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Chinese Uni offers courses in Tongan language

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Bejing university will introduce courses in Tongan language according to China’s Shanghai Daily.

It said the Tongan languages class was among 11 language courses which included African and Oceanianic tongues, to boost support for the country’s ties with the regions.

Beijing Foreign Studies University is to offer Kurdish, Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Comorian, Tswana, Ndebele, Creole, Shona, Tigrinya and Belarusian courses to undergraduates, the paper has reported.

The languages are used in west Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, Africa, and eastern Europe, regions sharing closer ties with China under the Belt and Road initiative aimed at bringing investment, infrastructure and interconnectivity to ancient trade routes.

On Monday, New Zealand, where Maori is an official language, signed a memorandum of understanding with China on the Belt and Road Initiative.

“Chinese proficient in local languages and cultures are lacking in some participating countries of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Guo Wei, an official in the university’s publicity department. “The university is helping to equip more students with language skills and knowledge of regional affairs to meet the demand.”

The university will be setting up more language majors, especially those used by countries along the Belt and Road, Guo said.

The university now has 84 language majors and plans to increase it to more than 100 in 2020, covering all countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

China, Tonga sign TOP$55 million South Pacific games contract

By
Kalino Latu
-

[Kiliki heni ki he lea faka-Tonga] Tonga and China have signed the contract of TOP$55 million Tonga High School new sports complex for 2019 Pacific Games.

Chinese Ambassador to Tonga H.E. Mr. Huang Huaguang said this had been the largest Tongan project the Chinese Government has funded.

Tongan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC and Foreign Affairs Hon Siaosi Sovaleni joined H.E. Huang and officials from their respective governments in a behind-closed-doors ceremony to confirm the grant at the Ministry of MEIDECC’s conference room in Nuku’alofa on Thursday.

The complex contains one indoor stadium, one outdoor rugby field, four outdoor netball courts, aquatics centre, one lawn bowling field and supporting facilities surrounding the sporting venues with total area of 9,180 square meters.

Hon Sovaleni said: “This is a very important project towards the  Pacific Games 2019, we would like to thank your delegation and also our senior officials for their efforts in the last month also in progressing this agreement.”

A team of 15 Chinese architectural designers were also in Nuku’alofa to inspect the site.

The construction is due to commence in October this year and is expected to be completed by May 2019.

Health appalled by reports people falsified typhoid test samples as outbreak announced

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Ministry of Health says it is appalled by revelations that people who were asked to provide samples of their stool or urine for typhoid disease lab tests had falsified them.

The Ministry said these people used only one or two persons in the household to provide the samples for the rest of them.

“It has been proved at the labs that people are abusing the samples,” Chief Health Inspector Sela Faʻu of the Ministry told the Tonga Broadcasting Commission television service.

Faʻu has pleaded for the public to stop deceiving the Ministry and help them in trying to cure the fever.

She said the Ministry provided household members with small empty bottles for their samples and each one had her or his name labelled on it.

“It was unfortunate these people could not help,”  Faʻu said.

She said this was the reason why typhoid could not be eliminated because the potential typhoid candidates could not be identified at the lab through their samples.

Faʻu said it was easy to cure the disease if the candidate was identified through lab tests.

Faʻu said out of 11 typhoid patients identified in Tongtapu, five had been at the village of Veitongo.

She said the number meant the Ministry had to declare there was a typhoid outbreak in Tongatapu.

As a matter of routine, it was followed by a public educational health programme on radio and television and health officers visited the villages.

This included spraying of chlorine in the areas where typhoid candidates were staying.

As we reported last week, Radio New Zealand said Tonga had temporarily banned kava drinking in public halls to control an outbreak of typhoid.

The Ministry of Health has also imposed a month long ban on making food for public gatherings such as funerals.

The main points

  • The Ministry of Health says it is appalled by revelations that people who were asked to provide samples of their blood, stool, or urine for typhoid disease lab tests had falsified them.
  • The Ministry said these people used only one or two persons in the household to provide the samples for the rest of them.
  • Chief Health Inspector Sela Faʻu of the Ministry said the Ministry provided household members with small bottles for their samples and each one had her or his name labelled on it.
  • Faʻu said it was easy to cure the disease if the candidate was identified through lab tests.

For more information

Villagers in typhoid hotspot banned from sharing food until end of month

 

New clock at Fuaʻamotu international airport donated by Rotary Club Nukuʻalofa

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Rotary Club Nuku’alofa donates a Rotary Clock to the arrival hall at Fua’amotu Airport.

