Latest news with #Tongans
1News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
The 'body paint guy' hyping up Moana Pasifika from the sidelines
Phillip Enari arrived in New Zealand two years ago on a study scholarship. Shy and humble by day, at night he transforms to Moana Pasifika superfan otherwise known as the "body paint guy". "I had talked about it with a few of my family and friends about my idea, they were like 'yeah you should do it' and it became a thing," Enari said. Enari generally goes as ocean or water-based characters and with help from a cousin it usually takes around 30-40 mins to do. He said he loves there is a Pacific Islands team which has been notching up big wins. "It's much more than a team it's a movement for me, I feel a sense of pride and happiness seeing that that team is a Pacific Islander team really ignites a fire in me," he said. "It really motivates me and really makes me think that I can do whatever I set my mind to... like the boys". Moana Pasifika's connection with the fans is winning hearts and smashing records both on and off the field. In just 30 days, the team got 39.1 million views on their social media platforms, as well as notching up historic wins with Ardie Savea as captain. Star Miracle Faiilagi, who was plucked straight from a Samoan club in 2023, said Moana's fan base has been "unreal" "They have played a huge role in our success this year, I think having them motivates the boys as well... we play for them with all our heart". Staying true to Pacific culture has also struck a chord with supporters. "Its our identity, its our DNA.. we coming together every morning having a hymn and a prayer to start our day," said Faiilagi. Head coach Tana Umaga said culture is a major part of how the team works. "It's huge its who we are its what sets us apart from most teams in that our culture is the very thing we do," Umaga said. Tongan community leader Pakilau Manase Lua said the team has united the Pasifika community. "Who would have thought Tongans and Samoans will come together as one and enjoy themselves in a peaceful and joyous manner lik know what Ardie has done I mean the Tongans are trying to adopt him," he joked. Previously seen as the underdog the team is now considered a serious threat. It's been a David and Goliath battle that which has captivated the public. Enari said his favourite team really deserves to make the playoffs. "All the criticism that they've received they've really proven the critics wrong," Enari said. Moana Pasifika knows it is a challenge but they hope to cement the respect they have earned with another win.
1News
18-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Battle to head off pyramid schemes makes ground
The last three years have not been easy for Pita and Selu Hingano. The retirees in south Auckland lead a humble life and have struggled to make ends meet after losing tens of thousands of dollars in a 2021 pyramid scheme. Pita had seen the Tongi Tupe Nuusila (New Zealand) scheme on numerous Facebook feeds and posts – including live feeds from a business yard in Otara. Every Saturday, Tongans who had invested money in the scheme would line up to collect envelopes of cash from Ofa Siasau who ran the New Zealand arm. 1News exposed the illegal scheme in 2021 when it was at its height. 'Good morning Tongan community come and get some money,' Siasau said in Tongan to an eager social media audience. A promoter of the scheme Tomasi Ofanoa also saying in Tongan, 'get in touch don't wait, look at these people, they are happy to receive their money this morning'. It did the trick. The promise the Hingano's heard was, for every $4500, you wait for three weeks and then get $2500 every week. So Pita put some money in the scheme and as the returns started coming in, he put in more. 'That was my retirement money from my account,' he says. 'I trust her." Between April and July 2021 the amount came to $54,000 – and he got back $27,750 just over half of what he 'invested'. 'My heart is not very happy,' he says. Through Tionly Fatukala, who campaigns against pyramid schemes, they took their case to the Disputes Tribunal. They just recently got the decision – which found in their favour. Ofa Siasau was to pay them the outstanding amount of $26,250 by May 21. However she has since requested a re-hearing and so everything is currently on hold, no money needs to be paid, pending the outcome of the re-hearing request. Ofa Siasau did not attend any of the hearings and she told 1News the Disputes Tribunal 'made the mistake of not advising me by email' about the last hearing date. In its April decision the Disputes Tribunal says Ofa Siasau had wanted an adjournment of a hearing last November saying that the notice of one of the hearings went to her junk mail. The referee says 'I sent her a direction saying in relation to the next hearing she will need to check her email at regular intervals and that I would not be granting an adjournment in relation to the next hearing date if the notice goes to her junk mail and she has not checked it'. The Commerce Commission has recently successfully prosecuted three people for pyramid schemes targeting Pasifika. Joseph Liava'a from the Commerce Commission says there appears to be less of the schemes doing the rounds but the public really needs to be vigilant as 'this type of scam unfortunately never really goes away'. He says, if there is no product or service being sold, it is likely a pyramid scheme. 