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5.6 magnitude earthquake felt in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tremors from a magnitude 5.6 quake were felt across Tonga’s outer island groups this afternoon.

The quake, 10 kilometres in depth, hit the area at 12.48pm.

Kathrina Fale’ovalu who described herself on her Facebook account as from Colonge, Germany and is living in Pangai,  Vava’u, said she felt the quake

“I was sitting and the shaking was horizontal, Semisi was standing and did not feel it. It was a swaying,” she wrote.

“Didn’t feel it,” replied a commenter who used a Facebook name Brian J Leger Whippy. 

The region has been struck by 10 earthquakes in the past month.

An earthquake of the same magnitude and depth hit the region just weeks ago.

Former Auditor General denies PSA head’s claim he audited Dairy Processing

By
Kalino Latu
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Former Auditor General Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has denied claims by the Public Service Association (PSA) General Secretary that he audited a company of which she was manager and found its financial accounts in order.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa, who is now the Minister of Finance, was responding after Kaniva News published a story on Friday quoting the General Secretary Mele ‘Amanaki as saying Hon Tu’i’onetoa audited her Dairy Processing company.

In a detailed statement to Kaniva News, ‘Amanaki said: “Pohiva Tu’io’netoa, Govt Auditor General at the time, and Tiueti audited the company’s accounts for the alleged period. Pohiva presented the audit report to the Board that funds of the company was in order.”

But the Minister said in Tongan this was not true (“ta’emo’oni”) and said he was not an auditor of Dairy Processing.

He said ‘Amanaki approached him and asked for his help after a complaint was lodged with the government against her and Dairy Processing.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said ‘Amanaki gave him some invoices and after he looked at those they appeared reliable.

The Minister also said as far as he remembered ‘Amanaki told her she had paid back or she was going to pay back the money at the centre of the allegations over the company’s finances.

He said ‘Amanaki asked him to write to the cabinet and asked it to “have mercy” on her case.

The Minister said he then wrote an appeal to the cabinet on her  behalf.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said the cabinet rejected his appeal, reprimanded him and told him not to do any audit assessment for her company.

He said it was a “Good Samaritan work” he did for ‘Amanaki and he was not paid for it.

As Kaniva News reported last week, ‘Amanaki was sacked from the dairy company after claims of financial irregularity were made to the then government.

Dairy Processing distributed locally manufactured milk products in 1990s to primary school students in Tongatapu.

The milk products were subsidised by the government through the Ministry of Labour and Commerce.

Our story on Friday was based on an editorial on Kele’a newspaper which claimed that when ‘Amanaki was manager of the Dairy Processing Co. Ltd in the 1990s the company became involved in alleged fraud.

The editorial claimed the company’s records were falsified to show milk was delivered to some schools which did not actually receive any dairy products.

It also claimed two schools were reported by the company to have been supplied with milk, but an investigation found out those schools never existed.

‘Amanaki said claims of financial irregularity had arisen because of the activities of one or two individuals.

‘Amanaki dismissed the allegations as unfounded.

For more information

PSA head rebuts Kele’a newspaper’s attacks as petition to investigate Cabinet submitted

Classy Auckland beat Tonga NZ Residents

By
Kalino Latu
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Auckland won the inaugural Upright Access Mann Cup on Saturday, running riot to beat the Tonga New Zealand Residents 40-12.

Down 12-10 at the break, Auckland blew their opponents off the park with five unanswered tries in the second stanza, with co-captains Jordan Tuarae and Jethro Friend the key figures in the comeback.

The match was just the third time the Auckland premier side has taken the field since 2009, and was their first win in that period as well.

Playing in front of a crowd of over 1,200 at Mount Smart Stadium, the Tongan side flew out of the gates, scoring via Sione Tongia and captain Daniel Palavi to lead by 12 after as many minutes.

But the Auckland reply was swift, and helped by the introduction of Abraham Papali’i off the bench, they scored twice via Tuarae, who grubbered for himself before barging over from close range, to trail by just two after halfback Howard Brown added a conversion.

The Tongan New Zealand Residents couldn’t come close to matching Auckland in the second 40, with the hosts taking the lead three minutes after the break thanks to a try to former Junior Warrior Lafu Feagaiga.

