Latest news with #CookIslandMāori
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Handshake turns deadly in shocking courtroom footage
A former NRL hopeful allegedly accepted an apology from a man, only to fatally punch him moments later during a heated early morning altercation on the Gold Coast. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking 39-year-old Toro George, claiming he acted in self-defence during an escalating street argument. The court was told the confrontation unfolded just before 4am on December 19, 2021, on View Ave in Surfers Paradise. CCTV footage played to the jury showed a group of five men and one woman walking together when Mr George leaned toward Mr Tuiasau, who then struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He died in hospital eight days later, on December 27. In court, Mr George's widow became visibly emotional as the moment was replayed on screen, turning away as the fatal blow was shown to the jury. On the second day of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial, Mr George's cousin, Junior Marsters, told the jury he saw the men shake hands and make peace shortly before the alleged punch, which left Mr George unconscious on the pavement. The court was told earlier in the night at the Havana RnB Nightclub, Mr Marsters had heard rumours that Mr George had 'touched' a woman, and confronted him about it. He said Mr George denied the allegation. Footage from inside the nightclub showed a heated confrontation involving Mr George and another man, leading to more people gathering and arguing with some pushing. The court was told the incident was sparked by the allegations that Mr George had sexually assaulted a woman from the other group on the dance floor. Mr Marsters said he was trying to keep two groups apart during the heated dispute. CCTV footage showed the altercation then led outside of the nightclub when uniformed police officers stepped in and attempted to disperse the crowd. Mr Marsters said he walked off with Mr George before meeting back up with Mr Tuiasau and their niece Lekisha Marsters. 'He (George) apologised … (Tuiasau) accepted the apology,' Mr Marsters told the court. The group began walking together, but tensions soon flared again. Several witnesses said Mr George became increasingly agitated as he insisted on returning to find his brothers. However, the others were unwilling to go back and told him to meet them at the hotel instead. Mr Marsters told the court that Mr George began 'screaming' at him in a mix of Cook Island Māori and English 'He was firm on finding his brothers,' Mr Marsters said. He said the two of them were getting 'angry' at each other. The CCTV footage, leading up to the punch, showed the group arguing with some shoving. Mr Tuiasau is shown walking on the far right side of the group, not appearing to be involved in any physical confrontation. As Mr George leaned toward him, Mr Tuiasau quickly struck him once in the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Family members of Mr George looked away each time the footage of the punch was played to the jury. During the first viewing, one relative audibly gasped at the confronting vision. The footage then showed several people rush to his aid, while Mr Tuiasau walked away. Lekisha Masters described being in disbelief, seeing her uncle fall to the ground. 'I was in shock … I tried to help him up to get him on to the chair,' Ms Marsters said. Mr Marsters also described feeling in 'shock' at seeing his cousin go down. 'I told the boys, that's enough, because I'm worried about my family now,' Mr Marsters said, Another witness, Odain Masters, said he heard Mr Tuiasau say 'that is what you get'. Ms Marsters said she didn't hear him say anything as he walked away from the scene. Under cross-examination, Ms Marsters admitted she initially told police her uncle had fallen and hit his head, and not that he had been punched. She didn't explain why she and another witness gave that version to police. Mr Tuiasau was arrested at 4.30am and interviewed at the Southport watch house later that morning, while Mr George was still fighting for his life. He was initially charged with grievous bodily harm. In a video of the police interview played to the jury, Mr Tuiasau appeared subdued and admitted to throwing the punch. 'I looked at him and then I, I hit him … I punched him,' Mr Tuiasau told police. 'It was a good night … up until the very end.' He said he got a 'shock' when Mr George fell and admitted he had been drinking throughout the night. Mr Tuiasau told police the confrontation began while the group was leaving Havana RnB Nightclub and that Mr George had 'started swearing'. He said hearing that Mr George had allegedly assaulted a woman known to him inside the club 'triggered' him. 'We got face-to-face,' he said. Crown Prosecutor Toby Corsbie told the court Mr Tuiasau had lashed out after learning of the alleged assault, but the punch was a 'single moment in time, a single choice' that caused Mr George's heart to stop. Mr Tuiasau's barrister, Craig Eberhardt KC, argued his client acted in self-defence against 'a drunk and aggressive man who had already sexually assaulted a woman that night.' 'It is tragic that he died,' Mr Eberhardt told the court. He said some of the witnesses were not being truthful in their accounts of what happened that night. Mr George's wife, Arden George, became visibly emotional during the proceedings, as the events leading to her husband's death were replayed in court. The trial is expected to last five days, with further witnesses expected to give evidence this week.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Grieving wife watches fatal punch replay
