Nuku'alofa Times Issue 169

Nuku‘alofa

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Volume 6 Issue 169 Friday 19th November 2021

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E: iliesatora2012@gmail.com

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PEOPLE HAD THEIR SAY photo credit: Maxy Koloamatangi

>> PAGES 2 & 3

Friday 19th November 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

Nobles’ Representatives

Lord Vaea (TONGATAPU)

Lord Tu’ivakano (TONGATAPU)

Lord Fakafanua (HA’APAI]

Lord Fohe (TONGATAPU)

Lord Tu’i’afitu (VAVA’U]

Lord Nuku (‘EUA)

Lord Tu’ilakepa (VAVA’U]

Lord Tu’iha’angana (HA’APAI)

Lord Fotofili (NIUA]

Peoples’ Representatives Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa (Tongatapu 10)

Taniela Fushimalohi (‘Eua 11)

Tevita Puloka (Tongatapu 1)

Dr Uhilamoelangi Fasi (Tongatapu 2)

Siaosi Sovaleni (Tongatapu 3)

Vili Hingano (Ha’apai 12)

Veivosa Taka (Ha’apai 13)

Tatafu Moeaki (Tongatapu 4)

‘Aisake Eke (Tongatapu 5)

Poasi Tei (Tongatapu 6)

Dr Saia Piukala (Vava’u 14)

Samiu Vaipulu (Vava’u 15)

Sangster Saulala (Tongatapu 7)

Semisi Fakahau (Tongatapu 8)

Seventeen Toumo’ua (Tongatapu 9)

Dr Viliami Latu (Vava’u 16)

Vatau Hui (Niua 17)

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LOCAL NEWS

New faces, no women and disappointments

By ILIESA TORA

Nuku’alofa (Nuku’alofa Times): His Majesty King Tupou VI told the people of Tonga in two different messages during the year to vote responsibly.

Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita did the same more than once also in her public appearances, calling on the people of Tonga to be wise and elect the right people for Parliament.

The people responded through the ballots on November 18 and have voted in what many believe are people who can make a difference.

Five (5) new peoples’ reps were elected – with three reps returning to the House after losing earlier elections.

Only seven sitting members retained their seats.

Although there is disappointment amongst women folk that there is no female rep in the lineup, the general consensus is that the 17 elected are people who have proven records in serving their people.

New faces that have been elected are Tevita Puloka (Tongatapu 1), Dr Pingi Fasi (Tongatapu 2), Tatafu Moeaki (Tongatapu 4), Sevenitini Toumoua (Tongatapu 9) and Dr Taniela Fusimalohi (‘Eua).

Those who are returning to the House after some lapse are Dr Aisake Eke (Tongatapu 5), Sangster Saulala (Tongatapu 7) and Dr Viliame Latu (Vava’u 16).

Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said a total of 62,253 voters had registered to vote.

But only 62% voted.

Key defeats The results did not work in favour of the Democratic Party or PTOA. Internal bickering and differences between former Cabinet Minister Semisi Sika and Siaosi Pohiva, son of the late Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, proved to be a major negative for the party.

Fielding two separate lists of candidates worked against the party rather than for them.

“I think that was one of the major downfall of the PTOA was that they were not able to successfully solve their differences within the party and took it out to the public,” prominent sports administrator Takitoa Taumoepeau told me in a discussion this morning.

“People were fed up with the internal bickering and they decided to elect new people.”

Mr Pohiva lost his Tongatapu 1 seat to businessman Tevita Puloka while Mr Sika lost his Tongatapu 2 seat to Dr Pingi Fasi.

Researcher Ofa Gutteinbel Likiliki said that the late Mr Pohiva had dominated Tongatapu 1 for years.

She said that since the democratic reforms of 2010, the top result for Tongatapu 1 have been: 2010: ‘Akilisi POHIVA, 1,657 votes (62.5% of the total votes for TTP1) 2014: ‘Akilisi POHIVA, 1,482 votes (53.5% of the total votes for TTP1) 2017: ‘Akilisi POHIVA, 1,379 votes (50% of the total votes for TTP1) 2019: (by-election) Siaosi POHIVA, 1,160 VOTES (50.35 %) of the total votes for TTP1) That changed yesterday when Mr Puloka claimed 1,695 (68.44%) of the total votes for the constituency.

Former newspaper editor Mateni Tapueluelu, who held the Tongatapu 4 seat, was defeated by former Asia Development Bank Tonga manager Tatafu Moeaki in another surprise result.

Only three of their party members won their seats this time around.

They are Semisi Fakahau of Tongatapu 8, Veivosa Taka of Ha’apai 13 and Dr Saia Piukala of Vava’u 14.

No women A big disappointment for women is the fact there is no woman in the lineup.

All 12 candidates that stood were defeated in their own constituencies.

Prominent youth leader Elizabeth Kite posted her disappointment on Facebook.

“Official General Election results are out. Not a single female candidate successfully voted into Parliament. Quite disgraceful,” she said.

“Only chance for female participation now is if elected PM appoint token female member/s.

Not much to celebrate if half the country’s population is not represented in who governs us.”

The Director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre, Ms Ofa Guittenbel Likiliki said it was a foregone conclusion, as far as she was concerned, because research has shown that people still not accept women in politics.

Ms Likiliki said the only solution now for women pushing to have women reps in Parliament is to seek Temporary Seats.

Out of the 12 women who ran in 2021, she revealed the following:

• Out of a total of 38,500 votes, only 4,352 were cast for the 12 female candidates, that’s down from 14% of total votes in 2017 to 11.29% in 2021 • Losaline Ma’asi did not make it in for a second term. Only once in the history of parliament has a female candidate been elected for a second term; ‘Akosita Lavulavu (2016 by-election and 2017 snap election) • Losaline Ma’asi at the 2017 snap elections won 35% (1,034) of the total # of votes from her constituency TTP5. This decreased to 22.58% (614) in 2021 • Vika Fusimalohi took out 488 votes in the 2017 snap elections from her constituency Tongatapu 9.

This decreased to 344 in the 2021 general elections, a decrease of 144 votes • a total of 12 female candidates stood in the 2021 general elections - down by 3 from the total who stood in 2017 (15)

Votes cast While analyzing the results of the election and votes cast Mr Likiliki said there are mixed results showing.

Tongatapu 1 was the constituency with the most votes cast at the 2021 election with 2,900, compared to 2017 where the most votes cast was in the Tongatapu 3 constituency with 3,210 votes.

