Kaniva Tonga | Trusted News for Tongans Everywhere

Boycott calls threaten Tonga’s emerging ‘People’s Choice Award’ legacy ahead of Miss Pacific 2026

Kalino Latu - 17/01/2026

Tongan flag falsely used by sanctioned vessels in Asian seas

Father apologises after beer bottle sparks online backlash following LDS Church fatal shooting

Man arrested after two Tongans killed in LDS Church shooting in Utah

Lo‘au controversial university’s bluff unravels: From Police threats to publishing plans

Around New Zealand & the World

NZ closes embassy in Iran, evacuates staff as threat escalates

Kaniva Staff - 16/01/2026 0

By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission New Zealand has temporarily closed its embassy in Iran and evacuated all diplomatic staff amid what officials...

More newborns test positive for methamphetamine in the Northern Marianas

16/01/2026

Man’s death in Tauranga leads to murder charge against partner

16/01/2026

Tongans still ‘broken’ four years on from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption

16/01/2026

‘Shocking incident’: Man dead, three critically hurt in Horowhenua shooting

14/01/2026

National

Tonga’s passport ranking holds at 39th as citizenship-for-sale plan fears grow

Kalino Latu - 14/01/2026 0

The release of Tonga’s global passport ranking this week has reignited public debate over Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua’s proposal to introduce a citizenship-by-investment scheme...

Tongan researcher warns TikTok gout videos are misleading millions

13/01/2026

Drug run ends in forfeited car as two men jailed for meth possession in Tonga

12/01/2026

Hopoate fails to appear in court as former Minister accused of assisting his flight loses Cabinet post

11/01/2026

Tonga reportedly commits to 2026 Pacific pageant after boycott consideration; Solomon Is withdraws

10/01/2026

National

Tongan-US fatal shooting: Nearly US$50,000 raised in 24 hours for slain father of 12

Kalino Latu - 10/01/2026 0

An online fundraising campaign launched for Vaea Tulikihihifo Jr, one of two people killed in a shooting in Salt Lake City, has drawn an...

Tonga hit with another US restriction as visa bond of up to US$15,000 looms

09/01/2026

Fatal shooting rocks Tongan community at Salt Lake City Latter-day Saint meetinghouse

08/01/2026

Convict uses noble Lord Nuku’s ammunition licence to mislead Customs, fined $2500

08/01/2026

Man jailed for machete attack causing permanent injuries in Tonga

07/01/2026

Around New Zealand & the World

China’s recent crackdown on churches rekindles reflections on Tonga’s Christianisation mission

Kaniva Staff - 12/01/2026 0

A fresh series of arrests against underground Christian churches in China has refocused attention on Tonga’s earlier attempts to establish a Christian mission presence...

New Zealanders in Iran urged to leave as unrest deepens and Trump weighs military options

12/01/2026

Samoan Chief convicted of slavery and human trafficking faces sentencing in Auckland

12/01/2026

Tongan‑US shooting: Fresh details emerge as Vatuvei tried to stop fight before he was shot

11/01/2026

Claims of ‘sonic weapon’ surface after US raid, witness says Venezuelan troops collapsed

11/01/2026

Gov’t misleads on King’s new board; the bill reverses 2010 reforms that barred unchecked royal spending power

Kalino Latu - 01/09/2025 0

Analysis - The new King's Diplomatic Services Act, recently approved by the government, is a dangerous step backward for Tonga's fragile democracy. Despite the bill's...