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Auckland High Court imposes life sentence in Tongan-Language murder case 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Auckland High Court has sentenced Christopher Salt to life imprisonment for murder, with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years.  

Justice Michael Robinson recently delivered the sentence, aligning with the jury’s November verdict that rejected Salt’s claims of self-defense or manslaughter. 

Court proceedings revealed the alleged motive for the killing had been communicated to Salt in Tongan.  

During his trial, Salt’s defense team had argued alternatively for acquittal based on self-defense or conviction for the lesser charge of manslaughter.  

Both arguments were ultimately dismissed by jurors and now by the sentencing judge. 

The court was told Salt had delivered a punch to Matagi’s head inside a Mt Roskill bar before kicking his face and stomping on his head four times.   

He told a jury his intent that night was initially to serve as a peacemaker.  

Prosecutors called the explanation ridiculous – a clear contradiction, they said, to the high-quality, graphic CCTV footage of the attack that has been played for jurors repeatedly since Salt’s trial began last week, the New Zealand Herald reported.   

The footage showed Matagi never moved again of his own accord after the final head stomp, which was recorded at 10.56pm.   

It said: “While rifling through Matagi’s clothes, Salt removed his wallet, placing it in Matagi’s baseball cap along with his passport and phone before walking out of the room with the items.   

“He returned about four minutes later, going through Matagi’s pockets a second time before picking up the man’s darts scattered on the floor next to him and throwing them at the board one last time”.  

An ambulance wouldn’t be called for almost an hour and 40 minutes, after Matagi’s friends eventually found him and yelled to the barman for help.  

“Everything happened so fast, I just wanted to disarm him,” Salt told jurors, acknowledging that he found no gun.  

“I kicked him and I stomped him because I didn’t want him to shoot me,” Salt repeatedly claimed from the witness box in the High Court at Auckland over the past two days. “I was worried about the gun – nothing else.”  

Salt testified he had actually suggested a game of pool because his cousin, also in the smoking area, had told him in Tongan that he was about to give Matagi a beating. He said he didn’t know what had angered his cousin, who has since died so couldn’t give evidence of his own, but he thought it best to defuse the situation.  

Matangi was new to Auckland, having previously lived in Australia and Niue, when he went to  Richardson’s Bar and Restaurant for the first time with two workmates on the night of August 31 last year.   

He met Salt, a self-described regular at the bar, in the smoking area before footage showed the two going to the otherwise empty game room. 

Minister alleges $14m fishermen loan scheme diverted to elites; Bank calls claim ‘misleading’ 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Public Enterprises Minister Piveni Piukala has publicly alleged that a $14 million loan program, designed to empower low-income earners such as fishermen and weavers, failed to achieve its intended purpose.

PE Minister Piveni Piukala

The minister’s disclosure emerges amid a comprehensive government-wide review targeting all ministries, departments, and state boards.

Mr Piukala said in Tongan that the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) funds were allegedly “exhausted early after being mostly borrowed by elites” instead of aiding the poor, leaving many legitimate applicants empty-handed.  

Piukala cited cases where struggling families sought loans for basic needs, such as school fees, only to be told by the TDB that no money was available.  

However, TDB chief executive Emeline Tuita disputed the findings, calling them misleading and untrue. 

They could also “mislead the public and TDB customers”, Tuita told Kaniva News in Tongan.  

We also requested that she provide us with the bank’s loan policy, but she did not respond.  

The allegations come at a challenging time for the state-funded TDB, which was facing a court battle and confronting a wave of misinformation on social media that it claims is damaging its public image.   

Vote of no confidence revelations 

The government findings follow a motion of no confidence last year, which alleged that the TDB had violated the established loan limits for clients. 

The vote of no confidence against former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku also claimed that the bank’s financial status remains uncertain due to the inability of companies with government-guaranteed loans to fulfil their repayment obligations. 

‘Emeline Tuita, TDB CEO

The former Hu’akavameiliku administration was accused of legal violations due to its failure to present evidence of the loan guarantee to the House. It was also accused of failing to prevent the two banks, TDB and Tonga National Reserve Bank (TNRB), from entering into a legal dispute, which was awaiting a court decision. 

In his response, Hon Hu‘akavameiliku said in Tongan: “It is important to note that the two banks operate as separate legal entities that function independently from government decision-making processes”. 

He further said that the court would issue its final ruling on the matter, noting that this falls entirely within the judiciary’s authority—a realm beyond the government’s control. 