A former NRL hopeful allegedly accepted an apology from a man, only to fatally punch him moments later during a heated early morning altercation on the Gold Coast. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking 39-year-old Toro George, claiming he acted in self-defence during an escalating street argument. The court was told the confrontation unfolded just before 4am on December 19, 2021, on View Ave in Surfers Paradise. CCTV footage played to the jury showed a group of five men and one woman walking together when Mr George leaned toward Mr Tuiasau, who then struck him once in the face. Mr George fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He died in hospital eight days later, on December 27. In court, Mr George's widow became visibly emotional as the moment was replayed on screen, turning away as the fatal blow was shown to the jury. Former Queensland and Gold Coast Titans player Oshae Jackson Tuiasau at the Brisbane Supreme Court where he is facing charges of one count of unlawful striking causing death. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia On the second day of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial, Mr George's cousin, Junior Marsters, told the jury he saw the men shake hands and make peace shortly before the alleged punch, which left Mr George unconscious on the pavement. The court was told earlier in the night at the Havana RnB Nightclub, Mr Marsters had heard rumours that Mr George had 'touched' a woman, and confronted him about it. He said Mr George denied the allegation. Footage from inside the nightclub showed a heated confrontation involving Mr George and another man, leading to more people gathering and arguing with some pushing. The court was told the incident was sparked by the allegations that Mr George had sexually assaulted a woman from the other group on the dance floor. Mr Marsters said he was trying to keep two groups apart during the heated dispute. CCTV footage showed the altercation then led outside of the nightclub when uniformed police officers stepped in and attempted to disperse the crowd. Toro George, 39, died eight days later in hospital after the alleged punch. Facebook Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Marsters said he walked off with Mr George before meeting back up with Mr Tuiasau and their niece Lekisha Marsters. 'He (George) apologised … (Tuiasau) accepted the apology,' Mr Marsters told the court. The group began walking together, but tensions soon flared again. Several witnesses said Mr George became increasingly agitated as he insisted on returning to find his brothers. However, the others were unwilling to go back and told him to meet them at the hotel instead. Mr Marsters told the court that Mr George began 'screaming' at him in a mix of Cook Island Māori and English 'He was firm on finding his brothers,' Mr Marsters said. He said the two of them were getting 'angry' at each other. The CCTV footage, leading up to the punch, showed the group arguing with some shoving. Mr Tuiasau is shown walking on the far right side of the group, not appearing to be involved in any physical confrontation. As Mr George leaned toward him, Mr Tuiasau quickly struck him once in the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement. He immediately lost consciousness. Arden George, the widow of victim Toro George, outside the Brisbane Supreme Court. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Family members of Mr George looked away each time the footage of the punch was played to the jury. During the first viewing, one relative audibly gasped at the confronting vision. The footage then showed several people rush to his aid, while Mr Tuiasau walked away. Lekisha Masters described being in disbelief, seeing her uncle fall to the ground. 'I was in shock … I tried to help him up to get him on to the chair,' Ms Marsters said. Mr Marsters also described feeling in 'shock' at seeing his cousin go down. 'I told the boys, that's enough, because I'm worried about my family now,' Mr Marsters said, Another witness, Odain Masters, said he heard Mr Tuiasau say 'that is what you get'. Ms Marsters said she didn't hear him say anything as he walked away from the scene. Under cross-examination, Ms Marsters admitted she initially told police her uncle had fallen and hit his head, and not that he had been punched. She didn't explain why she and another witness gave that version to police. Oshae Tuiasau, 2016 Gold Coast Titans headshot. Photo – NRL Photos Credit: No Source Mr Tuiasau was arrested at 4.30am and interviewed at the Southport watch house later that morning, while Mr George was still fighting for his life. He was initially charged with grievous bodily harm. In a video of the police interview played to the jury, Mr Tuiasau appeared subdued and admitted to throwing the punch. 