The sin-binning of Tonga’s Saimone Makahili for repeated infringements marked the opening of the floodgates, with Auckland scoring via Cole Waaka and Corey Seator in the 10 minutes which followed, before Feagaiga grabbed his second and Papali’i scored a rampaging effort from 30 metres out.

Glenora Bears speedster Simon Luafalealo finished the scoring at an even 40 with five minutes left on the clock.

Auckland coach Grant Pocklington said despite his side’s sluggish opening few minutes, confidence had remained high.

“We knew Tonga had enjoyed all the ball early on. We had one set in the first 12 minutes. In the first half we had just six sets. So all we needed was possession,” Pocklington said.

“Tonga were always going to come out pretty hard. They had a lot of passion and pride. But to go 12-0 down and get ourselves back into the game was pleasing.”

Auckland 40 (Jordan Tuarae x2, Lafu Feagaiga x2, Cole Waaka, Corey Seator, Abraham Papali’i, Simon Luafalealo tries; Howard Brown 4 goals) def. Tonga NZ Residents 12 (Sione Tongia, Daniel Palavi tries; Willie Stowers 2 goals). At Mt Smart Stadium.

Maori & Toa can’t be split in U20 thriller

A last-minute penalty rescued a draw for the Auckland Maori U20 against Toa Samoa Invitational U20, in the curtain-raiser at the 2018 Upright Access Mann Cup.

Samoa opened the scoring at Mt Smart Stadium on six minutes, via powerful prop forward Lene Neemia, but found themselves down 16-6 at the break as the local side struck three times, through fleet-footed half Taane Paki, centre Iloa Ma’afu-Roberts and forward Isaiah Vagana.

Three minutes into the second period the Samoans had a golden chance to claw their way back, after winger Setu Tu burst 70 metres down field, but they couldn’t execute and the gap remained 10 at the final 20 minutes approached.

At that point Toa captain Dylan Tavita took matters into his own hands, stepping his way through for a try, although it was quickly cancelled out by Casey Smith’s four-pointer at the other end.

Tries to Johnny Falelua-Malio and Jachim Tumu-Makara – both of which were converted by Tavita – gave the Samoans a 24-22 lead, which they looked set to win the game on, before a penalty with a minute left gifted Smith with a kick in front of the posts to tie the game.

Toa Samoa Invitational 24 (Lene Neemia, Dylan Tavita, Johnny Falelua-Malio, Jachim Tumu-Makara tries; Dylan Tavita 4 goals) Auckland Maori 24 (Taane Paki, Illoa Ma’afu-Roberts, William Pompey, Casey Smith tries; Casey Smith 4 goals). At Mt Smart Stadium.

Kingdom has seventh highest level of diabetes in world, claims American company

By
Philip Cass
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An American company claims Tonga has the seventh highest level of diabetes in the world and third highest in the Pacific.

World Life Expectancy cites what it says are World Health Organisation statistics to back the claim.

It says the kingdom has what it calls an “age adjusted death rate” of 105.8 deaths  per 100,000 people.

Fiji is listed in the company report as having the highest death rate at 187.9 deaths  per 100,000 people, with Kiribati fourth with 121.3 death per 100,000 people.

The western Pacific has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation’s figures for 2016, Tonga has an average rate of 21.9% of the population suffering from diabetes.

Diabetes was more common in women and had risen from about 10% of the population in 1980 to more than 25% by 2014.

The WHO report had no figures on mortality rates.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this year, there have been claims that international figures on diabetes are flawed.

The Journal of Diabetes reported in 2016 that an error had occurred when international health authorities were testing for diabetes in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. This led to figures being doubled.

Dr. Sione Latu told Kaniva News the original report based on this research said there was a 34.4% prevalence of diabetes in Tonga, but this was revised down to 17.7%.

For more information

Diabetes country profile Tonga

President defends $50,000 TFD owed him; Ministry says dialysis data is wrong

World Life Expectancy

Off duty police officer charged with drink driving after man killed in Tongatapu crash

By
Kalino Latu
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A Police officer has been charged with reckless driving causing death, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving a vehicle with no number plate.

The 51-year-old officer was off duty when he allegedly crashed into a vehicle driven by a 37-year-old man from Fangaloto last night Friday June 1 at around 11:15pm in Kolofo’ou, Police commissioner Steve Caldwell said.

