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

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

Talaki apologizes for inaccurate Dr ‘Ahio report

By
Kalino Latu
-

Talaki Newspaper apologized Friday for an inaccurate report the week before that the leader of Ha’a Ngata was kicked out of Liukava royal residence.

The publisher Filokalafi ‘Akau’ola expressed his sincerest apologies to Dr ‘Ahio and the house of Ha’a Ngata for the inaccurate report made by his newspaper.

That was actually incorrect and I vehemently denied our report, he said.

As part of his comments on the paper’s editorial this week he apologised to the Free Wesleyan church members and those who were affected by the inaccurate report.

Dr ‘Ahio, who is also the royal chaplain, told Kakalu ‘o Tonga this week he was concerned that the bogus report has affected His Majesty, implying the report had suggested it was the king who made the decision to send him away.

Inaccurate report

As we reported, the paper claimed Dr. ʻAhio was kicked out of Liukava during the ha’amo occasion following the Queen Mother’s death.

The inaccurate report said Dr. Ahio arrived late with the king’s meal.

It said they were told to stop at the gate and leave.

It said Dr. ‘Ahio and his followers were told that it was important to bring His Majesty’s taumafa on time

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

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva will hold official talks with Recognised Seasonal Employers in Kerikeri and Hasting 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 Prime Minister will arrive in New Zealand on Saturday on a five-day trip.

He will first meet with Mr. Apple, which has employed more than 400 Tongan employees.

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.

The Prime Minister will stay at ʻAtalanga royal residence in Auckland.

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.

They will be joined by the Tongan consul, Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho and Haoʻuli.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva will hold official talks with Recognised Seasonal Employers in Kerikeri and Hasting after a Tongan employee fled at Auckland International airport.
  • Siosifa Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand early this month to work at Mr Apple, but instead fled from the airport.
  • Mr Apple has turned to Samoa for a replacement.
  • 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.

For more information

Recalled Tonga workers not complying with contracts

Mr Apple

Mr. Apple wants more Samoan apple pickers

From Tonga to the Solomons, unsafe boats are a curse on the Pacific

By
Philip Cass
-

Whether they are fishing or carrying passengers, unsafe vessels are a curse on the Pacific.

The New Zealand media has recently exposed cases of Tongan fishermen buying old boats in New Zealand and then sailing them back to the island kingdom, even though many of them are only supposed to be used in coastal waters.

But reports show that unsafe and unseaworthy ships are a common problem, whether fishing in Tonga or carrying passengers in the Solomon Islands.

Many fishing vessels are completely unequipped for working in the deep ocean.

New Zealand authorities can do nothing if Tongan fishermen buy coastal fishing boats in New Zealand and then sail them home. Once they are taken off the New Zealand registry there is nothing the New Zealand government can do.

According to a lengthy report in the Sunday Star Times, they are not subject to a mandatory inspection and once they are registered under the Tongan flag, New Zealand has no jurisdiction over them.

The boats become Tonga’s problem, but there are already widespread issues with fishing boats in the kingdom.

According to a report by Radio Tonga in January, when small fishing boats in the Ha’apai group were surveyed, almost none of them had basic safety equipment.

Almost none of the small fishing boats were equipped with beacons, transceivers, flares or life jackets.

Only four of the fishing boats were actually registered  by Tonga’s Marine department.

Former Maritime NZ chief executive Russell Kilvington told the Star Times the Tongan Marine Department was understaffed and lacked expertise.

Nelson boat broker Steve Thomas told the paper sales of fishing boats to Pacific Island nations should be halted until all vessels under 15 metres leaving New Zealand waters had to pass a Maritime NZ safety inspection.

“We’re not doing anyone any favours sending old, rundown trawlers up to the Island nations,” Thomas said.

Many Pacific fishermen are facing a precarious existence, with fishing stocks threatened by Chinese fishing fleets. With little money coming in, they may well skimp on safety measures and see cheap fishing boats from New Zealand as a solution.

However, rather than being a solution, operating New Zealand boats may add to Tonga’s list of maritime disasters and dramas.

The latest was the rescue of Tongan fishermen by a German cruise ship.

The Tongan crew was operating a former New Zealand fishing boat, the Kaianga, that was meant to operate in coastal waters, not in the middle of the Pacific.

Action in the Solomons

At least one Pacific nation has promised to take action on maritime issues after problems with a Tongan vessel.

Last year a Solomon Islands shipping company bought a 50-year old ship in Tonga, the MV Sitka. It ran aground in Fiji.

In the wake of the grounding, the country’s Maritime and Safety Administration said it was time to get tough on the types of ships being brought into the country.

