Man accused of killing Tongan activist named
The Vava'u man accused of murdering human rights activist Polikalepo Kefu can now be named.
27-year-old 'Inoke Tonga appeared in the Mu'a Magistrate Court yesterday, following Kefu's burial last week.
Polikalepo Kefu's death shocked the local and international community, sparking calls to legalise same-sex unions in the Kingdom.
Currently, homosexuality is considered illegal and although rarely enforced, still carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.
Tonga and Kefu were at a beach near Tatakamotonga before the murder occured.
Detectives identified him as a person of interest after interviews and a canvass of the area.
He will reappear in court on June 2.
Chinese nationals plead not guilty
Chinese nationals outside the Supreme Court in Port Vila Photo: Hilaire Bule
Fourteen Chinese nationals have pleaded not guilty to fishing without licenses in Vanuatu waters.
The men, who appeared yesterday in the Port Vila Supreme Court, also made not guilty pleas to charges of fishing having unstowed fishing gears.
The 14, who are crew members on two fishing vessels, Dong Gan Xing 13 and its sister ship, Don Gan Xing 16, were arrested by a maritime police patrol boat in Vanuatu's north in January.
They were spotted by a French military plane which alerted Vanuatu maritime authorities.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for June the 4th.
Niue to roll-out Covid-19 vaccinations in June
Niue's Minister of Health has confirmed the island's Covid-19 vaccination programme is to start the first week of June.
Sauni Togatule is calling on people to be ready for the roll out to begin but TV Niue reports some front-line staff are seeking more information first about the vaccine.
Officials from Niue and New Zealand are said to be working through vaccination logistics and an accompanying information campaign.
The minister says he's expecting all eligible people aged 16 and over to be vaccinated to protect the health of everyone on the island.
Meanwhile, the head of Niue Telecom Brett Collier said people are looking forward to it.
"1500-1700 people, we should be able to do it in a fairly short period of time.
What is it, three weeks between jabs? By the time you're given the first one you can rock round and do the second one and away you go again, the country's done," he said.
Death of Tongan worker in New Zealand to be referred to coroner
The death of a Tongan seasonal worker in New Zealand will be referred to the coroner.
Fuifuikula 'O Lofakaitamaki 'Ealelei is reported to have died of a suspected heart attack while he was asleep.
RSE Liaison Officer in New Zealand, Sefita Hao'uli, told Kaniva News that his co-workers attempted to wake him up on Sunday (May 16) before they realised he was dead.
'Ealelei died at the Mr Apple Tongan RSE worker's accommodation in Hastings.
His family are now working with Tongan and New Zealand authorities to take his body back home to Tonga.
The young father is survived by his wife and their two children.
There are 1,162 Tongan workers in New Zealand.
Cook Islands Investments Corporation appoints new CFO
A highly qualified young Cook Islander is returning home to take up a senior position in the Cook Islands Investments Corporation.
Rangi Ivaiti has been appointed as General Manager Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer.
The head of the corporation Allan Jensen said Ivaiti will bring broad innovation having worked in major financial institutions in New Zealand and Australia.
Ivaiti started work this week virtually as he's still in Australia finishing up his work with the Bank of Queensland.
He'll spend two weeks in New Zealand before he takes up his new role in person on June 8.