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Auckland Harbour Bridge closed during morning rush hour as strong wind gusts hit city

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story originally appeared on TVNZ and is republished with permission

The Auckland Harbour Bridge has been closed this morning due to strong wind gusts, with this morning’s peak hour commute underway.

Waka Kotahi NZTA says the bridge is “temporarily closed to all vehicles in both directions. Bridge lanes will re-open as soon as possible once wind gusts ease”.

“Significant wind gusts of more than 80km/h have been recorded on the bridge and a decision has been made to close all lanes on the harbour bridge to look after the safety of drivers and the bridge whilst the structure is still damaged and in a compromised state,” NZTA says.

Motorists urged to take care with strong winds, snow forecast around much of NZ

“The full bridge closure will remain in place until further notice. The bridge team is working closely with MetService to get advice on when it is safe to re-open the lanes.”

Motorists are advised to delay their journey or use the SH18 or SH16 as an alternative to SH1.

Last week, a temporary fix was put in place after high winds blew a truck into a rivet causing damage on September 18.

Tongan woman death: 45yo man suspect appears in court

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man is expected to appear in court this morning, charged with assault after  a Tongan woman died in an incident in Manurewa, South Auckland on Sunday.

The 45-year-old man was expected to appear at the Manukau District Court. The accused and the deceased cannot be named for legal reasons.

Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander, Counties Manukau CIB, said a post mortem examination is due to be completed today.

“Police carried out a scene examinations at two addresses yesterday on Smedley Street and Hobman Place,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander.

“We have also been speaking with a number of people present at the Smedley Street address at the time as part of our enquiries.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander says Police have since charged a man who was arrested nearby on Hobman Place on Sunday morning.

“However, our investigation is still ongoing and for that reason Police cannot rule out further charges being laid at this stage,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Alexander.

Auckland Harbour Bridge could completely close today in high winds

By
Kalino Latu
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This story originally appeared on TVNZ and is republished with permission

More lanes on Auckland Harbour Bridge could close due to strong winds today.

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Auckland Harbour Bridge (file picture). Source: istock.com

It’s a blustery day in Auckland today and Waka Kotahi NZTA says if wind gusts exceed 80 km/h they may close some lanes or even close the entire bridge.

“Bridge managers are receiving constant reports on the wind strength from Metservice and will not hesitate to close lanes or even fully close the bridge for short periods of time if necessary for safety reasons,” a statement from Waka Kotahi NZTA reads.

Senior Journey Manager Neil Walker says: “Closures may happen at very short notice. Waka Kotahi acknowledges the lane closures will cause disruption and inconvenience this morning, however safety is our top priority and the lanes closures will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.”

As it stands the Harbour Bridge is operating a 75 per cent capacity with two lanes closed after a temporary repair was put in place following damage from to a steel beam after a truck hit it in high winds on September 18.

Auckland Transport will look to replace double decker buses with single decker buses for services over the bridge today.

Waka Kotahi NZTA is advising motorcyclists and drivers of high sided vehicles to stay off the bridge and use the Western Ring Route on State Highway 16 and State Highway 18.

Tongan man in custody after Tongan woman dies in Manurewa, South Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man has been  arrested this morning after a Tongan woman was found dead in Manurewa.

Photos of the man and his identity had been posted to Facebook shortly after the incident.

Kaniva News cannot publish them for legal reasons.

Counties Manukau Police are investigating the unexplained death of the woman, a statement said.

Police were alerted to a woman who had been assaulted at a Smedley Street address at around 3:20am.

Sadly, she died at the scene.

A man was arrested a short time later and is speaking with Police.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

A scene examination is underway and a scene guard is in place.

Document appears to contradict PM’s claim that Maikolo Fa’asolo was not CEO of Lulutai

By
Kalino Latu
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Documents seen by Kaniva News appear to show that Maikolo Fa’asolo was CEO of Lulutai Airlines, despite a denial by Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’ionetoa and Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker.

Veteran journalist Kalafi Moala first published a story on Fa’asolo’s position earlier today.