The sign says “Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa Welcomes visitors to the Kingdom”, with a contact number for those interested.

The Clock was presented to Siena Taumoepeau, Chief Corporate Services, Tonga Airport Ltd (TAL), by RCN Director for Club Services, Masha, RCN President, Peter, and RCN President Elect ‘Amanaki.

Also attending where Sione Takapuatolo, Chief Technical and Support  Services, Salote Fuka and Mavae Fuapau.

Siena thanked the Rotary Club on behalf of the Manager of TAL for the clock which helps travelers as well as raising awareness of Rotary in the country.

She noted it would encourage them to put up more clocks representing the time in other major cities.

Pres Peter thanked Siena and TAL for this opportunity to welcome visitors and Rotarians who come from more than 160 countries around the world.

Boy ,14, and woman among five arrested with marijuana

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 14-year-old boy from Vaotu’u was among five people who were arrested last week with marijuana, police have said.

A 31-year-old woman from Tokomololo was also arrested and charged for possession of cannabis for supply.

Two 17-year-old teens from Kolonga and a 36-year-old man from Houmakelikao were also arrested and charged in connection with a number of drug-related offences.

Police confiscated amounts of marijuana which ranges from 11 – 96 grams during the arrest.

Police have pleaded for the public and community leaders to help them in trying to stop the crimes.

Tonga Broadcasting Commission television said the number of young youth who were associated with marijuana dealing had been soared recently but it did not provide any statistics.

Renewal of TBC boss’s contract disappoints PM Pōhiva; considers firing chairman

By
Kalino Latu
-

The renewal of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanise Fifita’s contract has upset Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva so much he is considering sacking the chair of the board Tapu Panuve.

He said he was also considering sacking board member Aloma Johansson.

This is the latest twist in the Prime Minister’s feud with the Tongan national broadcaster, which he has accused of reporting unfairly on his government.

Media watch groups and journalists have accused him of threatening to undermine freedom of the media in the kingdom because of his comments about the TBC and his clashes with individual members of staff.

The Prime Minister said Panuve and Johannsson had completed their one year probationary period with the TBC, at which stage the government could decide whether it wanted them to continue in their posts or not.

Hon. Pōhiva said  the board had not shown it cared enough to do something in response to his claims that Radio and Television Tonga’s reports on him and his government were malicious,  unprofessional and unethical.

The Prime Minister made the comments after Kaniva News asked him in Auckland last week about the status of a review of the TBC he made public last week.

Hon Pōhiva said he had talked to the Minister of Public Enterprise as he was the one who was responsible for the government’s board.

He said the government was investigating  the legal implications of the review.

As Kaniva News reported last month, Hon. Pōhiva said the government was in the process of reassessing the state broadcaster’s “function and roles” and would meet to pass a resolution on the review soon.

The Prime Minister claimed Radio A3Z and Television Tonga had a poor record of performance.

He said there was proof the A3Z ran at a loss and there was a huge debt it might not be able to pay it back.

He said the way they reported and broadcast showed they were not independent or impartial and there was evidence of malice and hatred.

Last year the Prime Minister advised the Minister of Pubic Enterprise Hon Poasi Tei to suspend TBC news manager Viola Ulakai with pay pending an investigation into her conduct.

The Prime Minister believed Ulakai’s style of interview and requests for press conferences were aimed at discrediting the government and not producing fair and impartial news reports.

Kaniva News has asked TBC board chair Tapu Panuve for comment.

The main points

  • The renewal of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanise Fifita’s contract has upset Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva so much he is considering sacking the chair of the board Tapu Panuve.
  • This is the latest twist in the Prime Minister’s feud with the Tongan national broadcaster, which he has accused of reporting unfairly on his government.
  • Pōhiva said the board had not shown it cared enough to do something in response to his claims that Radio and Television Tonga’s reports on him and his government were malicious,  unprofessional and unethical.
  • Media watch groups and journalists have accused him of threatening to undermine freedom of the media in the kingdom because of his comments about the TBC and his clashes with individual members of staff.

For more information

Pohiva declares war on TBC, declares it an obstacle and constraint on gov’t

 

Tongan tourism CEO selected for UN job

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan Chief Executive Officer for Tourism has been selected as new United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).

UN Secretary-General has selected Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu of Tonga, who since January 2017 is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Tonga.

“For the position of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. ‘Utoikamanu brings with her a wealth of national, regional and international experience at various senior leadership levels, with a strategic perspective for the mandate of the OHRLLS and on building consensus among key stakeholders.

