Nuku'alofa Times Issue 167

Nuku‘alofa

Times

TARGET: 70% The Capital’s Community Newspaper - Publishing Facts That Matters

Tonga’s first FREE ONLINE NEWSPAPER since April 2015

Volume 6 Issue 167 Thursday 28th Octoberr 2021

W: www.nukualofatimes.to

E: iliesatora2012@gmail.com

FREE

>> PAG

or 74,147 people

That is the key to Tonga opening borders...PAGE 02 Dr Sione Latu

Health monitor What do women passengers at have to offer Tonga Tanoa in Parliament? >> PAGE 05

>> PAGE 03

Thursday 28th October 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

TARGET: 70% or 74,147 people

BY ILIESA TORA Nuku’alofa (Nuku’alofa Times): A total of 74,147 people or 70% of the total population will need to have received both shots of the COVID-9 vaccines now available in Tonga before the borders can be re-opened.

That is the key to Tonga opening borders for international flights and sea travel to low risk countries and others who have managed to contain or manage the virus.

If the target is not met then Tonga will have to continue with the lockdowns that is currently being done here.

That started in March 2020.

Up to this week, the Ministry of Health confirmed that only 35.1% of the total population of 105,924 people have received both shots

of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

That is around 37,178 people.

In a bid to improve on that the Ministry of Health is now targeting 13,738 teenagers who

will need to ba vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines before the precious vaccines expire in 28 days’ time.

There are 13,783 children aged 12-17 years old in Tonga eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

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Health teams are now working with schools around Tongatapu to get the students vaccinated.

That is for those in schools.

Those in that age group that are out of school will need to work with their parents.

Important call Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola, Chief Executive Officer for Health, says people must get vaccinated.

He has urged parents to get their children aged 12 to 17 to get the shots.

“It is important for parents to realise that the Pfizer vaccine has a shelf life of just about four weeks,” he said.

So children aged 12 to 17-year-old need to get their first dose of Pfizer before the third week of November 2021 or they will miss out.”

He said the second dose of Pfizer would be given in December 2021 only to those that had first doses.

It is an expensive vaccine that is hard to get.

At least 1,097 people aged 12-17 years old have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine since it arrived last week.

The Pfizer vaccine roll-out continues to secondary and middle schools on Tongatapu this week.

A vaccination team is in ‘Eua this week start Pfizer vaccination at schools there, before going to

other islands groups next week.

Dr Sione Latu, Head Doctor at the Department of Internal Medicine at Vaiola Hospital and the Royal Physician to His Majesty King Tupou VI, supports Dr ‘Akau’ola’s call.

“I am in full support of the target population of 18 and below to get their vaccinations,” he said on a video used to promote the vaccination program.

“The international borders can’t be closed forever. The hope is that if the vaccination rates are high enough that international travel is able to resume.

“I want to encourage the youths to get vaccinated to not only protect yourself but also society at large.”

Dr Latu has received the double dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine himself.

“A big reason why I got vaccinated is to protect myself and to reduce an outbreak of COVID-19 in Tonga,” he said.

“If a large portion of the people are vaccinated there will be less risk of an outbreak in Tonga.”

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that around 28 percent of Tonga’s population is not yet eligible for the vaccines.

These are mostly infants and children under-12.

The Ministry is also calling on those who have had their first dose

of the AstraZeneca vaccine but have not done their second shot to get that done as quickly as possible.

Tonga still free Tonga is one of only six countries in the world that Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Niue and Cook Islands are the Pacific countries that have no reported cases of COVID-19.

Other countries that are currently free of the virus are North Korea, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and Turkmenistan.

Around the globe, the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed more than 240 million cases and nearly 5 million deaths, thanks to spread of the delta variant.

Countries and territories are seeing record numbers of coronavirus cases, from Asia to Europe, from the United States to Brazil, new waves have worsened conditions than when the pandemic initially hit.

Recently there have been new cases in Auckland and parts of the North Island of New Zealand plus some parts of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Fiji has managed to raise its vaccination numbers and so managed the virus. Its borders will be opened on November 11 to international flights.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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LOCAL NEWS /OPINION

What do women have to offer Tonga in Parliament?

Sentiments that were also endorsed by Ms Likiliki, Ms Tohi and Ms Fonua.

But the question that the media asked, through Kele’a Radio’s Teisa Cokanasiga (nee Pohiva) is – what do women bring into Parliament?

Ms Katalina Tohi speaking at the Elections Media Training for local journalists at the House of Tonga on October 23, 2021. Ms Mele Amanaki is on the right. Photo: Nuku’alofa Times

Ms Ana Bing Fonua shares her thoughts at the Elections Media Training for local journalists on October 23, 2021. Photo: Nuku’alofa Times

Consultant Katria Mau Fatiaki speaking at the Elections Media Training for local journalists and sharing her experience working with communities. Photo: Nuku’alofa Times

By ILIESA TORA Nuku’alofa – (Nuku’alofa Times): There is general consensus amongst women advocates for more of their own in Parliament that Temporary Special Seats (TSS) must be considered by the next government.

Mele Amanaki, Lopolo Taunisila, Ofa Gutteinbeil Likiliki, Katalina Tohi and Ana Bing Fonua.

These are just some who believe that it is high time government moves on allocating special seats for women in Parliament.

They believe this will ensure there is gender equality in the House and

that Tonga gets to take on board views of women in their decision making – something they believe is missing at the moment.

While the 2020/2021 Parliament sessions had three female members – Akosita Lavulavu, Dr Amelia Tuipolotu and Losaline Ma’asi – the advocates believe the three were not able to have the desired impact on directing some of the decisions on legislations and laws made in the House.

Mrs Lavulavu (Akosita) did not complete the term because she was handed a jail term she is

now currently serving at the Huatolitoli Prison.

Dr Amelia was co-opted into Cabinet by the Prime Minister as per Constitution while Mrs Ma’asi remained outside of government, despite her experience in the agriculture sector.

Speaking as panelists at the PACMAS funded Elections Media Training held in Nuku’alofa last Saturday, Ms Amanaki said the way forward now is to get special temporary seats allocated for women in Parliament.

She believes that should be five at least – maybe covering the different islands of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the two Niuas.

“This has to be taken on board now so that women can get into the House first,” she said. “They should have that for two Parliamentary terms or three and then take that away once women have had the opportunity to serve in Parliament.

“That will also give people the opportunity to see women serving in Parliament. Once that is completed that temporary step can be removed and women can stand for the elections after that.”

Former Parliamentarian Ms Taunisila supported the idea and said that was the way to go now. It is an immediate step that can ensure that Tonga is able to meet its international commitments on gender equality across the board.

“That is critical at this time,” she added.

It is a question that many have asked and will ask.