Her analysis shows the following results, for the constituency with the most vote cast to the 17th: • 1st Tongatapu 1: 2,900 votes (2,734 in 2017) • 2nd Tongatapu 6: 2,859 votes (2,927 in 2017) • 3rd Tongatapu 10: 2,857 votes (2,808 in 2017) • 4th Tongatapu 5: 2,719 votes (2,927 in 2017) • 5th Tongatapu 4: 2,573 votes (2,422 in 2017) • 6th Tongatapu 7: 2,551 votes (2,616 in 2017) • 7th Tongatapu 9: 2550 votes (2,618 in 2017) • 8th Tongatapu 3: 2,502 votes (3,210 in 2017) • 9th Tongatapu 8: 2,461 votes (2,526 in 2017) • 10th Vava’u 16: 2,356 votes (2,180 in 2017) • 11th ‘Eua 11: 2,142

votes (2,108 in 2017) • 12th: Vava’u 14: 2,091 votes (2,231 in 2017) • 13th Vava’u 15: 2,048 votes (2,121 in 2017) • 14th Tongatapu 2: 1,966 votes (2,136 in 2017) • 15th Ha’apai 13: 1,528 votes (1,594 in 2017) • 16th Ha’apai 12: 1,513 votes (1,598 in 2017) • 17th Ongo Niua: 934 votes (857 in 2017)

Members of Parliament Nobles had elected their reps earlier in the day on November 18.

Lord Vaea returns to Parliament after missing out in the last term.

Two new nobles’ reps were also elected – Lord Fohe and Prince Kalaunivalu Fotofili.

They are now joined by the 17 Peoples’ reps elected by the people.

The full list of the 26 Members of Parliament is: Peoples Reps TT1 - Tevita Puloka 1695 votes TT2 - Dr. Bing Fasi - 962 votes TT3 - Hon Huakavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni) - 2084 votes TT4 - Tatafu Moeaki 1237 TT5 - Dr. Aisake Eke -

958 votes TT6 - Poasi Tei - 1771 votes TT7 - Sangster Saulala 810 votes TT8 - Semisi Fakahau 1020 votes TT9 - Seventeen Toumoua - 828 votes TT10 - Pohiva Tuionetoa 1303 votes Eua 11 Taniela Fusimalohi - 1072 votes HP12 - Manuopangai Hingoa - 475 votes HP13 - Veivosa Taka - 731 votes VV14 - Saia Piukala 1010 votes VV15 - Samiu Vaipulu 747 VV16 - Dr Viliami Latu 1047 Niua 17 - Vatau Hui - 367 votes Nobles’ Reps Tongatapu: Lord Vaea Lord Tu’ivakanō Lord Fohe ‘Eua: Lord Nuku Ha’apai: Lord Tu’iha’angana Lord Fakafanua Vava’u: Lord Tu’iafitu Lord Tu’ilakepa Niua’s: Lord Fotofili

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LOCAL NEWS

Tonga recommits to low emissions and climate-resilient future for all

Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tuíónetoa (seated, second from the left) and stakeholders at the launch event

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Nuku’alofa (MEIDECC): Tonga’s Prime Minister, Honorable Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa launched the Tonga Low Emission Development Strategy 2021-2050 (Tonga LEDS) in a small function in the Prime Minister’s Office, Level 4 at the St. George Government Building, Nuku’alofa yesterday. Tonga LEDS was approved by Cabinet earlier in November 5th and was submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 10th,2021.

As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Tonga is one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change, while also being among the countries least responsible for the climate crisis. Yet Tonga has in many ways demonstrated leadership and commitment to climate actions since its ratification of the UNFCCC in 1998.

This not only includes the development of a suite of national and sectoral policies and plans but also the development and implementation of a myriad of climate change projects across the whole of Tonga.

The Tonga LEDS

serves as Tonga’s vision of, and pathway towards, a low emissions Tonga, where Tonga will pursue its social, economic and environmental agenda, while phasing out greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between now and 2050. While drawing on and aligning to key policies and plans in Tonga, the Tonga LEDS identifies actions that will simultaneously deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits for Tonga, contributing to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Additionally, the LEDS is Tonga’s contribution to the Paris Agreement and its goals to strengthen the global climate response to the threat of climate change. Further, the LEDS provides an opportunity for the Tongan government to coordinate strategically with development partners on the transformational investments needed to mitigate GHG emissions, adapt and build resilience to climate change.

The Tonga LEDS was developed through a process of facilitated strategic dialogue between Tongan stakeholders and supported by technical analysis of technologies,

sector strategies and pathway options. The inclusive and participatory nature of the LEDS process brought together representatives from government line ministries and public enterprises, nongovernment organizations and also the private sector to ‘talanga’ (interactive dialogue), built a shared understanding of the issues and options, and develop a shared vision for Tonga.

In the development of the Tonga LEDS, Tongan stakeholders also developed, revised and assessed near-term steps to take, to advance Tonga towards the overarching vision of the LEDS, ‘a low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create resilience, autonomy and self-reliance.’ These first steps in Chapter 4 of the LEDS will support the implementation of the Tonga LEDS and will require cross-sectoral measures to drive the identified climate actions across multiple sectors.

The Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC sincerely extends its gratitude to everyone that contributed to the development of the Tonga LEDS since 2019.

Friday 19th November 2021

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LOCAL NEWS

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Eastern Tongatapu won Tonga’s National Soroban Competition 2021

N u k u ’ a l o f a (MEIDECC): More than 300 primary school students participated in the National Soroban Competition 2021 at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, November 16 including students from Niuafo’ou who joined the competition for the first time.

The Eastern District Schools of Tongatapu won the overall competition while the Central District Schools attained second place and the Western District Schools placed third.

Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, H.E Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku reminded students that their soroban skills will help improve brain activities and strengthen their concentrations.

“All of you have won the local tournament, and today, we are here in the National tournament of soroban.”

“Please be minded. Your skills of soroban will surely become great assets for you in your life. You can make very difficult calculations by soroban, which your parents may not be able to do. And more than that, your brain has well being trained and developed by practicing soroban.”

“Soroban is a very good training for you. Today, we will have national winners as this is a tournament, there is a winner and others. But even if you cannot get prizes, don’t consider you are losers.

As I said earlier, you have already won, that’s why you are here today.”

Prizes were also awarded to top seven students of each category; the written, oral, flash and the relay for each level of Class 3, 4 and 5.

Tonga’s National Soroban Competition is a joint collaboration of the Embassy of Japan, Ministry of Education and Training, JICA Tonga Office, Japan International Soroban Diffusion Foundation and Tonga Soroban Education Association.

The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Rev. Pulonga ‘Iki and church leaders, government officials and guests.

National Soroban Competition Results 2021 Eastern District

Central District Western District Ha’apai Vava’u Teachers Taina Faupula / Central District Luseane Pakofe Hui / Western District Vahenga Fo’ou Po’uli / Eastern District

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EDITORIAL

Nuku’alofa Times Cartoon

People have spoken The message is loud clear.

People wanted change and they effected that though the polls on November 18.

And what a big change it has been.

Out went the old and in came the new.

Even the Nobles were on to it.

New faces have joined the People’s Reps side of the House.

Two in the Nobles ranks.

His Majesty King Tupou VI asked Tongans to choose wisely.

