out here supporting the event again.

“We’ve had messages from everyone from the Prime Minister to high school kids to just about anyone you could think of with support and it just means the world to us as a team.

“I don’t think you could think of a much more special environment than this with over couple of thousand boats out every day, the village absolutely packed, people everywhere, to do something like this on home water is something the whole team is incredibly proud of.”

After securing the favoured right-hand side of the course in another tight battle off the start line, Team New Zealand got Te Rehutai’s nose in front to go through the first gate with a narrow seven-second lead.

That buffer was out to nine seconds after leg two, but it was the third of six legs when the defenders really extended to put one hand on the Cup again.

Team New Zealand powered downwind to be 27 seconds in front at the halfway mark of the race and, with a 37 second lead at gate number four, all that was required was two mistake-free legs to secure the series.

That was exactly what they produced, keeping things calm and composed in the last push to the finish before the celebrations finally broke out as they crossed the line.

Despite Luna Rossa’s challenge proving unsuccessful, co-helmsman Francesco Bruni said it had been a fantastic experience.

“I’d firstly like to congratulate Team New Zealand, they’ve done a fantastic job.

“But also I need to congratulate with Luna Rossa, they’re a fantastic team, we proved to the world that we could do it and it’s been hard luck in the last couple of days, but I think we’ve done a great job as a team.”

Team New Zealand celebrate winning the America's Cup, Race 10, Day 7 of the America's Cup presented by Prada.
Photo: Photosport

As he sat on the side of Te Rehutai soaking it all in, Team New Zealand flight controller Blair Tuke said the moment was hard to describe.

“Yeah, wow, what a beauty.

“Unreal. Defending the America’s Cup on home waters, out here on the Hauraki Gulf.

“Unbelievable feeling to know the work that’s gone in from so many people over the last three and half years, and even right back to before we won it in Bermuda.

“It’s been huge from the team, and a massive honour to race here in front of five million Kiwis. To know we’ve had their support … what scenes, unbelievable.”

The other man steering Luna Rossa had been Team New Zealand’s nemesis from San Francisco in 2013, Jimmy Spithill.

As he was after then being beaten aboard Oracle in Bermuda, though, the no-nonsense Australian was gracious in defeat.

“[Luna Rossa] is an incredible team, and really the whole campaign.

“It’s been an absolutely relentless campaign and just to see the passion, the emotion and the work ethic the Italians portray, [it] has definitely been one of the most amazing and campaigns in that regard for me.

“Obviously full credit to Team New Zealand. They developed a fantastic package and are deserving champions.”

After reclaiming the Auld Mug in Bermuda four years ago, the result ensured Team New Zealand had successfully defended international sport’s oldest prize for the second time in history.

The team first won the America’s Cup in 1995 in San Diego and went on to easily fight off the challenge of Luna Rossa in Auckland in 2000.

Ha‘apai governor who is a former lawmaker guilty of possessing unlawful turtle meat

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Supreme Court judge has found the former legislator who is now the Ha’apai Governor guilty of unlawful possessing of 198kg of turtle meat.

Manuopangai Hingano. Photo/Facebook

Viliami Manuopangai Hingano, 46, was in possession of the turtle meat out of the shell, without it being certified by an authorised officer that it came from a turtle of legal size.

He pleaded not guilty and elected trial by judge alone on 11  August 2020.

Hingano told the court that at about 8pm Thursday 19 March 2020,  Mohokoi Tongile’o telephoned him and asked if he could receive his (Mohokoi’s) cargo arriving on the boat the next morning, and told him that there was some fish in it for him too. He said that he told  him he would do it.

Hingano told the court that he had no guilty intent to commit this offence and that he did not know that the law required that there be prior approval to kill a turtle.

But Judge Niu didn’t buy it.

“Having heard the accused ‘s background, he being a director in the Ministry of Public Enterprises, and he had been a member of Parliament representing District 12 of Ha’apai which included Lofanga, and having grown up and living in Ha’apai, I do not believe
his evidence that he did not know that an approval was required before a turtle was killed,” Mr Niu said.

The court was told a Police officer Talia’uli Moa arrested Hingano after a joint operation which included three fisheries officers arrived at the Queen Salote Wharf at 10am on March 2020 to check if  there were any illegal shipments of catch. The MV ‘Otuanga’ofa arrived that morning from Vava’u and Ha’apai.

Moa said that a man who was standing by one of the ship’s container at the wharf asked him what work they were doing. The man was Hangano, the court was told. He told Hingano that they were inspecting the ship’s cargoes for unlawful marine produce,  and he jokingly said to Hingano, “May be you are one of those who ship up unlawful fishing produce”, and then he asked Hingano, “Do you have any cargo?”

The Police officer said Hingano said, “Yes, it’s a small cooler of fish and turtle (meat)”.

The Police officer said he asked him again whether it had turtle (meat) and that Hingano replied yes. He said he asked for his driver’s license and after Hingano gave it to him, he asked him whether it would be alright to inspect his cargo in which Hangano agreed .

Moa said he called the fisheries officers before they inspected the cargoes which was a cooler and stand up freezer. Both were full of fresh turtle meat in crushed ice and there were also two crayfishes and six small fishes.

Contacting Ha’apai Fisheries office

One of the fisheries officers telephoned the Fisheries office in Pangai, Ha’apai to check their record of permits and it was confirmed there was no permit issued for the killing of turtles in Ha’apai in the name of Hingano.