The victim was rushed to hospital where he died two hours later, the Commissioner said.

The accused was driving a UT Ford van heading north on Vaha’akolo rd before he failed to give way at a roundabout crashing into the driver’s door of a white car driven by the victim.

The arrested officer is in custody while investigation continues.

Doctor who started at Otahuhu Primary will take up senior position in Sydney

By
Philip Cass
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A doctor with ancestral links to Fasi Moe Afi and Kolofo’ou has just been appointed as a Neurologist/ Neurology Interventionalist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.

Hugh Stephen Winters, who will take up the position later this year, is the grandson through his mother Lu’isa of Milika Vaka née Vi and Tēvita Kaliopasi Vaka.

Dr Winters started school at Otahuhu Primary and then went on to De La Salle College in South Auckland.

From there he attended Auckland University Medical School through the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme and studied medicine.

During his time as a Junior Doctor at Middlemore Hospital he discovered his niche while working with stroke patients.

He enrolled in the neurology programme offered by the New South Wales Health system.

During his training he met and married his wife Maggie who is a paediatrician.

He qualified as neurologist in Australia in 2016 and the following year went to the United States to undertake a fellowship at Erlanger Healthcare in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in neuro-interventional medicine.

This procedure involves removing blood clots in the brain to prevent strokes through the guidance of radiology.

Court gives bank permission to take action over massive debt owed by Lord ‘Akau’ola

By
Philip Cass
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Lord ‘Akau’ola also known as ‘Ahovalea Moe Mapa Faletau faces a claim for nearly TP$1 million of unpaid debt after the Supreme Court found in favour of the Bank of South Pacific Tonga Ltd.

The bank, formerly known as Westpac Bank of Tonga, applied to the court for leave to enforce proceedings against the Lord ‘Akau’ola.

The bank originally obtained a judgement against Lord ‘Akau’ola on February 2, 2010.

Under the judgement, the bank agreed not to take action if Lord ‘Akau’ola made monthly payments at an agreed rate.

The bank had taken into  consideration Lord ‘Akau’ola’s personal circumstances due to the illness of his wife.

Lord ‘Akau’ola made payments until May 2016, but was now in default.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he owed TP$833,287 of the principal debt, along with substantial interest.

“It is only as a result of a recent change  in  Hon ‘Akauola’s  employment that the Bank now considers that enforcement proceedings will result in payment of at least some portion of the judgment debt,” Mr Justice Paulsen said.

Permission for the bank to take action against enforcement proceedings would lapse if they were not taken by May 23 2019.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return TOP$20m worth of royal wedding gifts

By
Kaniva Staff
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By MADHVI MAVADIYA, Daily Mail

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being forced to return £7 million of unsolicited gifts they received in celebration of their Royal Wedding after being bombarded with presents from companies and celebrities in an attempt to gain free publicity.

The Duchess of Sussex, known for her prowess when it comes to style has already caused a shift in the fashion industry and has influenced many to buy certain products that she was worn, in what has been dubbed the Meghan Markle effect.

Due to this, many companies are hopeful that Meghan will wear what they have sent her during her honeymoon when she and her new husband will reportedly spend time at the Fairmont Jasper Lodge in Alberta, Canada.

Why aren’t Prince Harry and Meghan Markle allowed to accept gifts from the public?

Ahead of the Royal Wedding, Harry and Meghan issued guidelines that revealed that cameras and hand luggage would be banned and mobile phones would have to be surrendered before the reception to avoid any ‘image capture’.

In addition to this, the guidance read: ‘It should be noted that gifts cannot be brought to St George’s Chapel or the Reception that follows at Windsor Castle. Guests are advised to seek further guidance on delivery arrangements for any gifts to Kensington Palace.’

According to Express, Kensington Palace also released a statement that read: ‘When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of the Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.

‘Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of the Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself.’

A panel decided whether or not the gifts should be returned or simply donated to charities. One company, Bags of Love, have reportedly sent Meghan swimwear in hopes that she will wear it on their honeymoon.

However, it was also revealed that Harry and Meghan set up a wedding registry for their closest families and friends with the members’ club Soho House, which reportedly contained a number of home items to help them furnish their 21-room Apartment 1.

How did Harry and Meghan ask wellwishers to honour their Royal Wedding?