The media here joined the band wagon.

Fili Fakapotopoto.

Elect wisely.

Now there are more professionally qualified people in the House.

Yes there are no women.

But you have a good list of people who are professionals in their own right.

Now what Tonga wants to see is a government of national unity that will make things happen for Tonga and that will be beneficial to Tongans and Tonga.

People now know they can change the government anytime they use their right to vote.

Just look at the PTOA party and the fact that only 2 of their candidates won seats this time around.

Key party players like Semisi Sika, Siaosi Pohiva and Mateni Taputapuelu all got the kick out of the House.

What a shock it is to many. Yet the writing was on the wall from the day they started fighting amongst themselves and their dirt was thrown to the wind through the media.

People just said enough of the rubbish and voted otherwise.

Let us hope that the MPs will now decide to work for the good of Tonga.

Maybe a new Prime Minister is in the pipeline.

Kudos to PM Dr Rev Pohiva Tuioneto’a.

Hwoever, it might be time to hand over the baton to a younger, energetic and active MP who can take the lead role and guide Tonga through the next four years.

Siaosi Sovaleni is one such man. There are more than enough good men there too who can form a formidable government.

It is time to put Tonga first before anything else and make the best decisions that will ensure we are on the right track again.

Kudos to everyone for voting.

Now it is up to the MPs to make the effort worth it!

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

Tonga fulfills another commitment to the Paris Agreement

On November 11th 2021, the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, E n v i r o n m e n t , Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) on behalf of the Government of Tonga, submitted Tonga’s Low Emission Development Strategy 2021 – 2050 (LT-LEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This follows the approval of the LTLEDS by the Cabinet on the 5th of November 2021.

In accordance with Article 4, paragraph 19, countries

are invited to formulate and communicate a ‘longterm low greenhouse gas emission development strategy’ and to do so by 2020 but countries must determine what suits them best in terms of both content and process.

LT-LEDS, although not mandatory, provide the long-term horizon for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are 5-year cycle pledges to achieve the ambitious long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

As a party to the Paris Agreement, Tonga is committed to coordinating processes for its LT-LEDS and future NDCs, with the aim of creating alignment

between long- and shortterm actions.

Tonga’s Low Emission Development Strategy 2021 – 2050 (Tonga LEDS) presents a vision for 2050 of ‘A low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create resilience, autonomy & selfreliance.’ Tonga’s LEDS was developed through a series of facilitated strategic dialogues with key Tongan stakeholders from government line ministries, public enterprises, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), youth groups, faith-based organizations and companies from the private sector.

Despite Tonga’s negligible greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Tonga still willingly plays its part in reducing its domestic GHG emissions, supporting the longterm temperature goal of the Paris Agreement through Tonga’s LEDS and also through Tonga’s Second NDC, which was submitted to the UNFCCC in December 2020. Tonga’s submission of its LEDS during the 26th Conference of the

Parties to the UNFCCC or COP26, reaffirms Tonga’s commitment to accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. Prior to the submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat, Tonga’s LEDS was recently showcased during the Global Green Growth Week 2021 (25th – 27th October) by Ms. Akesiu Fifita from the Department of Climate Change, who presented during the Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development in the Pacific session.

At the virtual event, Ms. Fifita shared Tonga’s experiences and lessons learnt in developing its LEDS. The development of Tonga’s LEDS was kindly funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) with technical assistance and support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), ClimateWorks Australia and Relative Creative. The Department of Climate Change extends its gratitude to everyone that contributed to the development of Tonga’s LEDS.

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OPINION COLUMN

Why Pasifika Leaders Need Emotional Intelligence

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 We are passionate people!

We enjoy a good laugh which is loudest when it is at the expense of others.

We are competitive and, most especially in sports, we can become a little too aggressive. By default, we are voyagers at the mercy of our emotions which can be as unpredictable as the Pacific ocean that our Islands are anchored upon.

It is because of these reasons that I believe that Emotional Intelligence is a necessary tool to have if you want to succeed in business and in life.

So What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional Quotient (EQ) is usually defined as having the ability to understand and manage your emotions and the emotions of those around you. Studies have shown that EQ is just as important as IQ and is something that I believe we, as Pasifika, could work more on.

We’ve all had that older relative that asks awkward questions at the family reunion and gets everyone uncomfortable right? I’m sure we have friends that we describe as “ratchet” or having “no filter”. The ones we warn our other friends about before their first meet.

What we call ratchet is actually low EQ in action!

To continue with our “nofilter” friends example, they are usually upfront and brutally honest about the way they view the world. They lack any sense of subtlety or the ability to read the emotional situations.

It doesn’t mean they have low IQ though!

They can be extremely intelligent and still lack the necessary skills to understand restraint in tense moments or the right

emotions.

Though having someone like that as a friend is awesome and fun, teams don’t work well when their leader(s) demonstrate this characteristic.

EQ and Psychological Safety Studies have shown that teams with higher EQ are more likely to have an increased level of psychological safety.

This is because members feel understood and appreciated by leaders when they are treated more as people rather than employees.

You have likely experienced a time when you may have had a bad day that affected your work output. One of two things may have happened to you: One is that your boss understood that external issues were at play here and asked if everything was okay in your personal life. They would have been genuinely concerned and encouraged you to resolve that external issue and waved off your current downturn in performance.

OR... They did not understand why your performance dropped and threatened to penalize you without a thought to reasons this may have happened.

Which scenario would you have preferred and would you feel satisfied with the organization or not?

Emotional Control and Motivation You need high EQ to handle stressful situations by understanding the emotions that surround this point and figuring out how your emotions could affect it positively or negatively.

Charismatic leaders have an almost super powerlike ability to tap into the

prevalent emotion at the time, elevating it to higher levels or transforming that emotion into something else entirely.

Imagine you’re playing a close game against your biggest rivals and you’re losing at half the time. A great leader could change the mood and momentum of the team just by delivering a speech that is backed by the right kind of emotion.

In some situations she/he would have to use anger throughout that talk and other situations would call for a more compassionate approach that could be relatable by the team.

The bottom line is that having EQ allows you to evaluate the emotions that the majority of the team is feeling and being able to utilize those emotions to get the results that you want.

Interested Yet? I sincerely hope that you have been sold on the fact that EQ is an essential tool that you need in your bag to create a better team and organization. Do you think that more leaders in our societies could work on better developing this trait? Are you someone with a high EQ? How would you know what level of EQ you had?

We will dive even further in the next post where

we will discover the 5 attributes that make

up what EQ actually is and the necessity of

these attributes to better performing teams.

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LOCAL NEWS

Tsunami Day focused on being prepared

by TEVITA SILIVA

Nuku’alofa (Nuku’alofa Times): Tonga celebrated World Tsunami Day on November 12, with the focus on being prepared.

This was held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku’alofa, where Cabinet Minister and Acting Minister for Lands & Natural Disaster, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku spoke on the importance of getting prepared for the worst.

