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Tonga Gov’t threatens to cut grants to church schools again over failure to account for funds – PM calls it a ‘Big Issue’

By
Kalino Latu
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga—The Tongan government has sternly warned church-run schools that it will stop paying school grants unless they provide proper accountability for how the funds were spent.

The warning highlights recurring issues, including halted foreign grants, ongoing court cases against school operators, and previous suspensions of funding due to similar failures.

Prime Minister Eke expressed frustration over the lack of financial reporting, calling it a “big issue” for the government.

The Prime Minister revealed that school directors had blamed their inability to submit reports on principals’ failure to cooperate, with some citing teachers’ being on holiday as a reason for the delay.

This comes after the Ministry of Education and Training previously withheld funding for non-government high schools for over three years starting in 2021, following findings that some grants were not used in line with the funding program’s objectives.

The issue has resurfaced amid an ongoing court case involving alleged misuse of government education funds. The case involves former MPs and Cabinet Ministers Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, Etuate Lavulavu, who were charged after a 2016 audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute uncovered financial irregularities.

The government previously emphasised that transparency is non-negotiable, and schools must comply with financial reporting requirements to continue receiving state support. Failure to do so, officials warn, could result in permanent funding cuts.

Education advocates have raised concerns over the potential impact on students, urging both the government and school administrations to resolve the matter swiftly to avoid disruptions in learning.

As Kaniva News reported previously, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade contributed NZ$4,458,606 through the TESPII scheme, via a grant to the Government of Tonga, from 2013 to 2016.

“A proportion of this funding went to school grants, which included assistance to non-government schools,” a spokesperson told Te Waha Nui.

These funds were managed by Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training under terms set out in the Grant Funding Arrangement.

New Zealand’s current education support to Tonga is focused on numeracy and literacy outcomes for students, as well as education policy.

New Zealand has a record of putting a stop to its aid funding to Tonga when controversies arise.

In 2013 New Zealand’s foreign minister said he would withhold tourism funding to Tonga until a plane gifted by China was certified by a respected international authority, despite China insisting it was safe.

Fiji, Vanuatu move to end Tonga student border rejections following Minister’s formal complain

By
Kalino Latu
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga’s Education Minister, Pingi Fasi, has formally complained to Fijian and Vanuatu authorities after numerous Tongan students were denied entry and sent back home due to visa issues, despite a long-standing visa-free agreement between the nations.

The matter was recently addressed during a high-level meeting with University of the South Pacific (USP) officials in New Zealand, where Minister Fasi revealed that students were being turned away at airports without proper justification.

“When we raised the issue, they were surprised and claimed they didn’t know about it happened,” Fasi said.

Following urgent discussions, Fiji and Vanuatu agreed to immediately stop the practice and ensure border officials are properly informed of the agreement.

The minister hailed the resolution as a significant step forward, emphasising that the treaty should facilitate seamless travel for Tongan students and citizens.

COMMENTARY Setting the record straight on the King’s role in hereditary title disputes

By
Kalino Latu
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Commentary—Kaniva News’ report on the King’s authority over hereditary titles has triggered heated debate online.

At the heart of the debate is the interpretation of two key constitutional clauses—Section 50(2) and Section 44—and how they interact in matters of noble succession.

The controversy stems from our report last night on the court case of Lord Fielakepa and his nephew Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo‘aulo Aleamotu‘a, in which the Land Court initially ruled in favour of Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo‘aulo Aleamotu‘a as the rightful heir.

Fielakepa then appealed to the Privy Council under Section 50(2), seeking to revoke the Lands Court decision. However, the King exercised his constitutional authority under that clause to uphold that Fielakepa’s nephew Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo‘aulo Aleamotu‘a was the rightful air, issuing a final and binding decision.

The constitution clause 50 (2) says: Constitution and powers of Privy Council

If any case shall be heard in the Land Court relating to the determination of hereditary estates and titles, it shall be lawful for either party thereto to appeal to the King in Privy Council which shall determine how the appeal shall proceed and the judgment of the King in Privy Council shall be final.

The constitution clause 44 says: King may confer titles

It is the King’s prerogative to give titles of honour and to confer honourable distinctions but it shall not be lawful for him to deprive anyone who has an hereditary title of his title such as chiefs of hereditary lands and nobles of the Legislative Assembly who possess hereditary lands except in cases of treason. And if anyone shall be tried and found guilty of treason the King shall appoint a member of that family to succeed to the name and inheritance of the guilty person.

Critics argue that such royal discretion could undermine hereditary traditions, while supporters maintain that the King’s role as the ultimate arbiter ensures legal finality.

Importantly, Section 44 explicitly prohibits the King from arbitrarily stripping hereditary titles—except in cases of treason—while Section 50(2) comes into play only when disputes are formally appealed to the Privy Council.

This legal framework ensures checks and balances, meaning the King cannot act unilaterally to remove titles, but once a case reaches the Privy Council, his judgment is conclusive.

The Fielakepa case exemplifies this process, affirming that the monarchy’s powers are constitutionally defined and judicially circumscribed.

