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PM elated with meeting as Mr Apple promises he “will never walk away from Tonga”

By
Kalino Latu
-

Mr Apple, the employer which employs most of the Tongan recognised seasonal employees in New Zealand has promised the company will never walk away from Tonga.

The confirmation was made after the Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was worried after a Tongan employee, Samuela Manuofetoa fled from the airport early this month without going to Mr Apple.

Mr Apple has turned to Samoa for a replacement of Manuofetoa.

Allister Jamieson, Mr. Apple’s Labour Manager has made it public last night his company will continue to bring Tongan employees to New Zealand.

He confirmed this while speaking during last night’s welcoming reception for the Prime Minister and his entourage.

The special event was attended by more than 300 Tongan employees, members of the Tongan community and RSE employers in Hawkes Bay.

Mr. Apple has employed more than 400 Tongan employees.

Jamieson said he talked with Hon. Pohiva about some of the “challenges that we face with RSE at the moment”.

“The Prime Minister and I had a very frank discussion. It was a full discussion.

“I would like to reiterate one important point…Mr Apple will never walk away from Tonga”, he said.

He told Kaniva News the Prime Minister asked for further opportunities to bring more Tongan employees.

“It was a good meeting”, he said.

Hon. Pohiva said he was elated with the outcome of the meetings.

He said he was happy to hear from RSE employers that most of the Tongan employees were performing outstandingly in the orchards and they were reliable and working hard.

He said they agreed that only few Tongan employees caused some social problems and they determined to work together to resolve it.

Hon. Pohiva told a media conference last night at the Scenic hotel in Napier Manuofetoa’s misconduct has triggered his visit to New Zealand.

He said he held a meeting with the New Zealand high commissioner in Tonga after the incident happened.

“New Zealand was worried about it. There were problems that we need to address in RSE but we worked to resolve them from behind the scene but for this person to just arrive and fled at the airport without going to his employer was of serious concerns”, the Prime Minister said in Tongan.

After his first meeting with RSE workers yesterday morning the Prime Minister and his entourage along with Mr Apple and his staff braved the bad weather to walk around Mr Apple’s orchard at the station road in Whakatu.

He also visited the Hawke’s Bay apple growers, packers and exporters Taylor Corporation as well as the Moffett Orchards which employed more than 100 Tongans.

PM Pōhiva says no to casino as protesters seeking meeting with him in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva has declared in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand  that there will be no room for casinos in Tonga.

Speaking to Kaniva News after a welcoming reception in Hastings tonight Monday 3, Hon. Pōhiva underscored that his government will not permit any casino to be built in the country.

His response comes after his Finance Minister Tēvita Lavemaau told Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s television on Tuesday, March 28 Tonga should learn from how Samoa runs their casinos.

“I have just returned from Solomon. There were eight casinos in Solomon and I met with Samoa’s Minister of Custom and Revenues and after questioning him he said there are two casinos in Samoa. Only those who hold foreign passports can use the casinos”, Hon. Lavemaau told the Television in Tongan.

“So as I looked at it Samoa gets millions from these two ventures.

“So as I personally looked at it in my role as Minister of Finance of the nation I am happy to hear about these things and it is important for us to go and have a look and learn from it.

“And then we come back with what we have learnt, it is a good idea as it can open an opportunity for the rich people all over the world to visit our nation and assist our country’s economic development”.

However the Minister said the government has not issued a licence to any company to build casinos in Tonga.

Casino and other forms of gambling are illegal in Tonga.

As we reported, the Tongan church leaders’ committee in New Zealand was planning to protest alongside former Tongan army personnel in Auckland against what they believe are plans for a casino in the kingdom.

The peaceful protest was planned after the Finance Minister was interviewed by the Television last Tuesday.

The Prime Minister is currently in New Zealand on a five-day trip to meet with the Recognised Seasonal Employers in Hastings and Kerikeri.

Hon. Pōhiva is expected to fly from Hawkes Bay back to Auckland tomorrow morningTuesday 4 on his way to Kerikeri to meet with RSE employers and Tongan employees there.

It was not immediately clear whether or not the Prime Minister was aware of the planned protest.

READ MORE:

https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2017/04/devil-really-coming-tonga-confusion-reigns-pastors-soldiers-prepare-protest/

Cardinal Mafi recovering after collapsing in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

The head of Roman Catholic church in Tonga, Cardinal Soane Patita Mafi collapsed in Auckland, New Zealand.