People at the event were told that by 2030, an estimated 50 per cent of the world’s population will live in coastal areas exposed to flooding, storms and tsunamis.

They were told that scaling up international cooperation to developing countries will help ensure that 100% of communities at risk of tsunami are

prepared for and resilient to tsunamis by 2030.

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.

Tsunamis are rare events but can be extremely deadly. In the past 100 years, 58 of them have claimed more than 260,000 lives, or an average of 4,600 per disaster, surpassing any other natural hazard.

The highest number of deaths in that period was in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. It caused an estimated 227,000 fatalities in 14 countries, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand hardesthit.

The Ministry of Lands

Queen Salote College quiz team won 1 prize (PHOTO: NUKU’ALOFA TIMES)

and Natural Resources promoted the awareness on Tsunami science, warning and mitigation at the event on November 12.

The morning sessions started with the Schools Quiz Competition where three schools participated. These were Queen Salote College, Ocean of Light and Tupou College.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and Hon. Poasi Tei, Minister for MEIDECC were the Guest of Honors at the afternoon session.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said the celebration was in line with the COP26 meeting in Scotland.

“Ther COP26 is in session with delegates and the multitude of deliberating and agreeing on actions to address the increasing complexities of global crisis, whether it be climate change or the COVID19 pandemic,” he said.

“What is obvious is that we must be better prepared.”

The theme this year is the promotion of awareness on tsunami science, warning and mitigation – the foundation of better preparedness.

As the focal Minister for UNESCO, Hon Hu’akavameiliku shared the message of the head

of the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms Mami Mizutori, saying that “‘in a major boost to international cooperation to developing countries and small island developing states, the UNESCO-IOC Assembly of UN member states has approved the establishment of the ocean decade tsunami programme which will contribute to the safe ocean outcome of the ocean decade by making 100% of communities at risk of tsunami, prepared and resilient by 2030”.

“Furthermore, science and international cooperation – as well as preparedness and early action – have been highlighted by the secretary general of the United Nations as fundamental to our efforts to save lives from tsunamis,” he said.

“At the national and community level, Tonga has strengthened its preparedness and early action – through the collaboration of key agencies such as the Tonga Meteorological Services, National Emergency Management Office and Tonga Geological Services and the whole of government and civil society associations.

“The national tsunami plan is regularly revised, updated and drills conducted. national

infrastructure and public utilities are strengthened so that communities to be resilient in the face of adversity. The construction of multipurpose community and evacuation halls throughout Tonga contributes to the tsunami evacuation planning.”

Last month, His Majesty’s Cabinet endorsed Tonga’s first multi hazard disaster risk assessment report and this was highlighted at COP26 through the Asian Development Bank and the Pacific Regional Resilience hub.

Amongst the natural disasters covered in this report is tsunami and the impact on infrastructure and developments in affected areas.

“The report provides both Tonga and investors with the information to ensure that we plan with lower risk, ensure both long term security of our assets and most importantly, the safety and protection of our people. by identifying risks we have a new way of looking at when, and where to plan future assets and ensuring the sustainable development of the Kingdom,” he added.

The opening prayer was led by Fr. Langilua Kivalu followed by Ms Rosamond Ping’s (CEO – Ministry of Lands and & Natural Resources) who gave the welcome speech.

Prizes for the Tsunami Awareness Competition and Poster Draw were: POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS English Category Fredrick Kautoke – $300 Katiola Penisoni – $200 Zara Laurence Tupou – $100 Tonga Category Harriet Bourke – $300 Auhia Vaitaki – $200 Azenui Uatahausi and Tevita Penisoni – $100 SPEECH COMPETITION WINNERS English Category Likamoana Kautoke – $500 Heinakau Kaufusi – $300 Fakatoko Fifita- $200 Tongan Category Martin Paki’otalaha Vea – $500 Soakimi Ngaluola – $300 Filimone Matakaiongo – $200 TSUNAMI MODEL WINNERS ‘Api Fo’ou College – $1000 Tailulu College – $800 Tupou College Toloa – $600 POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS Queen Salote College – $1500 Ocean of Light – $1000 Tupou College Toloa – $900

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REGIONAL NEWS

Fiji eases restrictions further

Suva (RNZ): Health authorities in Fiji say once the country achieves 90 percent vaccination rate, Covid-19 restrictions will be eased further.

These include the current curfew hours of 11pm4am which are expected to be slightly eased to start at midnight.

The Health Ministry said on Monday 97 percent of the adult population (599,423) had received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 89.6 percent (553,943) were fully vaccinated.

For children aged 1517, 33,467 of them had received their first dose while 23,858 had both jabs.

“We had expected to fully vaccinate 90 percent of the eligible adult population in Fiji by November 13.

Pending confirmation of the 90 percent threshold, the curfew hours were to move to midnight to 4am from Sunday November 14,” Health Secretary Dr James Fong said.

“Unfortunately, logistical issues posed challenges in vaccinating the remaining 10 percent of vaccineeligible adults. We will continue our vaccination efforts and review the data mid-week. Curfew hours will remain from 11pm to 4am.”

On November 11, the Fijian government removed restrictions on

night businesses and large scale events, making way for nightclubs to operate for the first time in eight months.

Brandon Diriba is Head Bartender at the O’Reilly’s Bar, an Irish company which operates Fiji’s biggest chain of liquor shops, night-clubs, pubs and restaurants.

The company opened to 200 guests last weekend and Diriba says only fully vaccinated patrons are being allowed in.

“We thought we were going to be quiet tonight, but the outcome was pretty good,” Diriba said.

“Our occupancy is 240,” Diriba said. “But we had about close to 200 and that was with strict Covid protocols.

“We went with that (the protocols) and the customers understood what was at risk, and they helped us.

“It was pretty tough and pretty challenging. No one expected what happened, but now you see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s so good to see the staff back at work again, earning money.”

A few metres up on the same stretch in the heart of the capital Suva, is the brand new Opium Bar which was scheduled to open in April - on the week that a breach at a quarantine facility let the delta variant of Covid

back into Fiji.

The owners had set up shop in the capital following the downturn in the Nadi economy, hoping to benefit from the Suva economy which had continued to operate after the travel industry shut Nadi down.

Julius Salato, the Head Bartender at Opium, said they turned to their landlord, Bank of South Pacific, for rent relief when the crisis worsened.

“It felt great just to see familiar faces, new faces, and getting back to some sort of normalcy into our lives after months of being in lockdown. It took almost a year to get this project up and running,” Salato said.

“We were planning to

open in April. And then the second wave of Covid entered our shores, then everything had to be put on hold. We were still paying rent but we were fortunate that our landlord, BSP was helping us with rent.

expecting 80,000 visitors in December and January.

“It felt good just to get back to work, start making some money and just serving the people making them happy.

Because we know a lot of people have been in lockdown for so long.