What is it that women bring into Parliament that men do not already have?

Is the push for more women MPs being done solely because that is a commitment that government had committed to and needs to implement?

Is it because some women just want to ride on the bandwagon and get into Parliament to enjoy the perks and allowances?

Why does Tonga Parliament need women members?

It is a tough question that women will really need to ask themselves first and

also answer before they can answer their voters who are already asking the questions as well.

Ms Likiliki told the media training that women have their own way of dealing with issues and they will bring a different perspective to discussions in parliament.

Two surveys conducted in Tonga recently – one

by Ms Likiliki in 2016 and Tupou Tertiary Institute in 2020 – both strongly opposed women getting into Politics locally.

In fact both strongly suggested that a woman’s place is at home, as a mother, a wife and a support to her husband.

Not out in the forefront.

Not in Parliament.

The survey results, the women panelists believe, proves that local women are already disadvantaged even before they stand as candidates.

Another fact that the women now know is that

women voters go for male candidates more than they vote for women candidates.

It is a women thing and a mindset that will need to be repealed by them through their own way.

But whatever the problem is for women trying to get into being elected into Parliament, the questions till remains – what do they have to offer?

Even with the Special Temporary Seats – if that is given what then?

My advice would be for the women – if they are really serious about getting into Parliament – is to formalize themselves as a party or a movement, put together a manifesto that describes how you will all help Tonga develop, what you will offer as a difference and work on changing the mindsets of all female voters first.

Win that first – and the battle will be easier to claim!

Thursday 28th October 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

Disaster risk reduction simulation exercise with Australian Defense Force support N U K U ’ A L O FA (MEIDECC): The Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management,

E n v i r o n m e n t , Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC) in partnership with the

Tongan lawyers furious over Afeaki appointment

Lord Afeaki

Nuku’alofa (RNZI): A group of 15 lawyers in Tonga has written to King Tupou VI asking him to revoke the appointment of Lord Afeaki as the acting Lord Chief Justice.

The current Lord Chief Justice is Michael Whitten, who is on leave for four months.

Lord Afeaki – who is not a judge – is the chair of the judicial appointments panel which gave him the job.

RNZ Pacific correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, said the panel has broken with tradition.

“It is the first time that a group of lawyers, and they are comprised of some of the top lawyers

of Tonga. They also from the Tonga Law Society.

And 15 of them wrote this letter to the King objecting, asking him to revoke the appointment of Afeaki,” he said.

Moala said if a judge was away for some reason in the past, he or she would be replaced by another judge.

The lawyers blamed Lord Dalgety – another member of the panel – for orchestrating the appointment, which they say smacks of cronyism.

They said the judge next in line who should be made the acting Lord Chief Justice is Justice Laki Niu, who in 2018 was the first commoner to be appointed to the bench.

Australian Defense Force conducted a Longreach exercise 2021 in preparation for the upcoming Tropical Cyclone season on Thursday 21 October 2021.

The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) along with First Responders, Cluster representatives, included non-government and auxiliary organisations participated in a virtual exercise with Brisbane based ADF, counterparts to the His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF).

The activities focused on strengthening the existing disaster risk reduction focussed network, particularly during hazards and with the added complexity of the global pandemic, COVID19. It was an opportunity to further clarify roles and identify gaps to enable an effective and efficient coordinated emergency response to support our Tongan communities, and residents. It was also an opportunity to enhance response capacity to build the affected communities’ resilience and ensure that no one gets left behind, in times of a disaster.

The simulation exercise was delivered from Brisbane virtually with the Australian High Commissioner’s Defense Advisor providing support on the day.

The day was opened

by CEO of MEIDECC, Mr Paula Ma’u who encouraged all participants to share their input said “It is a good opportunity to test our preparedness and response plans, using technology that we have become more reliant

on due to COVID19 to also remind us of its availability and potential limitations.”

NEMO, the First

Responders, Cluster Representatives and MEIDECC continue to prepare for the upcoming Tropical Season and

encourage Tongans to start preparing family, community and environment to minimise risks this cyclone season.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

Health monitor passengers at Tanoa

Nuku’alofa – (Nuku’alofa Times): The Ministry of Health is monitoring the passengers repatriated from Christchurch in New Zealand on Wednesday after two positive COVID-19 cases were recorded in the city in the last 24 hours.

The passengers are currently quarantined at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa.

Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola confirmed to Nuku’alofa Times this morning that the passengers are being monitored in quarantine.

Asked if there is any risk to Tonga, he said there was none at this stage.

“Should be OK for us since all passengers are on quarantine and frontliners who worked last night had no direct contact with passengers,” Dr Siale said.

“And we will monitor these passengers closely while on quarantine and to make it even safer, our front-line team monitoring these passengers are also in quarantine too.”

There are around 300 passengers who were brought into Tonga yesterday on the repatriation flight.

That group is made up mainly of fruit pickers who were stuck in New Zealand.

Members of the Tonga Olympic squad who were stuck in New Zealand over the last two months were also on the flight.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Health authorities are still trying to determine the risk to Christchurch of two new community cases of Covid-19 there, and a snap lockdown is not being ruled out.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is expecting to receive a public health risk assessment on the cases today, which will allow a quick decision about a potential lockdown, possibly at today’s 1pm briefing.

The two cases are from the same household, are not vaccinated, and their use of the Covid-19 Tracer app has been low.

They have been in Christchurch for up to a week after one travelled back from Auckland.

They had a negative test

result prior to that travel as required but later tested positive.

At this stage, there are no other known household contacts for the pair.

Hipkins told Morning Report “The nature of their contacts in Christchurch will be established during the morning and then we’ll have a bit more information to share, but you know, these cases came in quite late last night.

“My understanding is that they’ve been unwell for a while so they could have been symptomatic and infectious for a period of time whilst back in Christchurch and so that’s one of the things that the contact tracers will be working on as a as a top priority this morning – to identify exactly what the nature of the potential exposure in Christchurch is.”

It was not yet clear how many locations of interest

there might be.

“As of last night that identified one other household so far that the person had had contact with … but we’ll know more within the next few hours, hopefully.”

The impact of their low use of the Covid Tracer app “ultimately would depend on exactly how much they’ve been out in the community, you know if they’ve been unwell, they may well have been staying at home for much of that period of time.

“If they have had a significant amount of

movement within the community, and then the fact that they haven’t kept records does make that more challenging because human nature is everybody will forget things.”

The pair seemed to be cooperating with authorities so far, he said.

There was not enough information available yet to make a call on a snap lockdown, Hipkins said.

“We will know by later in the morning this morning what we’re dealing with in Christchurch. At this point we’re still just waiting to get more information there… I’m expecting to receive the public health risk assessment on these particular cases later on this morning, and that will allow us to make it speedy decision about anything any follow up that’s required in Christchurch.

