Transcript
MACKENZIE SMITH: On Monday, two of the faipule, or leaders in Tokelau, took the witness stand. The case has been brought against them and the government by Jovilisi Suveinakama and Heto Puka, who were fired in 2017 for the alleged misuse of millions of dollars of government funds on helicopters and land. Their lawyer, John Goddard, questioned the faipule over their decision to suspend and later dismiss the pair. He was critical of the decision to investigate his client's actions, as opposed to others in Tokelau's government, and the move to suspend them before the investigation was completed. Mr Goddard also alleged the government had not been caught off guard by the helicopter buy and had instructed the plaintiffs to make the purchases in the first place.
BEN ROBINSON-DRAWBRIDGE: What did Tokelau's government say in response?
MS: When one of the faipule, Afega Gaualofa, was on the witness stand, he denied he was aware of the helicopter purchase, and said one of the plaintiffs, Mr Puka, didn't tell him about the helicopters during several phone conversations after they were bought. However, Mr Gaualofa did admit he had visited Auckland to view one of the helicopters after it was purchased. The government's lawyer also referenced an investigation report into the plaintiffs' conduct which found the plaintiffs lacked a business plan for the purchases and acted without proper approval.
BRD: So when will we have a ruling?
Judge Peter Churchman reserved his decision on Tuesday and said it would take a few weeks to reach. Earlier, he said he wasn't sure if he had the jurisdiction to quash a decision by Tokelau's government. The plaintiffs are seeking lost income in wages and benefits for the months following their dismissal until their contracts were to expire. Tokelau's government has said they were compensated and probably overpaid after they were fired.
BRD: And has there been a reaction to this case from Tokelau's community?
There's been quite a big turnout from Tokelauans in New Zealand - dozens over the two-day hearing, and people came from all over the country. The mood is quite sad actually. People I spoke to were confused about the case and why it was happening and had only come out to support each other and everyone involved. There has always been a great deal of confusion around the helicopter purchases but the community at least here in New Zealand seems to wish it had been resolved in Tokelau rather than dragged through the courts.