He is recovering after he was rushed to Middlemore hospital.

The cardinal turned 55 in December.

According to Radio New Zealand “He was feeling unwell when he left Nuku’alofa and was rushed to Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital after he collapsed.

“On Monday night, the Counties Manukau District Health Board said Cardinal Mafi’s condition was stable.

His Vatican trip had been called off”.

Tongan economy doing well, but threats remain, says IMF

By
Philip Cass
-

 Tonga’s economic growth has been better than expected, the International Monetary Fund said this week.

In a statement issued after a visit to the kingdom, the IMF said growth had been supported by strong recovery in agriculture and construction sectors, increased remittances, and higher domestic demand.

The report said gross domestic product had grown by an estimated 3.5 percent in the last financial year.

Gross international reserves increased from US$166 million in June 2016 to US$171 million in December 2016, reflecting increased public and private transfers, stronger than expected remittances and changes in the value of the US dollar.

The IMF said money remitted to Tonga was expected to contribute about a third of GDP in the medium term.

Tonga may benefit as a net energy and food importer, if oil and food prices remain low. Good tax administration, implementation of the foreign exchange levy and new excises contributed to strong domestic tax and other revenue. This is projected to reach 29.7 percent of GDP in the 2017 financial year, up from 24.5 percent in the previous year.

Looking forward, growth in the 2018 fiscal year was expected to peak at four percent,  supported mainly by construction related to the preparation for the Pacific Games.

However, despite the good news, the IMF said the kingdom’s financial sustainability would be threatened if the government was unable to control its wage bill, shortfalls in donor aid, the cost of the Pacific Games and natural disasters.

The IMF said inflation had increased to 6.7 percent in the second half of 2016. This was mainly due to a new import tax on fatty meat and tobacco products, as well as higher global oil and commodity prices.

Inflation was expected to gradually decline to an average four percent in the 2017-2018 financial years.

The IMF warned that higher global oil prices would push the current account deficit to grow to three percent in the 2017 financial year.

It also warned that the Pacific Games posed a risk if there were unforeseen costs and a need to find money to finance them.

It also said the current account balance was expected to become worse for a period in 2018 due to an increase of imports due to the Pacific Games.

The report said the government should think about identifying costs that could be temporarily cut if the price of the Pacific Games went up.

Natural disasters and weather-related events were also a high risk and could take a toll on the economy. The government continues to allocate TP$5 million per year for emergency response for natural disasters.

The main points

  • Tonga’s economic growth has been better than expected, the International Monetary Fund said this week.
  • The IMF said growth had been supported by strong recovery in agriculture and construction sectors, increased remittances, and higher domestic demand.
  • However, despite the good news, the IMF said the kingdom’s financial sustainability would be threatened if the government was unable to control its wage bill, shortfalls in donor aid, the cost of the Pacific Games and natural disasters.
  • It also warned that the Pacific Games posed a risk if there were unforeseen costs and a need to find money to finance them.

For more information 

IMF staff conclude visit to Tonga

First meetings: Tongan Prime Minister meets with RSE employers in Napier

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva is preparing to meet with Recognised Seasonal Employers this morning in Napier.

This is the first time Hon. Pohiva has visited  New Zealand’s largest viticulture and horticulture industries.

About 500 Tongan workers are employed by the Hawkes Bays’ employers.

The Prime Minister will talk to five employers as part of his attempt to strengthen their relationship with his government.

The Tongan community in Napier along with staff from the RSE employers  will host a welcoming lunch this afternoon to welcome Hon. Pohiva and his entourage.

Tevita Niulata, the government of Tonga’s liaison officer in Hawkes Bay said the Tongan community in Napier will perform some Tongan activities in this afternoon’s special function.

Last night the Prime Minister was joined by the Tongan consul in New Zealand Stafford ‘Aho and Tonga RSE Coordinator in New Zealand, Sefita Hao’uli in a dinner at the Scenic hotel.

As we reported, Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva will hold official talks with Recognised Seasonal Employers in Kerikeri and Hawkes Bay after a Tongan employee fled at Auckland International airport.

Samuela Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand early this month to work at Mr Apple, New Zealand’s largest apple supplier.