Kaniva News has seen an employment contract  between Fa’asolo and Lulutai Airlines as CEO and as captain of the airline’s Saab 340B and the Y12E aircraft.

The contract was signed on August 17 with an end date of August 16, 2021.

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Earlier this week the Prime Minister denied that Fa’asolo had been appointed CEO of the kingdom’s new airline, Lulutai.

Hon. Tu’ionetoa also denied claims by an anti-corruption group that Fa’asolo was stood down after claims his CV was inflated.

“Nothing like that happened,” the Prime Minister told Kaniva News.

When Kaniva News asked Hon. Tu’ionetoa for a response to today’s story in Fangongo, he said: “It may be nice for you to ask Maikolo Fa’asolo.”

Kaniva News has sought comment from Fa’asolo.

Fa’asolo holds a Master of Science in Air Transport Management from the City University of London School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.

He first trained as a pilot in New Zealand, flew with Royal Tongan Airlines and later spent 12 years in Bahrain, home to  major airline Gulf Air.

Fa’asolo was formerly Flight Operating Manager of Real Tonga Airlines.

According to the contract seen by Kaniva News, Fa’asolo is “qualified, experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of the position.”

The contract is signed by Fa’asolo and Lulutai’s company secretary Edgar Cocker.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, the Prime Minister’s claim that Fa’asolo had not been appointed CEO was supported  by Cocker, who is now acting CEO of the airline.

Cocker was contacted for comment on today’s story.

The main points

  • Documents seen by Kaniva News appear to show that Maikolo Fa’asolo was CEO of Lulutai Airlines, despite a denial by Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’ionetoa yesterday.
  • Veteran journalist Kalafai Moala first published a story on Fa’asolo’s position earlier today.

Tongan seasonal worker dies after snake bite in Australia

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man has died yesterday Tuesday 22 from an alleged snake bite in Cairns, Queensland.

The detail of the incident has yet to be publicly released, Tongan Seasonal Worker Liaison Officer in Australia, Dr Sione Vaka told Kaniva News.

Timote Ongosia worked in a farm in Mareeb but he was not at work when the incident occurred.

The Seasonal Worker’s body was expected to be returned to Tonga next month but that will be confirmed later, Vaka said.

He said he is expected to fly to Queensland to meet the deceased’s relatives there.

Sea cucumber diver dies in Ha‘apai fourth within three months

By
Kalino Latu
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A diver’s body was recovered on Saturday morning in the Ha’apai waters following a sea cucumber diving incident.

The 20-year-old man went diving on Friday evening, TBC reported.

A post mortem report was expected to confirm the diver’s cause of death.

The deceased was the fourth within three months after a sea cucumber diver died in Vava’u in July.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, critics have argued on social media that authorities haven’t done enough after it was clear death while diving for sea cucumbers has been reported from time to time since sea cucumber fishing began in 1980s.

In 2012 a diver died after using a method known as hookah diving while diving for sea cucumbers in Ha’apai.

Democrat MPs ask for public scrutiny of new bills for feedback, but without success

By
Kalino Latu
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Despite demands from some Democrats, a raft of new bills has been tabled in Parliament without any public scrutiny.

The bills cover a range of topics from traditional Tongan methods of adoption and kava drinking during election campaigns to proposals to allow judges to control lower courts.

Some Democrat legislators expressed deep concern about a number of the new laws and said they should have been put to the public for feedback

Cabinet has approved a controversial Bill submitted by the King’s Privy Council to change the Constitution of Tonga.

According to the Hansard, the Attorney General submitted a proposal to Cabinet for approval and then tabled a bill in Parliament  “to ensure the traditions and laws regarding the traditions of Tonga are not neglected but they are used as what other Pacific countries are currently doing.”

The Bill would not affect the current laws, but could be applied  when considering punishment in court, reducing a sentence, guardianship, nobility titles and drinking kava in areas when elections are being held, it said.

Hansard said it was important to note that a Bill would also be submitted to amend the Election Act to exempt having a “light supper” from electoral expenses. The Parliament Standing Law Committee reported to Parliament yesterday that the Bill was reasonable (“uhinga malie.”) and moved for the House to approve it.

