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Tonga will host signing of regional trade deal

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga will host the signing of the PACER Plus agreement in June.

Radio New Zealand reported that the deal included a $US38 million development package for Pacific island countries to increase their export capacity.

Negotiations have been going on for eight years. The two largest Island economies, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, pulled out of the trade deal.

The 14 countries participating will sign the agreement in Tonga in June.

PACER Plus is meant to enhance the economic development of Pacific island countries through greater regional trade and economic integration with Australia and New Zealand.

However, critics have said that it will still leave Australia and New Zealand dominating the regional economy and that very few benefits will flow through to ordinary Pacific islanders.

They have also said that Island nations will lose income from tariffs on imported goods as part of the free trade deal.

Radio New Zealand reported that the trade deal would include a $US38 million development package for Pacific island countries to increase their export capacity.

The 12 island nations which will sign the deal in June already have duty free access to Australian and New Zealand markets.

However, New Zealand Trade Minister, Todd McClay  said PACER Plus allowed Pacific island countries to gradually phase out tariffs on imports.

“This is a development and trade agreement and we recognise whilst trade will provide much more for Pacific island economies, at the same time we have to help them get ready for some of the opportunities and benefits the agreement will deliver,” McClay said.

The 12 Island nations expected to sign the PACER Plus agreement are the Cook Islands,the  Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, Niue, Palau, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The main points

  • Tonga will host the signing of the PACER Plus agreement in June.
  • Negotiations have been going on for eight years. The two largest Island economies, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, pulled out of the trade deal.
  • PACER Plus is meant to enhance the economic development of Pacific island countries through greater regional trade and economic integration with Australia and New Zealand.
  • However, critics have said that it will still leave Australia and New Zealand dominating the regional economy.

For more information

PACER Plus negotiations concluded

ITU Secretary keeps his promise to donate laptops to Tongan schools

By
Kalino Latu
-

ITU Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) kept his words and gifted two schools in Tonga with laptops.

Tonga High School and Tupou College had received 10 laptops respectively from the United Nations’ organisation this week.

ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao made his “promise” last year while visiting Tonga.

Zhao had the opportunity to meet with the principals of the two schools.

“The discussions made with the two principals highlighted the need for more laptops and he offered to donate 10 laptops to each high school,” MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u was quoted as saying.

Ma’u said: “the laptops aimed to enhance students learning and for them to utilize it for academic purposes such as project research and sharing information”.

ITU main task is to coordinate telecommunication operations and services throughout the world.

New boat monitors Tonga’s marine projects

By
Kalino Latu
-

A new marine monitoring boat launched in Nuku’alofa this week was a boon to the government’s marine projects.

The boat, which was assembled in Tonga late last year, is part of the Tonga Ridge to Reef Project.

The project aimed at maintaining and enhancing “the ecosystem goods and services on Tonga’s main lagoon catchment and marine reserve areas through an integrated approach to land, water, forest, biodiversity and coastal resource management”.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni, who had launched the boat,  told guests at the Ngutulei Restaurant,  Faua Wharf the boat was an “additional new achievement this year”.

He said the Ridge to Reef Program, under the Department of Environment continued to be successful after it was launched in 2015.

“First is the establishment of the Environment website in January, and secondly the recent approval of the revised Management Plan for Fanga’uta Lagoon Catchment called Fanga’uta Stewardship Plan by the Steering Committee in March,” he said.

Hon Sovaleni was grateful to UNDP for supporting the project.

Police arrest 176 people in capital during Easter crackdown

By
Philip Cass
-

Drugs, alcohol and robberies kept Nuku’alofa police busy over Easter.

Police launched a special operation on Maundy Thursday (April 13) to control crime during the Easter break.

In Nuku’alofa police said assaults and robbery were on the rise.

Other offences included crimes related to drugs and alcohol.

Controlling drunkenness has been an ongoing concern for the police.

Three people were arrested for possession of marijuana.

A total of 176 people were arrested in the capital.

Acting Chief Superintendent of the Nuku’alofa Police station, Tevita Vailea, told the Tongan Broadcasting Corporation most offences were traffic related.