Billion dollar drug seizure by NZ-led task force in Mid-East

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1News Reporters

A massive drug haul worth over $1 billion has been seized in the Middle East by a New Zealand-led maritime task force.

The New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).
The New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).

The Royal Navy Frigate HMS Lancaster intercepted a suspicious cargo vessel while patrolling in the North Arabian Sea late last week.

Using a Peregrine uncrewed arial system to track the dhow, Royal Marine boarding teams stormed the ship while a Wildcat helicopter with a Royal Marine sniper team covered them.

Once the crew of six were secured, boarding teams discovered 1000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine tablets hidden onboard. The drugs were transported back to Lancaster for testing and disposal.

It was the largest value narcotics interdiction made under New Zealand command this year.

Lancaster Commanding Officer, Commander Chris Chew, credited the success of the operation to the professionalism and dedication of the crew.

“This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, using her own organic assets,” he said.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster, part of New Zealand-led CTF 150.
Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster, part of New Zealand-led CTF 150.

CTF 150 Commander Commodore Roger Ward of the Royal New Zealand Navy called the operation a “significant blow” to the revenue streams of criminal and terrorist organisations involved in drug smuggling.

“Conducting maritime interdictions requires a team effort from the men and women here in the headquarters in Bahrain reaching through to those out on the oceans disrupting drug smuggling operations at the coal face,” he said.

“I’d like to acknowledge the 210-strong ship’s company from Lancaster for continuing to get amongst it day-after-day.”

CTF 150 was one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain and focused on regional maritime security.

So far, the task force and its partners have seized narcotics with a New Zealand street value of $1.8 billion, Commodore Ward said.

“Furthermore, we estimate that our presence and the intelligence collected from our operations has resulted in the disruption of nearly three times that amount.”

Auckland teen charged over shoplifting spree valued at over $10,000

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By 1News Reporters

A 17-year-old Aucklander has been charged after a spate of shoplifting, which police say added up to $10,000 worth of items.

Police recovered the products which were then returned to the supermarket.
Police recovered the products which were then returned to the supermarket. (Source: New Zealand Police)

He was tracked down after allegedly bagging $800 worth of groceries in one haul.

Initially, police said there was a report of a male shoplifting from a Manukau supermarket at 9am on Saturday, May 24.

Counties Manukau central area prevention manager inspector Warrick Adkin said the youth allegedly took a large amount of meat products and fled the scene in a vehicle.

Attending officers made inquiries about the vehicle, and discovered it was likely that the same person had been involved in shoplifting at a Three Kings supermarket only an hour earlier.

“Police officers immediately responded in an attempt to locate this male and the vehicle,” said Adkin.

“Not long after, the vehicle was located a short distance away, as it was about to enter State Highway 20.”

Police said they took a youth into custody while about $800 worth of groceries were located and returned to the store.

“Further enquiries revealed this male has allegedly been involved in numerous shoplifting or theft incidents this year, totalling several thousand dollars.

“We are pleased to have brought this spree to an end and for this male to be held accountable for his actions. We will not tolerate such brazen criminal offending.”

Police said the 17-year-old appeared in the Manukau Youth Court on May 24, charged with multiple shoplifting offences.

Tonga embraces digital future; Miss Heilala Racheal Guttenbeil celebrates launch of OpenCRVS, TongaPass

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Miss Heilala Racheal Guttenbeil expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office for inviting her to the National Launching Ceremony of OpenCRVS and Tonga Digital ID (TongaPass), a transformative step in Tonga’s digital evolution.

Miss Heilala 2023, Racheal Guttenbeil (second from left front row), joins government officials and digital transformation leaders following the historic launch of OpenCRVS and TongaPass. The groundbreaking initiative, supported by a US$4.65 million World Bank grant, will revolutionise Tonga’s civil registration and digital ID systems, paving the way for a more connected and secure future.

The initiative, backed by a US$4.65 million grant from the World Bank, aims to enhance digital access, security, and efficiency across Tonga’s public services.

The Tonga Digital Government Support Project will introduce a National Government Portal, streamline civil registration, and upgrade data protection, cybersecurity, and digital economy governance regulations.

A key highlight is the new national ID system, which ensures every Tongan receives a unique digital identity at birth and links vital records like births, deaths, and marriages.

Miss Guttenbeil called it an “honour” to witness Tonga’s digital transformation, emphasising how AI-driven systems will make services safer, faster, and more inclusive. 

“This launch isn’t just about technology, it’s about building a smarter Tonga where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand,” she said.

The project aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which provides legal identity for all and promises easier access to education, healthcare, banking, and property ownership.

Andrew To’imoana, a government project advocate, declared, “This is just the beginning”.

The government urges schools, businesses, and communities to adopt TongaPass and OpenCRVS, empowering citizens with secure, efficient digital tools.

“Praise God for blessing us with such intelligent minds and visionary leaders who continue to guide Tonga into a brighter future,” Miss Guttenbeil added, as the nation steps boldly into its digital era.

