Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 670

Teacher arrested after Vainī student beating

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police this afternoon arrested a teacher for allegedly beating up a student at Vainī Middle School.

The teacher, whose identity has yet to be released, had been charged with assault.

Police reportedly said the arrest has sent a clear message to victims of this type of crime they could be dealt with if they had the courage to come forward and reveal it.

As we reported earlier the student was hospitalised amid an investigation by the ministries of Police and Education.

The authorities acted after the student’s grandmother reported the incident on Tonga Broadcasting Broadcom radio show.

She said the teacher allegedly threatened to beat the children’s parents if they told them about their punishment.

She said her grandchild was terrified and when she asked to take him with her to the school and talk to the teacher he refused.

“To make sure that any victim of this kind of crime should have the courage to come forward and also in the long term, to create an environment in school that is more safe and more friendly and welcomes every member of society here,” Radio New Zealand has quoted Tonga’s Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea as saying.

Artist calls for a world that nurtures children and their hopes for the future

By
Philip Cass
-

Tongan artist Ruha Fifita hopes that Tongan children will grow up in an environment that nurtures their potential.

Fifita, whose ngatu (painted tapa) work was recently on show at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, said in a recent interview that children were like seeds.

“The environment we create should nurture the growth of each seed and, as a result, ensure the world can benefit from the fruits latent within each,” Fifita said.

She said children should receive an education that developed every aspect of their humanity and their aspirations.

“This education, among other things, includes having the opportunity to be involved in meaningful, service-oriented community and family life, and being encouraged to reflect on and develop individual talents and qualities.

“The environment should be free of criticism and infused with love, encouragement and faith in the profound capacity of every individual.”

Fifita, who has exhibited her work in several galleries in New Zealand and Australia, often in collaboration with New Zealand artist Robin White,  said she hoped Tonga would become a place where its own culture and global knowledge.

“Perhaps we need to get better at consulting, generating new ideas in unity and then acting together, and reflecting on our actions,” the artist said.

“Perhaps if we were eager to learn from others we would discover that even the grandest ideals become possible.”

Fifita said the Pacific had a generation of young people curious about the world and thirsty to live lives of significance and contribute to causes greater than themselves.

“We’re a very young population, with a wealth of energy, new ideas and fresh perspectives of the world.” she said.

“If we can support the children and youth of our nation to realise the important role they can play in our society we will see these small island nations become lights of guidance to others, radiant examples of thriving communities living in harmony with each other and their natural environment.

“What a valuable service that would be to the world!”

The main points

  • Tongan artist Ruha Fifita hopes that Tongan children will grow up in an environment that nurtures their potential.
  • Fifita, whose ngatu (painted tapa) work has been on show at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, said in a recent interview that children were like seeds.
  • “The environment we create should nurture the growth of each seed and, as a result, ensure the world can benefit from the fruits latent within each,” Fifita said.
  • She said children should receive an education that developed every aspect of their humanity and their aspirations.

US and Tongan authorities join forces to deal effectively with returning deportees

By
Kalino Latu
-

The United States authorities had overhauled the country’s deportation system so they could inform the Tongan government before sending back deportees to the kingdom.

The centrepiece of the reform was to allow Tongan authorities time to prepare and could communicate with the US authorities in anything they want regarding the deportees.

This had been revealed yesterday in Nukuʻalofa during a three-day conference with the Tongan government and law enforcement officials.

The U.S. Ambassador to Tonga, Judith Cefkin was one of the speakers at the conference.

She said: “Last year our regional security office consulted with Tongan law enforcement officials to overhaul the process for all returning deportees from the U.S which includes providing an advance notice and more complete information prior to deportation which might be useful to Tongan law enforcement”.

“The Tongan National Deportation Reintegration Conference is the result of two years of consultation and discussion between the U.S and Tongan government and law enforcement officials to create a platform to share our experiences dealing with deportee reintegration,” Cefkin said.

Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said the conference was “a new beginning to finding solution to growing concerns in Tonga relating to reintegration of deportees”.

The Tongan government will establish a task force to deal directly with the returning deportees, he said.

There were 20,800 Tongans in the United States according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates 2013. The United States have deported 22 Tongan citizens to Tonga since last year.

As we reported last year Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in New Zealand in August that he was concerned about high risk deportees being sent back to the kingdom.

Hon. Pohiva said the Tongan government was not told about the crimes they had committed overseas.

He said after the deportees arrived in Tonga they were released into the community and there was nothing the government could do to make sure they would do no more harm to the society.

Hon. Pohiva said it was important for the government to be informed so they could alert people if any criminal deportees moved into the community.

 Rehabilitation facility

Tonga’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Vaʻinga Tōnē who was also in the meeting with Hon. Pohiva in Auckland, told the audience there had been discussion with the governments of New Zealand and Australia to help fund a rehabilitation facility in Tonga.