“I couldn’t make a judgement at this point as to what follow up will will be required.”

According to Canterbury

DHB figures, 89 percent of people in the region have received their first dose and 68 percent are fully vaccinated.

Hipkins said that was good.

“Once you get up to those sorts of rates, that does start to have an impact on the spread of the virus.”

But the cases illustrated why there were still restrictions in the South Island, he said.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the two Delta cases were the wake-up call her city was dreading and hoped a snap lockdown would not be needed.

Dalziel told Morning Report it was disappointing the pair were not scanning QR codes and were unvaccinated.

Seeing the damage one case caused in Auckland, people needed to be extremely vigilant, she said. She wanted tougher border requirements for people leaving locked down regions.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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EDITORIAL

Nuku’alofa Times Cartoon Pacific nations can’t be left behind at COP26 IT is COP time again.

While those attending the COP26 in Scotland will be lesser than the usual numbers, the event is touted as the “most important” to date.

World leaders who made a commitment in Paris some years back are going to be checking in on how things have progressed.

Especially those of our leaders from the Pasifika and the Big Ocean Sovereign States (BOSS).

Tonga is no exception.

The call for 1.5% continues to sound louder every day.

The need to have more funding to put in place adaptation programs increases daily.

And as we await miracles to happen we are facing losing our villages, our farmlands, our fisheries, our burial grounds, our livelihood – out here in the Pacific.

Now the Australia National University in Canberra has stated that experts warn Pacific nations are at risk of being left behind in global climate negotiations if they aren’t a focus of the upcoming COP26 summit.

The United Nations COP26 UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

Dr Siobhan McDonnell, Dr Ian Fry and Sala Dr George Carter will attend the crucial climate talks. They will argue Pacific Island nations must have a strong voice during the conference after previously having had their desire for a carbon market blocked by bigger countries.

Dr Virginia Marshall will also attend as a delegate of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation Australia and the UN Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Platform.

Dr McDonnell, a senior lecturer at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, said all governments must work harder to ensure the urgency of the climate situation facing all Pacific Island nations is heard at COP26. She also negotiated for Vanuatu on loss and damage at COP25, and will be supporting the Fiji delegation on loss and damage this year.

“There’s an urgency around Pacific island countries; this is not just an issue of adaptation. There are issues of material and nonmaterial loss and damage caused by the impact of climate change that are tangible and real,” Dr McDonnell said.

Senior lecturer at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society Dr Ian Fry has been attending the COP conferences since 1997 when the Kyoto Protocol was completed.

Dr Fry said his focus is on finalising the rules for carbon markets for least developed countries (LDCs) under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

“At the last COP in Madrid, we got very close to a final decision that would implement the carbon market, but Brazil blocked an outcome. Since then, we have been having many online informal negotiating sessions to resolve some of the outstanding issues,” he said.

Director of the ANU Pacific Institute and Research Fellow at the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, Dr George Carter said the urgency of negotiations for Pacific island nations at COP26 is nothing new, given that representatives have been lobbying for climate action since 1990.

“The signs are detrimental and there is an existential threat to the livelihoods, the security and the well-being of Pacific people.

The future is far less viable for many Pacific islands, especially people in low coral atoll nations.

“Pacific Small Island Developing States and like-minded, multi-actor coalitions are at the forefront of making sure the current negotiations for the Paris Agreement uphold environmental integrity.”

We can not be left behind!!

Monday November 8th 2021 – Trial Day for School at Home in Preparation for COVID-19

Nuku‘alofa

Times The NUKU’ALOFA TIMES is published once a week for Tonga by NUKU’ALOFA TIMES MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu KINGDOM OF TONGA Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: ILIESA TORA EMail: iliesatora2012@gmail.com Phone: (+676) 864-2633 Associate Editor: ALFRED TORA EMail: alfredtora@rocketmail.com Production: TEVITA SILIVA

EMail: silvergreen8@gmail.com Phone: +676 7745984 Correspondences in Tonga, The Region and the World

N u k u ’ a l o f a (MEIDECC): The Minister for Education and Training, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku had approved that on Monday 8 November 2021, the Ministry of Education and Training will conduct a Lockdown Trial of the various modes of accessible learning delivery for our students, should a school closure occur due to COVID-19.

The 8th of November is a Public Holiday and it will be a perfect simulation of

a total lockdown where parents and guardians will be at home to assist and support their children with their studies.

The Trial will involve students of both government and nongovernment schools from Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Class 1- 6 in Primary Schools and Class 7 & 8 (Form 1 & 2) in the Middle Schools in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Haʻapai, Vavaʻu, Niuatoputapu and Niuafoʻou.

Every student in these levels will be provided with printed study materials for the day’s lessons and the schedules (Timetable) for the radio broadcasting of those lessons through the Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s Television Tonga and the AM radio (A3Z).

The lessons and video resources are available in the Ministry’s Hama e-Learning Platform (HeLP): https://tonga. inclusivlearningplatform. com, this can be accessed

through the internet at any time during the trial.

After the Trial Program, parents are requested to complete the Survey Form provided and we would appreciate it very much if your child could return the completed form to her/ his teacher at school on the following day. Your feedback is important for us to assess what needs to be improved in our methods of delivery and the quality of the learning resources being prepared for students.

The Tonga Accelerated and Resilience Program (TARP) is funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supported by the Save the Children Australia (Grant Agent) and DFAT (Co-ordinating Agent).

The main purpose of the program is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 or natural disaster on Tonga’s education systems with a strong focus on distance and flexible learning.

Information regarding the Trial will be sent to schools; each school will notify you of the details.

Your full support and participation in this Trial Day of learning at home is most appreciated.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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OPINION COLUMN

Psychological Safety in Pasifika Organizations

Alfred Tuikoro Tora is Associate Editor of the Nuku’alofa Times. He currently lives and studies in Utah, United States of America. The opinion column is his and not of the Nuku’alofa Times. He will be a regular contributor to the Nuku’alofa Times.

by ALFRED TORA Utah (Nuku’alofa Times): Having a work environment where employees are engaged, consuming knowledge faster, being innovative with processes, and with an increase in workplace productivity would certainly be a dream for most managers and HR professionals.

Well it doesn’t have to be.

In a Pasifika organization that encourages Psychology Safety, that dream workplace could actually become reality!

We dove into what psychological safety was and its importance to teams in the previous post so please check that out first so that you can have a grasp on the concept before proceeding.

This article will focus on 4 simple things that leaders can do to boost psychological safety in their organizations and teams.

FYI when I mean leaders I don’t mean managers and executives. Anyone can and should take leadership in this!

Be Genuinely Concerned This seems like a nobrainer and everyone should definitely be doing this already!