And it’s good to see them smiling again. Everyone came out tonight.”

Fiji reopens its borders to tourists from December 1 and Tourism Fiji is

Wearing Fiji, a fashion project supported by Tourism Fiji, staged its first major event since being not allowed for almost two years.

Tourism Fiji’s chief executive Brent Hill said the Care Fiji Commitment programme, an intersecretarial commitment designed by the government to make the country tourist ready, expects about 40,000 Australians to fly to Fiji once holidaymakers are allowed in.

“Slowly, but surely, we’re continuing to relax some of those restrictions.

extend to five farms to ensure guaranteed supply of goat milk to meet growing demands.

“The goat milk sourced for MeSovu will engage local goat farmers and virgin coconut oil producers as main suppliers, which will mean keeping Fijian communities employed and, given the opportunity, to generate income and safeguard an important niche resource.”

The product is the creation of MeSovu (Fiji) Pte Ltd, managed and owned by Nadi businesswoman Beatrice

Nast.

Mr Koya said Ms Nast’s recent success had created opportunities for other women.

“This is the time to look for opportunities.

Opportunities that can fill untapped markets and demands and I am thankful to Beatrice and her team for embarking upon MeSovu.

“This is an excellent time for Fijian companies to recover, revive and reawaken their commitment towards creating new products.”

Mr Koya added such products enhanced the Fijian Made brand and what it represented.

Fiji’s first goat milk soap product launched

Me Sovu Director Beatrice Nast gives a token of appreciation to Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya during the soft launch of the Fiji’s First Goat Milk soap in Martintar Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Nadi (FIJITIMES): Fiji’s first goat milk soap – a new product that will create a pathway for niche skincare rituals and “high-end” emptors in the spa industry — was launched in Nadi on Monday.

Minister for Trade Faiyaz Koya, while officiating at

the launch, said the product was manufactured out of local organic ingredients.

“I am told, consumer preferences remain preferred towards natural and organic products, which are well-timed to today’s release of MeSovu, a product which will, in

the coming days, retail in souvenir shops and be without match in high-end resorts as an alternative to coconut soaps,” he said.

MeSovu (Fiji) Pte Ltd will employ two soapmakers in January next year and is supplied goat milk from three farms, which will

And I think that the way that it’s been done in Fiji is really well planned and executed. And, you know, we’re not opening too much altogether, we’re just doing it slowly, by keeping everybody safe.

“That’s the main thing, you know, we want to be in a position where everyone gets to enjoy themselves, but we can still do it safely. So it’s incredibly exciting to think that events wil be happening back again, like Wearing Fiji. And that’s the kind of thing that tourism Fiji want to get behind.

“I think that it’s a really important part of the whole process is, we really want everybody to benefit from, what is looking like, 35,000 to 40,000 tourists a month coming in December and, and that number again in January.

“So, from that perspective, we want all of the businesses not just, resorts to benefit. So, from that perspective, I think, as we continue to meet all of our vaccination targets, and know that we can, safely reopen, according to our protocols, I think it’s incredibly exciting.

“I know that that’s what tourists are looking for, when they come to Fiji, they want the full breadth of experience, and there’s a lot of people who come just to relax, but there’s also people who want to, get out and experience Fiji and have a bit of fun.”

Friday 19th November 2021

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REGIONAL NEWS

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 10

Samoa preparing for second shot mass vaccination According to Global Corruption Barometer – Pacific 2021

Apia (RNZ): People in Samoa are being advised to carry their vaccination cards for the second stage of the mass vaccination campaign this Friday.

The chair of the National Emergency Operational Centre, Agaifili Shem Leo, said more than 10,000 people have yet to receive their second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine.

He said this Friday, 19th November, is not a public holiday.

Agaifili said during the last lockdown at the end of September, more than 13,000 received their first shot and this mass vaccination is targeting those that did not receive their second.

The mass vaccination is between 8am-6pm.

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, made it clear that without the second shot the first shot is useless.

He said while the Astraceneca will only be conducted in the family homes, if there are children between the ages of 12-17 who did not receive their Pfizer shot they can be taken to a nearby clinic for their

vaccination.

As of last week Friday, more than 115,000 people had received their first dose and 86,243 with Astrazeneca.

Another 21,402 of the eligible population has received the Pfizer vaccine, which is being reserved mainly for children, between the ages of 12 and 17, and pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

end of this year.

This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau in Parliament early this week.

Kalsakau said in one of their decisions during the Council of Ministers (CoM) meeting last week, the council resolved on sorting out the outstanding monies owed to the hospital.

Currently the outstanding debt is estimated at VT41, 692, 871.

Last month, Director General of Health, Russel Tamata informed Daily Post that the government has backlogged payments with Medipole since

2015. These healthcare costs are for various Directors General, the Prime Minister and former Ministers.

The government is committed to settle the outstanding medical bills at Medipole, in order for the Hospital to continue to accept Vanuatu citizens who need referral, which is currently on hold.

According to Kalsakau, the government will start paying for medical expenses for all citizens that require further medical attention abroad.

He said this time, this will not be restricted to the leaders as normally practised.

Gov’t signs partnership agreement with Churches

Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau Honiara (Dailypost): he Government is committed to settling all

outstanding debts owed to the Medipole Hospital in New Caledonia, by the

Honiara (SolomonStarNews): MEMBERS of Parliament (MP) have been allegedly viewed as the most corrupt institution or group in the Pacific.

This was highlighted on Tuesday at the launch of the Global Corruption Barometer-Pacific 2021 report at SIBC Leaf Hut in Honiara.

The Vice Chairman of Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Rodney Kingmele said respondents in six regional countries viewed Members of Parliament as the most corrupt institution or group in their country.

“Respondents in six countries out of the ten countries viewed Members of Parliament as the most corrupt institution or group in their country.“ During the survey more than 50-percent of the respondents in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands alleged all MPs are corrupt.

“This perception was highest amongst respondents in PNG and Solomon Islands, where 55% of respondents thought that most or all parliamentarians are corrupt,” Mr Kingmele said.

He added the next group perceived by the highest number of respondents (53%) to have most or all of their members engaged in corruption are companies involved in the extraction of natural resources.

“On the question of “Is the government doing a good or bad job of fighting Corruption” 46% of respondents thought that government was doing a good job of fighting corruption compared to 52% who thought government was not doing a good job in that fight.

“On the question of “Does the government take my views into account”, 58% of respondents answered that the government never or rarely took their views into account.

“About 31% stated that the government took their views into account occasionally, whilst only 9% said that the government frequently or very frequently took their views into consideration,” Kingmele said.

Therefore, he said it comes as no surprise that the vast majority of people interviewed in the region and in Solomon Islands believed that corruption is a problem both within government and in the business sector.

Also added businesses are viewed as a major part of the problem, where government contracts have become a corruption hotspot.