'We rely on people coming forward, it's embarrassing you know if these things happen to happened to family members of mine and it's difficult for me to talk about but you know I guess that's another thing these scammers really prey upon." Pita Hingano hopes to get his money back but knows it is now a waiting game. 'I'm not fighting for my money. I'm fighting for my right that's the main thing." He hopes that by speaking up it will help others affected by pyramid schemes to get their own justice. For Barbara Dreaver's full report, go to TVNZ+
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘We Let People Decide': Tongan PM ‘Aisake Eke Optimistic Ahead Of November Election
Article – RNZ Dr 'Aisake Eke is optimistic says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke is optimistic about this year's election and says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Dr Eke came to power last December after his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned in the face of a no-confidence vote brought against him by the current prime minister. Tongans will head back to the polls in November. In wide-ranging interview with RNZ Pacific at his office in Nuku'alofa in April, Dr Eke said, 'We just do our best and let the people decide.' He also confirmed that he will recontest his seat in the Tongatapu 5 constituency. Improving public service Dr Eke said his government has sought to improve the public service since coming into office. 'Since we started at the end of January, we introduced some strategy and measures to improve, firstly, [the] efficiency and productivity of public services,' Dr Eke said. He said this included issuing a directive for government offices to remain open during lunch hours and redirecting government which they deemed unproductive to essential sectors such as fisheries, health, and education. On the subject of education, he said they brought back national examinations that had been shelved by previous governments and conducted a review of the school breakfast programme. Volcanic eruption recovery This year also marks three years since the Hunga Tona-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and the ensuing tsunami. While the Hu'akavameiliku had started the recovery work, Dr Eke said around 20 families remain without permanent housing. He said the government last month approved a supplementary budget of NZ$25 million for the ongoing recovery work. 'About $3 million of that is basically to go to completion of all the houses for the affected people,' he said. 'We aim to complete all of them by the end of this financial year which is in June.' Although some families are still living in their original damaged homes, he said that in some cases this was a decision made by the communities themselves. 'For example, the Kanukupolu village, they wait for completion of all the houses. About 53 houses are almost completed. They want to come to move in as a group,' he said. As part of ongoing disaster preparedness and lessons learned from the volcanic eruption, the Tonga National Disaster Management Office has worked with stakeholders to develop an effective tsunami early warning system. Dr Eke said there have been continuous tests of the system, aimed at making members of the public aware of what they need to do. '[What] we see is people now changing because this is perhaps several instances where they have to get away from their home and trying to go to a high point,' Dr Eke said. 'And I think that shows how much people learn how to prepare…how to actually conduct themselves.' Welfare of seasonal workers On Tongan workers taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand and the Australian Labour Mobility Scheme, the Prime Minister said said he had some concerns. 'In fact we have heard some reports, not only from them [the workers] themselves but also some of the commentators from Australia and New Zealand,' he said. 'I think we need the safety of our people there…and also at the same time we try to make our people, prepare them well.' He emphasised that better pastoral care is essential and said Tonga is formalising partnerships with church groups to deliver social and spiritual support to workers abroad. 'Our people actually they value there faith. They vary their faith…that's why I think we should address their social side, the spiritual side, also physical and also their intellectual side,' Dr Eke said. While economic benefits of the labour mobility schemes in both countries have been positive, Eke says the government has also seen some negative effects, including social impacts in the community on separated families. Opportunities for economy He said he wanted to grow and improve Tonga's economy through targeted investment and reform. 