EDITOR’S NOTE:This commentary was edited to reflect the fact that the response from the Deputy Clerk was meant to say that the Parliament using the circular was a normal means of communication.
COMMENTARY: It is time for the practice of using circulars to make decisions in Parliament was reviewed.
Circulars should only be used on agendas that are urgent.
They should not be used on important issues such as pay rises for Parliamentarians.
Such issues should be properly debated in the House so that they can be recorded in the minutes for the public to read and also broadcast for people to listen.
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the government’s use of a circular to canvas MPs’ views on a pay rise has been called into question.
However, the Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani, said the circular was a normal means of communication approved by the House and any information sent through it was legal.
In Tongan he said: “Ko e tohi ‘avetakai ko e founga ngāue pe ‘oku ‘ataa ke ngaue’aki pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ta’efakalao ha tu’utu’uni ‘i hono fakahoko ‘i he founga koia”.
Dr Vikilani did not respond to a question asking why a circular was used to ballot the pay hike and not a face-to-face voting in the House.
In 2018 Tonga’s former Prime Minister, the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, warned that using circulars in Parliament was open to abuse.
Speaking to Kaniva News, Pōhiva said the use of circulars was normal but did not allow for discussion.
MPs, especially the Opposition, could not debate whatever agenda was being circulated.
He said that traditionally Speakers and the Noble’s representatives, who were mostly the majority in the House, used it to ballot issues they wanted to be decided in their favour.
The late Prime Minister’s comments were made during an interview in 2018 about the decision to approve an invitation from the Tonga Rugby League for a Parliament delegation to attend a match.
The decision was adopted through a circular, by collective resolution of Parliament.
Prime Minister Pōhiva’s concerns are just as relevant today as they were four years ago.
Debates and voting in the House must be open so that all citizens can see how their MPs voted and debate can be held in public.
This was illustrated in our story yesterday when Dr Vikilani would not say how MPs voted on the circular.
A Parliament with secrets is not truly democratic.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in central Auckland.
Emergency services were called to an apartment building on Greys Avenue just after 10:30pm on Friday, where a man and a woman were found with stab wounds.
Both were taken to hospital with moderate to serious injuries, police said on Saturday.
The man was arrested at the scene.
A resident at a Kāinga Ora housing complex, Angus Jowitt, told RNZ he heard a commotion in the complex about five minutes earlier.
“It’s not uncommon to have a disturbance in Greys Ave at this part of the week, Friday night, however, this one seemed to me to be particularly intense, so I stopped what I was doing and went out and had a look on the balcony. There was a couple of people kind of running around and screaming,” Jowitt said.
“You could clearly hear someone yelling ‘I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed, call the police’.
“It seemed very, very drastic, so I went downstairs.”
Jowitt said the Te Mātāwai supported living development complex was staffed 24-7 and he saw workers running outside with phones in hand.
He said his neighbours reported seeing a man stabbing another person on a balcony in one of the complex’s three buildings.
At least a dozen police officers and about four or five police cars, along with an ambulance, attended the scene, Jowitt said.
“[It’s] quite a sad thing to happen in the neighbourhood. I don’t know who it was, but I’m sure we’ll hear in the coming days,” he said.
Police said a man is scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court on Saturday, charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Wests Tigers are reportedly considering a move to sign former Manly Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu once he is released from prison later this year, in what would be one of the most controversial comeback stories in recent NRL history.
Fainu, 26, has been incarcerated since December 2022 after being convicted over a violent incident that occurred at a church event in Sydney in 2019.
The former NRL player was found guilty of stabbing a Mormon youth leader during a dance, an attack that shocked both the rugby league community and the wider public.
According to reports, Fainu, who is of Tongan and Māori descent, is eligible for parole in October, opening the door for a possible return to professional rugby league.
Tigers Leading Signing Race
As reported by Code Sports, the contract is reportedly worth about $2.75 million, with the Tigers understood to have beaten several Sydney clubs to secure his signature.
While there has been no official confirmation from the club, the speculation highlights ongoing discussions within NRL circles about whether Fainu could rebuild his career after serving his sentence.