“More than half of Solomon Islands respondents think that most or all of the people involved in extractive industries such as logging and mining are corrupt.

“The three countries with the highest perception of corruption in the executive also top the list when it comes to perception of corruption within the legislative branch of government.

“More than half of the respondents in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands think that most or all members of their respective parliaments are involved in corruption,” Kingmele said.

Friday 19th November 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 11

YOUTH

MORAL STORY OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK’S TOP 10 SONGS

The Elephant Circus

Pine Apple Pie

1. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran 2. Blindings Lights - The Weeknd 3. Tones and I - Dance Monkey 4. Post Malone - Rockstar 5. One Dance - Drake 6. Closer - The Chainsmoker 7. Someone you loved - Lewis Capaldi 8. Sunflower - Post Malone 9. Senorita - Shawn Mendes 10. Bad Guy - Billie Eilish open.spotify.com

This is a story about five elephants that are held captive in a circus to do tricks and entertain people. The elephants are tied up with a weak rope, which could’ve been easily broken, if only they had tried. Instead, they believe they are weak and cannot do anything about their situation and never try to break free.

This simple short story in English tells children not to give up without trying first.

Today, societal pressure is very high for both young and old children. What people say can have a deep impact on a child’s mind and shape their character. This story encourages children to not believe what others say about them and motivates them to try and break free from societal pressure and beliefs.

Though a very young child may not understand the story or it’s morals, it can be a good value addition to a little older child. We parents and teachers must tell the children they are more than what society thinks of them.

Moral – Believe in Yourself Than What the Society Tells About You

THIS WEEK’S TOP 10 MOVIES 1. Eternals 2. Clofford the Big Red Dog 3. Dine: Part One 4. No Time To Die 5. Venom 6. Ron’s Gone Wrong 7. Belfast 8. The French Dispatch 9. Spencer 10. Antlers boxofficemojo.com

INGREDIENTS For crust: 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs ½ cup unsalted butter, melted For filling: 20 oz Crushed Pineapple, drained very well 2 (3.4 ounce) packages vanilla instant pudding mix 8 oz sour cream 8 ounces cool whip For garnish: Maraschino cherries Pineapple slices INSTRUCTIONS For crust: In a food processor ground whole graham crackers to get fine crumbs Combine graham crackers crumbs with ½ cup melted butter and stir until evenly moistened.

Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of 8” pie plate. Press hard to compact. You can use a glass to press the bottom, but use your fingers to press the sides. Set in the fridge to firm while making the filling.

S

For filling: In a large bowl, combine crushed pineapple, sour cream and vanilla pudding mix Mix until well combined Pour into pie crust and spread evenly Top the pie with cool whip Decorate top with Maraschino cherries and pineapple slices

Youth Weekly Horoscope ARIES (21Mar-19Apr)

TAURUS (20Apr-20May)

Abundance keeps moving

Beauty is maintenance

LIBRA (23Sep-22Oct)

SCORPIO (23Oct-21Nov)

When people tell you who they are, believe them

There’s more to gain than there is to lose”

GEMINI (21May-21Jun)

CANCER (22Jun-22Jul)

LEO (23Jul-22Aug)

Let it go

Make new friends

Recognition is only the beginning

“I can handle this.”

SAGITTARIUS (22Nov-21Dec)

CAPRICORN (22Dec-19Jan)

AQUARIUS 20Jan-18Feb)

PISCES (19Feb-20Mar)

Success needs room to land

Love is freedom

Don’t shut the door on a dream

VIRGO (23Aug-22Sep)

One small change could change everything

Friday 19th November 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 12

ENTERTAINMENT

‘The Expendables 4’: Two crew members injured during production in Europe Greece (Yahoo): Two crew members have been injured during the production of Sylvester Stallone action film The Expendables 4, which is currently filming in Greece.

According to producer Millennium, one injury involved a painter falling from a height during pre-production.

The painter required hospital treatment but we’re told has now recovered.

The second injury occurred more recently when a stuntman backed up a slowmoving vehicle over a camera assistant’s foot.

We are told the assistant has now recovered.

A representative from the production told us: “The production of

Expendables 4 is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of all

crew.”

Scott Waugh is directing the Lionsgate actioner,

Spider-Man: No Way Home, Fans react to latest trailer as old villains Green Goblin and Sandman show up

which is filming in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.

Joining Stallone in the fourth instalment are Megan Fox, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Andy Garcia, Iko Uwais, 50 Cent, Levy Tran, Tony Jaa, and Randy Couture.

The lucrative franchise is no stranger to incident.

In 2011, a stuntman died and another was injured during filming in Bulgaria. 26-yearold Kun Liu was killed while performing on an inflatable boat on the Ognyanovo dam. A year later his parents filed suit against Millennium Films for wrongful death.

Over the years, a number of the veteran actors starring in the franchise have described their own injuries, some of which can likely be attributed to age.

In 2014, Stallone said during promotion for The Expendables 3: “When I do The Expendables I break my neck, my spine, and dislocate shoulders. I fell on my back and had to put some metal in there.”

Terry Crews described a “near-death” experience on the same shoot involving Jason Statham driving a truck into the Black Sea, while Antonio Banderas said he got a lingering knee injury on the first day of production while running to jump into a helicopter.

Following the Rust tragedy, producers are under renewed pressure to ensure stringent health and safety measures on set.

Tel Aviv (timesofisrael): Justin Bieber is coming to Israel, planning to perform October 13, 2022, in Tel Aviv’s Ganei Yehoshua, as part of his Justice World Tour.

The Canadian pop singer, discovered when he was just 13 (he’s now 27), has concerts planned in five continents through March 2023, kicking off the tour in North America. The new dates were announced Monday, with more shows to be announced for Asia and the Middle East.

Bieber hasn’t toured like this since 2016. The pandemic sidelined his previously announced 2020 concert dates.

The tour begins in 2022 in North America, kicking off in San Diego on February 18, moving to Mexico in May before heading to

Scandinavia, South America, South Africa and the Middle East in September and October, followed by Australia and New Zealand in November and December and the UK and Europe in early 2023.

“We worked hard on this tour and created the best event we’ve ever done,” said Bieber in a statement.

“I can’t wait to share it with fans around the world. I’ll see you soon.”

The “Justice World Tour” is named after Justin’s latest album, “Justice,” which was released in April 2021 and has amassed nearly 9 billion streams worldwide, including the hits “Anyone,” “Lonely” and “Holy.”

Justin Bieber announces 2022 concert in Tel Aviv

Hollywood (Skynews): Though we see Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Sandman, Electro and Lizard from previous versions of Spider-Man - Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire are yet to make an appearance.

The latest trailer for the new Spider-Man film has finally arrived - with fans getting excited at the inclusion of some of the villains from previous incarnations of the franchise.

No Way Home will be Tom Holland’s third film

in the series, and this time sees him breaking Marvel’s much-trailed multiverse, in an effort to retain his private life again after Peter Parker was outed as the hero in the previous movie, Far From Home.