'Some of the policies need to be changed. We aim to make the economy viable using all the potential we have.' He said one pressing issue was a stagnant private sector. 'The private sector over the past two decades or three decades it actually stayed the same, and that's a challenge we are facing.' However, he said government has begun identifying growth sectors and working with donor agencies and governments to support them, particularly in fisheries and agriculture. 'We have done some work to improve the contribution of the fisheries sector, so we have started discussions with donors to for increasing the number of fishing vessels into the fishing industry.' He added that the government is also reactivating its national steering committee to monitor economic performance and help craft a more effective strategy in the next financial year. Infrastructure development is another pillar of the recovery plan, which includes advancing with the previous government's plans to build a bridge across from Ma'ufanga, outside Nuku'alofa, to the eastern division of Tongatapu. 'That actually [would] ease up the pressure on congestion, and also provides an evacuation channel for people to use when there is an emergency,' he said. 'And also that will help develop urban areas for economic growth.' Global shifts As current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Dr Eke said there has been a lot of progress made in a short space of time on the regional agenda, particularly finalising the governance framework for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and engaging global institutions on funding. Eke also attended the PIF Troika Plus meeting in Fiji and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings last month, the latter to advocate for more financial support for the region. On rising global tensions and recent United States trade policies, Dr Eke said Tonga has been pinged with the 10 percent base tariff and is watching developments closely. 'When I look at it in terms of trade with America, in fact it is about a TOP$28 million surplus in favour of America,' he said. 'America is our best friend. We have similar values but there are sometimes economic policies, even though we look at it from an economic point of view, its not a good thing. But I think common sense will prevail.' He remains hopeful and believes there will be more opportunities ahead. He also encouraged Tongans around the world to invest in their homeland and develop local enterprises. 'I would like to say to the Tongan people there are (sic) a lot of potential here and you can make a better living. 'The motto of this country is God and Tonga is our inheritance. Working together with faith, optimism comes in, we can do a great thing.'
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘We Let People Decide': Tongan PM ‘Aisake Eke Optimistic Ahead Of November Election
Dr 'Aisake Eke is optimistic says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke is optimistic about this year's election and says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Dr Eke came to power last December after his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned in the face of a no-confidence vote brought against him by the current prime minister. Tongans will head back to the polls in November. In wide-ranging interview with RNZ Pacific at his office in Nuku'alofa in April, Dr Eke said, 'We just do our best and let the people decide.' He also confirmed that he will recontest his seat in the Tongatapu 5 constituency. Improving public service Dr Eke said his government has sought to improve the public service since coming into office. 'Since we started at the end of January, we introduced some strategy and measures to improve, firstly, [the] efficiency and productivity of public services,' Dr Eke said. He said this included issuing a directive for government offices to remain open during lunch hours and redirecting government which they deemed unproductive to essential sectors such as fisheries, health, and education. On the subject of education, he said they brought back national examinations that had been shelved by previous governments and conducted a review of the school breakfast programme. Volcanic eruption recovery This year also marks three years since the Hunga Tona-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and the ensuing tsunami. While the Hu'akavameiliku had started the recovery work, Dr Eke said around 20 families remain without permanent housing. He said the government last month approved a supplementary budget of NZ$25 million for the ongoing recovery work. 'About $3 million of that is basically to go to completion of all the houses for the affected people,' he said. 