Tonga secures historic AUD$85M Australian Budget support for economic resilience

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Press release

Australia and Tonga have agreed to an AUD85 million (TOP125 million) budget support program over the next four years to support a stronger economy and national budget.

This is the largest investment in our partnership’s history. It builds on closer ties developed over recent years and is timely after last week’s National Development Summit. It helps answer the call for accelerated action to support Tonga’s development ambitions.

Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke acknowledged Tonga’s strong and growing bilateralrelationship with Australia.
“This new support is delivering the ambition we have for our relationship in the spirit of kaungame’a falala’anga.

It’s helping us to provide services and more opportunities to all Tongans across all islands, as well as implement reforms that will improve the efficiency of
our public administration.”
“Budget support allows us to be in the driver’s seat and maintain our sovereignty as we
navigate a path towards economic resilience.”

This announcement reflects the strategic trust in the bilateral partnership, including a shared commitment to Pacific-led approaches to regional prosperity and stability.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Brek Batley said that “Australia recognises that Tonga is on a difficult path to recover fully from the economic shocks of recent disasters while also managing significant debt repayments until 2029.”

“Our assistance will directly support Tonga’s leadership and national priorities. It reflects ourpartnership founded on mutual respect and a shared outlook on our region’s security.”

Funds will be provided on the basis of performance against jointly determined policy reformpriorities, including those identified in the Joint Policy Reform Matrix between the Tongan Government and development partners. It will support and be based on continued prudent
fiscal management by the Government of Tonga.

This funding builds on Australian direct financing to the Government of Tonga of more than AUD142 million since 2020 to stabilise the budget and support the Government to deliver new initiatives such as social infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy access. It is in
addition to Australia’s annual development budget to Tonga.

Police investigate after officer hospitalized in violent clash with driver near Tonga National University

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga Police have launched an investigation after a routine traffic stop near Tonga National University (TNU) turned violent, leaving an officer hospitalized.

As Kaniva News previously reported, the incident occurred last Friday morning when officers stopped an unregistered truck driven by a man allegedly not wearing a seatbelt and operating without a valid license.

Police now says in a statement that a traffc incident occurred while a checkpoint was conducted near TNU in Kolofo’ou involving Tonga Police officers and a member of the public.

It said a police officer stopped a vehicle due to a traffic violation where the driver was seen to have an unbuckled seatbelt.

Upon further inspecton, it was confirmed that the vehicle, a light rigid truck, was unregistered and the driver did not have a valid driver’s license.

When instructed to step out of the vehicle, the driver refused to do so on a number of occasions, and it will be alleged that the driver then initiated a physical altercation with the officer.

This resulted in a struggle taking place on the roadside and the driver was arrested.

The driver and one of the police officers were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Regrettably, the police officer has been assaulted in a separate incident, having been targeted by a member of the public following this incident”, it said.

“Tonga Police assure the public that a thorough police investigation is underway. We urge the public to remain calm and allow due process to take its course”.

Auckland Airport drug smuggler gets five year prison term after $5.3M ecstasy haul

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 29-year-old foreign national has been jailed for five years and nine months for smuggling approximately 25.7 kilograms of MDMA or ecstasy through Auckland International Airport last year.

Arriving in New Zealand on 13 March 2024, he was subject to questioning and a baggage search where Customs officers located 25 black vacuum-sealed packages containing the illicit substance.

As a result, he was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class B drug.

Customs Auckland Airport Manager Paul Williams said: “With every smuggler Customs catches and prosecutes, we are a sending a message that we will not tolerate unlawful behaviour.

In this instance alone, Customs officers prevented an estimated $5.3 million in social harm and cost to New Zealand.”

If you have suspicions about drug smuggling, call Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tongatapu driver sentenced to four and half years in prison for deadly reckless driving crash 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man has been convicted of reckless driving causing death and is sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment. 

Petelo Luka Kauvaka, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless driving causing death.  

The court heard that at around 7am on or about 6 June 2024, Kauvaka, the deceased, his wife and his father were travelling to work from Lavengatonga. The intention was to drop off the deceased’s wife at Veitongo before they continued to their workplace. They all worked for South Seas Constructions Ltd, located at the Weslyan Church residence on the Railway Road Kolofoóu. 

Kauvaka, the defendant, was driving, and the deceased was seated directly behind him. The deceased father was seated on the front passenger seat and the deceased’s wife was seated at the back behind her father-in-law. 