Radio New Zealand reported that most arrests were mostly for drunk driving and drinking in public.

A number of minor road accidents were reported.

Most of the people arrested were men.

Police conducted a similar operation over Christmas. making 159 arrests.

The main points

  • Drugs, alcohol and robberies kept Nuku’alofa police busy over Easter.
  • A total of 176 people were arrested in the capital.
  • Radio New Zealand reported that most arrests were mostly for drunk driving and drinking in public.

For more information

More than 100 people arrested last week for various offenses

Dozens arrested in Tonga’s capital

Support in Tonga for tough police stance on booze

Changes to better manage immigration

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse today announced a package of changes designed to better manage immigration and improve the long-term labour market contribution of temporary and permanent migration.

“The Government is committed to ensuring inward migration best supports the economy and the labour market,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“It’s important that our immigration settings are attracting the right people, with the right skills, to help fill genuine skill shortages and contribute to our growing economy.

“That is why we are making a number of changes to our permanent and temporary immigration settings aimed at managing the number and improving the quality of migrants coming to New Zealand.”

Changes to permanent immigration settings include introducing two remuneration thresholds for applicants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), which will complement the current qualifications and occupation framework.

“One remuneration threshold will be set at the New Zealand median income of $48,859 a year for jobs that are currently considered skilled. The other threshold will be set at 1.5 times the New Zealand median income of $73,299 a year for jobs that are not currently considered skilled but are well paid,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“The SMC points table, under which individuals claim points towards their residence application, will also be realigned to put more emphasis on characteristics associated with better outcomes for migrants.

“Collectively these changes will improve the skill composition of the SMC and ensure we are attracting migrants who bring the most economic benefits to New Zealand.”

The Government is also proposing a number of changes to temporary migration settings to manage the number and settlement expectations of new migrants coming to New Zealand on Essential Skills work visas.

The changes include:

The introduction of remuneration bands to determine the skill level of an Essential Skills visa holder, which would align with the remuneration thresholds being introduced for Skilled Migrant Category applicants
The introduction of a maximum duration of three years for lower-skilled and lower-paid Essential Skills visa holders, after which a minimum stand down period will apply before they are eligible for another lower-skilled temporary work visa.
Aligning the ability of Essential Skills visa holders to bring their children and partners to New Zealand with the new skill levels.
Exploring which occupations have a seasonal nature and ensuring that the length of the visa aligns with peak labour demand.
“I want to make it clear that where there are genuine labour or skills shortages, employers will be able to continue to use migrant labour to fill those jobs,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“However, the Government has a Kiwis first approach to immigration and these changes are designed to strike the right balance between reinforcing the temporary nature of Essential Skills work visas and encouraging employers to take on more Kiwis and invest in the training to upskill them.

“We have always said that we constantly review our immigration policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and today’s announcement is another example of this Government’s responsible, pragmatic approach to managing immigration.”

Public consultation on the changes to temporary migration settings closes on 21 May, with implementation planned for later this year.

For more information visit:

www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/skilled-migrant-category-changes

www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/review-temporary-migrant-work-settings

65-year-old man arrested following fatal Mailefihi Siuʻilikutapu college bus crash in Gisborne

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have arrested a 65-year-old man in relation to the bus crash that happened on Christmas Eve 2016, on State Highway 2, south of Gisborne.

He was arrested in Auckland on Wednesday night and has been charged with three counts of careless driving causing death and 27 counts of careless driving causing injury.

He will appear in Manukau District Court on Wednesday 26 April 2017.

Fifty-three students and teachers from the Mailefihi Siuilikutapu College Brass Band, who were visiting New Zealand to fundraise for their school, were on board the bus when it went down 100m a bank.

11-year-old Sione Taumalolo, 33-year-old Talita Moimoi Fifita and 55-year-old Leotisia Malakai  had been killed after the bus slid down south of Gisborne.

Several others were hospitalised including one student who had a leg amputated and is now using an artificial limb.

