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Nobles have put vote behind them, Lord Tu’ilakepa tells Kaniva    

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
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 The vote of no confidence is over and Parliament’s nobles have put it behind them, Lord Tu’ilakepa told Kaniva News this evening.

But if they had won, they would have offered the ministerial and Prime Minister’s posts to the people’s representatives.

He said they had agreed not to accept any posts if they managed to oust Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva

As we reported this afternoon the voting went 14-10 in Hon. Pohiva’s favour.

The nobles who lodged the motion of no confidence were supported by some independents.

Finance Minister Aisake Eke abstained.

Clarifying an earlier report in Kaniva News, Lord Tu’ilakepa said that while Lord Ma’afu had not been at the meeting, the other nobles did not hold a grudge against him.

A Cabinet source told Kaniva News details of the noble’s  agreement had not been distributed to Parliament and Members of the House could not tell what was in it when Lord Tu’ilakepa raised it in Parliament.

Hon. Pohiva, a lifelong campaigner for democratic change in the kingdom, is Tonga’s first commoner Prime Minister

The motion for a vote of no confidence cited a range of issues, including appointing family members, upsetting Indonesia by supporting West Papua and  financial mismanagement.

Hon. Pohiva denied the claims, saying they had already been aired twice in Parliament.

The main points

  • The vote of no confidence is over and Parliament’s nobles have put it behind them, Lord Tu’ilakepa told Kaniva News this evening.
  • But if they had won, they would have offered the ministerial and Prime Minister’s posts to the people’s representatives.
  • He said they had agreed not to accept any posts if they managed to oust Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva
  • Clarifying an earlier report in Kaniva News, Lord Tu’ilakepa said that while Lord Ma’afu had not been at the meeting, the other nobles did not hold a grudge against him.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva survives no-confidence vote

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has resoundingly survived a vote of no-confidence in the national parliament.

Hon. Pōhiva won the vote of no confidence moved against him 14 to 10.

Members who vote against the motion were Hon. ‘Akilsi Pōhiva, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Hon. Sēmisi Fakahau, Hon. Saia Piukala, Hon. Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, Hon. Poasi Tei, Hon. Penisimani Fifita, Hon. Vuna Fāʻotusia, Lord Ma’afu, Hon. Tēvita Lavemaau, Hon. Sēmisi Sika, Māteni Tapueluelu, Light of Day Veivosa Taka and ‘Akosita Lavulavu.

For the Motion were, Lord Vaea, Lord Tu’ilakepa, Lord Nuku, Lord Tu’i’āfitu, Lord Tu’iha’ateiho, Lord Tu’iha’angana, Lord Fusitu’a, Fe’ao Vakatā, Sāmiu Vaipulu and Vili Hingano.

Finance Minister ʻAisake Eke abstained from the vote.

The opposition had brought the motion against Hon. Pōhiva, saying he had to be removed over a list of 17 abuses of office as well as mismanagement of the economy.

Pōhiva rejected the claims saying he has nothing to hide and all allegations against him and his government had been dealt with appropriately.

NZ Parliament relays message of love to Queen Mother during tonight’s memorial service

By
Kalino Latu
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The New Zealand Parliament was represented tonight during the fourth memorial service held in remembrance of the Tongan Queen Mother’s passing.

Labour Party MP Jenny Lātū Salesa was one of the speakers during the service.

She told mourners she wished to represent a symbol of love and sympathy as a Member of New Zealand Parliament.

“I am here this evening to send lots of love from the only Tongan-born and Tongan speaking representative in the New Zealand Parliament, and especially from the Labour Party”, she said.

The Government was represented by the Minister of Pacific Peoples, Hon Alfred Ngaro.

MP Sua William Sio was also in attendance.

Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Princess Lātūfuipeka Mataʻaho Jr and some members of the royalty attended the service.

Salesa was at the memorial service as a member of Lord Veikune’s clan.

She told the thousands who gathered inside the church of the time when the Queen Mother’s sisters took on the role of the fahu during her own grandfather’s funeral.

After the three-hour memorial program in the church, mourners proceeded to the Lesieli Tonga Auditorium for refreshments.

The food was prepared by the families of Lord Veikune, Lord ‘Akau’ola and Faletau as well as by members of the Tuingapapai Free Wesleyan church.

Junior Fā wins debut American fight with third round knockout

By
Philip Cass
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New Zealand boxer Junior Fa has won his debut fight in the United States.

Fa defeated Keith Barr with a knockout in the third round of a scheduled six round fight.

Fa and Barr fought on the undercard to the Wilder-Washington bout in Birmingham, Alabama.

This makes 10 wins out of 10 fights for Fa.

Seven of those wins were knockout.

Fa fought under his new three year contract with WBC promoter Lou Dibella.

He knocked Barr down three times before the referee declared in his favour.

Fa told Newshub the work with his trainer Mike Schofield had helped his game.

He said he felt in superior physical shape.

“These days I’m switched on as soon as I get into the ring,” he said.

ESPN reported earlier this year that if he won in Alabama, Fa would return for fights in New Zealand in March and May.

The 27 year old boxer turned professional a year ago with a win against Richard Tutaki.

Although New Zealand born and raised, Fa has represented Tonga internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

The main points

  • New Zealand boxer Junior Fa has won his debut fight in the United States.
  • Fa defeated Keith Barr with a knockout in the third round of a scheduled six round fight.
  • Fa and Barr fought on the undercard to the Wilder- Washington bout in Alabama.
  • This makes 10 wins out of 10 fights for Fa.

For more information’ 

Junior Fa prepared for biggest fight of young career on Deontay Wilder Undercard

Heavyweight Fa looks forward to fight with undefeated American boxer

 

Flags lowered for 10 days, public holiday in honour of Queen Mother

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan flags outside government complexes and offices will be flown at half-mast for 10 days in honour of the Queen Mother, Halaevalu Mata’aho, who died Sunday 19.

The government has announced  that Wednesday, March 1 will be a public holiday as part of a show of national respect to a queen who had been a wife of one king, and mother of two monarchs.

This has been confirmed in a cabinet meeting yesterday (February 24) in Nuku’alofa.

Flags will fly at half-mast from Tuesday, February 28, until the 10 takipō taboo is over.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Pasifika Futures has sent a message of condolence over the loss of the Queen Mother.

“On behalf of our Chairman, Board of Directors and Staff, Pasifika Futures would like to express our deepest condolences to His Royal Highness, King Tupou VI, Princess Sālote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, their families and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga,” Pasifika Futures Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen said.

“I have had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty on numerous occasions and was inspired by her leadership and the example she set.

“She has served the Kingdom and the people of Tonga as a mother-head figure distinguished by her genuine compassion, personal humility, warmth and concern for the welfare of all Tongans in Tonga and wherever they are in the world.”

“Her Majesty will always be remembered for her spirited and cultural leadership, humbleness, elegance, generosity and a role model for us Tongan women. She has been an amazing woman.

“During this time of bereavement, our prayers are with the people of Tonga and the Royal family.

“May her legacy live on, and may her soul rest in eternal peace.”

The Queen Mother’s death has been reported around the world.

In the United States, Fox News reported that the Tongan community in Utah was mourning her.

The Queen Mother visited Utah several times. In 2011, she attended the dedication of the Tongan United Methodist Church in West Valley City.

Fox news reported that the Lavulo family, who were descendants of the Queen Mother, were collecting money and gifts to end to the Queen Mother’s family.

The main points

  • Tongan flags outside government complexes and offices will be flown at half-mast for 10 days in honour of the Queen Mother, Halaevalu Mta’aho, who died Sunday 19.
  • The government has that announced Wednesday, March 1 will be a public holiday as part of a show of national respect to a queen who had been a wife of one king, and mother of two monarchs.
  • This was been confirmed in a cabinet meeting yesterday (February 24) in Nuku’alofa.
  • Flags will fly at half-mast from Tuesday, February 28, until the 10 takipo taboo is over.

For more information

Passing of Tonga’s Queen Mother felt among Utah’s Tongan community

Tonga launches first Climate Change Trust Fund

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Tonga today launched Tonga’s first ever Climate Change Trust Fund.

The purpose of the Climate Change Trust Fund is to finance small, community-based climate adaptation and mitigation projects and fund the climate component of non-community- based projects.

The fund will also provide supplementary financial support to small scale community based, climate-related projects proposed by other organizations such as church groups, charities and non-government organizations.

The trust fund is part of the Tonga Climate Resilience Project financed by a $US19.25 million grant from the ADB Strategic Climate Fund. The Government of Tonga is contributing US$2.45 million to the initiative. The Climate Change Trust Fund accounts for $US5 million of the total project cost.

Siaosi Sovaleni, Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lu’isa Tu’i’afitu Malolo, Tonga’s Director of Climate Change, Feleti Fa’otusia, Climate Change Trust Fund Coordinator and Tatafu Moeaki, ADB Senior Country Coordination Officer participated in the event.

“The Climate Change Trust Fund will enhance capacity for nationwide climate actions in Tonga by providing a sustainable funding mechanism,” said Deputy Prime Minister Sovaleni at the launch. “Through the trust fund youth, women’s groups, church groups and others may contribute to strengthening Tonga’s climate resilience.”

“ADB is pleased to be able to support Government roll out its first climate trust fund to mainstream climate investments to include key vulnerable sectors to build a more resilient Tonga,” said Mr Moeaki at the launch.

The project aims to: Mainstream climate resilience into government planning and addresses country priorities focusing on the most vulnerable sectors and communities as well as strengthens the government’s and the community’s capacity to finance, develop, monitor and implement investments to improve ecosystem resilience and climate proof critical infrastructure.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

Vavaʻu way shines as Prince ‘Ulukālala’s kāinga prepares to feed mourners tonight

By
Kalino Latu
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The kāinga of Crown Prince ʻUlukālala Tupoutoʻa from Vava’u were preparing 4000 clamshell plastic bowls of food for refreshment tonight as part of the memorial service for the Queen Mother.

The death of the Queen had brought together the Tongan kāinga in Auckland according to their ha’a or  how they are linked to the royals in blood and duties.

Some of the ha’as were given the roles of preparing food to feed people who were tasked with keeping vigil around the Queen’s casket in ‘Atalanga.

This included feeding people who gathered in mourning at the memorial services organised for the Queen, which began last night at the Tuingapapai church.

Prince ‘Ulukalala’s ha’a, from his estates of Tu’anuku and his estates of ‘Utulau and Nomuka because of his Tupouto’a title, will be feeding the mourners tonight.

The Tu’anuku kāinga met on Tuesday with Princess Mataʻaho Jr as Prince ʻUlukalala was in Tonga.

Only six people turned up to the meeting and there were fears that the number would not be able to donate enough to feed the hundreds of mourners who could turn up to the memorial services.

But one of the attendees, Siosiua ʻUmulovo Toki, reminded the meeting “there was nothing big” for Vavaʻu.

“That’s the Vavaʻu way,” he said.

“We are a people with big heart and we always do our best in everything we do to make sure we do not lose or go down in the world”.

The meeting was attended by Prince ʻUlukālalaʻs immediate family, including the Toki, Tapueluelu and the Heletā lineages.

Sālote Heletā Lilo, who represented a newly committee established to look after the Prince’s Tu’anuku kainga in ‘Aotearoa, said people from other estates of the Crown Prince had donated money and food.

“The Prince’s kāinga from Nomuka donated 400 bowls”, Lilo said.

Kaniva News was at Lotofaleʻia Methodist Church this afternoon where the preparation of food took place.

About 30 people there were warm and happy while they were preparing and packing thousands of bowls ready for the reception tonight.

This evening will be the second night of the Queen’s public memorial service in Māngere.

The Queen Mother’s body will be returned to Tonga on a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules.

A spokesman for RNZAF Whenuapai in Auckland said about 20 mourners, including several members of the Tongan royalty are expected to accompany the casket from Whenuapai airfield.

The Hercules was expected to leave in the morning and arrive in Tonga in the early afternoon.

The Queen Mother will be taken to the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa for a public takipō in which the people will be allowed to pay their respects.

The main points

  • The kāinga of Crown Prince ʻUlukālala Tupoutoʻa from Vava’u were preparing 4000 bowls of food for refreshment tonight as part of the memorial service for the Queen Mother.
  • The death of the Queen had brought together the Tongan kainga in Auckland according to their links to the royals in blood and duties.
  • Some of the Ha’a were given the roles of preparing food to feed people who were tasked with keeping vigil around the Queen’s casket in ‘Atalanga.
  • This included feeding people who gathered in mourning at the memorial services organised for the Queen, which began last night at the Tuingapapai church.

PM tells Parliament to go ahead with VONC, but Speaker postpones it till Monday

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told members of Parliament this morning he wanted them to go ahead and vote on the long delayed motion of no confidence, but his request was rejected.

The Speaker, Lord Tu’ivakano, said he would postpone it until next Monday.

However, Hon. Pohiva said he wanted to leave Monday free as the government had a duty to welcome the Queen Mother’s body on Tuesday.

The Speaker said he had the constitutional power to postpone the vote of no confidence.

Hon. Pohiva’s response to the accusations contained in the motion of no confidence was read out this morning.

The Prime Minister’s statement referred to events the government believed were successfully implemented and to the national advantage.

These included the spending on King Tupou VI’s coronation in which the government only spent TP$3.6 million compared to about TP$9 million the former government spent on late King George V’s coronation.

Local media reports described the response as clear and straight forward.

The Parliamentary Privilege Committee censored Hon. Pohiva’s response and removed some statements they thought unrelated to the claims contained in the motion of no confidence.

These included parts of paragraphs six and nine.

The introduction was also removed, but the Deputy Prime Minister asked to read it to the House because it introduced the rest of Hon. Pohiva’s response.

The Speaker allowed it to be read.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told members of Parliament this morning he wanted them to go ahead and vote on the long delayed motion of no confidence, but his request was rejected.
  • The Speaker, Lord Tu’ivakano, said he would postpone it until next Monday.
  • However, Hon. Pohiva said he wanted to leave Monday free as the government had a duty to welcome the Queen Mother’s body on Tuesday.
  • The Speaker said he had the constitutional power to postpone the vote of no confidence.

For more information

Date error could make No Confidence motion unlawful as the House allow PM to respond

Queen Mother’s “human side” seen in hymn as hundreds remember her tonight

By
Kalino Latu
-

Oku ʻi lalo he ngataʻangá  ʻa e ongoongó ni he lea faka-Tongá

The Queen Mother of Tonga’s favourite hymn was revealed tonight as hundreds gathered in mourning to remember her in South Auckland.

It was the Free Wesleyan Church hymn 398 in which the lyrics were apparently written by late Dr James Egan Moulton in 1890s.

The hymn, known as “ʻOiau he ʻOfa ʻa e ʻOtua”,  was sung tonight during the memorial service.

It is now performed in two different tunes, one of which was composed by Samuel Stanley (1767 – 1822), while Arthur Henry Mann (1850 – 1930) composed the other version.

The first line of the hymn tells listeners, in Tongan, about the great love God has given to all human beings.

In the first verse it says that that love “leads and follows me in front and back and on the left and right sides”.

This photo was uploaded to Facebook by Nusifaifio Vave Pahulu who says the pianist is the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mataʻaho in a performance in Britain.

The second verse refers to Jesus as he is in agony on the cross and compares him to someone without a place to live. Having that in mind, no one can explain how great Jesus “looked after me”, the hymn goes.

The third verse refers to Jesus and how he came to the world and prepared places for his people to rest.

The Queen Mother was regarded not just as a very significant royal figure, but also a very humane person that cared for and loved her people.

She was well known for her passion about providing assistance to those with disabilities.

Her willingness to establish a facility in Tonga for people with disabilities in the early 1980s saw the Ālonga Centre became the largest charity organisation to provide assistance to Tongans suffering from the effects of blindness, disfigurement, paralysis and mental disorders.

The Queen Mother’s initiative allowed Tongans with disabilities to receive special treatment in the kingdom from staff who were employed to look after patients 24 hours a day.  A great deal of financial assistance for the programme was sourced from overseas donors.

The two-hour service this evening was attended by Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Princess Lātūfuipeka Angelika Mataʻaho Tukuʻaho,  Hon. Sālote Maumautaimi Tukuʻaho as well as the royals’ immediate family.

The Queen’s coffin is currently resting at ‘Atalanga until next week when it will be flown back to Tonga.

Queen  Mata’aho was a pianist and was very passionate about religious music.

Mourners were welcomed to the church by the Free Wesleyan Church president Dr ‘Ahio.

He asked that the people of Tonga pray for the royals at this time of sorrow.