He said this was a big issue for Tonga, especially for deportees who were sent directly from prison to Tonga and did not usually join any rehabilitation programmes after their release.

In November last year it was reported that Patrick ʻUnga, who had received a life sentence for murdering his fiancé in New Zealand in 2003, killed again in Tonga only a few months after his deportation to Tonga.

He was sentenced to more than 12 years in jail for manslaughter after the death of Sitanilei Sime in Nuku’alofa in April 2014.

Yesterdayʻs  opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of China to Tonga, H.E Mr. Huang Huaguang, Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E Mr. Andrew Ford, New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E Ms. Sarah Walsh, Assistant Adjutant General Army/Director Joint Staff Nevada Guard Brigadier General Zachary F. Doser, Police Commissioner Mr. Stephen Caldwell, Members of Parliament, Church Leaders, Representatives from line Ministries, NGOs and Town Officers.

Tonga A wins over Samoa 30 – 22

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga won its second match in the Pacific Rugby Challenge beating Samoa 30-22 at the ANZ Stadium this afternoon.

In its first game last Friday Tonga lost to Fiji Warriors 38-30.

Tonga A will take on Junior Japan on Saturday next week while Fiji Warriors will face the Samoans.

Drowned Pātangata diver named

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Pātangata old man who drowned while diving near the village has been named by police.

The body of Sioeli Tuʻakalau, 72, was recovered following a search of the area on March 7.

His cause of death has been confirmed as asphyxiation due to drowning.

Vavaʻu Police investigating damage to cars at Hinakauea parking lot

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Police investigation was underway after complaints were received about two vehicles being damaged at Hinakauea parking lot in Neiafu on Saturday.

Police said they had received complaints from Taunga motorists who had parked their vehicles at the spot before leaving for the island to attend a funeral.

They returned on Sunday to find their cars had been damaged, Vavaʻu Police Superintendent Natane Falakiseni told Kaniva News.

He said Police suspected the damages had been caused by drunken vandals.

Falakaiseni said the Taunga and Kapa islanders used to park their vehicles in the area before travelling by boats to their islands.

It was alleged on social media that a boat belonged to the Taunga people had been damaged prior to Saturday’s incident but Falakiseni said no complaint had been received in relation to that alleged incident.

Tonga reserve bank warns of illegal money exchange operators

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga National Reserve Bank said some retail shops in Tonga have provided foreign exchange services to their customers without holding the required license.

It reminded that people conducting these illegal activities could be imprisoned or fined.

It urged those who were interested in this business to apply for a license.

The Bank said: “The Reserve Bank is responsible for the licensing, regulation and supervision of authorized dealers providing foreign exchange services in and from Tonga.

“Authorised Dealer”, as defined by the Regulation, means “in relation to any foreign currency, a person appointed by the Reserve Bank by notice in the Gazette to act for the purposes of these Regulations as an authorised dealer in relation to that foreign currency. Such appointment may be subject to such restrictions as are set out in the notice.”

The public is reminded that pursuant to Regulation 11, “A person who commits an offence against these regulations shall be liable on conviction – in the case of an individual to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years, if a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $200,000.”

“The public is hereby notified that by providing foreign exchange services without the required license is an offence and you are to immediately cease and desist such operations and apply to the Reserve Bank for a license. We are urging the public to please report to the Reserve Bank any unauthorized foreign exchange services”.

Muslim leader says royal guard who stopped him was ignorant and favours certain churches

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Muslim man who was kicked out from Pangai Lahi after he went to offer a prayer for the Queen Mother on Tuesday last week has broken his silence in an interview with Kaniva News.

Peili Lutui Tea, who goes by the Islamic name Mohamed Allah Fatah, said the royal guard who kicked him out was ignorant and favoured only certain churches.

He said the law of the nation should respect a human being’s conscience and if some one wanted to show their love to the Queen Mother they should be allowed to do so.

He said the Queen Mother was loved and he wanted to offer a prayer for her because he was an international religious leader.

Fatah said he was ordained at the Khalifa Four and Five in Egypt.

Fatah claimed he belonged to the king’s royal sea guards known as Fokololo ‘o e Hau through his father Lutui Palelei.

He said he had a duty to accomplish for the Queen Mother and give his blessing for her but it was marred by the royal guard’s ignorance.

He said when he entered Pangai Lahi he wanted to stop and change out of his Islamic clothes, but the royal guard kicked him out.

“Why did they not stop me when I stepped out of the taxi?” Fatah asked.

He claimed Muslims had never broken any laws in Tonga and what the royal guard did had tarnished their good reputation.

It is believed there are about 50 Muslims in the kingdom.

Fatah said there were 73 different Muslim sects in the world.

He said there were two groups of Islam in Tonga and they knew about each other.

Fatah said he belonged to the Ahmadiyya sect while the other group belonged to Sunni Islam led by Imam Ilyas Manu.