Kauvaka was driving at excessive speed. They overtook a vehicle at the intersection of the road from Lavengatonga and the road to the airport. The deceased’s wife whispered to her husband to ask the defendant to slow down. The deceased told her that was the usual speed they travelled at to work. His wife was scared and closed her eyes for most of the way. 

At the bush area between Pelehake and Malapo, they overtook another car and ended up on the grass to the right side of the road. Despite his attempts to get back onto the road, the defendant lost control of the car, swerving to the right side and hitting a coconut tree. The impact flipped the car landing on its left side. 

The defendant crawled out through his window and the deceased father followed after him. The deceased’s wife was stuck as she was seated on the left side of the car. Her husband, the deceased was on top of her. The deceased told her he could not move and his hands and feet were numb. 

Passersby were able to remove the deceased from the vehicle. Then they pushed the vehicle upright before the deceased’s wife could be rescued. The deceased was laid down on the grass. He expressed that his spinal cord may have been damaged and he was numb and could not feel his legs. 

The police arrived shortly after and transported the deceased to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and died on 8 June, 2024. Dr. Ísileli Tuípulotu reported the deceased’s cause of death as respiratory failure secondary to transection of the spinal cord injury where the phrenic nerve is located. 

The defendant was arrested and interviewed on 12 June, 2024. He told the police he was driving over 70kmph when he was overtaking the vehicle and was unable to control and bring the vehicle back onto the road causing the accident. 
He was married but has since separated from her wife. They had no children. He is currently in a de facto relationship and has a son with her. 
He is a member of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Lavengatonga and was spoken highly of for his good character and help in the community. He is said not to have ever caused any problem or disturbance at Lavengatonga. 

It was reported that the defendant had apologised to the family of the deceased and was accepted. He was described as remorseful and at low risk of re-offending. The officer made a note that the defendant lied about being married to his de facto and doubted his reliability. 

As a result, the probation officer recommended a partly suspended sentence on conditions. 

Sentencing, Justice Petunia Tupou convicted Kauvaka of reckless driving causing death and is sentenced to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment. 

The final two years of his sentence are suspended for three years from the Defendant’s release from prison on condition that during the said suspension period, he is to: 

Not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment; and 

    Report to the probation office within 48 hours of his release from prison and thereafter as required by his probation officer. 

      He was told that failure to comply with the said conditions may result in the suspension being rescinded, in which case, the Defendant will be required to complete the balance of his prison term. 

      “Subject to compliance with the above conditions and any remissions available under the Prison’s Act, the Defendant will be required to serve 2 years and 6 months in prison. 

      The defendant is disqualified from holding or applying for a driver’s licence for a period of 1 year from the date of his release from prison.”

      Wasted millions: $8.3M Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, Review finds 

      By
      Kalino Latu
      -

      A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. 

      King Tupou VI launches MV Tongiaki. Photo/Courtesy of Patimiosi Ngūngūtau

      The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni Piukala, reviewing government entities, including the shipping agency FISA, said he found out the vessel was no longer in operation. 

      He said it had been revealed that the catamaran had been transferred to Fokololo ‘o e Hau, where it is now being used to instruct sailing students in painting and vessel maintenance techniques. 

      During a recent summit in Nuku’alofa to discuss national development planning for the next 10 years, the Minister said a lot of money had been spent on the catamaran.

      He attributed the failure of this project to what he called selfish leadership.

      As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the Minister also revealed that the MV Niuvākai, purchased by FISA in 2014, was recently sold to a local buyer for just NZ$43,000. This follows the vessel’s original acquisition from the Ramanlal brothers for NZ$ 936,500 that, according to a New Zealand valuation report, was three times higher than its actual market value at the time. 

      MV Tongiaki 

      The high speed of the TOP$8.3 million aluminum catamaran was launched by King Tupou VI in January 2018 and was highly praised by outer islanders. 

      The government-funded vessel operated by FISA was said to be able to travel from Nuku’alofa to Nomuka, an island 108 kilometres away, in about two hours. 

      The twin-hull boat could take less than two hours before it reaches Pangai, Ha’apai which is 61 kilometres away from Nomuka. 

      The MV Tongiaki could take less than three hours before it would arrive in Neiafu, Vava’u from Pangai. 

      This means, the 33-metre catamaran which carries 200 passengers, could take less than 12 hours to travel from Nuku’alofa to Vava’u and return to Nuku’alofa the same day. 

      Stolen car crash kills Tongan bride-to-be, leaves California football star fiancé fighting for life

      By
      Kaniva Staff
      -

      A stolen vehicle crash in California has cut short the life of a young Tongan woman just months before her wedding, while leaving her fiancé—a former University of California football player—in critical condition.

      Vilamalia Polina Tuipulotu

      Vilamalia Polina Tuipulotu, 22, and her fiancé Beaux Tagaloa, 23, were on their way home from a party Sunday night when their SUV was struck by an armed suspect attempting to evade California Highway Patrol officers in a high-speed police chase.

      Her heartbroken family confirmed she was preparing for a summer marriage to Beaux Tagaloa, the injured ex-Cal athlete now fighting for survival in hospital.

      The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both Tongan and Bay Area communities, raising questions about police pursuit policies as investigators piece together the fatal collision.

      Tagaloa is hospitalized in critical condition after the pair were struck at 12.41am on Sunday.

      Tu’ipulotu passed away at the scene. 

      Her fiancé, former Cal football player, Beaux Tagaloa is in critical condition. 

      The accident started with a high speed pursuit on Highway 4 with California Highway Patrol chasing a stolen car. 

      “A suspect armed with a stolen handgun operating a stolen gray Infiniti sedan was observed to be traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour,” CHP said in a statement. 

      Officers caught up with suspect’s car as it exited the freeway. 

      They tried to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled on city streets ending with the crash. 

      The suspect survived and is also hospitalized. 

      A GoFundMe has raised over $38,000 so far to go toward funeral costs for Tu’ipulotu. Her family describes her as a beautiful person inside and out, and they say she was set to get married this summer. 

      Cal Athletics released a statement saying: “Our thoughts are with Beau and his loved ones during this difficult time.” 

      The Contra Costa County DA’s office is heading up the investigation into the accident with assistance from CHP and Pittsburg Police Department. 

      Warning of strong currents after 6.8 earthquake strikes off lower South Island

      By
      Kaniva Staff
      -

      By 1News Reporters

      A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked the lower South Island this afternoon.

      The quake struck at 2.43pm on Tuesday.
      The quake struck at 2.43pm on Tuesday. (Source: GeoNet)

      The quake struck at 2.43pm and was centred 155 km north-west of Snares Islands at a depth of 12km.

      It was assessed for tsunami risk by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and GNS Science.

      No risk was identified for land, but NEMA warned coastal areas would experience “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” at the shore.

      “Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.

      “People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.”

      The West Coast of the South Island from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point was “under threat”, NEMA said.

      “Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.”

      At the time of writing, close to 5000 people had reported the shaking to GeoNet’s website, where it was described as “moderate”.

      It was felt across the lower South Island, including Invercargill, Gore, Te Anau, Cromwell, Queenstown and Dunedin.

      One Invercargill resident said it was a “good shake”.

      “Made you sit up and take notice.”

      Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell told 1News he was being briefed about the quake.

      “An Emergency Mobile Alert has been issued for the bottom of the South Island. Evacuations are NOT required but there is potential danger near the shoreline. We are asking people to stay away from the beach and water. Strong and unusual currents may be experienced.”

      The Southland District Council said it had no immediate reports of damage.

      Why Tonga’s Lulutai debate points to one clear conclusion: Government should not run an airline   

      By
      Kalino Latu
      -

      COMMENTARY – The ongoing debate over Lulutai Airlines has sparked intense discussions across Tonga, with economists, aviation and tourisms experts weighing in on the government’s role in operating the national carrier.  

      Despite differing perspectives, one consensus has emerged: the government should not be in the business of running an airline.  

      From financial mismanagement to operational inefficiencies, the risks of state-run airlines far outweigh the benefits, and the evidence against such ventures is overwhelming.  

      Tonga has already witnessed this with the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines, which cost the government an estimated $30 million, but they never learned.  

      After this government-backed venture failed in 2004, numerous reports have consistently indicated that the Tongan government should never operate an airline. 

      Tourism Expert Semisi Taumoepeau  

      In a 2016 journal article, Tongan researcher and tourism expert Dr Sēmisi Taumoepeau observed that many Pacific Island airlines, including Tonga, struggled with financial sustainability, with several ultimately declaring bankruptcy. 

      Taumoepeau identified multiple structural challenges contributing to these failures: 

      • The region’s geographic remoteness and vast distances between islands and airfields 
      • Limited market size and low passenger volumes 
      • Exorbitant operational costs, particularly for aircraft leasing and maintenance 
      • Tonga’s restrictive policies, like the Sunday flight ban 
      • High airport fees and charges 
      • Consistently low passenger occupancy rates in relation to the available seating capacity.  
      • Airline routes that do not generate enough revenue to cover operational costs, making them financially unsustainable. 
      • Regional airlines are very sensitive to economic fluctuations and high oil prices.  

      Taumoepeau said most Pacific airlines pay major expenses such as aircraft leasing, spare parts, maintenance costs and fuel in the strong US currency, but their earnings are in very soft currencies in the region.  A direct result is a very low-profit margin for Pacific Airlines, he said.  

      IMF report  

      A 2021 report by the International Monetary Fund for Pacific Airlines is consistent with Tonga’s troubling airline situation.   

      IMF said financial losses and weak profitability have been long-standing concerns for several Pacific airlines.  

      It said governments have struggled to monitor and contain the risks from national airlines, reflecting inadequate governance frameworks, a lack of oversight capacity, and a lack of transparency from the airlines that undermine the ability to assess potential risks. 

      READ MORE:

      It also raises issues with transparency and accountability in running national carriers.  

      It also warned that transactions between the government and the national airline should be disclosed in the annual budget and quarterly budget reports.  

      Audited financial statements of the airlines need to be published more timely, it said.  

      Former Auditor General 

      Former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa was an auditor of the Royal Tongan Airlines before it was collapsed.  

      In an interview with Kaniva Tonga in 2020 before the Lulutai airlines was launched he recounted the millions loss in the Royal Tongan Airlines and in Real Tonga which was partnership with the government from 2013 – 2019.  

      Tu‘i‘onetoa told Kaniva News that, based on his experience studying the financial aspects of previous airlines, any new airline operating in Tonga would likely go bankrupt soon.

      Tonga repeats the same mistakes 

      Despite glaring warnings in both IMF reports, Taumoepeau’s analysis, and Tonga’s former Auditor General’s warning, Tongan officials have ignored these critical findings, perpetuating the same preventable crises. 

      The former Hu‘akavameiliku administration faced persistent criticism for Lulutai Airlines’ opaque financial management, particularly for failing to disclose its fiscal records. 

      During a recent press conference he called to address current government allegations about Lulutai’s finances, the former Prime Minister failed to present audited financial statements as evidence. While claiming the airline could repay its Retirement Fund loan, he provided no documentation to support this assertion. 

      The former Prime Minister’s claim that Lulutai was well-positioned to repay its loan is akin to claiming that an aircraft incurs no additional expenses beyond flying; it simply takes to the skies and generates enough revenue to cover the loan.

      Taumoepeau’s findings indicate that there are instances when the plane can’t fill all its seats, highlighting one of the challenges local airlines face in achieving financial viability. A recent example that underscores this issue was when the Lulutai Twin Otter returned from Ha’apai earlier this month carrying only one passenger, only to discover that the runway lights were not functioning.

      Drive by political ambitions

      Meanwhile, Public Enterprises Minister Piveni Piukala revealed that the Twin Otter aircraft purchased with the loan requires a major mechanical overhaul next month. Aviation experts estimate repair costs could exceed US$2 million. The Minister further revealed the government has poured approximately $40 million into Lulutai Airlines since its 2020 launch, warning that this entire investment, including the Twin Otter aircraft, is now essentially worthless due to persistent mechanical failures.

      The expert warnings are particularly critical for Tonga, as its democratic framework and constitution have demonstrated significant weaknesses. These structures are too fragile to support risky business ventures, exacerbating issues of non-transparency and a lack of accountability.

      It is evident that the Tongan government’s insistence on involvement with the airlines was primarily motivated by the political ambitions of individuals seeking personal gain and prestige, with blatant disregard for the financial burden placed on taxpayers.

      A striking example is former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, who, despite openly admitting that any domestic airlines was economically unviable and would “lead to bankruptcy,” proceeded with the establishment of Lulutai airlines solely to appease his Cabinet allies—particularly former Minister of Aviation Sāmiu Vaipulu, who championed the proposal. This decision appears to have been a transactional move to secure political support, notably from Vaipulu, who backed Tu’i’onetoa’s rise to the premiership.

      Tonga should take the advice of experts seriously and refrain from participating in the airline industry. It would be prudent to leave this sector to private enterprises such as Fly Niu airline, which had done it successfully before being forced out of the kingdom in 2004.

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