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King attends ANZAC dawn service in Nuku’alofa

By
Kaniva Staff
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His Majesty King Tupou VI has honoured Australia and New Zealand’s war dead at a dawn service in Nuku’alofa this morning.

The king attended the Anzac Day service at the Pangai Lahi cenotaph, organised by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was also in attendance including Members of Parliament, Ministers of the Crown, officers from the Australian and New Zealand armed forces, foreign diplomats and some members of the public.

A statement from the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga said: “On ANZAC day, we remember all Australian and New Zealand veterans of all conflicts. We acknowledge the sacrifice of all those who have died in conflict, and the contribution of all those who have served.”

Just before dawn on this day in 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey with a large number of casualties. It was then, and in the battles that followed, that the Australian and New Zealand Army Coprs – the ANZAC – tradition was formed, based on courage, bravery, compassion and comradery.

Shortly after the Gallipoli campaign, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force began to seek Polynesian volunteers from across the South Pacific. These volunteers served mainly in Māori units. In this way, soldiers recruited from the Kingdom of Tonga joined the fraternity of the ANZACs and service in Western Europe and Palestine.

All of our countries were relatively small players in these great clashes of nations. As small countries, the sacrifice of life and limb was keenly felt at home. This was true whether home was Tonga, New Zealand or Australia. All around New Zealand and Australia and across the world, services like this one are being held to commemorate ANZAC Day.

“We will remember them.”

At the New Zealand commemorations today, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Grant Robertson said: “It was on the Western Front where New Zealand made its most significant contribution to the First World War, and also where New Zealand suffered the greatest loss of life. More than 12,000 New Zealanders died in France and Belgium between 1916 and 1919.

Caritas, Habitat for Humanity working on housing project in wake of Cyclone Gita

By
Philip Cass
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Catholic NGO Caritas and the American-based organisation Habitat for Humanity are working together to build new homes in Tonga to replace homes destroyed  by Cyclone Gita.

The NGOs are working with the Tongan government on the project.

Amelia Ma’afu, Acting Director of Caritas Tonga, said cyclone resistant family houses built in 2016-2017 through a Caritas Tonga/Habitat for Humanity housing programme came through Cyclone Gita with hardly any damage.

A total of eight one bedroom wooden houses were built as a pilot project in a few weeks from materials shipped in by Habitat for Humanity by people who had lost their homes and volunteers.

Cyclone Gita struck Tonga on the night of 12-13 February, destroying more than 4500 houses.

Tonga staff and volunteers, working closely with the Tongan National Youth Council, distributed tarpaulins, water, hygiene and kitchen sets, in the days immediately following the cyclone.

It is now concentrating on helping people rebuild homes and provide psychosocial support.

The rebuilding project with Habitat for Humanity aims to rebuild 500 homes.

A campaign is underway in New Zealand to raise NZ$1 million to fund the project.

Habitat for Humanity Chief executive Claire Szabo said the money raised would include money from the community and businesses lending financial support, tools and tradespeople.

“The locals are very involved,” she told Radio New Zealand.

“We have engineers and builders that are involved in supervision both here in New Zealand and up in Tonga. So there’s a whole crew of people to get involved to make our model happen.”

Tonga to issue ‘visa on arrival’ to Emiratis

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga has allowed visas on arrival for Emiratis who came to Tonga on diplomatic, VIP, special mission and ordinary passports.

This was confirmed in an agreement which would take effect in May 24.

The Emiratis, after being issued with visas at Tonga international airport, could stay in the kingdom for up to 60 days during each visit.

The Gulf News report has quoted Ahmad Alham Al Daheri, the United Arab Emirates’ Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs, as saying the move came “following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in this regard by the governments of the two countries on Monday, following a joint committee meeting in Abu Dhabi.”

Tongan passport holders could now travel to the United Arab Emirates on visa on arrival. They could also travel to countries such as China, Barbados, Dominica, United Kingdom, Peru, Fiji, Bahamas, Ireland, Hong Kong, Kenya and Bangladesh without getting a visa before their trip.

As Kaniva News reported in 2016, the Tonga government signed an agreement with the Chinese government in June to allow Chinese nationals to come to Tonga on visa on arrival.

They were allowed to stay in the country for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Other Pacific Island countries which have visa on arrival agreement included Fiji,  Palau, Samoa and Vanuatu.

The Prime Minister’s office was contacted for comment.

