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

By
Kalino Latu
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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
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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

 

Eleven cases of typhoid confirmed in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Eleven people in Tonga have been hospitalised with typhoid in an outbreak which began since January.

Radio New Zealand said Tonga have 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 radio said.

The Chief Health Inspector, Sela Fa’u, told Tonga Broadcasting five of those with typhoid were from one village, Veitongo.

Sela Fa’u said several factors had constrained the ministry in controlling the spread of the disease including people providing inaccurate information for lab tests.

Typhoid

Typhoid is an illness caused by infection with a specific bacteria called Salmonella typhi.

It is found in the faeces of infected persons and spreads to others through faecal contamination of food and water.

This occurs in situations where there is poor hygiene related to food preparation, where there is poor sanitation with inadequate ablution facilities and where drinking water is drawn from sources like wells and streams.

The symptoms mimic those of other infectious diseases. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, cold shivers, hot sweats and loss of appetite.

NZ Tongan student leaders meet in Dunedin

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Leaders of Tongan student bodies from tertiary institutions around New Zealand recently met in Dunedin for its second Leadership Weekend, which was sponsored for the second time by the University of Otago.

The idea was initiated last year by the New Zealand Tongan Tertiary Students Association President Mary Jane Kivalu, who was re-elected in the Annual General Meeting at the Amatakiloa Conference and will continue as President for this year.

Those who were present at the AGM also moved to pass that the Leadership Weekend must occur every year, and is now a part of the association’s constitution.

Attendees included representatives of Tongan student associations from Auckland Institute of Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Waikato and Victoria University of Wellington.

Mary Jane Kivalu is very happy with the outcome of this year’s Leadership Weekend and also with the effort that was contributed from each participant.

“We want the Tongan tertiary students in New Zealand to come together and recognise the great things we can achieve if we work together, and that won’t happen if the leaders don’t lead the way”.

The University of Otago MBA student has a strong vision for the association that includes being able to provide more opportunities for Tongan tertiary students in New Zealand.

“This country has so much to offer, especially for Pacific people, but we have to do our part in utilising those opportunities.

Our annual conference has been around for 25 years, first known as Aofangatuku and then later renamed as Amatakiloa, and it is up to today’s generation to take things a step further.

There is so much we can do but it begins with providing a strong platform of networking – whether we like it or not, we live in a world where social capital can take you a long way.”

Kivalu admits that her team had an intense weekend but trusts that in good time, they will see the benefits.

 

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

By
Kalino Latu
-
Samuela Manuofetoa is still at large in New Zealand. Photo/Supplied

Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.

Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.

The deportation will make things worse for his employer in Hastings because it will have to pay for the costs of deportation.

Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.

His disappearance caused Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to fly to New Zealand because he was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.

The President of the Tongan Methodist church in New Zealand, Rev. Tevita  Finau, said he would talk to Tongan Methodist church ministers in New Zealand and ask them to enquire about the whereabout of Manuofetoa.

He said it was not clear which church Manuofetoa belonged to, but he would also raise the matter with the Takanga ‘o e Kau Taki Lotu Aotearoa, an association in which leaders from different churches were members.

The move came in response to a plea by Hon. Pohiva at a meeting in South Auckland last week for Tongan church and community leaders to help return Manuofetoa.

Hon. Pohiva told the meeting he had information some Tongan families whose relatives were still at large were  harbouring them.

A total of 16 Tongans, including Manuofetoa, who came through RSE programme overstayed their visas and are still on the loose in New Zealand.

The Prime Minister said their families advised them to stay in New Zealand instead of returning to Tonga after their contracts ended.

Rev. Finau said the churches had a huge impact in the Tongan community and it was important for them to help, otherwise Tonga would lose the opportunity to send more employees to New Zealand.

An Example

He said a few years ago he received reports that a Tongan athlete who was part of an athletic team to Wellington was planning to flee after the competition.

Rev. Finau said he found out the man belonged to Free Wesleyan Church. At the time the then President of the church Rev. Dr. Alifaleti Mone was in New Zealand.

He said he contacted the President and told him about the case. Rev Finau said after Dr. Mone  spoke with the family of the man he returned to Tonga without any incident.

He said he believed the churches would do the same thing for Manuofetoa.

Rev. Finau said it was important for whoever was harbouring Manuofetoa to advise him prudently. He said the Immigration rules were extremely strict and there was hardly any opportunity for those like Manuofetoa to gain a legal status in New Zealand.

Immigration consultant Salote Heleta Lilo told the Prime Minister during the meeting she had reliable information that could lead to the whereabouts of Manuofetoa.

She said she could not release it at this stage because of the nature of her work, but she told Hon. Pohiva she could help persuade him to return to Tonga.

Lilo said there was a privilege she had through her profession that could allow her to negotiate with the Immigration New Zealand to not penalise Manuofetoa if he would voluntarily return to Tonga.

Deportation

Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE coordinator in New Zealand said: “Mr. Apple has not cancelled the return portion of Samuela’s ticket so he can still use it if he wants, in case the cost of the return is an issue for him.  He just needs to rebook with Air NZ.”

Hao’uli told Kaniva News he was happy to help anybody who was looking for Manuofetoa.

“He’s already an overstayer and if caught by INZ he will be deported and that will make things worse for Mr Apple who will pay for the costs of deportation,” Hao’uli said.

“Samuela cannot be replaced until he leaves the country and Mr Apple will replace him from Tonga if allowed by MBIE.

“As you heard from Mr Apple’s Labour Manager, he will not turn his back on Tonga because of the good work done by the majority of the workers – but this statement leaves room for him or for any other employer to change their minds if circumstances changes.”

The main points

  • Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.
  • Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.
  • He arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.
  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.

For more information

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

Crash involving police officer under investigation

By
Alpha Latu
-

An investigation continues into a Telekava crash yesterday morning that allegedly involved a male Police officer.

A car driven by the officer crashed into a fence and a power pole at around 2am, Police said.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai told local media that no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Police said there is no further information available for release at this time

Gov’t fisheries officer’s road death case adjourned

By
Alpha Latu
-

Ministry of Fisheries Head of Aquaculture Poasi Ngaluafe has had his case adjourned to 26 April.

He is being charged with offence of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol causing death in May 2016.

The 49-year-old appeared at the Supreme Court on April 4 after he was accused for the death of Uini Kava, 46, of Tofoa at the By-Pass Road in Longolongo.

At the trial before Mr Justice Cato, the court was told an eyewitness alleged that the victim was sitting in the middle of the left lane of the road towards Tu’atakilangi before he was hit by the vehicle which Police believed driven by Ngaluafe.

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