'We aim to complete all of them by the end of this financial year which is in June.' Although some families are still living in their original damaged homes, he said that in some cases this was a decision made by the communities themselves. 'For example, the Kanukupolu village, they wait for completion of all the houses. About 53 houses are almost completed. They want to come to move in as a group,' he said. As part of ongoing disaster preparedness and lessons learned from the volcanic eruption, the Tonga National Disaster Management Office has worked with stakeholders to develop an effective tsunami early warning system. Dr Eke said there have been continuous tests of the system, aimed at making members of the public aware of what they need to do. '[What] we see is people now changing because this is perhaps several instances where they have to get away from their home and trying to go to a high point,' Dr Eke said. 'And I think that shows how much people learn how to prepare…how to actually conduct themselves.' Welfare of seasonal workers On Tongan workers taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand and the Australian Labour Mobility Scheme, the Prime Minister said said he had some concerns. 'In fact we have heard some reports, not only from them [the workers] themselves but also some of the commentators from Australia and New Zealand,' he said. 'I think we need the safety of our people there…and also at the same time we try to make our people, prepare them well.' He emphasised that better pastoral care is essential and said Tonga is formalising partnerships with church groups to deliver social and spiritual support to workers abroad. 'Our people actually they value there faith. They vary their faith…that's why I think we should address their social side, the spiritual side, also physical and also their intellectual side,' Dr Eke said. While economic benefits of the labour mobility schemes in both countries have been positive, Eke says the government has also seen some negative effects, including social impacts in the community on separated families. Opportunities for economy He said he wanted to grow and improve Tonga's economy through targeted investment and reform. 'Some of the policies need to be changed. We aim to make the economy viable using all the potential we have.' He said one pressing issue was a stagnant private sector. 'The private sector over the past two decades or three decades it actually stayed the same, and that's a challenge we are facing.' However, he said government has begun identifying growth sectors and working with donor agencies and governments to support them, particularly in fisheries and agriculture. 'We have done some work to improve the contribution of the fisheries sector, so we have started discussions with donors to for increasing the number of fishing vessels into the fishing industry.' He added that the government is also reactivating its national steering committee to monitor economic performance and help craft a more effective strategy in the next financial year. Infrastructure development is another pillar of the recovery plan, which includes advancing with the previous government's plans to build a bridge across from Ma'ufanga, outside Nuku'alofa, to the eastern division of Tongatapu. 'That actually [would] ease up the pressure on congestion, and also provides an evacuation channel for people to use when there is an emergency,' he said. 'And also that will help develop urban areas for economic growth.' Global shifts As current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Dr Eke said there has been a lot of progress made in a short space of time on the regional agenda, particularly finalising the governance framework for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and engaging global institutions on funding. Eke also attended the PIF Troika Plus meeting in Fiji and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings last month, the latter to advocate for more financial support for the region. On rising global tensions and recent United States trade policies, Dr Eke said Tonga has been pinged with the 10 percent base tariff and is watching developments closely. 'When I look at it in terms of trade with America, in fact it is about a TOP$28 million surplus in favour of America,' he said. 'America is our best friend. We have similar values but there are sometimes economic policies, even though we look at it from an economic point of view, its not a good thing. But I think common sense will prevail.' He remains hopeful and believes there will be more opportunities ahead. He also encouraged Tongans around the world to invest in their homeland and develop local enterprises. 'I would like to say to the Tongan people there are (sic) a lot of potential here and you can make a better living. 'The motto of this country is God and Tonga is our inheritance. Working together with faith, optimism comes in, we can do a great thing.'