For further information:

Chinese tourists enter Tonga on “visa on arrival” not “without visa” government clarifies

Tonga Rugby Union member served with trespass notice, suspended

By
Kalino Latu
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A trespass notice has been issued to a Tonga Rugby Union member for being allegedly “rude and offensive” while he turned up at the Union’s main office in Nuku’alofa on April 16.

‘Aisea ‘Aholelei had been suspended from TRU board pending future disciplinary action.

“I regret having to resort to this action but your filthy outbursts in the presence of the TRU office staff and Under 20 Team Manager beggar’s belief and rightly deserved to be disciplined,” a copy of the notice seen by Kaniva News said.

It said ‘Aholelei’s actions breached  TRU’s Code of Conduct.

Aholelei took to Facebook and posted the notice.

“This is what happens when you voice the honest truth to Tonga Rugby Union bosses what is happening to Tongan Rugby if nothing changes,” ‘Aholelei wrote on Facebook.

“In accordance with the authority vested in me as being the TRU’s ICEO and as stipulated in clause 28 of TRU’s constitution dated 21 June 2013, your position as Vahekolo District  Representative to the TRU Board of Directors is hereby suspended pending future Discipline Action,” the notice, which was signed by TRU Interim CEO Fe’ao Vunipola said.

Vunipola, who confirmed to us the trespass notice, told ‘Aholelei his action was uncalled for and it against the Triparte Agreement which was jointly endorsed by World Rugby, Tonga government and TRU last year.

Call for more Pasifika midwives as three Tongan women graduate

By
Philip Cass
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Three Tongan women have become Registered Midwives after completing the Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) degree at Auckland University of Technology.

Valentina Tu’itavuki Kulitapa, Elani Mafi Latu’ila and Helen Schaaf Tameifuna will begin working in South Auckland as self employed lead maternity carer (LMC) midwives.

They will initially work in Counties Manukau Health care area which has the largest number of Pasifika women giving birth.

Only 2.2 percent of midwives in New Zealand are of Pasifika descent and only a handful are Tongan.

Statistically, Pasifika women are most likely to book a midwife late when they are more than 37 weeks pregnant.

This means they miss out on crucial care and information and often face problems during their pregnancy.

The AUT midwives course has  been described as difficult, with students expected to be on call and no time for part time work.

All three women have children and had to juggle the demands of family and study.

For all its difficulties, they described the course as “doable.”

Clinical educator and Pacific student liaison for the midwifery programme at AUT South Campus, Nga Marsters said New Zealand needed more Pacifika midwives.

She said there were only 10 Pasifika midwives in South Auckland.

“That’s not enough,” Marsters said.

“Pacific mums should be able to have access to Pacific midwives. Pacific midwives work better with Pacific mothers because they can understand each other better.

“We need to increase the number of Pacific midwifes in the community and encourage more Pacific people to study midwifery.”

If you are looking for a midwife, you can contact Valentina on 021 0741330, Elani on 021 02778172, or Helen on 022 432 2300‬.

The main points

  • Three Tongan women have become Registered Midwives after completing the Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) degree at Auckland University of Technology.
  • Valentina Tu’itavuki Kulitapa, Elani Mafi Latu’ila and Helen Schaaf Tameifuna will begin working in South Auckland as self employed lead maternity carer (LMC) midwives.
  • Only 2.2 percent of midwives in New Zealand are of Pasifika descent and only a handful are Tongan.

For more information

The Aunties initiative – creating more Pacific midwives

British embassy to reopen in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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The British consulate which was closed in Tonga since 2006 will reopen soon.

The move comes as the UK prepares to exit from the European Union within 12 months.

Radio New Zealand International said the United Kingdom is to also open new diplomatic posts in Vanuatu and Samoa.

“They are among nine new posts in Commonwealth countries as part of an expansion of the UK’s overseas network announced by the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson,” it said.

Tonga’s diplomatic relationship with Britain could be traced back to 1880 after the Treaty of Friendship between Great Britain and Tonga was signed in 1879.

Man arrested in Tongatapu for meth, drug paraphernalia

By
Kalino Latu
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Police have arrested a 54-year-old man in a premise in Ma’ufanga yesterday April 23 for possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The newly established Police Drug Taskforce seized 4.72 grams of methamphetamine, 23.03 grams of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and cash.

The accused has been charged with possession of illicit drugs.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said: “As demonstrated by this second arrest by the Drug Taskforce, we are focused on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.

We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact their nearest Police station or contact 23417.”

The suspect remains in police custody while investigation continues.

