Latest news with #CookIslandMaori
West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
‘He was going to hit me': Ex-Titans player testifies about fatal punch
A former Gold Coast Titans player accused of fatally striking a man during a street confrontation has taken the stand in his own defence, telling a Brisbane jury he acted out of fear in a chaotic and escalating situation. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, took to the witness box on Friday in the Supreme Court, where he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking Toro George, 39, who died in hospital eight days after collapsing on a Surfers Paradise street in the early hours of December 19, 2021. Mr Tuiasau, a married father who now works alongside his wife running children's events, told the court that he arrived at Havana RnB Nightclub just before midnight with two friends and met several people inside, including Mr George. He recalled that Mr George questioned their presence in the VIP area, allegedly asking: 'Who the f--k are these people?' Mr Tuiasau admitted he had consumed 15 to 20 Coronas that night but said he was not angry or looking for trouble. The court was previously told there had been a night of escalating tensions stemming from a sexual assault allegation inside the nightclub. A young woman, known to Mr Tuiasau, was celebrating her 19th birthday and testified that Mr George touched her inappropriately on the dance floor, prompting her brother to confront him and sparking a series of heated altercations captured on CCTV inside and outside the nightclub. Mr Tuiasau said he became aware of a commotion inside the nightclub involving Mr George but claimed he did not intervene when someone from his group told him that 'Toro had touched (a woman's) vagina'. 'We went somewhere else,' he said of his decision to avoid the confrontation. Mr Tuiasau said he later left the venue with two friends to go to a nearby hotel. Outside the club, police briefly separated both groups and escorted Mr George and others before they ran into Mr Tuiasau and others at the traffic lights. Mr Tuiasau said Mr George apologised to him. 'I'm sorry bro,' Mr George reportedly said. 'It's all good mate,' Mr Tuiasau replied. 'I accepted his apology,' Mr Tuiasau told the court. But tensions soon escalated again as the group walked down the street. Mr Tuiasau and other witnesses told the jury that Mr George's demeanour changed dramatically; he became agitated, loud and aggressive, yelling in both English and Cook Island Maori that he wanted to go back and get his brothers. Mr Tuiasau said he heard Mr George swearing and shouting about getting his 'f--king brothers'. During the short walk, Mr Tuiasau admitted saying to Mr George, 'Don't touch my sister,' and, 'Don't f--king come near me.' 'I felt like he was coming at me aggressively and he was going to hit me,' Mr Tuiasau said, adding that he was also worried for his friend Junior's safety. 'I was just trying to keep him away from me.' CCTV footage showed shoving between Mr George and other members of the group. Mr Tuiasau, who appeared uninvolved in the physical exchanges, was walking on the far side of the group. The footage showed Mr George leaning towards him before Mr Tuiasau suddenly struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Mr Tuiasau said it all happened in a matter of 'seconds'. 'I didn't have time to think,' he said. Earlier in the trial, the jury was shown harrowing body-worn police footage of the moment officers found Mr George slumped and unconscious on a bench. They initially detected a pulse, but minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. An officer can be heard saying 'I think his pulse is gone … yep.' The officers quickly moved Mr George onto the ground, ripped open his shirt and began CPR. Some of the group admitted to initially lying to police by claiming Mr George had simply collapsed, offering what appeared to be vague or no explanation for their false statements. On Thursday, the court was told that medical experts debated the cause of Mr George's death. Mr Tuiasau's legal team argued the cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury may have been unrelated to the punch. Forensic pathologist Melissa Thompson told the jury that it was her 'firm opinion' Mr George suffered cardiac arrest due to a concussive shock to the medulla oblongata, the brain stem, likely from striking his head on the ground. She described the punch itself as only 'mild to moderate' in force. Dr Thompson dismissed the possibility of anaphylaxis, noting none of Mr George's friends or treating clinicians reported symptoms consistent with that diagnosis but conceded it couldn't be entirely ruled out, nor could a coincidental cardiac arrest given his pre-existing health issues, including heart disease, cocaine use, and a blood-alcohol reading of 0.246 per cent. The defence's expert, Professor Johan Duflou, told the court that anaphylaxis from cocaine was possible, though unlikely. He also questioned Dr Thompson's theory, pointing out that Mr George's medulla did not display the kind of damage typically expected from a concussive shock. Mr Tuiasau's testimony is set to continue.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Fatal punch thrown in fear: court