The Democrat MP for Ha’apai 12, Mo’ale Finau, who was a member of the Standing Law Committee said he was concerned when he learnt the Bill came from the Privy Council. He said the committee was concerned about whether the Bill would affect other laws and the nation as a whole. Hon. Finau said the  Attorney General had denied this would happen.

Hon. Finau told the House the Bill was created to make sure the Courts became fully aware of the kingdom’s traditions and applied them.

Finau said one of the Committee’s concerns was the fact that some could use the law to escape convictions because of any link  between the case brought against them with traditions. He said he was satisfied when the Attorney General said this could not happen.

He also expressed concern about the technicality of the Bill and the information used to support it.

He said any attempt to use tradition as a way to argue for lesser penalties  would be a long process because every aspect would have to be considered carefully.

Hon. Finau asked the Speaker to approve tabling the Bills in the House without asking for feedback from the public.

Acting Minister of Law Samiu Vaipulu said the technicality Hon. Finau was referring to included traditional adoption methods, which do not need papers or a legal process. Hon. Vaipulu said the Bill would allow the traditional way of adoption, which could be used in court.

Hon. Vaipulu said the purpose of the Bill in relation to the Election Acts was to exempt things like kava. Kava was part of the traditions and it was an integral part of the Tongan way for people to take kava with them when they visited somewhere such as a constituency during an election.

Democrat Member for Tongatapu 9 Penisimani Fifita said he wanted to ask the public for feedback on the Bill.

Hon. Fifita said a foreign expert spoke about corruption at a meeting chaired by former Speaker Lord Tu’ivakanō. Following discussion of Tongan culture there was discussion about limiting the amount being spent by a candidate. The legal limit for expenditure is TP$20,000.

MP Siaosi Pōhiva said culture was alive and changed from time to time and he was concern about how culture would be linked to the Bill. He wanted to hear  public for their feedback on the Bills.

The proposed Bill to amend Clause 89 of the Tongan Constitution, with an additional Clause 89A, sparked off some heated debates in Parliament yesterday.

The wording of the proposed amendment has not been released and the proposed change was not made available to the media.

Clause 89 gives judges the power to direct the form of indictments, to control the procedure of the lower courts and to determine the rules of procedure.

Democrat MP for Ha’apai Veivosa Taka did not ask for public feedback.

Kaniva mediawatch September 18, 2020

By
Kaniva Staff
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Chinese database

An Australian cyber security expert has described Zhenhua, the Chinese  company whose  database contains the names of 74 Tongans, as doing the same as many western corporations.

“Zhenhua looks like a company that has done what countless other Western companies have done in the age in which data is the new oil: Collect it and sell it,” Sydney-based Jeremy Kirk said.

The Tongans are among 804 Pacific Islanders whose names and details were compiled by the company, which is alleged to have links with Chinese military and intelligence.

News of the database have raised alarm, with the names of politicians, officials, ordinary citizens and military figures from around the world.

However, Kirby said the material appears to have come largely from public sources.

“Anyone who posts material to social media sites or the internet in general should expect to see that data get scraped by marketing agencies and others,” the analyst said.

Rugby hearing

The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland will hear the case between Tonga National Rugby League Inc and the International Rugby League next Tuesday.

The Tongan National Rugby League claims its expulsion from the International Rugby League was illegal.

Tonga was suspended from the IRL after a long running dispute  that began in September last year.

The TRNL was expelled in February this year.

The Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation recommended that Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League be considered for full membership of the International Rugby League.

The TNRL appeal is separate from any approval of Tonga Ma’a Tonga as a member of the IRL.

Covid spike in US

Pacific Island communities continue to battle a surge in Covid-19 cases in Utah.

Utah has strong connections with the Pacific Islands, including Tonga, through the LDS.

According to recent data, 2364 Pacific Islanders have been infected with Covid-19, a rate 2.7 times higher than the state average.

There have been 23 Pacific Islander deaths to date, a rate 1.3 times higher than other ethnic groups, and 273 people who have been hospitalised.

Jacob Fitisemanu, co-founder for Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition told Tagata Pasifika that Pacific Islanders had been the most affected group in the US.