The importance of this aspect has increased in a time when most of the workforce is currently working from home where the interactions between personal and professional issues become commonplace.

We sometimes think that showing concern is a sign of weakness. Pasifika is predominantly a masculine culture and emotional intelligence has been a tough concept for men to work on but having the ability to understand when a member is undergoing personal struggles allows us to connect meaningfully

beyond work.

Share Realistic Expectations and Commitments The overarching theme here is genuinity and trust!

You need to communicate your expectations for the team and outline what commitments each member will have to meet for those expectations to be met. It has to be realistic in that it can be obtained within that time frame. It has to be accurate in that the short-term goals are aligned with the long-term goals because nothing kills motivation faster than a plan that’s constantly being changed unilaterally.

Another important aspect of this is that you need members to buy into the vision! Once everyone is invested in a vision, they will be more willing to keep to the expectations that you have set with them - keywords here being “with them”.

Changes? Explain Them!

Like I said previously, nothing kills motivation faster than a plan that’s changed without explanation!

In business change is constant, there’s no denying that. What leaders

need to do is explain what those changes are and how it affects the plans that are currently being undertaken. Being secretive has never been the best solution to these situations!

Get ahead of the inevitable reactions that occur in these circumstances. It is human nature to fear the unknown and people take it differently - some people are adaptable and some shut down or become aggressive.

Sharing precise and accurate information soothes these emotions in ways that other approaches cannot.

Extreme Ownership Begins with YOU! These strategies began with being genuine and so it is only right to end with that as well. For these approaches to work, people need to trust that you are going to be there for them. As is human nature, it is scary when you are faced with the prospect of failure!

Our biggest worry as leaders is to lose credibility in the eyes of our companions. It is ingrained in us through our culture that leaders should have all the answers and cannot make mistakes.

That is far from the truth!

You can help lessen those fears by admitting your mistakes and shortcomings

while also encouraging those around you treat failure as lessons learnt.

Once they understand that

you own your failings they will follow suit and the rest will be history.

Pasifika workplaces have so much potential for growth and competitiveness both within the region and internationally. The key to that is its people!

Creating an environment where they are

comfortable mentally allows them to tap into their potential. These four strategies can be used by leaders within the teams and organizations to create such an environment.

Psychological Safety is an important concept that would do Pasifika organizations good to have.

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Thursday 28th October 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

Tonga Pavilion hosts New Zealand’s Commissioner General Nuku’alofa (Nuku’alofa Times): The Tonga Pavilion received high praise from the New Zealand CommissionerGeneral, Clayton Kimpton this week at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

This followed a visit made to the Pavilion

by Mr Kimpton on Wednesday, October 20.

Mr Kimpton was greeted by the Tonga Pavilion staff and given a walkthrough by Pavilion Director, Mr Tele Faletau.

A statement from the Tonga Pavilion team said Mr Kimpton admired the work put into the displays at the pavilion.

“During the walk through

he expressed admiration for the interactive systems and focus on children and instilling responsibility for the environment while also showcasing the untouched beauty of Tonga as a potential tourist hotspot for nature and water lovers,” the statement said.

“It was a real pleasure to visit the Tonga Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. I was deeply impressed with the creative design of the space and how informative the exhibition was on such key environmental issues. I am sure that children will love the pavilion, but there’s also a lot for adults to discover and learn. And it made me want to visit Tonga again,”

Mr Kimpton told Tonga Pavilion staff.

He relayed his warm congratulations to the Tonga team for a job well done and extended an invitation for a visit to the New Zealand pavilion.

Mr Tele Faletau said that “it was an honour and a great pleasure to welcome one of our closest neighbour and Pacific leader, New Zealand and the whole of the Tonga Expo team would be visitng the New Zealand pavilion soon”.

The Expo 2020 will end in the middle of 2022.

New Zealand Commissioner-General, Mr. Clayton Kimpton with Tonga Pavilion Director Mr Tele Faletau inside the pavilion. Photo: SUPPLIED

Inter Cluster Coordination Meeting, Cyclone Season Preparedness

N u k u ’ a l o f a (MEIDECC): The first Inter Cluster coordination meeting to prepare for the Tropical Cyclone season 2021-22 was held on 20th October 2021. This disaster preparedness activity enabled all Cluster Leads to provide an update on their preparedness plans and activities for the upcoming season.

MEIDECC CEO Mr Paula Pouvalu Ma’u as Chair for the Inter Cluster Coordination Committee emphasised the important role of Clusters and how this approach to disaster risk management is included in the new Disaster Risk Management Bill 2021, currently awaiting Royal Assent

by His Majesty. CEO highlighted the importance of coordination to avoid duplication of effort and use of limited resources wisely.

The meeting was attended by all Cluster Lead Agencies[i] who shared their preparedness plans and activities for this cyclone season.

Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) also attended to present the cyclone outlook for the 2020/2021 season. This outlook is available on the Tonga MET website.

Noting that TMS advised that it is a La Nina year which means higher rainfall than average and potential for flooding.

As such this reconfirms NEMO’s emphasis on preparedness to minimise negative impacts on communities especially the vulnerable population.

Further preparedness activities are scheduled with the Clusters meeting in early November to conduct desktop simulation exercises that will be facilitated by

NEMO and to review lessons learnt from previous cyclones. These half day exercises will also test the Clusters Standard Operating Procedures with the complexity of COVID19, with the Government of Tonga remaining focused on keeping Tonga safe and protected and COVID19 free.

NEMO will also conduct preparedness for response training, based on the new Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) guidelines recently developed, with the technical advice through the New Zealand Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and in consultation with the Clusters.

These disaster preparedness activities will support NEMO’s effort to building resilient communities to hazards.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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REGIONAL NEWS

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 09

Digicel Pacific: Australia’s Telstra buys Pacific firm ‘to block China’

Melbourne (BBC): The Australian government and telecoms giant Telstra are buying a Pacific telecoms company in a joint venture.

The move is being viewed as a political block to China’s influence in the region.

Telstra called the A$2.1bn ($1.6bn; £1.2bn) deal a “unique and very attractive commercial opportunity to boost our presence in the region”.

Digicel Pacific employs 1,700 people across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tahiti.

The company’s future has been the focus of speculation for months.

Last year Digicel denied a report that it was in talks to sell its Pacific arm to state-owned China Mobile.

According to Telstra, the Australian government approached it “to provide technical advice in relation to Digicel Pacific” which is “critical to telecommunications in the region”.

The government then agreed to finance the bulk of the bid, Telstra said.

Strategic move

Analysts say the company would otherwise be attractive to China as it seeks to assert greater authority in the region.

“Digicel is the primary player in the Pacific and Australia sees it as a strategic asset that they can’t allow to fall into the hands of China,” said Jonathan Pryke of the Lowy Institute, a Sydneybased think tank.