“Having considered all the evidence given and the submissions of both counsels, for which I am grateful, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused did possess, at Nuku’alofa, on 20 March  2020, 198 kg of turtle meat out of the shell without it being certified by an authorised officer that it came from a turtle of legal size,” Mr Niu said.

“Accordingly, I find the accused, Viii Manuopangai Hingano, guilty and I convicted him of the charge with which he is charged in this trial.”

Footage shows police pull over bus driver caught driving wrong way on road

By
Kalino Latu
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Video footage caught the moment a bus believed to have passengers inside drove down the wrong side of what appear to be a Tongatapu main road towards oncoming traffic.

Police pull over a bus driving on wrong side of the road. Photo/Screenshot

The footage shows a bus driving towards vehicles driving in the opposite direction down the main road.

The bus can be seen swerving to the side as a white car headed towards it.

It was at that moment a Police van which was sitting in traffic on the left lane can be seen before the bus was pulled over to the left side of the road.

Kaniva News  could not independently verify the authenticity of the material.

A motorist managed to capture the blunder, uploading it to the popular video-sharing platform TikTok before it was shared to Facebook by Radio Nuku’alofa FM 88.6 on March 10.

““Thank you to our listeners. Not only you all report on the traffic but you send photos & videos of reckless drivers. Keep them coming & we will keep posting them. Thank you to Tonga Police for stopping this silly bus driver,” the Radio captioned the footage, followed by the hashtag “. #saiaupito #ohnono #busdrivers #police #tonga”.

“Serves you right,” a commenter said.

“It’s about time to have bus lane,” another wrote.

The video clip was accompanied by the song Oh No by the American rapper Kiam Akasi Holley who is known by her stage name Capone.

Police could not be reached for comment.

Bloods gang killers of innocent Tongan man sentenced in Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two Bloods gang members have been sentenced this morning after the tragic death of a Tongan man in Auckland, New Zealand in May last year.

Samuela Anania Tupou. Photo/Supplied

Janeiro Tapusoa, 28, pleaded guilty to murder one month before the three-week jury trial last year. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 13 years and one month.

Leroy Tinei, 27, was found guilty of murder at trial, and has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 years and four months.

Tupou’s family attended today’s sentencing, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Tupou was shot and killed by Tapusoa early on Saturday, May 25 at Seaside Park, while he socialised with his cousin and friends. He was wearing a blue singlet, and blue is associated with the Crips gang, but Tupou was not part of any gang.

A member of rival gang Bloods, Tapusoa was on the hunt for Crips members – known as “searching for crabs”. Tinei was driving the car.

Tupou approached the car the two men were in. He was shot in the chest, top right thigh and back. The men fled in the car as Tupou fell to ground, where he died.

Crown lawyer Kristy Li said Tapusoa shot three bullets at close range from the passenger seat of the car. Tupou was understood to be half a metre away from the passenger window – a random, unarmed victim shot without any warning, she told the courtroom.

“I do not consider there was anything aggressive about Tupou as he approached the Mazda,” said Justice Walker.

Cook Islands current PM and former PM face fraud charges

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This story by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and former prime minister and MP Henry Puna are facing charges of fraud and two counts of improper payment of public money.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna and his deputy Mark Brown.
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna (L) and current Cook Islands PM Mark Brown. Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News

Norman George, counsel for the prosecution, submitted that Brown and Puna conspired to arrange for two charter flights funded out of the public purse to travel to the northern islands of Penryhn and Pukapuka.

The flights uplifted the two winning candidates from those islands and returned them to Rarotonga to form a government after the June 2018 general elections.

The two winning candidates at the time are the current Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau and Associate Minister of Justice Tingika Elikana

The flights were paid for out of the Civil List budget which is managed by Parliament.

An email from then caretaker Finance Minister Mark Brown to the former Deputy Clerk of Parliament to arrange for the flights, was produced in court by the private prosecutor.

George submitted there was never a mention of bringing other successful candidates to Rarotonga.

The case is being heard by judge alone and presided by Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams QC.

The charges have been brought about as the result of a private prosecution by Rarotonga resident Paul Allsworth who alleges around $US35,000 was paid for the flights.

Puna and Brown have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution has submitted a list of 19 witnesses to call during the trial.

The list includes a number of sitting Members of Parliament including Deputy Prime Minister and Penrhyn MP Robert Tapaitau, Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana, and former Penrhyn MP Willie John.

Former MPs Teariki Heather and Kiriau Turepu are also expected to take the stand, along with Finance Secretary Garth Henderson and Acting Police Commissioner Akatauira Matapo.

Puna will be represented by lawyer Ben Marshall, and lawyer Tim Arnold will represent Brown.

The Cook Islands News reports the case was first brought before the High Court in 2019, when a private criminal proceeding was filed by lawyer Norman George on behalf of the case’s former complainant Teokotai George.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna, at the Asia Pacific Energy Leaders' Summit, 1 November 2018, Te Papa, Wellington.
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna, at the Asia Pacific Energy Leaders’ Summit, 1 November 2018, Te Papa, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

As with the current case, both Puna and Brown had pleaded not guilty, however days before the case went to trial the complainant instructed lawyer Wilkie Rasmussen, who had taken over the case, to withdraw his complaint.

As part of the charges, the two are alleged to have breached section 280 of the Crimes Act 1969 and s 64(2)(d)(1) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Act 1995-96.

The case is the latest in a number of trials presided by Chief Justice Williams this month that started last week, and intend to fill a backlog after a year-long gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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