Marvel shares the rights to Spider-Man with Sony, which has now made three modern Spider-Man series that are part of the Disney-owned sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the character has appeared in a number of Avengers mov-

ies. The new trailer features the already revealed Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), who fought the first modern Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire, in the original modern trilogy, but in the new clip he does not recognise Tom Holland as his nemesis, saying: “You’re not Peter.”

Also in the trailer, we see a glimpse of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, also from the original trilogy, and Jamie Foxx’s Electro from Andrew Garfield’s iteration of the hero.

Friday 19th November 2021

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SPORTS / ADVERTISEMENT

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 13

Friday 19th November 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 14

SPORTS

Tevita vs Gus: Gould gives Pangai boxing plans blessing, with one catch Canterbury (SMH): Tevita Pangai jnr was given Phil Gould’s blessing to have his first professional fight before reporting for pre-season duty at his new club Canterbury – but there was just one condition. “‘Gus’ said if I wanted to take the fight, I’d have to fight him first,” Pangai said of the Dogs’ general manager of football’s tongue-in-cheek command.

“Lucky the borders are shut and I’ll have to fight him after December 4 when I jump in the ring.

“I was training up here [in Brisbane] when I realised I had three missed calls from Gus. When I phoned him I asked him about boxing. He was fine, just as long as I could beat

him first.

“Luckily for me, the borders are still closed.

Gus just told me to keep my left hand busy. He’s obviously done some sort of boxing in the past.”

Pangai, a heavyweight at 114kg, was only confirmed to be jumping in the ring on the December 4 Tasman Fighters’ card against Daniel Joyce at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall this week.

While most people appreciate his love and respect for “brothers” Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine, Pangai said he had no plans to follow their lead and pursue boxing full-time.

“I know I’m a novice and I won’t go calling out Paul Gallen or Victor Radley or anyone,” Pangai said.

“It’s just a good way to stay in shape because us big boys can blow out in the off-season.

This has allowed me to

stay focused.

“When I take on a new challenge I give it 100 per cent.

I’m working with my physio [Nathan Carloss] and trainer [Andrew Croll], I’m training six days a week with [boxing trainer] Chris McCullen at Logan Boxing, so I won’t only be fit for the fight, I’ll be fit for when I return to preseason training.”

Pangai was able to ramp up his boxing once he completed rehabilitation work on his knee, which denied him a spot in the grand final for Penrith.

He was not meant to start training with the Bulldogs, who signed him to a three-year $2.2 million deal in July, until December 15, but “I’ll fight on the Saturday, catch the first plane to Sydney on the Sunday and start training on the Monday”.

Pangai said the fact he was able to make such impact in his short stint at Penrith reminded him of the impact he can have at Belmore.

“Twelve months ago I was working in a nursery and almost getting sacked by the Broncos, so to play my little part in Penrith winning the grand final, I was so happy for the boys,” Pangai said.

“I had a close relationship with the coaching staff, which is when I play at my best.

I loved playing under Wayne Bennett [at Brisbane], and I had so much respect for [Penrith’s] Ivan Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo.

“I was able to show at the end of this season what I can do when I’m part of a good team

and in a good system.

“I can’t wait to work with Trent [Barrett] and Gus and a guy like Josh Jackson. The club have gone through some lean years, but watching Josh Jackson, he just gives his all. It can be hard to do [when you are always losing], but he sets such high standards for himself.

“I know Matty Burton and Brent Naden, I’ve played with Matt Dufty, and I grew up with Nick Cotric in the junior grades at Canberra. I’ve already been telling him how I’m going to keep working hard and running off his quick play-the-balls.”

Friday 19th November 2021

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 15

SPORTS

Uilisi Halaholo is the Kiwi who escaped Auckland gangs to star for Wales

Cardiff (Nation IL): Uilisi Halaholo has had to battle to be here – against the odds of his upbringing, the trials of lockdown and tests of Covid.

The latter – proved positive at the start of the autumn – made him miss a dream fixture against the All Blacks, the team he strove to be part of as a child, but now he is ready for their foes Australia.

Halaholo is the west Auckland boy of Tongan parents who came from ‘nothing’, escaped a culture of gangs and drink to find rugby, found an accepting new home in Wales and a nation that has adopted him openly.

Wales centre Uilisi Halaholo is relishing the chance to face Australia on Saturday.

On a chilly morning overlooking the Cardiff Arms Park pitch – Halaholo’s home for five years now – he opens up on turning his life around.

His parents, father Tu’aofa, the sixth child of 12, and mother Malia, were born in Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa then immigrated to New Zealand in search of a better life.

Uilisi is number two of his siblings – with older sister Setina, and younger brothers Noa, Lona and Sam. ‘We had nothing, man,’ Halaholo explains, pausing before he continues.

‘This is not me trying to make my parents look bad, but we went to school with no lunch, then would come home, have a couple of pieces of toast and then wait for dinner. My dad would work 6am to 6pm in the factory – and then we’d eat.

‘People might see it as children not being taken care of but it was normal and we were grateful for it.’

Halaholo is the west Auckland boy of Tongan parents who came from ‘nothing’ Malia would come home later than Tu’aofa, combining work at the ‘3 Guys’ supermarket with

study; now she is a tenant manager for Housing New Zealand.

She was strict with her kids. School, church, rugby – go to those and come back to your family.

Her husband has worked 12 hour days for more than 30 years now, and is still four from retirement.

‘You know those long, thin lightbulbs?’ Halaholo goes on.

‘Dad used to make the metal part around them.

He’s got five brothers, and they all worked there – it was like a little family factory. When I go and talk to the newbies they say he’s the man. He could use the machine with his eyes closed!

‘I’m grateful for that fella, man. He had to do what he had to do, that’s why I had to give rugby a good go.’

In his late teens Halaholo

fell on the wrong side of the tracks. He wasted his talent joining a gang, watched New Zealand win the 2011 World Cup drunk and on drugs, was dropped from the Auckland academy by a coach named Wayne Pivac, and had a child whom he initially neglected.

Atu is now 13, having latterly grown up in Wales with sisters Sitina, seven, Miriam, four and Masina two, as Halaholo and wife Sandra moved there in 2016.

They love their Cardiff life, living by Roath Park Lake, meeting welcoming friends and attending church. The girls confuse their father by speaking Welsh too.

‘Sitina comes and asks me questions in Welsh and I have no idea what she’s talking about!’ he laughs.

The 31-year-old centre

credits his recovery to Cardiff team-mate Rey Lee-lo (right) ‘We always do little quizzes… “tell me six colours” and she’d tell me six in Welsh. It’s really cool.’

The girls’ names are tattooed on Halaholo’s body. They are his world.

Halaholo has a new inking – he lifts up his shirt to show his four daughters’ faces sketched onto the left side of his chest.