Manuofetoa fled from the airport without going to his employer.

Mr Apple has turned to Samoa for a replacement of Manuofetoa.

This has been a big concern for the Prime Minister, who is worried that Mr Apple might take away the employment opportunity from Tonga and gave it to the Samoans.

The company has employed hundreds of Tongans on RSE contracts over the years.

However, in the past it has also said it wants more Samoans.

Mr Apple CEO Andrew Van Workum was quoted in 2014 as saying its Samoan workers had been a boon for the business.

The company is currently advertising for seasonal workers.

According to Tongan RSE Coordinator in New Zealand,  Sefita Hao’uli, Tongans have the worst record of any group of Pacific Islands employees for absconding in New Zealand and overstaying their visas.

A total of 16 Tongan employees including Manuofetoa are still at large in New Zealand after fleeing when most of them were due to return to Tonga.

The Prime Minister will ask RSE employers for forgiveness in an attempt to strengthen their relationship with his government.

Last month eight Tongan employees who worked for Turners and Growers in Kerikeri were sent home after being accused of drinking alcohol, being violent and being unable to carry out their tasks.

Hon. Pohiva will be accompanied by his personal assistant Poʻoi Pohiva, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs, CEO ʻAna Bing Fonua and Deputy CEO Fanauʻifoʻou ʻAkauʻola.

MOH receives new Toyota van ambulance, range of biomedical equipment and training 

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Ministry of Health has received a modified Toyota van to specifically fit the needs and maintenance capacity in Tonga.

It also received other biomedical equipment as well as training opportunities.

The donation came after Semisi Finau, Bio Medical Engineer, Ministry Of Health visited Adelaide to ensure that the equipment included in the shipping container was appropriate and relevant to the needs in Tonga.

Training will also be provided in the use of ambulance and equipment.

During the official hand over, Dr Lisiate ‘Ulufonua, Medical Superintendent, extended the thanks of the Minister, CEO and staff to the two representatives, Jeff Candy (Project Coordinator from RC of Noarlunga East) and Keith Driscoll (Executive Director Clinical, South Australia Ambulance Service) as well as to the members of RCN.

He recognized how this is part of the ongoing partnership between the hospital and South Australian Ambulance Service which started in 2009.

This relationship was built out of the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa initiated relationship between Vailoa hospital and St John of God hosptial in Ballarat, which has been running for over two decades.

Dr Lisiate emphasised how these partnerships help support government’s objective for universal health coverage.

Dr ‘Amanaki Fakakovikaetau, Chief Dental Officer (and RCN Director Internatioanal) delivered the final vote of thanks recognizing the collective effort that had gone into bringing the project to fruition, and the ways in which the RCN can support these relationship with overseas clubs.

The Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa (RCN) is delighted to welcome this support moblized  by the Rotary Club of Noarlunga East and the South Australian Ambulance Service.

Support is also recognized from other South Australian Rotary Clubs (Tailem Bend, Blackwood, Cormandel Valley, Campbelltown, Noarlunga and Hallett Cove),  Rotary Donations-in-Kind and Tongan community in Adelaide, who provided the contents and helped with the packing of the 40 foot container.

The total project is estimated at A$70,000

Crimes against Chinese: PM meeting with ambassador kept behind closed doors 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Huang Huanguang on Friday to discuss what his office has described as “related to the brutal crimes against the Chinese community in Tonga”

Press were invited to take photos but were barred from covering the meeting which was also attended by Tongan Police officials and the Chinese community.

As we reported, the Tongan government has set up a sub-committee to investigate crimes against Chinese and other expatriates in Tonga.

Justice Minister Sione Vuna Fa’otusia  said attacks on foreigners were a grave concern to the government.

The subcommittee is chaired by Hon. Fa’otusia and also includes the Minister of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Tonga Defence Force and the Commissioner of Prisons.

“This committee is to see what we can do to mitigate this rather senseless crime against the Chinese and foreigners in the land,” the Minister said.

“The Chinese were brought here by the late King Tupou IV so that we may learn from their work ethic!

“Instead, our people have kept on abusing this people in our land.

“What a shameful act !”

Crimes

In 1999, the Chinese community submitted a list of criminal offences against Chinese migrants to the then Police Minister Clive Edwards.

Crimes included arson, armed robbery and attempted rape.