“They are keen to get Australian business back into the Pacific and they’ve come to the realisation that they are going to have to underwrite.”

A spokesman for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told newswire Reuters: “Partnering on infrastructure development is a key part of our Pacific step-up.”

Amid escalating tensions with China, Australia has ramped up its presence in the Pacific.

This includes allocating $1.5bn to investment in infrastructure projects in the region as well as joining the Quad group, with the US, India and Japan, and the Aukus security pact, with the US and UK. It also largely funded a

4,700km (2,900-mile) Coral Sea cable in 2018 to prevent Chinese telecoms company Huawei Technologies from laying it.

It is also now helping to finance an undersea optic fibre cable for Palau.

Chinese control of telecommunications networks has long been a concern for Washington and its allies.

This has led many countries to ban Huawei and other Chinese companies from supplying phone lines and 5G networks, including the US, UK and Australia.

PM calls for unity

WW2 bomb in Solomons kills two, injures two others Honiara (RNZ): A bomb blast in Honiara in Solomon Islands has killed a father and his son and left other members of his family severely injured.

The father died during the blast at around 7pm last night and his son two hours later at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports the man’s wife and another son, sustained serious injuries from the blast and are fighting for their lives at the hospital.

The blast also caused deafness in two other men.

The family members

were sitting by a fire beside their house when the bomb, a remnant from World War Two, suddenly exploded from beneath the fire, killed the father instantly.

Earlier this month a 300 kilogramme bomb was safely removed from under another house in Honiara. Local police

told media that the owner of the dwelling had found the massive bomb while digging a hole to replace old floor posts.

On that occasion the bomb, thought to have been dropped by US forces during World War Two, was safely removed by the police explosive ordnance disposal team.

Suva (FBCNEWS): Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is urging every Fijian to work in a united manner as we try and get our country back on track.

Speaking during Radio Fiji One’s Na I Lalakai programme, Bainimarama highlighted the

government is doing all it can to help affected Fijians.

He says he does not care about those who continue to criticize the government and its efforts.

Bainimarama adds these individuals will hinder Fiji’s recovery efforts as we continue to work for the best for our nation and its people.

He adds the government continues to fight against COVID-19 and is also strategizing programmes that will help those who will need assistance post COVID. With the slow easing of the COVID-19 restrictions, the government through its various Ministries visited developments done so far to help Fijians in these trying times.

The government through various Ministries has visited water projects being undertaken in Naimasimasi and Nameka villages in Tailevu, visited the new Baulevu School, and held meetings to help the safe re-opening of our international borders.

Thursday 28th October 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 10

REGIONAL NEWS

Human cost of the Pacific’s COVID-19 recession

by Dane Moores, Jonathon Gurry

Extent of COVID-19 impacts on livelihoods in the past fortnight (2020)

Dane Moores

Jonathon Gurry

Canberra (Devpolicy): The socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 are devastating communities in the Pacific and TimorLeste as much as the virus itself, and sometimes to an even greater extent.

World Vision surveyed 752 households (with an average of six people per household) in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu in late 2020 to better understand the secondary impacts of the pandemic at the community level. The sample size was relatively small (because the survey was done in an emergency context under government restrictions), but still the results provide a valuable insight into the deep and sometimes unexpected knock-on effects of COVID-19 in the region.

Unsurprisingly, loss of livelihoods was the number one concern for the households surveyed. Almost 60% of respondents had either lost their job, lost income, or resorted to alternative sources of income due to the economic impacts of the pandemic.

The top five reasons cited by households for this loss of income were reduced demand for goods/services (29%), closed markets (20%), lack of access to livelihood inputs such as seeds and materials (18%), movement restrictions (15%), and transport limitations (10%).

These disruptions are crippling the same industries that are the traditional drivers of Pacific economies – tourism, agriculture, small- and medium-sized

business and money sent home by seasonal workers. Street vendors and farmers have been the hardest hit, with 56% of vendors and 55% of agriculture and livestock workers saying their work was fully or severely affected by the pandemic in the two weeks before the survey.

Source: World Vision Report Pacific Aftershocks This data is consistent with concerns raised by the Lowy Institute that the Pacific has been particularly battered by the economic fallout of COVID-19 and that it could face a potential ‘lost decade’ of economic progress as a result.

On current projections, average income per person in the Pacific will not recover to 2019 levels until 2028 unless a multiyear recovery package is urgently adopted.

Loss of livelihoods isn’t just affecting consumer activity; it is having significant ripple effects across Pacific societies.

The ‘Pacific Aftershocks’ survey revealed the cruel choices families are forced to make as their incomes collapse, with households resorting to selling assets and even skipping meals to cope: • Only half of households surveyed were able to fully meet their food expenses, with one in four (24%) skipping meals or eating cheaper meals since COVID-19 • More than half (51.7%) of households have drawn down on savings to cope with loss of income • 5% of households

had sold productive assets such as livestock or equipment • 14% of households have sent their children to work to help make up for lost income • 14% have engaged family members in begging or high-risk jobs With tourism expected to be one of the last sectors to recover from the pandemic, there is a real risk that the Pacific could face its own version of ‘long COVID’ – a protracted, slow climb back to economic normality over the next decade, during which the socio-economic impacts above could become a type of ‘new normal.’ But

this doesn’t have to be the case.

In the short-term (during the next six months), work is needed to urgently scale up social protection measures (such as cash and voucher assistance and, where this is not possible, food assistance) to help poor families with disrupted incomes meet their immediate needs.

In many contexts across the Pacific region, assistance in the form of cash and vouchers minimises the distortion to markets while ensuring families do not resort to negative coping mechanisms such as eating less or forcing their children to work.

To build back better in the

medium and longer-term (the next one to five years), a suite of initiatives should be deployed to stimulate the Pacific economy and rebuild livelihoods. This could include improving access to finance for small businesses, strengthening market systems so they work better for the poor, investing in women’s economic empowerment, and restoring environments through low-cost regenerative agriculture.

As a mechanism to coordinate and drive this work, it is recommended all national and donor governments in the Pacific region, including Australia, work together to develop an Economic

Recovery Compact – a roadmap to rebuild the regional economy in a way that leaves no one behind.

By rebuilding livelihoods, starting at the bottom of the economic pyramid, donor and national governments can increase productive capacity, broaden the consumer base, and build resilience across the market system, all while supporting those who need it most.

Just as regional governments worked together to establish the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19, the region should again coalesce around the longer-term recovery effort – because a regional crisis like this requires a regional response.

Women selling coconut and bottle gourd in Intoap, PNG (P. Mathur/Bioversity International/Flickr)

Thursday 28th October 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 11

YOUTH

MORAL STORY OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK’S TOP 10 SONGS

The Four Smart Students

Your Homemade Milkshake Formula One night four college students were out partying late night and didn’t study for the test which was scheduled for the next day. In the morning, they thought of a plan.