Fitisemanu described the infection and hospitalization rates as alarming.

Petrol price up

The Tongan government has blamed the Covid-29 pandemic for fluctuations in petrol prices in Tonga.

The wholesale price for petrol has gone up by 2.91 seniti per y, while kerosene has decreased to .98 seniti and diesel is down to 1.09 seniti per litre.

The main companies importing petroleum products to the kingdom are  Pacific Energy, which has links with Shell and Total, which brings in its supplies from Singapore via South Korea.

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, oil prices  crashed earlier this year.

Neither Singapore nor South Korea are listed as oil exporters.

Tuna

At a time when tuna fishing has  been identified as vital to Tonga’s economy, a new report says climate change could severely affect tuna stocks.

A report from the SPC said Pacific nations could lose up to $60 million a year in revenue from tuna fishing as climate change drove tuna stocks east.

Pacific Community scientists are tagging thousands of tuna in an effort to track their movements, environmental conditions and size.

The forecast adds to concerns about the way Tonga’s fishing resources are being handled.

Earlier this year MEIDEC CEO Paula Ma’u said many people thought overseas companies and operators were taking advantage of the lack of monitoring and policing – making money and taking that away overseas, without any contribution to the local economy.

 

PM denies reports new airline lost its CEO, says Lulutai will start flying on Thursday

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’ionetoa has denied that Maikolo Fa’asolo had been appointed CEO of the kingdom’s new airline, Lulutai.

The Prime Minister’s statement was supported  by Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker, who is acting CEO of the carrier.

Earlier this week Kaniva News reported that Fa’asolo was believed to have stood down from the position only days before Luluitai was due to start flying.

Fa’asolo was formerly Flight Operating Manager of Real Tonga Airlines.

Kaniva News contacted Fa’asolo and the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is in charge of the airline, for comment.

Hon. Tu’ionetoa and Cocker also denied claims by an anti-corruption group Komiti Fakafepaki’i e Faihala that Fa’asolo was stood down after claims his CV was inflated.

“Nothing like that happened,” the Prime Minister told Kaniva News.

The Prime Minister said the position of CEO would be advertised soon.

Asked if the Civil Aviation authority and the Pacific Aviation Safety Office could issue an Air Operating Certificate AOC to an airline without a CEO, the Prime Minister said: “Yes it can, because a CV must be submitted and PASO would interview and consider how competent an applicant is to run a company as CEO.”

“Edgar has a wealth of experience to run a private company and as CEO of Government ministries, not to mention his prior experience in regional organisations,” Hon. Tu’ionetoa said.

The Prime Minister clarified confusion over Lulutai’s starting date.

In August the Tonga Broadcasting Commission said the airline’s flights were set to begin on September 21.

Matangi Tonga has been carrying advertising saying that Lulutai was going to start flying yesterday September, 19.

However, the Prime Minister said Lulutai was expected to start flying commercially on Thursday, September 24.

Meanwhile, Acting CEO Edgar said there were some fake Lulutai Facebook pages. He said the only real Facebook pages were the ones which  featured the Lulutai’s logo.

One page which claimed it was an official site and displayed the Tongan flag was fake.

Advertising that has been carried on Matangi Tonga has been hyperlinked to a Facebook page which says customers of  Lulutai can book appointment from 8.45am to 4.45pm  on September 19.

Lulutai Airlines

According to European airlines database ch-aviation, Lulutai Airlines plans to operate domestic routes within Tonga with one Saab 340B and one Harbin Y12.

The aircraft will be transferred from Real Tonga Airlines, its defunct privately-owned predecessor. The Y12 is owned by the Government, while the 340B is dry-leased from Montrose Global.

Real Tonga’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) was suspended indefinitely by the Tongan Director for Civil Aviation on June 15 due to the carrier’s financial problems.

The Government of Tonga also owns a MA-60 which is not airworthy. It will undergo maintenance once borders reopen and foreign specialists can visit Tonga, ch-aviation reported.

Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu told Kaniva News Real Tonga could do all the technical work including maintenance of the government’s aircraft.

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