Edwards assured the Chinese the police would work around the clock to put an end to such incidents.

Eighteen years later, there has been some improvement, but Tongan police are still working to bring crimes against the Chinese community under control.

In February this year Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said the Police had established Operation Great Wall with the aim of reducing crimes against the Asian community in Tonga.

Vaisuai said that while Chinese made up three percent of victims of crime, the offences committed against them were quite serious.

They included robbery and violent assault.

“Our mission is to make sure all our citizens feel safe in Tonga,” Deputy Commissioner Vaisuai said.

A New Zealand police officer, Inspector Kai Shao, was sent to Tonga to help the local force build a relationship with the Asian community.

He met with members of the Chinese community and staff from the Chinese embassy.

Inspector Shao believed the safety situation in Tonga had improved in recent years.

However, they expressed concerns in relation to some recent high profile cases.

Is the devil really coming to Tonga? Confusion reigns as pastors and soldiers prepare protest

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan church leaders’ committee in New Zealand is planning to protest alongside former Tongan army personnel in Auckland against what they believe are plans for a casino in the kingdom.

They will join call for Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva to stop any move by his government to allow casino to be built in Tonga.

In a strongly worded letter, the protestors have told the government it has welcomed the devil into Tonga.

But there is confusion about whether the devil really is coming to the island kingdom, with different reports saying the casino has been approved, is pending or been rejected.

Requests for confirmation from the government have gone unanswered.

Protestors said Minister of Finance Hon. Tevita Lavemaau had been reported by Radio and Television Tonga as saying the government was going back on its decision to reject an application by an American gambling company to establish a casino in Tonga.

Reports last week quoted Radio Tonga as reporting that Hon. Lavemaau had said the government had only approved a development proposal, which would see hotels constructed in Tongatapu and Vava’u.

It is understood this was the second time the request by the Native American-owned casino and its Tongan partners had been rejected.

Casino and other forms of gambling are illegal in Tonga.

But yesterday afternoon, RNZ quoted Radio Tonga as reporting claims by Havea Gatti, one of the directors of Tavake Tamafua, the company making the application,  as saying they were near to completing the conditions required for a license.

The company claimed Hon. Lavemaau had written to them saying that government supported the initiative to establish a casino and would grant an exclusive right under conditions to build in Tonga within the next two years.

He conceded regulations still needed to be changed before a license was granted.

Requests for confirmation from the Custom and Revenue Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office have gone unanswered.

During a meeting in Onehunga, Auckland, yesterday afternoon members of the Tākanga ‘A e Kau Takilotu Tonga  ‘o Aotearoa agreed unanimously to back the move by the Tongan Ex-Army Association in New Zealand to submit a letter to Hon. Pohiva after he arrives in New Zealand tonight.

They agreed to support the move as a peaceful protest for the betterment of Tonga.

The letter said many Tongans in New Zealand fell into serious social and moral trouble because of gambling.

It said gamblers had lost their property, rejected religion, robbed and experienced marital problems.

“The government had welcomed a devil to stay in Tonga,” the letter said.

“This devil will destroy and consume everything in the nation, but it will never have enough.”

The church leaders formally agreed that Rev. Tevita Finau of the Medothist Church will join the group that will be allowed to meet with the prime Minister in ‘Atalanga next week.

They also agreed to formally respond and reply in support to the ex-servicemen’s letter.

Church leaders from the Bahai faith, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Free Wesleyan Church Upper Room, Tonga Methodist of New Zealand, Tonga United Church and Tonga Advisory Council were represented at the meeting this afternoon.

The letter was presented by the Patron of the Tongan Ex- Army Association Central Auckland  in New Zealand Rev Tevita Iloa Tuʻineau, Chairman Tamale Faleafa, Deputy Chairman Feleti Fonua and Campaigner Sionetosi Kelekolio Tapueluelu.

The main points

  • The Tongan church leaders’ committee in New Zealand is planning to protest alongside former Tongan army personnel in Auckland against what they believe are plans for a casino in the kingdom.
  • They will join call for Prime Minister Ê»Akilisi Pohiva to stop any move by his government to allow casino to be built in Tonga.
  • In a strongly worded letter, the protestors have told the government it has welcomed the devil into Tonga.
  • But there is confusion about whether the devil really is coming to the island kingdom, with different reports saying the casino has been approved, is pending or been rejected.