They made themselves look dirty with grease and dirt.

Then they went to the Dean and said they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their way back the tire of their car burst and they had to push the car all the way back. So they were in no condition to take the test.

The Dean thought for a minute and said they can have the re-test after 3 days. They thanked him and said they will be ready by that time.

On the third day, they appeared before the Dean.

The Dean said that as this was a Special Condition Test, all four were required to sit in separate classrooms for the test. They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last 3 days.

The Test consisted of only 2 questions with the total of 100 Points: 1) Your Name? __________ (1 Points) 2) Which tire burst? __________ (99 Points) Options – (a) Front Left (b) Front Right (c) Back Left (d) Back Right

1.Easy On Me – Adele 2.Industrial Baby – Lil Nas 3.Stay – The Kid Laroi 4.Knife Talk – Drake 5.Heat Waves – Glass Animals 6.Way 2 Sexy – Drake 7.Need to Know – Doja Cat 8.Bubbly – Young Thug 9.Good 4 U – Olivia R 10.Meet Me At Our Spot – The Anxiety

THIS WEEK’S TOP 10 MOVIES 1. Dune 2. Halloween Kills 3. No Time To Die 4. Venom 5. Ron’s Gone Wrong 6. Addams Family 2 7. The Last Duel 8. Shang-Chi 9. French Dispatch 10. Honsla Rakth

boxofficemojo.com

open.spotify.com

You only need two ingredients to make a great milkshake: ice cream and milk. One pint of ice cream will make two milkshakes. Stick to plain flavors that don’t have mix-ins. You’ll need 2/3 cup milk, which is enough to get things moving but doesn’t overwhelm the ice cream flavor.

Whole milk makes the creamiest milkshakes, but work with what you’ve got!

From there, consider upgrading and customizing your milkshake with the following ingredients: 1 tablespoon flavor boosts: A spoonful of malted milk powder or powdered milk adds extra creaminess that takes milkshakes to the next level. You can also add chocolate syrup or vanilla syrup, or even strawberry jam. If adding an extract, like vanilla, only use 1 teaspoon.

1/2 cup mix-ins: This includes crunchy bits like cookies, candies, or nuts.

Toppings: For a classic diner-style shake, crown the top of the milkshakes with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Or, have fun with chocolate syrup by drizzling it down the sides of the glasses before you pour the milkshake in.

Moral of the story: Take responsibility or you will learn your lesson.

S

Milkshake Combos * Mocha Almond Fudge: Coffee ice cream + chocolate sauce + almonds * Strawberry Pie: Strawberry ice cream + strawberry jam + shortbread cookies * Vanilla Oreo: Vanilla bean ice cream + vanilla extract + Oreo cookies * Malted Chocolate Crunch: Chocolate ice cream + malted milk powder + malted milk balls

Youth Weekly Horoscope ARIES (21Mar-19Apr)

Prioritize calm so you can manage the storm LIBRA (23Sep-22Oct)

Know your value

TAURUS (20Apr-20May)

It’s almost your turn SCORPIO (23Oct-21Nov)

Time to blossom

GEMINI (21May-21Jun)

CANCER (22Jun-22Jul)

LEO (23Jul-22Aug)

VIRGO (23Aug-22Sep)

Ambiguity is your advantage

Lighten up

Seek resources

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

SAGITTARIUS (22Nov-21Dec)

CAPRICORN (22Dec-19Jan)

AQUARIUS 20Jan-18Feb)

Another round?

You’re out of the woods

You can handle this

PISCES (19Feb-20Mar)

Your knowledge is a gift

Thursday 28th October 2021

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ENTERTAINMENT

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 12

Britney Spears says her family hurt her “deeper than you’ll ever know”

Mississippi (CBSNEWS): Britney Spears is sharing her frustrations with her fans. The songstress took to Instagram on Monday to call out some members of her family for “hurting” her with their behavior.

“Don’t you find it weird when you jump through hoops to organize trips or set up lunch dates with people you love only to know they’ll bail on you or leave after 10 minutes,” Spears wrote, without sharing any specifics.

“It’s humiliating and it’s like every person I’ve ever opened to immediately says they’ll be gone on a trip for two weeks after ... OK I get it ... they’re only available to me when it’s convenient for them ... well I’m no longer available to any of them now,” she continued.

“I don’t mind being alone

... and actually I’m tired of being this understanding Mother Teresa ... if you’re rude to me then I’m done ... peace out ✌🏼 !!!”

Spears’ continued in her message, shared alongside a photo of her minitypewriter and some pink roses, “This message is to my family ... for hurting me deeper than you’ll ever know !!!”

“I know the conservatorship is about to be over but I still want justice !!!” she concluded.

“I’m only 5’4” and I’ve played the bigger person my entire life ... do you know how hard that is ???”

While Britney’s conservatorship has not yet been fully terminated, after hearing from both the singer and Jamie’s lawyers at a court hearing in September, Judge Brenda Penny agreed

to suspend her father, Jamie Spears, as the conservator of her estate. Jamie’s official removal will be decided at a later hearing. The judge appointed Certified Public

Accountant John Zabel as the temporary replacement until the petition to terminate Britney’s conservatorship is heard on Nov. 12.

inhospitable desert planet valued for its hallucinogenic “spice,” the novel follows the journey of young Paul Atreides (Chalamet) whose family has been tasked with overseeing the planet -- taking the place of their rivals, the Harkonnens. The story features everything from spaceships and extraterrestrial life forms

called sandworms to themes revolving around betrayal, politics and religion.

The world established in “Dune” and its sequels is full of layers, many of which have been difficult to translate to the big screen.

Here’s a look back at previous adaptations and why audiences today may be likely to appreciate Villeneuve’s adaptation.

Hollywood keeps retelling ‘Dune’

Hollywood (CNN): After a number of pandemicinduced delays, the latest movie adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 scifi classic novel “Dune” is landing in theaters and on HBO Max this weekend. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, with its stars including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Oscar Isaac, the film is among this year’s most highly anticipated

releases. (“Dune” studio Warner Bros., HBO Max and CNN are all part of WarnerMedia.)

But the movie is not the first onscreen adaptation of the novel -- a muchmaligned film came out in 1984, while a TV miniseries followed nearly two decades later. Even so, the source material has long been considered nearly impossible to adapt.

Set on Arrakis, an

How Many Times A Day Does The Rock Actually Eat?

Michael Jordan’s 1984 Nike Air Ship trainers sold for $1.42m

New York (SKYNEWS): A pair of trainers worn by basketball superstar Michael Jordan at the beginning of his career have sold for a record-breaking $1.42m in Las Vegas.