Before his conviction, Fainu was regarded as one of the most promising young hookers in the NRL. He made his debut for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2019 and quickly impressed with his speed, agility, and attacking flair around the ruck.
In his breakout season, Fainu scored several tries and played a key role in Manly’s push to the finals, earning praise as a future star of the game. However, his career was abruptly halted following the charges linked to the church dance incident later that year.
The Sea Eagles terminated his contract following the conviction, bringing an immediate end to his time in the NRL.
Tigers’ roster considerations
The Wests Tigers have been rebuilding their squad in recent seasons and are understood to be exploring options to strengthen key positions, including hooker. The potential signing of Fainu—if it eventuates—would represent a high-risk, high-reward move.
Supporters and critics alike are likely to be divided on the prospect. Some may view it as an opportunity for rehabilitation and a second chance, while others may question whether a player with such a serious criminal conviction should be allowed to return to the professional game so quickly.
Any attempt for Fainu to re-enter the NRL would almost certainly be subject to strict scrutiny from the league’s integrity unit. The NRL has implemented increasingly stringent policies around player behaviour, and a return in these circumstances would require extensive review, including risk assessments and potential conditions on his participation.
It is also expected that any club seeking to sign Fainu would need to demonstrate that appropriate support systems are in place to facilitate his reintegration into both the sport and the community.
A woman in Tonga is being sought after a complainant in the United States reported losing contact with her following payment for a kiekie that was allegedly never delivered.
The woman pictured is alleged to be linked to the scam and was photographed with cash believed to be part of the $300 payment.
‘Iva Fāʻotusia said she paid $300 after seeing the woman advertise on Facebook that she could make traditional kiekie.
She instructed the woman to collect the payment from lawyer Fatai Vaihū’s office in Nuku’alofa, where the transaction was completed.
A photo shared with Kaniva News reportedly shows the woman with $20 notes in front of her, which Fāʻotusia said was taken by Vaihū as evidence of payment.
The woman allegedly promised to complete the kiekie within one week, but failed to deliver.
Fāʻotusia said repeated attempts to follow up were met with excuses before the woman stopped responding altogether.
In a Facebook post by Faʻotusia seeking help to locate the woman, Vaihū also joined the discussion, sharing the photo in the comments as evidence.
A screenshot of the Facebook account’s profile
The woman is believed to be behind a Facebook account named “Kiekie Kaka Fakatau Atu”, with a listed contact number of 8440291, though no confirmed identity has been established.
The case follows a series of similar incidents involving Tongans overseas who have responded to advertisements for koloa faka-Tonga and services offered from Tonga.
Kaniva News recently reported a case involving the weaving service Lalanga Taʻovala Aunoa, where a customer—following this outlet’s intervention—eventually received the taʻovala, but not at the agreed quality.
In a separate incident, a Tongan sewing service in Mildura, Australia left a customer frustrated after delivering poorly made garments.
New religious histories are currently being published, while a university lecture delivered last week in New Zealand highlights Tonga’s preparations to mark 200 years since Christianity was firmly established in the kingdom, following earlier failed missionary attempts.
Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū
Rev’d Dr Paula Onoafe Latu is revisiting the history of the Methodist Church in Tonga and last week delivered a lecture at the University of Otago as part of the commemorative initiatives.
The research and publication programme is overseen by a committee chaired by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu, with members including Free Wesleyan Church President Dr Tevita Havea, Secretary General Rev’d Feleti ‘Atiola, and Dr Latu, who are developing a six-volume book series for the celebrations.
Dr Latu is working on the book series from his Takanini residence in New Zealand, with support from colleagues, including his daughter.
Wesleyan and Methodist both emerge from the same Christian tradition founded by John Wesley, an 18th-century English Anglican cleric and theologian who co-founded the Methodist movement.
However, Wesleyan typically refers to the early missionary movement and its theological emphasis, while Methodist serves as the broader term for the churches that later developed from that tradition.
The anniversary marks the introduction of Christianity by early missionaries, beginning with the London Missionary Society in 1797, followed by Wesleyan missionaries in 1822 and Catholic missionaries in 1840.