A former Gold Coast Titans player accused of fatally striking a man during a street confrontation has taken the stand in his own defence, telling a Brisbane jury he acted out of fear in a chaotic and escalating situation. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, took to the witness box on Friday in the Supreme Court, where he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking Toro George, 39, who died in hospital eight days after collapsing on a Surfers Paradise street in the early hours of December 19, 2021. Mr Tuiasau, a married father who now works alongside his wife running children's events, told the court that he arrived at Havana RnB Nightclub just before midnight with two friends and met several people inside, including Mr George. He recalled that Mr George questioned their presence in the VIP area, allegedly asking: 'Who the f--k are these people?' Mr Tuiasau admitted he had consumed 15 to 20 Coronas that night but said he was not angry or looking for trouble. Former Queensland under-20 and Gold Coast Titans player Oshae Jackson Tuiasau is accused of killing a man with a single punch. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia The court was previously told there had been a night of escalating tensions stemming from a sexual assault allegation inside the nightclub. A young woman, known to Mr Tuiasau, was celebrating her 19th birthday and testified that Mr George touched her inappropriately on the dance floor, prompting her brother to confront him and sparking a series of heated altercations captured on CCTV inside and outside the nightclub. Mr Tuiasau said he became aware of a commotion inside the nightclub involving Mr George but claimed he did not intervene when someone from his group told him that 'Toro had touched (a woman's) vagina'. 'We went somewhere else,' he said of his decision to avoid the confrontation. Mr Tuiasau said he later left the venue with two friends to go to a nearby hotel. Outside the club, police briefly separated both groups and escorted Mr George and others before they ran into Mr Tuiasau and others at the traffic lights. Mr Tuiasau said Mr George apologised to him. 'I'm sorry bro,' Mr George reportedly said. 'It's all good mate,' Mr Tuiasau replied. 'I accepted his apology,' Mr Tuiasau told the court. But tensions soon escalated again as the group walked down the street. Fatal punch victim Toro George. Facebook Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Tuiasau and other witnesses told the jury that Mr George's demeanour changed dramatically; he became agitated, loud and aggressive, yelling in both English and Cook Island Maori that he wanted to go back and get his brothers. Mr Tuiasau said he heard Mr George swearing and shouting about getting his 'f--king brothers'. During the short walk, Mr Tuiasau admitted saying to Mr George, 'Don't touch my sister,' and, 'Don't f--king come near me.' 'I felt like he was coming at me aggressively and he was going to hit me,' Mr Tuiasau said, adding that he was also worried for his friend Junior's safety. 'I was just trying to keep him away from me.' CCTV footage showed shoving between Mr George and other members of the group. Mr Tuiasau, who appeared uninvolved in the physical exchanges, was walking on the far side of the group. The footage showed Mr George leaning towards him before Mr Tuiasau suddenly struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Mr Tuiasau said it all happened in a matter of 'seconds'. 'I didn't have time to think,' he said. Mr George's wife Arden George outside Brisbane Supreme Court. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Earlier in the trial, the jury was shown harrowing body-worn police footage of the moment officers found Mr George slumped and unconscious on a bench. They initially detected a pulse, but minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. An officer can be heard saying 'I think his pulse is gone … yep.' The officers quickly moved Mr George onto the ground, ripped open his shirt and began CPR. Some of the group admitted to initially lying to police by claiming Mr George had simply collapsed, offering what appeared to be vague or no explanation for their false statements. Mr Tuiasau played for the Gold Coast Titans. NRL Photos Credit: No Source On Thursday, the court was told that medical experts debated the cause of Mr George's death. Mr Tuiasau's legal team argued the cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury may have been unrelated to the punch. Forensic pathologist Melissa Thompson told the jury that it was her 'firm opinion' Mr George suffered cardiac arrest due to a concussive shock to the medulla oblongata, the brain stem, likely from striking his head on the ground. She described the punch itself as only 'mild to moderate' in force. Dr Thompson dismissed the possibility of anaphylaxis, noting none of Mr George's friends or treating clinicians reported symptoms consistent with that diagnosis but conceded it couldn't be entirely ruled out, nor could a coincidental cardiac arrest given his pre-existing health issues, including heart disease, cocaine use, and a blood-alcohol reading of 0.246 per cent. The defence's expert, Professor Johan Duflou, told the court that anaphylaxis from cocaine was possible, though unlikely. He also questioned Dr Thompson's theory, pointing out that Mr George's medulla did not display the kind of damage typically expected from a concussive shock. Mr Tuiasau's testimony is set to continue.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Explainer-What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried NZ?