“The crash was an absolute tragedy for everyone involved and we hope that holding somebody accountable may begin to bring some closure to those affected,” says Inspector Sam Aberahama, Tairawhiti Area Commander.

“I would like to acknowledge the investigation team who have worked on this over the past four months and the agencies who provided support to Police and the victims at the time and throughout the inquiry.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the families of those involved.”

As the matter is now before the Court Police is unable to comment further.

First Tongan in American big league glad to be playing at home first time against defending champs

By
Kalino Latu
-

Sam Tu’ivailala, the first Tongan to be promoted to American baseball big league was proud of their first game at home earlier this month against defending champions, the Chicago cubs, he said.

The game was celebrated with festivities which included “Hall of Fame Players who played for the organisation” lining up to welcome the competitors.

“They were there for everyone of our players to meet when we got introduced on opening day”, Tu’ivailala told Kaniva News.

He said this was the first game at home in St. Louis against the defending champions, the Chicago cubs.

He said they were at the “same division (with) us which makes our games even more important.”

The 25-year-old pitcher from San Mateo played at Class A Palm Beach before joining AA Springfield and then moving to AAA Memphis in 2014.

As we reported at the time, it was followed by a call up by front rankers the Cardinals.

Tu’ivailala took to twitter after he received the great news.

“Greatest feeling in the world telling my mom “I did it, I’m going to the big leagues!” Thank you everyone for all the love & support!” he tweeted.

“It was just a crazy feeling as soon as I heard it,” Tuivailala told the American Daily Journal.

“I knew in the back of my head … maybe there’s a chance, but obviously I didn’t want to look into the future and get my expectations up there. I knew if I just competed one day at a time, maybe I’d get my chance.”

Tuivailala only began pitching professionally in 2012.

He was originally an infielder.

The Journal has described him as having “an electric right arm” and he has been recorded at pitching up to 160kmh.

His mother Julie is Hispanic and his father Sione Latu Tu’ivailala comes from Houma, Tongatapu and Matamaka through his father, Samiu Tu’ivailala.

“We really regret it”, Tongan absconders say before being put on flight back home this afternoon

By
Kalino Latu
-

The hunt for two Tongan seasonal workers who absconded from Hastings on Monday has ended this morning with a decision that they have to return to Tonga without delay.

Sitiveni Junior Uasi and Atonio Patua Kulitapa went awol on Monday night in a vehicle belonging to their employer, Mr Apple.

They had been found on Wednesday evening at a home in Manurwewa, South Auckland.

After a meeting at the Tom Pearce Dr’s McDonald, Auckland Airport, at about 1pm today the duo were told that they have to board the Air New Zealand evening flight to Tonga.

The meeting was attended by Mr Apple’s Labour Manager Alistair Jamieson, Tongan government Liaison Officer Sefita Hao’uli, Tongan RSE coordinator in Hawkes Bay Tevita Niulata, four RSE Tongan group leaders, Uasi and Kulitapa.

“I regret it. It was a big mistake I made”, Kulitapa told Kaniva News outside at the McDonald.

Uasi agreed and said he wished they had another chance.

Asked what was the motive for their disappearance Kulitapa said there was nothing it just because they were drunk.

“The opportunity has gone”, he said in Tongan.

Group leader Sifa Havili said they found Kulitapa and Uasi without any incidents but they spent almost two days in searching for the company’s van.

He said the problem was that the duo were  unfamiliar with Auckland and they could not recall the location where the van was abandoned after it ran out of petrol.

He was grateful they finally found the van this morning.

For more information:

Tongan church leaders in NZ search for fruit picker who absconded from airport

PM Pohiva’s visits electrify Hawkes Bay’s Tongan fruit pickers and community

Tongan PM seeks forgiveness from RSE employers after employee fled at airport

After fruit pickers sent home, weeping mother claims daughter was abused

 

Seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs on ‘Eua spurs public concerns about the island

By
Kalino Latu
-

The cultivation of illicit drugs on ‘Eua is out of control, local people claimed this week.

The claims follow the seizure of more than 200 cannabis plants and the handing in of 16,000 marijuana seeds to police.