In a tribute within his Otago paper, Dr Latu wrote: “We remember with condolences the families of Harper, Bowel, and Gaulton, along with an English sailor from Great Britain, who lost their lives during the civil war of 1799, bringing an end to the short-lived mission of the London Missionary Society in Tonga.”
He described these missionaries as “the first martyrs of Christianity in Tonga.” Drawing on the words of early Christian writer Tertullian, Dr Latu noted: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
He further reflected that their sacrifice became the foundation for the spread of the Christian Gospel and faith in Tonga over the past 200 years. Lest we forget — Rest in God’s love.
Assessing Missionary Legacy
Although early British missionary efforts faced challenges and were not without flaws, Dr Latu’s research and forthcoming publications aim to evaluate the achievements of the Wesleyan mission in Tonga.
These missions laid the foundations of a faith that would reshape Tongan society and identity over the next two centuries.
In his Otago presentation, Dr Latu said Christianity not only transformed the spiritual life of the people but also played a central role in shaping Tonga’s political development, legal system, and national unity.
The presentation marked not only the historic anniversary but also the establishment of a new partnership between the University of Otago and the Free Wesleyan Church’s Sia’atoutai Theological College, where Dr Latu serves as principal.
Christianity and Royal Reform
The paper also highlighted King George Taufaʻāhau Tupou I’s pivotal role in embracing Christianity—alongside his wife, Queen Sālote Lupepauʻu—and using its influence to modernise Tonga, beginning with the 1862 emancipation of the people from chiefly and royal control.
The document notes that King Taufaʻāhau I’s establishment of the 1875 Constitution, grounded in Christian principles, stands as one of the most significant outcomes of this legacy, helping Tonga preserve its sovereignty and avoid colonisation.
Churches and schools established by missionaries also drove widespread literacy and education, with Bible translations into Tongan playing a key role in shaping both language and national identity.
Tree of Life
Dr Latu describes the growth of Christianity in Tonga as a “Tree of Life,” beginning with the planting of the Gospel seed, taking root in the hearts of the people, and eventually bearing fruit in social progress and spiritual maturity.
This transformation extended beyond Tonga’s shores, with Tongan missionaries being sent across the Pacific and the world since the 19th century, continuing the cycle of spreading the Christian faith.
The anniversary is expected to unite churches, communities, and the Tongan diaspora in a shared celebration of faith, identity, and resilience.
Why 1826 Marks the Start
According to Dr Latu, early missionary efforts by the London Missionary Society (1797–1799) and later by the Wesleyan leader Walter Lawry (1822–1823) recorded no conversions.
The turning point came with the arrival of John Hutchinson and John Thomas in 1826, who established a mission base at Kolovai, including a church and school known as Nazareth. This marked the beginning of a sustained and structured Christian presence in Tonga, even though the first recorded Tongan convert, John Lolohea, did not occur until 1829.
Despite early resistance—including the suppression of the church in Kolovai in the Hihifo district by Chief Ata in 1829—the mission began to gain momentum. Following this setback, Chief ‘Ahome‘e escorted Mr Thomas from Kolovai to King Aleamotu‘a in Nuku‘alofa.
LMS missionaries from Tahiti, accompanied by local and regional helpers, arrived in Nukuʻalofa en route to Fiji, but were instructed by Aleamotuʻa to remain and establish the mission there, underscoring his belief that Christianity must first take root in Tonga before spreading beyond, according to Dr Latu.
This led to the construction of the first church at Sia ko Veiongo in Nukuʻalofa, while the continued efforts of Wesleyan missionaries such as Nathaniel Turner and William Cross from 1828 further strengthened the mission.
Growing Converts, Expanding Mission
By 1829, the number of converts had begun to grow, with seven early baptisms recorded. Requests for missionary support also increased, notably from Taufa‘āhau, the Tu‘i Ha‘apai—who later became King George Tupou I—to whom Mr Thomas and the Tongan convert Pita Vī were subsequently sent.