By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour. WHAT ARE THE COOK ISLANDS? The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands and atolls halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, scattered across 2 million square km of resource-rich Pacific Ocean. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Since 1965, the Cook Islands has been a country in free association with New Zealand. Its citizens have New Zealand passports and all the perks of that – access to New Zealand's healthcare and education system and the ability to work there. It is permitted an independent foreign policy, but the two countries are required to consult on security, defence and foreign policy issues. Its population of 15,040 is dwarfed by more than 90,000 who identify as Cook Island Maori and who live in New Zealand. Now designated a high-income country so no longer eligible for international Official Development Assistance, the small economy relies on tourism - mostly from New Zealand - which collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. China and the Cook Islands established diplomatic relations in 1997 and in 2018 upgraded it to a comprehensive regional strategic partnership with other Pacific island states. WHAT IS THE AGREEMENT? The agreement signed by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlines a number of areas the two countries will improve cooperation including education, the economy, infrastructure, fisheries, disaster management and seabed mining. Anna Powles, associate professor at Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, highlighted enhanced cooperation in areas of hydrography and geospatial research, which has direct military applications. It also aims for improved cultural ties, but no debt or explicit security ties are included in the deal. A number of memorandums of understanding were also signed during the visit and these have not been released publicly. WHAT HAS WORRIED NEW ZEALAND? New Zealand has complained about a lack of transparency around the agreements signed by Brown with a China that has become significantly more assertive in the Pacific in recent years. Australia and the United States have pushed back against China's increased Pacific presence, boosting funding in the region and signing onto new strategic partnerships. While New Zealand has also boosted aid, it cannot compete financially with China. It has touted its strong diplomatic and cultural ties in the region as a crucial advantage, an argument potentially undermined by the unilateral actions of the Cook Islands. New Zealand is concerned the Cook Islands government's push for more autonomy, including an effort to issue its own passports, means it is getting all the benefits of independence while still being part of New Zealand. The Cook Islands has also wanted to join the United Nations, which New Zealand won't allow. Under the new agreement, China says it will support the Cook Islands' aspirations to expand its membership of international organisations. "This is where China is driving a wedge between the Cook Islands and New Zealand and exploiting Prime Minister Mark Brown's desire or aspiration for increased independence from New Zealand," Powles said. WHAT DOES CHINA WANT? The Cook Islands has huge untapped seabed mineral resources and is at the forefront of exploring this as yet unproven industry. The country's Seabed Minerals Authority estimates there are 6.7 billion tonnes of mineral-rich nodules on its sea floor, which could yield 20 million metric tons of cobalt along with significant amounts of nickel, copper, manganese, iron and rare earth elements needed for tech products and the clean energy transition. Chinese companies, which dominate the global supply of many such materials, has not been granted one of three exploration licences in Cook Islands waters, but the agreement envisages "further cooperation within the seabed minerals sector". Additionally, the Cook Islands is a member of international organisations including the Pacific Islands Forum, which China has built ties in recent years, and the agreement pledges to support each other in multilateral forums. WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR COOK ISLANDERS? Closer ties to China provide opportunities for a new stream of tourists and trade as well as technical and/or financial support to develop the seabed mining sector. However, if the relationship with New Zealand were to worsen further, there is potential that a referendum over the future of the Cook Islands constitution would be needed. Protests were held in the capital Avarua on Monday in support of remaining in free association with New Zealand and opposition party members have filed a motion of no confidence against Brown, which will be voted after February 25. 'I've always viewed New Zealand as a good partner and neighbour,' said Tina Browne, the leader of the opposition. 'Why are we risking damaging that relationship?'
Reuters
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Explainer: What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried NZ?
WELLINGTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour. WHAT ARE THE COOK ISLANDS? The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands and atolls halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, scattered across 2 million square km of resource-rich Pacific Ocean. Since 1965, the Cook Islands has been a country in free association with New Zealand. Its citizens have New Zealand passports and all the perks of that – access to New Zealand's healthcare and education system and the ability to work there. It is permitted an independent foreign policy, but the two countries are required to consult on security, defence and foreign policy issues. Its population of 15,040 is dwarfed by more than 90,000 who identify as Cook Island Maori and who live in New Zealand. Now designated a high-income country so no longer eligible for international Official Development Assistance, the small economy relies on tourism - mostly from New Zealand - which collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. China and the Cook Islands established diplomatic relations in 1997 and in 2018 upgraded it to a comprehensive regional strategic partnership with other Pacific island states. WHAT IS THE AGREEMENT? The agreement signed by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlines a number of areas the two countries will improve cooperation including education, the economy, infrastructure, fisheries, disaster management and seabed mining. Anna Powles, associate professor at Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, highlighted enhanced cooperation in areas of hydrography and geospatial research, which has direct military applications. It also aims for improved cultural ties, but no debt or explicit security ties are included in the deal. A number of memorandums of understanding were also signed during the visit and these have not been released publicly. WHAT HAS WORRIED NEW ZEALAND? New Zealand has complained about a lack of transparency around the agreements signed by Brown with a China that has become significantly more assertive in the Pacific in recent years. Australia and the United States have pushed back against China's increased Pacific presence, boosting funding in the region and signing onto new strategic partnerships. While New Zealand has also boosted aid, it cannot compete financially with China. It has touted its strong diplomatic and cultural ties in the region as a crucial advantage, an argument potentially undermined by the unilateral actions of the Cook Islands. New Zealand is concerned the Cook Islands government's push for more autonomy, including an effort to issue its own passports, means it is getting all the benefits of independence while still being part of New Zealand. The Cook Islands has also wanted to join the United Nations, which New Zealand won't allow. Under the new agreement, China says it will support the Cook Islands' aspirations to expand its membership of international organisations. "This is where China is driving a wedge between the Cook Islands and New Zealand and exploiting Prime Minister Mark Brown's desire or aspiration for increased independence from New Zealand," Powles said. WHAT DOES CHINA WANT? The Cook Islands has huge untapped seabed mineral resources and is at the forefront of exploring this as yet unproven industry. The country's Seabed Minerals Authority estimates there are 6.7 billion tonnes of mineral-rich nodules on its sea floor, which could yield 20 million metric tons of cobalt along with significant amounts of nickel, copper, manganese, iron and rare earth elements needed for tech products and the clean energy transition. Chinese companies, which dominate the global supply of many such materials, has not been granted one of three exploration licences in Cook Islands waters, but the agreement envisages "further cooperation within the seabed minerals sector". Additionally, the Cook Islands is a member of international organisations including the Pacific Islands Forum, which China has built ties in recent years, and the agreement pledges to support each other in multilateral forums. WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR COOK ISLANDERS? Closer ties to China provide opportunities for a new stream of tourists and trade as well as technical and/or financial support to develop the seabed mining sector. However, if the relationship with New Zealand were to worsen further, there is potential that a referendum over the future of the Cook Islands constitution would be needed. Protests were held in the capital Avarua on Monday in support of remaining in free association with New Zealand and opposition party members have filed a motion of no confidence against Brown, which will be voted after February 25. 'I've always viewed New Zealand as a good partner and neighbour,' said Tina Browne, the leader of the opposition. 'Why are we risking damaging that relationship?'
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cook Islands PM aims to boost trade ties during China visit
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will visit China next week, the first visit by a leader of the small South Pacific state in a decade, to help improve ties ranging from trade, climate and investment to tourism and infrastructure. The visit comes as Beijing aims to increase its influence in the Pacific region and after some Pacific island nations raised concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's freezing of foreign aid, crackdown on illegal migration, and withdrawal from The Paris Agreement on climate change. Brown said in a statement on Thursday that his visit to China is part of a broader strategy to strengthen relations with all its key partners including New Zealand, Australia and China. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "This visit is about expanding economic opportunities while ensuring our sovereignty and national interests remain at the forefront," Brown said. The Cook Islands, a grouping of 15 islands and atolls in the South Pacific, has been a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand for nearly 60 years. The democratically elected government controls domestic and international affairs but the population of 15,000 has New Zealand citizenship. Nearly 100,000 people who identify as Cook Island Maori live in New Zealand currently. According to New Zealand's foreign ministry, New Zealand has a constitutional obligation to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters and defence. A proposal in December by the Cook Islands to allow the creation of its own passports was rejected by New Zealand but Wellington said it could discuss independence. Brown said "a joint action plan for comprehensive strategic partnership will be agreed upon" with China during his trip from February 10 to 14 though he did not elaborate the plans. A spokesperson for New Zealand's foreign ministry said it expected the Cook Islands government to fully consult Wellington on any major agreements it planned to enter that could "have major strategic and security implications."