One shipping agent said shipping companies had converted old fishing vessels into cargo and passenger vessels, even though many of them were not seaworthy.

The main points

  • The New Zealand media has recently exposed cases of Tongan fishermen buying old boats in New Zealand and then sailing them back to the island kingdom, even though many of them are only supposed to be used in coastal waters.
  • Nelson boat broker Steve Thomas told the Sunday Star Times: “We’re not doing anyone any favours sending old, rundown trawlers up to the Island nations.”
  • The boats become Tonga’s problem, but there are already widespread issues with fishing boats in the kingdom.
  • According to a report by Radio Tonga in January, when small fishing boats in the Ha’apai group were surveyed, almost none of them had basic safety equipment.

For more information

Where Boats Go To Die

Experts call for action over old fishing boats heading to Pacific

Tongan fishermen lack safety gear – survey (RNZI)

Solomons to curb buying old boats (RNZI)

Princess Angelika receives confirmation PNG helps Tonga to host Games

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Prime Minister  Peter O’Neill  has assured The Kingdom of Tonga of Papua New Guinea’s ongoing support as it prepares to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

At a meeting with Her Royal Highness, Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tukuάho, who is also Tonga’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister also raised the prospect of increased labor mobility between the two countries, and increasing investment opportunities.

“Papua New Guinea is committed to help Tonga with infrastructure and knowledge support for their hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games,” the Prime Minister said.

“We are all mindful that we are facing challenging economic circumstances around the region, so our support to Tonga will be guided by current economic conditions, and it will be carefully targeted.

“We are committed to helping Tonga ensure that the 2019 Pacific Games will be a great success.”

The Prime Minster said Papua New Guinean investment and business with Tonga continues to increase and this creates jobs in both countries.

“We have already seen the opening of a branch of the Bank South Pacific Office in Tonga.

“In addition to this, there has been growing Papua New Guinean investment around the Pacific, in countries that include Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and we would like to see this investment expand to Tonga.

“An important part of expanding business connections is increasing air services, and around the Pacific, through code sharing agreements with local airlines, we are opening up flights between our countries.

Finally, the Prime Minister said labour mobility is an important issue for Pacific island nations that must be advanced.

“Pacific Islands’ Forum member countries would like to see skilled workers from member countries working around the region.

“We would like to see more people from Tonga come to Papua New Guinea, to share their skills and knowledge with out people, and strengthen our cultural interaction.

“I will continue to advance labour mobility issues with our partners and through regional forums including APEC and the Pacific Islands’ Forum.”

-Papua New Guinea Today

Supreme Court sentences man to six years jail for “vicious” attempted rape

By
Philip Cass
-

A man has been sentenced to six year’s jail in the Supreme Court for an attempted rape the judge described as “vicious.”

Hemaloto Makafilia, 23, pleaded guilty before Mr Justice Cato to one count of attempted rape, serious housebreaking, common assault, and theft.

During the crime, Makafilia knocked his victim unconscious by hitting her on the head with a steel pole.

He was only stopped when his girlfriend discovered him and made him stop.

The incident took place on May 26 last year in a school where the woman was working as a volunteer teacher.

“I have no doubt that but for the timely intervention of the prisoner’s girlfriend, the complainant would have suffered the complete humiliation of rape,” the judge said.

Mr Justice Cato said the victim had suffered physically and psychologically. She had lost half her hearing in one ear, her balance was affected and she was in pain because she had lost a number of teeth.

She suffers from vertigo and dizziness, tires easily, has short term memory loss and suffers from flashback and nightmares.

She is afraid to go anywhere alone  and constantly  looks over  her shoulder.

The accused had three previous convictions  for theft, two for housebreaking , unlawful possession of drugs, and escaping from lawful custody.

“Makafilia represents a  grave  danger to   society   and   is  a   person  from   whom   Society   requires   the protection of a  lengthy  sentence  of imprisonment,” Mr Justice Cato said.

“In   my   view,   the sentence  must  be  one  which  reflects  the  wanton  callousness  of the  attack  and  serves  to  protect  women  in Tonga,  volunteers  as well  as Tongan  women,  from  this  kind of  predatory  conduct,  and serves  also as a firm deterrent.”

The main points

  • A man has been sentenced to six year’s jail in the Supreme Court for an attempted rape the judge described as “vicious.”
  • Hemaloto Makafilia, 23, pleaded guilty before Mr Justice Cato to one count of attempted rape, serious housebreaking, common assault, and theft.
  • During the crime, Makafilia knocked his victim unconscious by hitting her on the head with a steel pole.
  • Makafilia represented a grave  danger to   society, the judge said.
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