'I looked at him and then I, I hit him … I punched him,' Mr Tuiasau told police. 'It was a good night … up until the very end.' He said he got a 'shock' when Mr George fell and admitted he had been drinking throughout the night. Mr Tuiasau told police the confrontation began while the group was leaving Havana RnB Nightclub and that Mr George had 'started swearing'. He said hearing that Mr George had allegedly assaulted a woman known to him inside the club 'triggered' him. 'We got face-to-face,' he said. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, (centre) has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking 39-year-old Toro George, claiming he acted in self-defence during an escalating street argument. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia Crown Prosecutor Toby Corsbie told the court Mr Tuiasau had lashed out after learning of the alleged assault, but the punch was a 'single moment in time, a single choice' that caused Mr George's heart to stop. Mr Tuiasau's barrister, Craig Eberhardt KC, argued his client acted in self-defence against 'a drunk and aggressive man who had already sexually assaulted a woman that night.' 'It is tragic that he died,' Mr Eberhardt told the court. He said some of the witnesses were not being truthful in their accounts of what happened that night. Mr George's wife, Arden George, became visibly emotional during the proceedings, as the events leading to her husband's death were replayed in court. The trial is expected to last five days, with further witnesses expected to give evidence this week.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cook Islands China deal riles allies as West's grip loosens
The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which it is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern. The agreements are the first of their kind with a country that is not a traditional ally. They cover infrastructure, ship-building, tourism, agriculture, technology, education and, perhaps crucially, deep-sea mineral exploration. Prime Minister Mark Brown says his decisions will be based on the "long-term interests" of the Cook Islands, which are remote, resource-rich and vulnerable to climate change. Not everyone agrees with him. The new, wide-ranging deals with Beijing have led to protests on Rarotonga - the largest Cook Island - and a vote of no confidence against Brown in parliament, which he survived earlier this week. They have also worried Australia, another powerful ally. New Zealand said it was "blindsided" by the China deals, but Brown believes his country is independent and does not need to consult Wellington on issues he says are of no concern to them. He has, nevertheless, tried to reassure Australia and New Zealand that the deals with China don't replace their relationships. But the apparent snub comes at a time when the West's grip on the Pacific seems to be loosening. The rise of China in the Pacific isn't new. Whether it's bagging a security deal in the Solomon Islands or providing medical services in Tonga, China's presence in the region has been growing. And the US and its allies have made a consistent effort to counter that. But now there is a new dynamic at play as the Trump administration upends relationships with allies such as Ukraine and appears increasingly unpredictable. Mining the Pacific – future proofing or fool's gold? A rare behind the scenes look at the Pacific power tussle The Cook Islands has had what's known as a "free association" relationship with New Zealand, a former coloniser, since the 1960s - meaning Wellington helps on issues like defence and foreign affairs, and that Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship. The two countries are very close. There are around 15,000 Cook Islanders living in the Pacific island nation, but as many as 100,000 live in New Zealand and Australia. Culturally, Cook Island Māori - who make up the majority of the population - are also closely related to, but distinct from, New Zealand Māori. "[The relationship with NZ] connects us politically and connects us to our brothers and sisters of Aotearoa [the Māori word for New Zealand] – they left our shores to sail to Aotearoa. We need to remember that," said Cook Islander Jackie Tuara at the recent protest against Brown's deals with China. "Let us stand in partnership with countries that have the same democratic principles as we are a democratic nation, are we not? We don't want to see our land and our oceans sold to the highest bidder. Those resources are for us – for our children, for their future." The deals Brown has made with China aren't the only