“She was previously Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2015), Deputy Pro-Chancellor and Deputy Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2009-2016), Deputy Director General and Director of Education, Training and Human Development of the Secretariat of Pacific Community (2009-2015), Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Government of Tonga to the United Nations, United States of America, Cuba and Venezuela and High Commissioner to Canada (2005-2009), and Secretary for Foreign Affairs and European Commission’s National Authorizing Officer for Tonga (2002-2005).

“The Secretary-General is grateful to the outgoing senior leaders who have served with distinction and true commitment to the ideals of the United Nations.

We will continue to make additional announcements in the coming weeks on other senior positions as the relevant selection processes are completed”.

“Lack of patience” mars good work after Mailefihi Siuilikutapu college fundraising in NZ

By
Kalino Latu
-

The President of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand said lack of patience and understanding had marred the good work they did using money they raised in December.

The money was raised during a tour of New Zealand by the college’s brass band. They raised more than NZ$600,000.

The fund raising tour was marked by tragedy when three people died and 52 others were hospitalised when the tour bus crashed.

One of the survivors had a leg amputated and now uses an artificial limb.

An e-mail from the Chair of the Vava’u Free Wesleyan Church District Advisory committee told the former students in New Zealand the college had been trying to get their share of the money raised since they returned to Tonga, but to no avail.

The church owns the college.

The committee said it needed the money to prepare for the college’s 70th anniversary in June.

However, because the committee had not been able to obtain its share of the money, the committee had agreed to tell the New Zealand alumni to keep the money as they no longer wanted it.

It is understood the letter was circulated in an e-mail to some of the ex-students in New Zealand including some Tongan church leaders.

The Principal of the college, Liuaki Fungalei, told Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper the New Zealand fundraising raised NZ$654, 775.

He said that according to their agreement NZ$200,000 was to be deducted from the money raised and donated to the New Zealand alumni.

It was intended the money would be handed over by the New Zealand chapter to the college as their contribution during the celebration of the 70th anniversary, he said.

The balance would then be divided in half and be used to buy items for the college.

The balance had to be forwarded in cash to Tonga for the college.

Fungalei claimed that since the college’s brass band returned they had not received the college’s share and attempts to obtain a financial statement had been unsuccessful.

Response:

When Kaniva News contacted the president of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand Rev. Mele Suipi Latu last night she was unhappy to find out that we were enquiring about the fundraising and the letter from Vava’u.

She asked us why we were trying to tell the public about an in-house issue.

The editor of Kaniva News told her it was because they invited the public to help them in their fundraising. When there was an issue about that fundraising it was our responsibility as media to investigate and report it back to the public.

Rev. Latu said she understood, but would not go into details.

She said she had the financial statement and a report ready to be sent to Tonga this week.

She said everything was in order and all monies were accounted for.

Rev. Latu said they had bought brass band instruments for the college and sent them to Tonga.

She said some people had “lack of patience and understanding.”

She said she would send the report to Vava’u and leave it for them to make their own decision.

In a letter released by Rev. Latu to the New Zealand alumni on 12 December 2016 in her capacity as president of the New Zealand alumni, she said:

“’Oku i heni ‘ae ki’i fanau Ifi mei he Kolisi Mailefihi/Siu’ilikutapu i Nu’usila ni ke fai ha feohi moe kautaha Ako Tutuku pea mo tatanaki ai pe ‘etau lukuluku (pa’anga uakilu) ki he teu fakamanatu ‘oe ta’u 70 ‘oe Kolisi he 2017. Ko hono melenga ‘oe tatanaki koi ia ‘e fakapulupulu ‘aki ia ‘ae ako lolotonga”.

Translated: “The brass band students from Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college are here in New Zealand to socialise with the Ex-students association and to collect our contribution ($200,000 pa’anga) for the 70th anniversary of the college in 2017. The balance after the collection of our contribution will be given to the college.”

The Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga Rev. Dr Tevita Havea said he regretted what had happened.

He told Kaniva News whatever the Advisory Committee for the Vava’u district church had decided it was a final decision because the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu alumni came under the committee.

He said the Vava’u and New Zealand alumni should have continued working together as they did at the beginning.

The main points

  • The President of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand said lack of patience and understanding had marred the good work they did using money they raised in December.
  • She was responding to a letter from the Chair of the Vava’u Free Wesleyan Church District Advisory committee complaining that they had been unable to obtain their share of the money.
  • The school’s brass band raised $600,000 during a tour of New Zealand.
  • The committee said because it had not received its share of the money, it had decided to tell the New Zealand alumni to keep the money as they no longer wanted it.