From this point, the Wesleyan mission developed consistently and spread throughout the kingdom, laying the foundation for the nationwide acceptance of Christianity.
For this reason, 1826 is recognised as the starting point of Christianity’s enduring establishment in Tonga—marking not its first arrival, but the beginning of sustained growth, organisation, and eventual transformation of the nation.
Prime Minister Fakafanua says it is likely that illegal vessels have entered Tonga’s waters undetected in the past due to limited monitoring capacity, as the government rolls out new maritime tracking technology aimed at strengthening surveillance of the kingdom’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
His comments come amid ongoing concerns over Tonga’s illicit drug crisis, which has fuelled persistent questions about how drugs are entering the country and whether weaknesses in maritime monitoring may have enabled unauthorised vessels to operate undetected.
The revelation also coincides with repeated detections of vessels suspected of illegal fishing activity in and around Tonga’s EEZ by regional surveillance operations and fisheries authorities.
Reports from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have identified multiple vessels of interest during monitoring operations across the region, highlighting the challenges Pacific nations face in policing their maritime boundaries.
Limited Maritime Surveillance Capacity
Speaking at a press briefing last week, Lord Fakafanua indicated that Tonga’s limited maritime surveillance capacity may have previously allowed illicit vessel movements within its waters to go undetected.
“I will not provide details, but let’s just say that illegal vessels may have entered our waters in the past and we were unable to detect them,” he said.
He said newly deployed technologies now being used by Police, Customs and Fisheries authorities have significantly strengthened Tonga’s surveillance capabilities, enabling authorities to detect vessels entering the kingdom’s waters and monitor maritime activity more effectively.
He said the new surveillance systems can now detect vessels entering Tonga’s waters, making it far more difficult for those involved in illicit drug trafficking or illegal fishing to operate undetected.
Although Prime Minister Fakafanua did not disclose the specific technologies being deployed, media reports indicate that maritime agencies across the Pacific are increasingly using advanced surveillance tools to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational smuggling.
These include artificial intelligence-powered satellite monitoring, radio frequency (RF) detection systems, and autonomous maritime drones capable of tracking vessel movements across vast ocean areas.
The technologies can help authorities identify and monitor vessels even when they attempt to evade detection by switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders and effectively “going dark”.
The alleged operator of the collapsed BG Wealth Sharing scheme—linked by authorities to a fabricated “Professor” persona—has appeared to acknowledge its demise for the first time, posting a series of farewell messages before communication channels fell silent.
A supposed image of “Professor Stephen Beard,” now believed by authorities to be a fabricated persona used to promote the BG Wealth Sharing scheme.
Regulators have not confirmed a total recovery figure, but on‑chain analysis indicates the scheme may have involved around $150 million, with at least $41.5 million seized as it collapsed.
Driven by multilevel marketing tactics, the scheme stripped victims of significant sums, culminating in a final “12% tax” on fictitious account balances—an advance‑fee trap that left users locked out entirely.
Despite prior warnings from authorities and international media coverage, including Kaniva News, some Tongan participants continued promoting the BG scheme on social media, firmly rejecting concerns it was a Ponzi-style cryptocurrency scam.
Even days after US authorities announced the seizure of BG’s website domain, some Tongan promoters continued to circulate a purported registration document on social media, claiming it proved the scheme’s legitimacy in Colorado. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions had previously discredited the document.
Farewell Message Signals Collapse
In a screenshot of messages allegedly posted via BonChat, Professor Stephen Beard shared a pinned message stating, “This isn’t the end of the meeting. It’s goodbye.”
The remark signalled a stark shift in tone, coming after months of assurances that the platform was legitimate and not a scam.
A BG Wealth Sharing participant and promoter who shared the screenshot with Kaniva News said this was the first time Mr Beard admitted the scheme was a scam.
“It is over—no more,” the participant, who we chose not to name, said.
In earlier posts shared in the same group chat, Beard suggested the separation was final, writing: “Although I’m very reluctant to part with everyone, this is where we are going. If fate allows, we will meet again.”
He also urged members to “keep warm, and don’t catch a cold,” in what many have interpreted as a parting message to followers.
The comments have been taken by victims as a clear acknowledgement that the scheme has come to an end, contradicting his repeated denials amid growing scrutiny before its collapse.
The participant estimated that around 900,000 people worldwide may have been involved in the scam.
Fabricated Professor Claim Exposed
One of the key claims used by Tongan promoters to attract participants was that the scheme was legitimate because it was supposedly overseen by a professor.
However, authorities have stated that “Professor Stephen Beard” is a fabricated persona used as the face of a large international cryptocurrency Ponzi and pyramid scheme.
Some regulators have described him as a “fake CEO” and a self‑proclaimed professor with no verified identity or credentials
The character is believed to have been created using AI or portrayed by an actor following scripts.
Multiple regulators, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), issued cease‑and‑desist orders against the operation after the platform ultimately collapsed.
Seventy-three years ago, Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou III stood with grace and dignity at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, marking a moment that forever linked the Kingdom of Tonga with the United Kingdom.
Queen Sālote Tupou III
Her presence on 2 June 1953 remains one of the most memorable highlights of the historic ceremony, a statement by the Bristish High Commission in Tonga said.
Queen Sālote had been in London for two weeks before the coronation day arrived. Dressed in a long gown, adorned with a named fine mat—Lālanga-‘a-‘Ulukilupetea—and wearing her mantle and British honours, she also carried symbols of her chiefly rank with a comb of Lave‘i Tavake feathers in her hair. She travelled to Buckingham Palace before transferring to a carriage shared with the Sultan of Kelantan.
Seated prominently in a gallery overlooking the coronation chair, Queen Sālote was among the first to arrive and observed dignitaries as they gathered. Reflecting on the ceremony later, she described her heart as “deeply touched” by the dignity, rituals, and religious significance of the occasion. She was especially moved when the Archbishop proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II as the rightful sovereign and when the young Queen made her vows.
She also recalled the solemn moment when the Queen’s crown was removed during the Sacrament, noting the “inner glow” that radiated from her face despite exhaustion. For Queen Sālote, the ceremony revealed the unity of nation, land, and church in support of the Crown, leaving an impression that extended beyond its grandeur and beauty.
After the service, Queen Sālote was served tea, sandwiches, and cake in an annexe at Westminster Abbey. As rain began to fall, she chose to keep the carriage hood down during the return procession, determined not to miss any part of the day. Though both she and the Sultan of Kelantan were soaked, she later said the experience brought happiness and was “a treasure.”
Images of Queen Sālote smiling in the pouring rain captured the admiration of the British public and greatly boosted her popularity. Upon returning to her residence, she changed from her wet clothes but remained grateful for the warmth shown by the people, emphasising that her joy came from the occasion itself rather than the attention it drew.
“The coronation was a great occasion, and the memory of it will never die,” she later said, despite having been drenched. Journalists gathered that night and the following morning to ensure she had not fallen ill, while that evening she attended a grand coronation dinner alongside Sir Winston Churchill, whom she greatly admired.
Her schedule continued with official engagements, including laying a wreath at the cenotaph, attending the Coronation Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, witnessing Trooping the Colour, and joining garden parties at Blenheim Palace and Lambeth Palace.
Today, Queen Sālote’s unforgettable presence at the 1953 Coronation remains a treasured chapter in Tonga’s history. Her actions that day symbolised humility, pride, and the enduring place of Tonga on the world stage, proving that even the smallest nations can shine with extraordinary light.
Tonga Rugby Union has selected its first ‘Ikale Tahi squad for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup campaign.
The new Nations Cup is a biennial international competition starting this year, involving 12 teams from six continents. Matches will be played across the July and November international windows, with each team scheduled to play six games.
The tournament will begin on 4 July 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the host nation will face Georgia in the opening fixture.
The July matches will be staged across the Americas.
Under the competition format, teams will compete in pools, with the top-ranked side in each pool crowned champions.
The Nations Cup is designed to provide more consistent international competition for emerging rugby nations as they prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Which unions will be competing?