As we reported earlier, thousands of Christian mourners gathered in a large marquee outside the palace to pray for the matriarch’s soul.

Ten Christian churches, two other groups and the royal family offered a series of prayer vigil during the Queen Mother’s takipō which began on Tuesday at 6pm and lasted until 6 o’clock  on Wednesday morning.

The prayer vigil was conducted by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Catholic Church, Tonga Tauʻatāina Church, Anglican Church, Church of Tonga, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,  Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Tōkaikolo Fellowship, Assemblies of God and the Constitution Church.

The two groups were from the Siaʻatoutai Theological College and Ālonga Centre which was founded by the Queen Mother.

Kaniva News has asked the Palace Office for comment.

The main points

  • The Muslim man who was kicked off from Pangai Lahi after he went to offer a prayer for the Queen Mother on Tuesday last week has broken his silence in an interview with Kaniva News.
  • Peili Lutui Tea, who goes by the Islamic name Mohamed Allah Fatah, said the royal guard who kicked him out was ignorant and favoured only certain churches.
  • He claimed Muslims had never broken any laws in Tonga and what the royal guard did had tarnished their good reputation.
  • It is believed there are about 50 Muslims in the kingdom.

For more information

Muslim leader in Tonga concerns over delays in registration application

Two Tongans appear in court over passport fraud investigation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Two Tongans appeared in court this morning in connection to passport fraud investigation conducted by a Police taskforce.

A 44 year-old man from Kolofoʻou was charged with forgery and false declaration.

A 54 year-old man from Tofoa has been charged with forgery and knowingly dealing with forged documents.

They appeared at the Fasi Magistrate Court and were remanded on bail to reappear in court on Monday 20.

The arrests brought the total of those arrested to 23  since the investigation began on August 25, 2015 in which 12 had been convicted.

The head of the Passport Taskforce, Deputy Police Commissioner Viliami ʻUnga Faʻaoa said, “The investigation of passport fraud is taken very seriously. We are taking a zero tolerance approach to reports of passport fraud and putting accused persons before the courts.”

“The Passport Taskforce is working closely with the Ministry of Justice, Tonga Immigration, National Identity Cards Office and the Ministry of Health in combating crimes of identity fraud”.

Tongan scientist’s transforming experience sets example for struggling students

By
Philip Cass
-

Dr Palatasa (Tasa) Havea ‘s father repeatedly told him that if he did not get an education he would spend the rest of his life curing copra for a living.

Originally from Vava’u, Dr Palatasa (Tasa) Havea came from a large, poor family.

Dr Havea eventually became the first Tongan to win a doctorate in food technology and is now  a senior research scientist with Fonterra.

Now he is using his experience as a poor student to encourage young people to succeed at school.

He said his own difficulties had inspired his work with young people.

“We [Pacific Islanders] don’t always do very well in our education and the Ministry of Education has used me a lot as an example of someone who was really bad at school to help the kids, to see the potential to do well,” he told Stuff.

“We set up programmes to help kids with the literacy and numeracy.

“I think I know how they do well and how they do badly and how to turn them around to become good kids. I try to use my own experience.”

Dr Havea is chair of the Pacific Health Research Committee of the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

He recently stepped down as a member of the advisory board to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, where he served for 13 years.

Dr Havea’s early years were an educational disaster. He failed grade 10 three times, but after  moving to Tongatapu he persuaded another school to let him into the final year after claiming  he  had completed the school certificate.

With a different set of teachers and a different atmosphere, his grades improved, he won prizes and learned to read and write properly.

After school he joined the Tonga Commodities Board and after studying for two degrees at Massey, joined New Zealand milk producer Fonterra.

A specialist in biotechnology, molecular biology and structural biology, he is a senior research scientist at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC).

He took a leading role in research that led to enhanced products that contribute millions to the New Zealand economy.

He is involved in a range of community issues and late last year talked about suicide among teenagers in island communities in New Zealand.

In 2005, he told the Pacific Prosperity Conference that Pacific youth needed role models and mentors, self-discipline and the courage to achieve their dreams.

He is active in his church and sits on the board of International Student Ministries New Zealand.

He and his wife Sesimani have three children.

His daughter, Lueni, became her school’s first Tongan head girl and last year was part of a student team that won the technology prize at the Manawatu Science and Technology Fair.

She also mentors year one to six students in literacy.

The main points

  • A Tongan born scientist is using his experience as a poor student to encourage young people to succeed at school.
  • Palatasa (Tasa) Havea, who was the first Tongan to win a doctorate in food technology, said his own difficulties had inspired his work with young people.
  • Originally from Vava’u, he came from a large, poor family.
  • His father repeatedly told him that if he did not get an education he would spend the rest of his life curing copra for a living.

For more information

The scientist who spent three years in Year 10

International Student Ministries New Zealand

Education key to Islanders’ pay

A head for business

1...669670671...912Page 670 of 912
© Copyright 2025 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment