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Issue: 12
July-Sept 2019
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Malō ē Lelei …
Greetings to you all and welcome, belatedly, to the
September Quarterly Newsletter of the Office of the
Ombudsman. The Office had achieved some mile-
stones in all facets of operation especially in efforts to
further promote key principles of good governance in
government services and administrative decisions.
We have recruited new staff members with seasoned
legal background including the Director of Investiga-
tions as well as Investigation Officers. Through our
outreach programs to inform and assist people in
honing their understanding and appreciation of our
services, we have met and connected with many peo-
ple throughout the Kingdom. Additionally, we have
continued to work cooperatively with the shareholder
and stakeholders through our various mandates as
enshrined in the Ombudsman Act 2001. We hope
that you would take a bit of your time to read this
newsletter.
Do contact us on 0800 662, 26980 or investiga-
[email protected] if you need to say hello, make
enquiries or lodge a complaint. Malō ‘aupito.
Highlights
Corporate Division (CD)
Retreat - The office held a two-day retreat at Liku’alofa
Beach Resort on 15-16 August to present the Corporate
Plan for 2019/2020. The aim was to ensure that all
staff members are aware of how their work are all es-
sential to the achievement of targets and strategies of
the organization. A new theme – “Honoured to serve
Tonga by advocating Integrity” was introduced.
APNIC Conference and Workshop 5 - 12 September
2019
Systems Administrator, Mr. 'Akuila Pohiva, participated
in the APNIC 48 Conference hosted in Chiang Mai, Thai-
land on 5-12 September. This fellowship was partly
funded by APNIC with the support of the office. The
training covered wide range of IT skills regarding routing
and network security to avoid the impacts of cyber
hacking.
USOA 2019 - The Office of the Ombudsman was rep-
resented for the first time at the United States Om-
budsman Association (USOA) annual conference and
also become an associate member of this renowned
organization. USOA invited the Ombudsman, Mr.
‘Aisea Taumoepeau, SC, to attend its 40th Annual
Conference and Workshop held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The event also marked the 50th Anniversary of the
opening of the Hawaii Ombudsman Office. The
Acting Chief Executive Officer and Director of Investi-
gations, Mrs. ‘Alisi Taumoepeau, SC, also attended
the conference. (Photo below)
Investigation Division (ID)
Ombudsman Investigators Training Workshop, Fiji, 31st
July – 1st August 2019
The two (2) day program was conducted by the New Zea-
land Ombudsman and participants from other Pacific Om-
budsman institutions attended the training. The workshop
covered investigative skills such as interviewing and gather-
ing information, early resolution techniques, report writings
and exchanges of ideas between the various Ombudsman
Organizations throughout the Australian, New Zealand and
Pacific region. Four (4) staff members of the Office of the
Ombudsman attended - namely Mrs. Mele’ofa Mohenoa –
Senior Investigation Officer, Mr. Sione Hamani Topui – Sen-
ior Investigation Officer, Mr. Samiu Latu – Investigation
Officer and Mr. Mosese Uili – Investigation Officer.
Human Rights and Climate Change Conference 5th – 7th August 2019 - The Director of Investigation, Mrs. ‘Alisi
Taumoepeau, SC, attended a training in Nadi, Fiji, on Human Rights and Climate Change. The program covered
how Climate Change can directly and indirectly threaten the full and effective enjoyment of a range of human
rights throughout the world. Other participants from Pacific countries and human rights organisations took part
and was conducted by the United Nations’ representatives.
Complaints - During the September quarter, the
ID recorded the following statistics regarding the
complaints from the public:
Recruitments – Three (3) recruitments were made during the quarter. The vacant position of Director of Investi-
gation (DI) was filled by the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mrs. ‘Alisi Taumoepeau, SC, effec-
tive as from July. Mrs. Taumoepeau, below left, brings to the office a wealth of legal expertise and skills. Mean-
while, Mr. Hamani Topui and Mr. Samiu Latu (below right) also joined the office respectively as Senior Investiga-
tion Officer and Investigation Officer. Both formerly worked for the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Legis-
lative Assembly of Tonga.
Communication & Media Division
The Communication & Media Officer, Ms. Nanise Fifita,
attended the “2019 Young Leaders Program" for senior
and young civil servants from eight (8) PICs, 19th of Aug
to 8th September. It was hosted by the Guangdong Uni-
versity of Foreign Studies in Guangzhou, the capital city
of Guangdong province. The program consisted of a se-
ries of seminars, lectures and dialogues, site visits and
field trips to historical, cultural and technological organi-
zations. The aim was to showcase and brief the partici-
pants about latest developments in Guangdong's econo-
my, society and cultures. Lectures covered natural disas-
ters control and prevention, environment protection,
tourism and sustainable development. Other representa-
tives from Tonga included senior officers from the Minis-
try of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Department and
the Office of the Governor of Vava'u.
Visit from the Brisbane Tongan Community – The Om-
budsman held a luncheon meeting with Mr. Sulieni Layt,
Mrs. Mele Manu Nguano and Mrs. Maile Molitika of the
Brisbane-Tongan Community Association in July. In
March, Mr. Layt and members of the Tongan community
in Brisbane assisted an Outreach Program led by the
Ombudsman, Mr. ‘Aisea Taumoepeau, SC. This was an
effort to reach out to Tongans living abroad so they are
well aware of how the Office could help them if they
wish to complain against any of the administrative deci-
sions and services of government ministries, depart-
ments, agencies including public enterprises. It is under-
stood that overseas based Tongans still hold a lot of in-
terests in Tonga including lands and properties, looking
after the wellbeing and welfare of family members and
relatives, amongst others. The toll-free number to con-
tact our Office is 0800 662 or (676) 26980 or 26982.
Social media contacts – Social media users are most welcome to stay abreast with the latest news and infor-
mation from our office from time to time through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram postings. We appreciate
your time as the following numbers show:
Facebook July-September
Followers 1,925
Likes 1,866
Reach 1,865
Instagram July September
Posts 46
Followers 180
Engagements 100
Twitter July September
Tweets 26
Impressions 5,622
Likes 106
Replies to tweets 8
Outreach Programs – 12 OPs were carried out during the quarter including setting up of information booths during
the Royal Agricultural Shows of Ha’apai, Vava’u, Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou and ‘Eua. It was an honour when Their
Majesties, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, briefly viewed the display of promotional items displayed at the
booth. The OPs are to inform and enlighten the public about the principles of good governance that are essential
to guide the decision making process and services of the government. The items, consisting of pens, school bags,
coffee mugs, environmental bags, umbrellas and brochures, are to aid the people in their understanding and
awareness on how the Office of the Ombudsman could help them. Photos shown below were from the shows in
the outer-islands during July and early August.
Health & Sports Activities —The OMB sports team continued to take part in the 2019 Fiefia sports competi-
tion with promising results being expected. All the best to the OMB teams taking part in touch rugby, net-
ball, volleyball, hockey and badminton .
Editor – Acting Chief Executive Officer & Director of Investigations Content & Layout – Communication & Media Officer Office of the Ombudsman, Level 2, Retirement Fund Board Building, Cnr Mateialona & Lelue Rds., Kolofo’ou, Nuku’alofa Tel: 0800662 or 26980 Email—[email protected] Website—www.ombudsman.to Facebook—Office of the Ombudsman Twitter—@OmbudsmanTonga