On ANZAC day, Tonga will remember them

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Members of the public are invited to attend a Dawn Service on Wednesday 25 April 2018 to honour the servicemen and women from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand who have served and sacrificed in war, global conflict and peacekeeping operations around the world.

Every year since 1916 ANZAC day has been commemorated on 25 April to mark the anniversary of the ANZAC’s landing at Gallipoli in 1915.

While ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps, we also remember the 460 Pacific Islanders who served overseas with the New Zealand forces during the First World War (1914-1918).

Ninety-one soldiers and three reserves were Tongan and many of them served in the New Zealand Māori Battalion on the Western Front, which later became incorporated into the Pioneer Battalion.

We acknowledge the sacrifice of all those who have died in conflicts, and the contribution of all those who have served.

The New Zealand High Commission is honoured to host this year’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service. It will be held at the Cenotaph at Pangai Lahi, Nuku’alofa.

Guests are requested to be seated by 5.30am and the service will commence at 6.00am. Please come and share this time with us.

For further information

Tongans remember volunteers from the islands who served in First World War

PM Pōhiva sends birthday wishes to Queen Elizabeth II

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga has sent its birthday wishes to Queen Elizabeth II as she turns 92 on April 21.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva sent a message to the Queen on behalf of Tongans.

“Before departing London at the end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018, the Prime Minister, Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva sent his best wishes to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on her 92nd Birthday on behalf of the Government and people of Tonga,” an official statement said.

His message read.

“Your Majesty,

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga I convey our warmest and best wishes for your 92nd Birthday!

“Our wishes come to Your Majesty from the middle of the Pacific Ocean with verses from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40: 29 -31

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

“And all the people of Tonga join me in praying that, ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’”

The Hon Prime Minister also said he was deeply honoured to have been greeted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on the evening of 19 April when she hosted a Black Tie Dinner for the 53 Heads of Government of the Commonwealth.

The Hon Prime Minister said that he was also honoured to have been seated at the same table with HRH Prince Charles during the Royal Dinner at Buckingham Palace on 19 April, and he also divulged that the Prince of Wales had expressed his hope to visit the Kingdom of Tonga in the near future.

Gov’t wants all-Tongan Supreme Court bench and government control of salaries by 2020

By
Philip Cass
-

Minister of Justice Sione Vuna Fā’otusia said today the government was working on a scheme to have an all-Tongan Supreme Court bench by 2020.

“This is a wonderful thing for our Judiciary and for us Tongans to have faith in the integrity and capability of our very own people,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.

The Minister told Kaniva News the scheme also included the government being able to pay the Supreme Court Judges.

Given the current situation where judges’ salaries and appointments are controlled by the  Judicial Appointment and Discipline Panel, this would appear to require a change in the Constitution.

The panel and the creation of the position of Lord Chancellor were created in the revised 2010 constitution. However, they were not suggested by the Constitutional Review Commission, which was headed by former Chief Justice of Tonga, Sir Gordon Ward.

Australia and New Zealand used to pay the judge’s salaries, but stopped doing so after the Lord Chancellor reviewed the Tonga judges pay. It is understood this was because the judges’ salary scales were set at New Zealand levels.

Judges salaries now come out of tax payer’s revenue without any government control.

“As you can now see, the poor tax payers of Tonga is paying for the salaries of the Judges, but we in Government have nothing to do with it,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.

“But this does not mean that our Judges are not doing a good job. No, in fact, they have done a hell of a good job indeed considering the amount of work they have to dispose in court.

“But the absence of being transparent is the problem and I am sure the Governments of both New Zealand and Australia may have problems in considering assistance in this area because of that.”

The Minister said that under Section 83B of the Constitution, the Lord Chancellor regulated the judge’s pension scheme.

Under Section 83C of the Constitution, the Judicial Appointment and Discipline Panel determined the wages of judges.

“This is just the existing law of the land, but it is for the current law making body to amend it the way they see fit!” Hon. Fā’otusia said.

“That is the beauty of our laws. They are not there for ever. They change pursuant to the aspiration of the people, and the way and where they want to go.”

The main points

  • Minister of Justice Sione Vuna Fā’otusia said today the government was working on a scheme to have an all-Tongan Supreme Court bench by 2020.
  • “This is a wonderful thing for our Judiciary and for us Tongans to have faith in the integrity and capability of our very own people,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.
  • Given the current situation where judges’ salaries and appointments are controlled by the Judicial Appointment and Discipline Panel, this would appear to require a change in the Constitution.

For more information 

Report finds no reason for Tonga’s law lord structure

Tonga’s new constitution is the worst in the Commonwealth

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