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
'We Let People Decide': Tongan PM 'Aisake Eke Optimistic Ahead Of November Election
Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke is optimistic about this year's election and says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Dr Eke came to power last December after his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned in the face of a no-confidence vote brought against him by the current prime minister. Tongans will head back to the polls in November. In wide-ranging interview with RNZ Pacific at his office in Nuku'alofa in April, Dr Eke said, "We just do our best and let the people decide." He also confirmed that he will recontest his seat in the Tongatapu 5 constituency. Improving public service Dr Eke said his government has sought to improve the public service since coming into office. "Since we started at the end of January, we introduced some strategy and measures to improve, firstly, [the] efficiency and productivity of public services," Dr Eke said. He said this included issuing a directive for government offices to remain open during lunch hours and redirecting government which they deemed unproductive to essential sectors such as fisheries, health, and education. On the subject of education, he said they brought back national examinations that had been shelved by previous governments and conducted a review of the school breakfast programme. Volcanic eruption recovery This year also marks three years since the Hunga Tona-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and the ensuing tsunami. While the Hu'akavameiliku had started the recovery work, Dr Eke said around 20 families remain without permanent housing. He said the government last month approved a supplementary budget of NZ$25 million for the ongoing recovery work. "About $3 million of that is basically to go to completion of all the houses for the affected people," he said. "We aim to complete all of them by the end of this financial year which is in June." Although some families are still living in their original damaged homes, he said that in some cases this was a decision made by the communities themselves. "For example, the Kanukupolu village, they wait for completion of all the houses. About 53 houses are almost completed. They want to come to move in as a group," he said. As part of ongoing disaster preparedness and lessons learned from the volcanic eruption, the Tonga National Disaster Management Office has worked with stakeholders to develop an effective tsunami early warning system. Dr Eke said there have been continuous tests of the system, aimed at making members of the public aware of what they need to do. "[What] we see is people now changing because this is perhaps several instances where they have to get away from their home and trying to go to a high point," Dr Eke said. "And I think that shows how much people learn how to to actually conduct themselves." Welfare of seasonal workers On Tongan workers taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand and the Australian Labour Mobility Scheme, the Prime Minister said said he had some concerns. "In fact we have heard some reports, not only from them [the workers] themselves but also some of the commentators from Australia and New Zealand," he said. "I think we need the safety of our people also at the same time we try to make our people, prepare them well." He emphasised that better pastoral care is essential and said Tonga is formalising partnerships with church groups to deliver social and spiritual support to workers abroad. "Our people actually they value there faith. They vary their why I think we should address their social side, the spiritual side, also physical and also their intellectual side," Dr Eke said. While economic benefits of the labour mobility schemes in both countries have been positive, Eke says the government has also seen some negative effects, including social impacts in the community on separated families. Opportunities for economy He said he wanted to grow and improve Tonga's economy through targeted investment and reform. "Some of the policies need to be changed. We aim to make the economy viable using all the potential we have." He said one pressing issue was a stagnant private sector. "The private sector over the past two decades or three decades it actually stayed the same, and that's a challenge we are facing." However, he said government has begun identifying growth sectors and working with donor agencies and governments to support them, particularly in fisheries and agriculture. "We have done some work to improve the contribution of the fisheries sector, so we have started discussions with donors to for increasing the number of fishing vessels into the fishing industry." He added that the government is also reactivating its national steering committee to monitor economic performance and help craft a more effective strategy in the next financial year. Infrastructure development is another pillar of the recovery plan, which includes advancing with the previous government's plans to build a bridge across from Ma'ufanga, outside Nuku'alofa, to the eastern division of Tongatapu. "That actually [would] ease up the pressure on congestion, and also provides an evacuation channel for people to use when there is an emergency," he said. "And also that will help develop urban areas for economic growth." Global shifts As current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Dr Eke said there has been a lot of progress made in a short space of time on the regional agenda, particularly finalising the governance framework for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and engaging global institutions on funding. Eke also attended the PIF Troika Plus meeting in Fiji and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings last month, the latter to advocate for more financial support for the region. On rising global tensions and recent United States trade policies, Dr Eke said Tonga has been pinged with the 10 percent base tariff and is watching developments closely. "When I look at it in terms of trade with America, in fact it is about a TOP$28 million surplus in favour of America," he said. "America is our best friend. We have similar values but there are sometimes economic policies, even though we look at it from an economic point of view, its not a good thing. But I think common sense will prevail." He remains hopeful and believes there will be more opportunities ahead. He also encouraged Tongans around the world to invest in their homeland and develop local enterprises. "I would like to say to the Tongan people there are (sic) a lot of potential here and you can make a better living. "The motto of this country is God and Tonga is our inheritance. Working together with faith, optimism comes in, we can do a great thing."