 

Judge condemns vigilante behaviour as he lays down sentences for assault, illegal detention

By
Philip Cass
-

Nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands, the Supreme Court has  been told.

Mr Justice Cato made the remarks in handing down a three year sentence to Sosefo Langi Kautai, who beat and shot two of his workers he thought were stealing from him.

The judge said no civilised society could tolerate oppressive and vigilante conduct.

“The sentence I impose must reflect  the  seriousness of  his  actions  and  act  as  a deterrent to others who chose to take the law into their own · hands and exact punishment  for perceived  wrongdoing.

“No citizen has the right no matter what he conceives may be the seriousness of crimes committed against him to take the law into his own hands and punish others without due process and trial.”

The court was told that on May 29, 2016 Sosefo Langi Kautai and one of his employees, Tu’a Tavake, detained and assaulted  two men, Fine Lasike and his uncle, Nofomuli  Lasike.

The events occurred in the area of Lavengatonga, a village on the eastern side of Tongatapu where Kautai  owned and operated allotments of crops used for tapa bark.

Kautai had noticed that bark and items from his house had been taken and was frustrated at his inability to catch the culprits.

He suspected the Lasikes of being responsible for the thefts.

Tavake caught Fine Lasike entering Kautai’s house during the night. He punched him and held him until Kautai arrived. Kautai then beat Lasike repeatedly and detained him until the following afternoon.

He then lured Nofomuli Lasike to the house and after pointing a gun at him and accusing him of theft, shot him near the knee.

After this he took the men, who are relatives of his wife, home and then to hospital.

Mr Justice Cato said this must have been a terrifying experience for both men.

“I make no finding as to  whether  Fine  and  his  uncle were  involved  in  theft,” Mr Cato said.

“Whether  they  were  responsibleis irrelevant.

“Tavake and Kautai had no right to   take the law into their hands and administer punishment to Fine or Nofumuli.”

The judge said Tavake took no part in the assaults after Kautai arrived. He was sentenced to 60 hours community work.

Kautai was found guilty of multiple charges of unlawful imprisonment, assault and causing serious bodily harm.

He was sentenced to a total of three years’ imprisonment.

The  main points

  • Nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands, the Supreme Court has been told.
  • Mr Justice Cato made the remarks in handing down a three year sentence to Sosefo Langi Kautai, who beat and shot two men he thought were stealing from him.
  • The court was told that on May 29, 2015 Sosefo Langi Kautai and one of his employees, Tu’a Tavake, detained and assaulted two men, Fine Lasike and his uncle, Nofomuli
  • The events occurred in the area of Lavengatonga, a village on the eastern side of Tongatapu where Kautai owned and operated allotments of crops used for tapa bark.

Court orders money owed to Lord Lasike must go to ANZ to reduce million paʻanga debt

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to hand over money it owes Lord Lasike to the ANZ.

The bank had sought an order to garnishee the money owed to the former Speaker of Parliament after he failed to pay back more than $TP1 million he owed.

On July 9, 2012, Lord Lasike was convicted in the Supreme Court of possessing ammunition  without  a  license.

He lost his hereditary title and estates of Lasike, his seat in the Legislative Assembly and his  position as  Speaker.

The former Speaker successfully appealed his conviction in the Supreme Court in October 2012 and regained his title and estates, but not his seat in Parliament or position as Speaker.

As Kaniva News reported in February, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen ruled that Lord Lasike was entitled to recover pay he would have received from the moment he lost his seat as an MP and the Speaker’s Chair to the end of that session of Parliament.

He ordered that the government pay Lord Lasike TP$223,385.

The ANZ told the court Lord Lasike owed it TP$1,147,191.

The ruling means it will be entitled to the money owed to Lord Lasike.

However, the court ordered that Lord Lasike’s lawyer was entitled to be paid for services first, with the rest of the money going to the bank.

His lawyer is owed TP$62,810.

The court also ordered that ANZ was entitled to costs.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has ordered the government to hand over money it owes Lord Lasike to the ANZ.
  • The bank had sought an order to garnishee the money owed to the former Speaker of Parliament after he failed to pay back more than $TP1 million he owed.
  • In 2012, Lord Lasike was convicted on firearms charges and lost his seat in the Legislative Assembly and his position as
  • In February the Supreme Court ordered that the government pay Lord Lasike TP$223,385 in lost wages.

You may also like to read this:

Supreme Court declares Lord Lasike entitled to compensation for wages lost after dismissal

 

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