sign that he wants to pull away from New Zealand that have caused concern. He recently abandoned a proposal to introduce a Cook Islands passport following a public outcry. In a nation that is not used to huge displays of protest, several hundred people recently gathered outside parliament in Rarotonga, holding up placards that read: "Stay connected with NZ". But for all those who are opposed to Brown's recent moves away from New Zealand, there are plenty of Cook Islanders who back him. China specialist Philipp Ivanov, in apparent agreement with the prime minister, says that "the Pacific island nations have their own agency, their own motivations and their own capabilities". He believes that the recent developments in the Cook Islands are "all part of that little great game that's going on between Australia and China and New Zealand in the Pacific. It's a whack-a-mole kind of game." While the US has long been a dominant force in security and military in the region, China has tried to strengthen its ties with the small but strategic Pacific Island nations through aid, infrastructure and security deals. In response, the likes of the US and the UK have beefed up their diplomatic presence across the region. Australia too has made it clear it will redouble its support. But it's unclear to what extent US President Donald Trump will continue his predecessor's commitments in the region to counter China - and Beijing is taking advantage of that. Last week, planes flying between New Zealand and Australia were diverted after China conducted military exercises involving live fire. Both Australia and New Zealand had been trailing the three Chinese warships that were making their way down the eastern coast of Australia in what experts say is an escalation and unexpected show of power. "It's a pretty efficient way of testing the diplomatic response in both the Australia-China and New Zealand-China bilateral relationship, and what the US is prepared to say in defence [of its allies]," says defence analyst Euan Graham, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. "It's also making the point that in the numbers game, China will always be ahead of smaller countries with smaller navies and Australia's navy is at a historic low." Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was keen to emphasise that no international laws were broken and that the drills were carried out in international waters. Indeed, many have pointed out that Australia and its allies often sail warships through the South China Sea. "I'd see it as China wanting to capitalise on the chaotic effect that Trump is having right now," says Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands programme at Australia's Lowy Institute. "China is taking advantage of that moment to [say], look Australia, you are actually alone. Where is the United States in all of this?" Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong freely admits "we are in a permanent state of contest in our region, that is the reality". In speaking out about the warships last week, Australia's government was trying to reassure the public about China's intentions, while also wanting to tell Australians that it's all in hand. That is not a coincidence as Australia heads towards a federal election in the coming months. "[Opposition leader Peter] Dutton comes from this national security and home affairs background, so the government doesn't want to give him any air to criticise Labor," Philipp Ivanov says. "Being weak on China would be disastrous for them, given what's going on in the US and given our own elections." But it also brings into focus the dilemma this part of the world faces. "Canberra will be contesting every single move that Beijing tries to make … and it reflects the fact that Canberra and Beijing have diverging strategic interests," says James Laurenceson, the director of Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney. But, he adds, they also have "enormous commonalities" - China is Australia's largest trading partner - and New Zealand's - for instance. "So you've got to be able to ride both these horses at the same time." It's not an easy relationship - it never has been. The bigger surprise is that of the US, a traditional ally. Although many in the Trump administration still describe China as a grave threat, US allies are unsure what to expect from the Washington-Beijing relationship. And now, as Trump threatens steel and aluminium tariffs and a withdrawal of foreign assistance, Australia feels more isolated than ever. The recent activity of China's warships in the Tasman Sea serves to highlight that isolation. "I wouldn't think of them as military acts, so much as political acts using military hardware," Mr Ivanov says. "I think the political act is to say, look, we can do this anytime we want. You can't do anything about it, and the United States is not doing anything about it, because they're busy tearing down the global system." Surging seas are coming for us all, warns UN chief Biden's no-show takes shine off Pacific pact