‘Family, bro,’ he says proudly, pointing to the new work.

It was completed this summer, on his first visit to Auckland since 2018.

There he finally spent time with the 19-strong Halaholo clan in their three-bedroom house – laughing, playing and catching up after so long apart.

Unable to go back for three years, he struggled so far from his folks in lockdown. It was ‘chaos’ in Wales, alone with Sandra and three children under five during the early pandemic months.

He entered Covid isolation in 2020 just after major knee surgery having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament – the scar is still visible on his right leg.

‘It was tough man,’ Halaholo says with a big

exhale of breath, looking back.

‘2020 was one of the hardest years of my career.

Going through that on my own, having no family around, the kids home every day, my wife was struggling coping with it too.

Cardiff and Wales centre Halaholo talks to Sportsmail’s Will Kelleher at Cardiff Arms Park ‘She didn’t just have to look after them but me with as well.’

Halaholo, then 29, considered retiring.

‘I just knew in myself and my body, mentally… you don’t realise you’re are slowly drifting away,’ he explains.

With physical contact with physios banned, Halaholo had no idea how to tackle his rehabilitation, had a thigh muscle slowly withering away and later pulled his calf learning to run again.

He decided to forget about rugby and concentrate on family, not noticing he had put on one-and-a-half stone in weight.

‘You come back into preseason and think “how am I going to come back from this?”’

It was Cardiff team-mate Rey Lee-lo, the Samoan, whom Halaholo credits with his recovery.

They go way back to holding tackle bags at the

Hurricanes in Wellington far behind World Cupwinning All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith in the midfield pecking order.

It was Lee-lo who convinced Halaholo to go to Wales, and got him running again.

‘He was pushing me. He didn’t need to, but would take me down to the 4G pitch at the Vale, to run, try and drop the weight and get the knee right,’ says Halaholo now with Lee-lo by his side at Bute Park’s Gorsedd Stone Circle while we take his photograph. Soon the pair are messing about together like brothers.

‘I always thank Ray for getting me through, and tell him I wouldn’t have been able to make my Wales debut if he hadn’t pushed me.’

That honour came against Scotland in this year’s Six Nations – Halaholo, a residency qualifier, selected this time by Pivac, now Welsh boss.

He honoured Lee-lo by giving him his shirt from the Italy game in a tournament Wales won.

During that competition Halaholo asked to alter his name on team-sheets.

No longer Anglicised ‘Willis’ he was Uilisi, the ancestral name given to him by his aunt as per Tongan tradition. Sadly she passed away at the end of last month.

‘I have an uncle in America who watches me, I’m named after him, so wanted to make sure I showed respect and he saw his name up there,’ he explains.

It will be 5am on Sunday morning when the Halaholos in Auckland turn on their televisions to see their Welsh son play Australia.

His brothers might come in from a night out, the rest dragging their mattress into the front-room to tune in, bleary-eyed.

‘They’ll be proud bro,’ he concludes.

Who would not be? Of Halaholo, the boy from nothing but now a humble Welsh hero.

Friday 19th November 2021

www.nukualofatimes.to

SPORTS

16-year-old footy player signs huge contract and vows to buy his parents a house Sydney (Dailymail): A promising rugby league star has signed a recordbreaking deal that could see him earn more than $1million a season before he even makes his NRL debut.

Latu Fainu, 16, has already been touted as the man to replace Manly Sea Eagles playmaker Daly Cherry Evans when he retires, likely at the end of the 2023 season.

The teen from Sydney’s northern beaches has inked a new four-year contract with Manly set to make him the highest-paid player yet to make the elite level.

The deal will reportedly surpass the $1.3million contract Moses Suli signed with the Wests Tigers in early 2017 if Latu achieves his performance targets next season.

Latu plans to use the contract money to give back to his parents, who have struggled on a single income to raise eight kids.

‘I want to buy my mum a house. To be able to do that would be a dream come true. That’s what I want to do,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The 2021 Harold Matthews Cup player of the series is also an Adidas ambassador and is believed to be the youngest Australian athlete to sign a deal with the sportswear giant.

His mum Lile was proud to learn what her son plans to do with his contract money as she recalled the times being too poor buy a loaf of bread while Latu and his seven siblings were growing up.

‘While growing up it was just their father (Chris) working and we were living on one income,’ she told the Herald.

Nuku’alofa Times - Page 16

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Times

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Latu plans to use the contract money to give back to his parents Chris and Lile (seen here with the teenager) who have struggled on a single income to raise eight kids

‘They knew the drill; they would ask me for some money and we would have no money, it was ‘Wait until payday’.

Now 23, new St George Illawara recruit Dragons Suli has played 80 NRL games since signing a $1.3 million contract with his first club the Tigers almost five years ago.

A number of clubs were chasing Latu’s signature, including the Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors and new NRL franchise Redcliffe Dolphins.

But the future possibility of playing alongside his three older brothers at Manly was too good to knock back.

Brothers Samuela, 17, and Sione, 20 are also

part of the Sea Eagles ranks alongside suspended Manly NRL hooker Manase.

‘Hopefully we get the chance to all play in the NRL together. That would mean a lot to the family,’ Latu said.

The Burgess brothers Sam, Tom, Luke and George were the last quartet of siblings to take the field at the same time for South Sydney in 2013.

Latu was an integral part of the under-17s Sea Eagles squad which won the Harold Matthews Cup competition, despite still being one of the youngest players as a 15-year-old.

The five-eighth helped set up four of his side’s five tries in their grand final win against Parramatta

and was later named man of the match and Harold Matthews Cup player of the series.

Three years earlier, he was part of the Westfields Sports High School under-13s side that won the prestigious Buckley Shield.

Latu has paid tribute to the advice offered by his eldest brother Manase, who played 18 NRL games for Manly in 2018 and represented Tonga at international level.

‘I’m just trying to learn as much as I can. Manase and I spend plenty of time watching rugby league videos, and in particular, on Daly Cherry-Evans,’ the teen prodigy told the Sea Eagles website earlier this year.

‘I’ve met Daly through Manase and he has told me to just to lead more. To talk to my players and to control things.

‘Manase has certainly given me some good advice. He is like another coach for me.’

Latu will be part of the Sea Eagles’ Harold Matthews Cup squad that hopes to retain their title in 2022.

ON THIS DAY 18th November

Fiji played Australia in the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup 2017 after winning a tense and scrappy match against New Zealand in Wellington.

Fiji dominated the opening half but only had two points from a Apisai Koroisau penalty at the break.

Shaun Johnson levelled before Taane Milne scored the decisive points with another penalty after 62 minutes.

It was a shock result but a deserved one in what was only the second try-less match in World Cup history.

And there were incredibly emotional scenes afterwards, with numerous Fiji players crying as they celebrated by singing hymns.

Earlier, Tonga survived a major scare to beat Lebanon 24-22 in a thrilling match in Christchurch.