About the hymn:

Dr Moulton, an English-born Missionary,  composed hundreds of hymns during his time in Tonga.

When creating new hymns he would either translate the original lyrics from English to Tongan, or he would couple borrowed English music together with Tongan lyrics of his own creation

It was not immediately clear how Dr Moulton composed the 398 hymn and why.

Police investigate “confidential” letter to China said to be written by Tongan PM

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Local police are now investigating a controversial letter published online which had allegedly linked Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to Chinese authority, amid strong denial from Chinese embassy and the Prime Minister’s Office.

This has been confirmed this afternoon in a statement from the Police Commissioner Steve Caldwald who said ““The matter is an issue of national security and I have directed that this matter be given urgent priority”.

Caldwald said an official complaint was received from the Office of the Prime Minister of Tonga on Tuesday 21 February 2017, concerning a „Letter‟ that was attributed to the Hon. Prime Minister circulated via the Nepituno Tonga Online News Website.

“As the matter is now under Investigation, no further information will be released at this point in time”, he said.

As Kaniva reported earlier this week, the Chinese Embassy in Tonga has described a letter purporting to be from Prime Minister ’Akilisi Pohiva  as “groundless and not true.”

And the Prime Minister’s office said the letter was clearly intended to denigrate the Prime Minister while he was facing a vote of no confidence motion that has been tabled in parliament.

The document was posted to Facebook and widely shared online and was published on the Nepituno website this afternoon.

Nepituno editor Dr Viliami Latu said he was handed the original letter from a “very reliable source” before he photocopied it and published.

He said the letter was “authentic” and he sought advice from a legal adviser before their publication.

He said he received a number of contacts after he published the letter and he was not the only one who received the letter including leading figures in the community.

The documented, dated January 9, purports to have been written by Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva to the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, Wang Xuejun, said the embassy had never received such a letter.

“We suspect that the letter is fabricated because there is no such an institution like Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China, and the Prime Minster of Tonga never visited Beijing.”

The letter

The document published by Nepituno reads:

“Thank you for the warm welcome in Beijing. l am writing this to you  to accentuate the important parts from the discussions that we had in China. There is a big problem in Tonga that is preventing us from transitioning into a democracy. Religion and its institutions are halting our country’s progress.

The church has too much  power and  the people  are too religious as a result. They listen to the church, the King and the monarchy,  who are  the “protectors” of  the  church. They hold  on  to outdated beliefs that only serve to hurt Tonga.

We have to create a plan to decrease the influence of religion. I cannot say this publicly, because the people and my constituents would tum against me. I am writing this to formulate a confidential 2-3 year plan with the goal of secularizing the country and eventually removing all power from the monarchy.

We must at the very least institute plans to erase all religious teachings in school, allow businesses to open on Sunday and crack down on religious leaders in the country. If we can accomplish this, then I have no doubt that we can transition into a fully democratic Tonga. We must also remove the nobility from power, as they only serve to increase the influence of the King.

Suffice to day, that this letter is to be treated with the utmost secrecy because we all know what is at  stake  here. I also would like to confirm from our previous talks your  help  with  scheduling treatment for my medical condition.”

The Prime Minister’s office said the Prime Minister had travelled to Singapore in January, but not continued to china as originally planned.

The Prime Minister did not write the letter and the document published by Nepituno was  fabricated, it said.

Fake news?

Has the curse of ‘fake news’ come to Tonga?

The document purporting to be from Hon. Pohiva is a strange piece of work.

It appears to be a clumsy and deliberate attempt to stir up resentment of the Chinese, insinuate that the Prime Minister is anti-religious and opposed to the monarchy.

It uses American spelling and phrases like “transition to democracy” that appear to have been borrowed from somebody else. In short, it simply doesn’t sound like the Prime Minister.

This totally contradicts the Prime Minister’s public statement on the role of the monarchy in Tonga’s new democratic society and his government’s demonstrable sensitivity to the opinion of the country’s religious leaders.

It is also written by somebody who thinks there is only one church in the kingdom – presumably their own.

The really questionable aspect is the throw-away reference to “my medical condition” at the end, as if the author wanted to throw in everything he could to stir up antipathy to Hon. Pohiva. Surely if  the Prime Minister was ill, he would specify whatever ailed him.

If this is fake news, then the next task for the media is to find out who wrote it and why.

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