Meghan and Harry instead asked their family and friends to donate to the seven charities that they had personally selected to honour their big day.

These charities were CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association), Crisis, Myna Mahila Foundation, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage and The Wilderness Foundation UK.

What will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle not be returning?

To mark their marriage, the Queen gave her grandson Prince Harry and his new wife Meghan Markle the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex as well as a stately home, which of course, they will not be returning.

Alongside this, French President Emmanuel Macron gifted them a James Bond themed cigar cutter set from the prestigious Paris-based brand S.T. Dupont. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also revealed that Canada will donate £29,000 to the youth charity named Jumpstart.

New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern said that the country will be making a donation of £2,500 to Pillars, a charity that supports the families of prisoners.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that a donation will be made to the Invictus Games charity, which will be hosted in Sydney this year.

In addition to this, two koalas have been named after Harry and Meghan at Taronga Zoo in New South Wales as well as donating £2,800. In India, a local Peta charity said that an adopted injured bull would be called Merry, a fusion of both of their names.

Lesotho’s Prince Seesio, a friend of Harry’s who became close to the Prince during his time working for the charity Sentebale gave the new couple Wonderbags, portable, non-electric slow cookers that help African families cook despite fuel shortages.

Did Kate Middleton and Prince William return their wedding gifts?

Over the years, Kensington Palace has received a number of gifts and after their Royal Wedding back in 2011, Kate Middleton and Prince William were forced to turn away £30 million worth of presents.

They were also inundated with gifts after the births of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Social media abusers in PNG liable for prosecution

By
Kaniva Staff
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POST COURIER / PACNEWS

People who abuse the freedom of speech on social media are liable for prosecution, Papua New Guinea Justice Minister and Attorney-General Davis Steven told Parliament Thursday.

He said Parliament has passed Cybercrimes Act and amending the certain legislation including that which empowers the Censorship Board.

“It is our role and responsibility as leaders to be able to protect, to be able to enquire into our own laws and see that our people are protected, the question of our rights as leaders and those of our citizens who must seek redress,’’ Steven said.

“The simple answer is yes, those who offend, those who abuse this freedom in social media space are liable for prosecution that means that the offender or aggrieved citizens have the right under our current legislation to initiate prosecution.”

Steven said some recent laws enacted by Parliament should be tested with more prosecutions to see how these laws were working and whether they were adequate or not.

“The laws of defamation have been part of our laws since independence for damages, the philosophy of damages is to restore that standing, is to repair an apparent damage as a result of an incorrect statement that has been made deliberately, that option exists today.”

He was responding to Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu on issues surrounding the debate on social media

“I take the opportunity to remind the critics and those in this debate, the same constitution that gives the right to freedom of speech also gives the rights to other citizens to the full protection of the law. In other words, the right of freedom of speech does not license anyone to commit a crime or to invade and unfairly assassinate anyone or other citizens their character and standing in society, in other words that right or freedom or expression of opinion also comes with it duty of responsibility, the duty to observe the rights of others to be treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

Kaniva Tonga News has republication arrangement with PACNEWS

Tonga signs MOU with The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting eye care services in the Kingdom of Tonga, and the provision of training for eye health professionals, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU, which was recently signed by the Board of The Foundation and Tonga’s Minister of Health, The Honourable Dr Saia Piukala, outlines The Foundation’s commitment to continue to deliver quality eye care services in Tonga, helping to put an end to avoidable blindness in the Pacific, where four out of five people who are blind, don’t need to be.

The signing of the MoU was followed by an event held at Government House to commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ.

The event was hosted by Their Excellencies, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand and Patron of The Foundation, and Sir David Gascoigne.

As well as the signing of the MoU, the event celebrated what The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ has achieved over the last 25 years, including restoring sight to over two million people globally.

In the Pacific alone, The Foundation has performed over 60,000 eye surgeries, trained 277 Pacific eye doctors and nurses and funded seven eye clinics.

One of the current eye doctors that The Foundation is training is Dr Duke Mataka from Tonga. Dr Duke is in his final year of training in Fiji before he returns to Tonga this year as a fully qualified eye doctor.

This will be a pivotal moment for eye care in Tonga as this will be the first time in a number of years that Tonga will have access to an eye doctor all year round.

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