A total of 12 unions will compete, all of whom have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Samoa were the final team to qualify following their 13-13 draw against Belgium in the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai last November.
Pool A (Americas and Pacific)
Canada
Chile
Samoa
Tonga
Uruguay
USA
Pool B (Europe, Africa and Asia)
Georgia
Hong Kong China
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Zimbabwe
The competition follows a round-robin format across two windows, with each team playing six matches – three in July and three in November – against opposition from the opposite pool.
All results feed into the standings, with the highest-ranked team in each pool crowned champions at the end of the tournament.
Unlike the Nations Championship 2026, there will be no finals day. Instead, the format guarantees regular, competitive fixtures for all participating teams, supporting development and consistency ahead of Australia 2027.
The Team: Representing Villages, Islands, and Heritage
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua says government hardship support programmes and subsidised loan initiatives worth $30 million are facing processing delays and weaker uptake, citing stricter eligibility criteria, extensive documentation requirements, and affordability checks.
Lord Fakafanua
This funding initiative was introduced by former Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke to stimulate the growth of the private sector and informal businesses, and to promote long-term economic sustainability.
Lord Fakafanua said the first tranche of $10 million was transferred from the Treasury to the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) in March this year, but to date only $3 million has been disbursed in loans.
He said the government had engaged with the bank and made it clear that the funds should be lent out as intended.
The Fakafanua government is now seeking for the bank to relax its strict lending rules and policies.
The Prime Minister said the government will also step in to support applicants who lack sufficient “collateral” — the assets or property typically required by banks to secure loans.
“The reason Parliament allocated this fund is to support the people and ensure the bank’s policies do not hinder access to borrowing,” Lord Fakafanua said in Tongan.
He revealed that one of the factors delaying loan uptake was applicants’ limited ability to prepare the financial statements required to support their applications.
The Prime Minister said the bank had been reminded that it was its responsibility to assist applicants in preparing these financial statements.
He said this responsibility was a key condition of the agreement between the Treasury and the bank.
The loan initiative was introduced after former Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni Piukala accused the bank of misusing earlier government-backed loan schemes, alleging that funds had been directed toward elites while marginalising low-income small-business owners.
Former bank CEO Emeline Tuita denied the allegations at the time in a statement to Kaniva News.
The devastated mother of 41-year-old David Golk has shared a touching tribute after his body was discovered in Samoa, vowing to hold him in her heart “until I can hold you in heaven.”
David Golk
According to Talanei News, six men have been charged in connection with David’s death and appeared in an American Samoa District Court last week.
The accused are Faleulu Faleulu, Togafau Ieremia, El‑Shaniah Segi, Waldie Allen III (also known as Aleki), Wayne Leti, and Cowley Tui Tafea. Two of those arrested in relation to the case are juveniles.
It is alleged that El‑Shaniah Segi approached the victim, lifted him, and slammed him to the ground, with one defendant claiming he saw the victim’s head strike the edge of the sidewalk.
Prosecutors also allege that Togafau Ieremia used a bat to strike the victim, while Faleulu Faleulu is accused of kicking him and stealing personal items, including a chain, rings, a bracelet, Nike sandals, and a JBL speaker.
Police further allege that when Faleulu was located, he was wearing some of the victim’s belongings.
All six defendants are being held without bail, Talanei reported.
The deceased’s mother, Vea Golk, who is of Tongan origin from Matamaka, Vavaʻu, told Kaniva News that David was her only son.
Describing herself as a “heartbroken mother,” she said she will carry her son in her heart until the day she can “hold [him] in heaven.” She added that she loves and misses him dearly and looks forward to seeing him again.
As previously reported, Vea said she was deeply distressed and has struggled to sleep as she reflects on the alleged cruelty her son suffered.
She said the last time she saw him was on Friday afternoon, before police arrived at her home early Saturday morning and asked her to accompany them to the hospital to identify a body found behind a store in Vaitogi.
She said she could hardly recognise her son when she saw him, describing his face as severely swollen and discoloured.
Mrs Golk added that while her son would sometimes leave home for one or two days, he would always return.