The white and red Nike Air Ship shoes were worn by Jordan in his fifth game for the Chicago Bulls during his rookie season in 1984. It was in this year that the athlete and sports brand formed their famous partnership, creating signature shoes and clothing.

Hollywood (CINEMABLEND): Dwayne Johnson is the biggest movie star in the world. That’s not to say that he’s the most famous movie star in the world, though there’s an argument to be made.

Rather, he’s quite possibly the physically largest movie star in the world. The man is absolutely huge, and just how he has achieved and maintained his impressive physique is something a lot of people are curious about. If you want to build a body like The Rock you’ll need to eat quite a lot and do it quite often.

In a new video for Vanity Fair, Dwayne Johnson is asked a wide variety of questions on a variety of topics, but several of them surround his fitness regimen. At one point he’s asked how many meals he eats in a day. Turns out, it’s a lot. Johnson says...

“Well, I eat roughly five to six meals a day.”

Thursday 28th October 2021

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SPORTS / ADVERTISEMENT

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 13

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 14

SPORTS

Leigh Centurions line up move Local swimmers achieve new for Tonga international halfback England (MSN): Leigh Centurions are lining up a move for international halfback Ata Hingano.

Rugby League Live understands Hingano has been identified as a target for 2022 as part of the squad assembling task taking place at Leigh Sports Village.

He is a free agent following his release from Salford Red Devils and is now believed to be in advanced talks with the club. A deal is thought to be all but finalised.

Hingano, a key component in the Tonga side that reached the 2017 World Cup semi-final, arrived at Salford midway through the year but the Red Devils made the decision not to activate an extension in his contract.

national records

But the 24-year-old is keen on a stay in the UK and a move to Leigh now appears all but certain.

If Leigh can help him recapture his best form, he could play a significant

role in their quest to earn promotion next season.

He made his debut as a teenager for New Zealand Warriors and earned a move to Canberra Raiders in 2018, but his career

has stagnated since and ended up playing in the Queensland Cup for Mackay Cutters before securing a move to Super League with the Red Devils.

Sitaleki Akauola joins Salford on two-year contract

Nuku’alofa, (Nuku’alofa Times): Tonga can be proud of the achievements of two local swimming reps who have set new national swim records this past week.

Finau Ohuafi and Charissa Panuve, two national reps in the sport, set new national records in the 25m pool competition at the TSA–AIMG Time Trials in Bangkok, Thailand on October 22 – 24.

Finau set three new records in freestyle and one in butterfly events while Charisa set two new records in freestyle events.

The two are on a swimming scholarship at the FINA Thanyapura Phuket Training Centre in Thailand.

Tonga Swimming President, Suliana Afu said the duo are developing their swimming skills.

She said Tonga Swimming is lucky to have the two exposed at the high level facility and also be part of competitions that would help them get better.

“Finau has been on a FINA Scholarship from 2019 until January 2021 in Thailand and an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship from 2019 until August 2021,” Suliana said.

She added that Charissa is on a FINA scholarship for one year.

The new national records set by both swimmers in the Short Course 25M Pool competition are: Finau Ohuafi

Sitaleki Akauola (left) celebrates scoring a try for Warrington Wolves

Salford( SKYSPORTS): The 29-year-old prop has been with Warrington Wolves since 2019; Akauola: “I’m really looking forward to playing for Salford. It’s a club with passion and ambition”; Akauola becomes the sixth new recruit for Salford.

Salford have announced the signing of Warrington’s Tonga forward Sitaleki Akauola on a two-year

deal.

The 29-year-old prop started his professional career in the NRL for West Tigers and also played for Penrith, before moving to the UK in 2019 to join the Wolves.

Red Devils director of rugby and operations Ian Blease said: “Sita wanted to come to Salford to show what a quality player he really is and he

is a fantastic acquisition for the club, as we look to challenge at the top of Super League again.

“He adds size, strength, at hleticism and versatility to the pack and I look forward to seeing him rip it up in a Salford shirt.”

Akauola becomes the sixth recruit for Salford, who have yet to appoint a new coach for 2022, following the signings

of Brodie Croft, Shane Wright, Amir Bourouh, Ryan Brierley and King Vuniyayawa.

“I’m really looking forward to playing for Salford,” said Akauola.

“It’s a club with passion and ambition.

“It’ll be great to be playing in front of that Salford faithful, who I know are a massive part of Salford Red Devils.”

50 Freestyle – New National Record – 24.25 100 Freestyle – New National Record – 52.77 200 Freestyle – New National Record – 1.58.15 100 Butterfly – New National Record – 57.75 Charissa Panuve 400 Freestyle – New National Record – 5.11.72 800 Freestyle – New National Record – 11.18.70 Tonga Swimming will be hoping that the duo can continue their training for the Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Both regional and international meets are scheduled over the next two years.

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 15

SPORTS

Ex-All Black Charles Piutau tops rugby’s rich list England (NZ Herald): Former New Zealand representative Charles Piutau has once again topped a list of the world’s highest-paid rugby union players - one that includes just a single current All Black.

English website ruck. co.uk released their analysis of rugby’s biggest salary earners last week, revealing the current pay-gap between New Zealand-based players and those taking the field in Europe and Japan.

The website came to its final list after compiling “reports from Forbes, reputable news outlets and a variety of official sources to get us as close to the mark as possible.”

Crucially, the earnings listed for each player do not include income outside of listed club salaries such as bonuses and sponsorship and are before any tax is taken.

Regardless, it’s an eyeopening list with the top

seven earners all playing their rugby in Europe; while two ply their trade in Japan.

One of the latter is current All Blacks first five eighth Beauden Barrett who took up a sabbatical deal with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan’s Top League earlier this year. By doing so, Barrett became the league’s highest paid player.

Six of the top 10 play for southern hemisphere sides with South African players featuring most prominently.

Ruck.co.uk’s top 10 highest-paid rugby players 2021/22 9 = Owen Farrell (England/ Saracens) – $NZ1.44m 9 = Michael Hooper ( A u s t r a l i a / To y o t a Verblitz) – $NZ1.44m 7 = Beauden Barrett (New Zealand/Suntory Sungoliath) – $NZ1.5m 7 = Virimi Vakatawa (France/Racing 92) –

$NZ1.5m 6 = Maro Itoje (England/ Saracens) - $NZ1.54m 4 = Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa/Toulon) $NZ1.63m 4 = Finn Russell (Scotland/ Racing 92) - $NZ1.63m 3.

Eben Etzebeth (South Africa/Toulon) $NZ1.73m 1 = Charles Piutau (New Zealand/Bristol Bears) $NZ1.92m 1 = Handre Pollard (South Africa/Montpellier) $NZ1.92m

Salesi Tu’ipulotu “Charles” Piutau is a New Zealand rugby union player.