For more information

Tongan govt denies issuing gaming licence

Ministry says alternative diabetes drugs in stock after medication dries up

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s National Drugs and Medical Supplies Committee (NDMSC) met on Wednesday after concerns over late arrival of shipment of some diabetes drugs in the kingdom.

The shipment of nifedipine drugs was behind schedule.

Nifedipine is a medication used to treat angina and high blood pressure.

The meeting confirmed there was “a range of other stock options to ensure continued supply” of these drugs, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Health told Kaniva News.

It said the hospital’s pharmacies “have lots of amlodipine in stock which can easily replace nifedipine”.

The meeting was told other diabetes drugs that had been run out such as metformin “are already in stock”.

Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes.

The Ministry denied reports on local media that the supply shortage could continue until July when the government’s new budget approved.

“That does not make sense and the Ministry has already had other options in place and it can reorder the stock to be sent by plane if the ship arrival will take longer than expected”, the spokesperson said.

NDMSC said they “have advised pharmacy people to advise media and clinicians of situation of drugs in stock”.

Ferries travel and land at Niuatoputapu despite no signal lights at wharf

By
Kalino Latu
-

Inter-island ferries in Tonga are still travelling to Niuatoputapu despite the facts the signal and beacon lights were damaged in the 2009 tsunami.

Sediment from the tsunami has filled the channel to the wharf so the ferry is now navigating a shallow passage.

The MV ʻOtuangaʻofa once ran aground in Niuatoputapu while navigating its way through a channel out of the Pasivūlangi harbour.

There have been claims that some passengers fell into the sea when the vessel forced its way to the wharf and tried to unload.

Some of the ferries have to stand out to sea and unload into small boats.

The CEO of FISA, Mosese Fakatou was quoted by Kakalu ʻo Tonga newspaper as saying the Marine Department said they had no money to fix the eight year old damage.

The government allocated a budget for six voyages to the Niuas a year and this can be increased if there are emergencies.

The treasury and the Niuas steering committee are responsible for the allocation of the travel.

Four voyages were assigned to FISAʻs vessel, the MV ʻOtuangaʻofa and two to be shared by the MV ʻOnemato and MV Pulupaki.

Problems:

Fakatou revealed to the paper the MV ‘Otuanga‘ofa ran aground at the Pasivūlangi because there was no signal lights.

It was reported in 2014 the ferry  hit a rock and its bow grounded at the harbour before freeing itself.

Fakatou said they had become aware the MV Pulupaki, a privately owned ship, repeatedly sailed to the Niuas causing a problems to their services because of the agreement FISA would conduct four voyages.

The MV Pulupaki was currently inoperative and the MV Onemato took over and serviced the Niuas.

Fakatou said this time they complained to the Treasury and the Niuas committee. The paper did not say whether or not there was any response to his complaint.

Fakatou claimed the people of the Niuas complained to him and asked why the MV ʻOtuangaʻofa had stopped travelling to the Niuas.

He said the Niuans did not want any other ferry to serve them.

He told the Niuans to lodge a complaint with the Treasury and their Niuas committee as they are the ones who made the changes.

The Niuas MP, Feʻao Vakata, told the paper the MV ʻOtuangaʻofa at one stage took about 24 hours to unload and some passengers fell into the sea.

He described the situation as “very dangerous.”

Vakata was responding to reports by local media that the Niuans no longer wanted the MV ʻOtu Angaʻofa to come to the Niuas.

Vakata said that was not true as he was the one who had the power to choose which ferries would travel to the Niuas based on the conditions of the wharf.

He said a three tonne van was planned to be sent to Niuatoputapu and he chose the MV ʻOnemato for that voyage because the MV ʻOtuangaʻofa cannot dock at the harbour.

However that voyage was eventually cancelled, he reportedly said.

The main points

  • Inter-island ferries in Tonga are still travelling to Niuatoputapu despite the facts the signal and beacon lights were damaged in the 2009 tsunami.
  • Sediment from the tsunami has filled the channel to the wharf so that the ferry is now navigating a shallow passage.
  • The MV ʻOtuangaʻofa once ran aground in Niuatoputapu while attempting to reach the wharf because of the restriction.
  • There have been claims that some passengers fell into the sea when the vessel forced its way to the wharf and tried to unload.
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