Callers to a radio talkback show on Tuesday have said ʻEua was the biggest point for the supply of cannabis plants in the kingdom.

A woman told the Tonga Broadcasting Broadcom talkback show the cultivation of cannabis in ‘Eua was widespread.

She told the host there were rumours going around in the island that a huge crop of cannabis plants was grown in a “luo” (pit) which was widely known to local residents.

She claimed only the growers knew how to get down into the pit.

Police seized 249 cannabis plants in a bush allotment on ʻEuaʻs Lokupo island on April 10.

A 45-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with five counts in relation to the cultivation and possession of illicit drugs.

Police said they uprooted 13 plants that were about a metre tall,  while the rest were still at the nursery stage.

The accused has been charged with five counts of growing and possessing illicit drug for supply.

Callers to the online radio, including Tongans from Australia and New Zealand, said the supply of illicit drugs in the country was out of control.

They raised the fact that children and women had become involved in drug dealing.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, a 14-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman were among five people were arrested last week and charged in relation to possession and supply of marijuana.

There were unconfirmed reports on social media recently that two students at a church college in Tongatapu were found selling marijuana.

Some callers suggested the army should take over the task of fighting against drug-related violence. They claimed the Police were not doing enough to clamp down the crimes.

One caller from Kolomotuʻa claimed young people from the Nukuʻalofa suburb used to drink day and night at a corner in the area where she lived.

She claimed the youth sold drugs and had hung a shoe down from an electric power line as a signal to those who wanted to buy drugs.

Police seized 458 cannabis plants on the island in November.

ʻEua Police reportedly said that on April 17 somebody walked in and handed over a sack containing about 16,000 cannabis seeds.

The man claimed he found it on a road near Lokupo. Police are still investigating that finding.

Last year Prime Minster ʻAkilisi Pohiva told a meeting in Auckland some of the most violent crimes in Tonga involved people taking illicit drugs.

The main points

  • The cultivation of illicit drugs on ‘Eua is out of control, local people claimed this week.
  • The claims follow the seizure of more than 200 cannabis plants and the handing in of 16,000 marijuana seeds to police.
  • Callers to a radio talkback show on Tuesday were said ʻEua was the biggest point for the supply of cannabis plants in the kingdom.
  • She told the host there were rumours going around in the island that a huge crop of cannabis plants was grown in a “luo” (pit) which was widely known to local residents.

New regional initiative targets improvement in health service delivery

By
Kaniva Staff
-

SUVA, 20 APRIL 2017 (PACIFIC COMMUNITY) —– Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of health service delivery and workforce development in the Pacific is the focus of a new Australian Government funded programme to be implemented through a partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

In the new Pacific Regional Clinical Services and Workforce Improvement Programme, SPC will play a central role in supporting Pacific Island countries (PICs) to work together to improve regional governance for clinical services and health workforce development to ensure that the teams of medical specialists who visit Pacific Island countries are well coordinated and make best use of their expertise and knowledge for patients and for training doctors in the region.

SPC will have a key role in strengthening the networks of clinical professionals and institutions, and improving the production and exchange of information between clinical health stakeholders.

SPC’s Public Health Division will assume these new roles from April 2017, commencing with the hosting of the Pacific Directors of Clinical Services meeting on 24 April in Suva, Fiji.

In welcoming the initiative, SPC’s Public Health Director, Dr Paula Vivili said “The expansion of the division’s role complements its ongoing work in strengthening the regional health architecture including SPC‘s secretariat support for the annual Pacific Heads of Health and the biennial Pacific Health Ministers meetings.”

This new initiative is a broader regional programme that builds on the recently completed Australian Government funded Strengthening Specialised Clinical Services (SSCSiP) in the Pacific Programme which was hosted by the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Services.

SSCSiP supported 14 Pacific Island countries to strengthen and improve their respective planning and management of specialised clinical services. This support included improved coordination and country ownership of specialised clinical services support for the Pacific, and improved capacity of the Pacific clinical workforce.

The six-year project also contributed to the establishment of the only biomedical technician training program in the region, hosted at the Fiji National University

-PACNEWS

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