He plays in the fullback position for England club Bristol Bears in the Premiership, and formerly for New Zealand’s national team the All Blacks.

Position(s): Fullback, Wing, Centre

Kasivaki: Tonga’s ancient version of rugby

Nuku’alofa (RNZ): Rugby is described as one of the toughest sports on the field, but it’s nothing compared to how they used to play it back in Tonga.

Kasivaki is an ancient Tongan sport very similar to rugby, but it was played in the ocean, under the water and with a rock.

Tongan artist and practitioner, Milika Pusiaki, said it was a sport used to entertain the king and chiefs of the villages.

“It’s really an ancient Tongan sport that was purely used for entertainment, just to show off their skills and strengths and fighting stamina in the water,” she said.

“They would go down into the seabed and stand between two soft coral rocks with one team on the east and the other on the west... it’s like playing rugby under the water with a rock.”

Two teams of seven men

The “ball” used in the game of Kasivaki was a large, heavy stone, weighing around 35kgs.

Photo: Supplied

were selected to face-off in the underwater game with no reserves.

The aim was to score a ‘try’ at the opposite end of the bay, while keeping hold of a 35kg rock and fending off the opposing teams players.

It would often see men drown, leaving only the strongest and most skilled

men to play another round.

Pusiaki, a former tour guide for the Tongan National Cultural Centre said the most skilled warriors were gifted land or anointed special titles.

“There was a chief by the name of Tokemoana, and he was known as the most skilled warrior of the sport, and he would sit on

his thrown named Maka Ko Laupua, and he would watch the other Tongans compete against each other,” she explained.

“He would be anointed with a special title and was sometimes given a piece of land as a prize, but he was definitely elevated in terms of the title and the hierarchy of Tongan

society.”

It was an honor for men to play for the king, she added.

“They wouldn’t do it for their own gain, they would be delighted to see the chief or the king himself, that he’s enjoying what they are doing and that’s all that mattered to them.”

“At the end of the day they feel content knowing that their superior, the king, his majesty or even the noble is happy in watching the game.”

It is understood that his late Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou I prohibited Kasivaki as it caused the deaths of his subjects for the entertainment of chiefs.

There have however been more-modern attempts to revive the game, with the Japanese adopting the under water sport as “water rock rugby”.

“That’s exactly the version of Kasivaki that I heard from the elders, it’s exactly like that... it’s like

seeing what the ancestors did in the past,” she said.

Pusiaki said she’d like to see a more modern version revived in Tonga, to keep the history of the sport alive.

“It’s similar to Tau’olunga, the Tongan dance you know, nonTongans who are keen to learn more about another culture by taking part in our dances, why not our sports.”

“I think with the 35kg rock there would be trouble [to revive], that’s why they sink because it was too heavy.. but I think if it is to be revived, we should make something light and just do it above water.”

“Let’s do this as a Tonga original game but get our palagi brothers to try it for once, we always do it the western way, but we have our own traditional games that could be revived and elevated into a more professional style.”

Thursday 28th October 2021

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SPORTS

Hands off: Moana Pasifika’s plan to ‘capture’ young players for Samoa and Tonga

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 16

Nuku‘alofa

Times

SPORTS TELL US YOUR NEWS OR SPORTS EVENT AND WE WILL TELL EVERYONE ELSE EMail: iliesatora2012@gmail.com silvergreen8@gmail.com Phone: +676 864-2633 / +676 7745984

Fiji 7s legend Kolinisau inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame Pacific Rugby Players chairman Hale T-Pole has been instrumental in advancing Pasifika rugby in recent years.

Dunedin NZ (STUFF): in Aotearoa as part of frustrations...but I don’t Sevens or test sides – but Moana Pasifika and its New Zealand Rugby have a problem with it, for that pool is relatively small World Rugby are in game- licensing conditions. He now.” compared to the huge changing talks that would said the Fijian Drua had T-Pole is arguably the best- number of Pasifika players make the new Super Rugby lost “between 10 and 15 connected identity in the in the game. outfit the ‘capturing’ side players” due to delays in Pasifika rugby landscape.

However, World Rugby for the Samoa and Tonga getting their full licence, The Dunedin-based former – with Kiwi Joe Schmidt test teams, fending off believed Pasifika players Highlanders and Tonga involved – Moana potential raids from the All were initially wary about player is a conduit between Pasifika, and the Samoan Blacks and the Wallabies Moana Pasifika but were Pasifika players, agents, and Tongan unions want to for young players who being won over, and said national rugby unions, the expand that. come through their there had been some NZRPA, World Rugby, “Eventually, playing for pathway. “frustrations” to overcome Moana Pasifika and the Moana will be a capture Hale T-Pole, the about the signing of Fijian Drua. team for Tonga and Samoa, chairman of Pasifika Lincoln McClutchie, the It is a complex role but and the Drua [for Fiji],” players’ association Hawke’s Bay No 10 who an important one, with T-Pole said, revealing that Pacific Rugby Players, has isn’t eligible for Samoa or horror stories still doing commission-hungry agents outlined the plan in a wide- Tonga. the rounds about how had already pushed back ranging interview with “From the outside, not island players are exploited against it. “We want to look Stuff, outlining how Super getting involved in the and bullied, particularly in out for the best interests of Rugby Pacific is just the discussion process and Europe.

Fiji rugby, also. first step in a bigger plan getting that inside info, T-Pole also remains driven “Currently, Tonga and to advance Pasifika rugby you’ll be a bit p...ed off by improving the test Samoa and World Rugby – while acknowledging with that,” he said of performances of the island are working on other ways there are hurdles all long McClutchie’s signing. “I nations, and eligibility is to capture players.” the way. did get a few messages an enormous part of that “Not in a selfish way, T-Pole also revealed from Tonga and Samoa puzzle. but we’ve got to start that Moana Pasifika when that announcement At present, Samoa and something, to capture was prevented from come through, and I Tonga capture players players to build up our setting up an academy fully understand the by picking them for their depth.

Suva (RNZ): Fiji’s former Sevens captain, Osea Kolinisau, is to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

He led Fiji to the country’s first ever Olympic medal in Rio in 2016 as well as back to back World Sevens Series titles in 2015 and 2016.

Kolinisau made his international sevens debut in 2008 and captained Fiji from 2013 until 2017, appearing in a record 62 events for Fiji on the World Series.

One of his best performances came in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2013, where he stepped off the bench to score a hat-trick of tries and help Fiji secure a famous comeback win against Wales.

The 35 year-old carried Fiji’s flag at the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony and scored the first of his team’s seven tries in the gold medal match as they defeated Great Britain 43-7.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, demonstrating rugby’s character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect on and off the field.