Nuku’alofa, Tonga – A leaked email has intensified tensions between the Tongan government and local media over conflicting claims about Air New Zealand’s future operations in the kingdom, as the government moves forward with its controversial plan to renationalise airport ground handling services.
The dispute erupted after Marian Kupu, a reporter for ABC in Tonga, repeatedly challenged Minister of Police Piveni Piukala during press conferences, asserting that Air New Zealand had privately warned it would cease services to Tonga if the government stripped ATS (Airlines Terminal Services) of its ground handling role. Piukala stated that the government was “aware” of the issue and was working to resolve it.
In a mixture of Tongan and English, Kupu alleged: “Air New Zealand has already stated, ‘ikai ke nau tō mai nautolu ia ‘okapau ‘oku take over ‘e he pule’anga’. Fefe leva ‘a e kau folau ko ia ‘i he ‘aho ‘uluaki ‘o Siulai?”
Kaniva News, unable to independently verify Kupu’s claims, sought comment from Air New Zealand, which denied any plans to suspend flights.
An Air NZ Public Affairs officer responded last Friday and said the Airlines has “no plans to withdraw services to Tonga.” Kaniva News published a story about the backlash against Kupu and FM87.5 Radio, where critics accused them of spreading misinformation.
Email Disputes Claims
However, the debate took a dramatic turn this morning when FM87.5 Radio publicly shared an email purportedly from Air New Zealand to justify Kupu’s claims. The email shared by the radio station has sparked debate, dividing the online community over conflicting reports and fueling demands for clarity between Kaniva’s coverage and the claims made by Kupu and FM87.5.
The radio-shared email, addressed to an unnamed recipient, warns:
“As I recall the current lease arrangements for ATS were due to expire at the end of this month, can I please get an urgent update on the ability for ATS to continue to provide our ground handling services at Nuku’alofa. Air New Zealand will not be able to provide services to Tonga without a ground handler that we have approved and in my letter of last October, that process takes significant time.”
The radio station posted a caption alongside the purported Air New Zealand email, stating that reporters had received the email on June 25, 2025 – one day before the June 26 press conference where they raised the question. This suggests Kupu’s allegations about Air New Zealand were based on this correspondence.
This is the translation of Kupu’s mixed English and Tongan allegation made to Piukala during the press conference: “Air New Zealand has already stated it will not land here [in Tonga] if the government takes over the ground luggage handling service.”
However, the email shared by FM87.5 Radio does not support Kupu’s specific claim.
The email, instead, focuses on operational requirements, stating only that Air NZ cannot operate without an approved ground handler. This key distinction raises questions about whether Kupu’s interpretation accurately reflects the airline’s position.
Her assertion carries significant weight, as it implies Air New Zealand’s potential refusal to fly to Tonga on July 1 could be politically motivated—a protest against the government’s intervention in ground services.
Air NZ Email Discrepancy
Kaniva News has analysed the email shared by FM87.5 Radio regarding Air New Zealand’s provisional warning about its operations in Tonga and found no confirmation that the airline planned to suspend flights on July 1, as claimed by journalist Kupu.
This was further supported by Air New Zealand’s flight to Tonga yesterday, which departed Auckland at 11am as listed on the airline’s official schedule.
The leaked email, purportedly from Air New Zealand, states that the airline “will not be able to provide services to Tonga without a ground handler that we have approved.“ This clarifies that the airline’s ability to operate depends on having a certified ground service provider in place, not an immediate suspension of flights.
The email does not mention a specific halt to services on July 1, contradicting Kupu’s earlier assertions.
This aligns with Air New Zealand’s direct response to Kaniva News, in which the airline confirmed it had “no plans to withdraw services to Tonga.“ The discrepancy appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the airline’s conditional warning about future operations if no approved ground handler is available.
The Tongan government’s push to renationalise airport services has raised concerns about potential disruptions, but for now, Air New Zealand’s flights remain unaffected.
The government, in its move to rationalise the service, will employ staff from ATS, according to Piukala.
Clash Between Media and Government
The revelation follows heated exchanges between Minister Piukala, Kupu, and FM87.5 Radio Director Katalina Tohi, who has stood by her reporter’s claims.
Piukala, however, remained defiant, reiterating that the government’s decision to take over ground handling was non-negotiable and that “arrangements to address the issue” were being made.
The radio reported that a signed contract was processed on June 30, extending the agreement for three months. No details were provided, but it appeared that this extension was intended for the ATS, with its contract now extended until September.
The Tongan public remains divided, with some accusing the media of sensationalism, while others demand transparency from both the government and Air New Zealand.