Rehabilitator Takataka faces rent demand for gym, fears for patients after investing $95,000 in renovations

By
Kalino Latu
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The operator of Tonga’s most successful rehabilitation program says the government has allegedly demanded he start paying rent for using the Teufaiva National Stadium gym, a move that could threaten his life-changing work.

The rehabilitation programme has been seen as A lifeline for those who had been waiting for death

Sione Takataka, also known as JT Takataka, the man behind the highly acclaimed program, has helped many regain mobility through his services, but the new rent demand threatens its future.

His regular Facebook live streams show patients arriving in wheelchairs or supported by family members, only to later walk out on their own and thank him for their recovery.

“The record shows 71 people have been successfully rehabilitated”, Takataka told Kaniva News in Tongan.

He said a previous agreement with a former minister allowed him to use the gym in exchange for $95,100 worth of renovations, money he may never recover if forced to pay rent.

“I can’t turn my back and leave these people to die in Tonga,” Takataka, who was residing in the US before recently moving to Tonga, said, emphasising his commitment to his patients.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, overseeing the Teufaiva Stadium, could not be reached for comment.

Hope for reconsideration

For now, he remains focused on helping those in need but hopes the government will reconsider its decision.

The rehabilitation program has been seen as a lifeline for those who had been waiting for death.

People have praised Takataka on social media, with many sending him gifts, especially equipment to support the program.

Gift from the Queen

One such gift came from Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u, which was an Isodynamics Reviver device.

This advanced equipment uses proprietary technology to trigger automatic muscle contractions, aid movement, and generate neuromodulation to treat neuromuscular diseases through targeted exercises.

The rehabilitation program is also seen as a vital solution in the government’s fight against diabetes, which affects 18 per cent of Tonga’s population of over 104,000.

A recent survey confirmed this figure, while also revealing that 80% of Tongans face significant health problems.

The report warned that “lifestyle-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) will become the leading cause of disease burden in Tonga unless interventions are implemented to slow or reverse this trend.”

Tongan scholars condemn Trump’s suspension of student visas, warn of ‘dangerous’ consequences

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prominent Tongan academics have joined a growing chorus of criticism against the Trump administration’s abrupt suspension of student visa processing, warning that the move undermines global education and fosters division.

Professor Tevita ‘O Ka’ili, a respected scholar at Hawai’i’s BYU university, expressed deep concern over the policy shift, which has ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to halt visa interviews for international students.

“I teach at a university where 56% of the students are international,” Ka’ili said.

He said the talanoa (discussions) and projects in his classes are enriched by diverse and insightful perspectives from students from Hawaiʻi, Oceania, the Asian Rim, the Continental U.S., and various other countries.

“It is unfortunate that the Trump administration has ordered all U.S. embassies worldwide to halt student visa interviews.”

His remarks were echoed by Professor Konai Helu Thaman, another renowned Tongan scholar, who called the decision “more than sad: it is downright dangerous.”

Responding on Facebook to Ka’ili’s post, Thaman reflected, “Humans learn at a young age to live together, to play together, and love one another. Then politics came along and demanded that difference should be the basis of governance—and eventually, life. We are seeing the worst manifestation of this change… everywhere.”

She urged Ka’ili to remain steadfast, adding, “Stay true to your calling; the truth will set us free.”

The policy, first reported by Politico and confirmed by The Guardian, stems from a State Department cable instructing consular offices to pause scheduling F, M, and J visa appointments pending new “expanded social media vetting” protocols.

The Guardian report said: “The new expansion would apply social media vetting to all student visa applicants, not just those flagged for activism. Under the screening process, consular officers would examine applicants’ posts, shares, and comments across platforms such as Instagram, X and TikTok for content they deem to be threatening to national security, which has since been tied in to the Trump administration’s stance on combating antisemitism.”

The move could disrupt enrollment for thousands of international students and deal a financial blow to U.S. universities, many of which rely heavily on foreign tuition revenue.

Critics argue the suspension aligns with Trump’s broader scepticism toward immigration and higher education, which he has accused of promoting “far-left ideologies.”

However, scholars like Ka’ili and Thaman warn that restricting academic exchange weakens intellectual diversity and global cooperation at a time when unity is needed most.

Tonga Health authorities screen travellers amid dengue outbreak; cases reach 793

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku’alofa—Health officials in Tonga are conducting health checks on travellers from outer islands to Vava’u as a precautionary measure during the Free Church of Tonga’s annual conference.

Tonga Health Authorities Screen Travellers as Dengue Cases Climb to 793. Photo/Ministry of Health (Facebook)

The move comes as the country battles a growing dengue fever outbreak, which has so far claimed three lives.

As of Monday’s latest update, the total number of dengue cases has reached 793, with 417 reported in Tongatapu and 310 in Vava’u.

No new deaths have been recorded as of today.

The age group most affected by the outbreak is 10 to 19 years old, with the youngest case being a two-month-old baby.

Three patients remain hospitalised at Vaiola Hospital in stable condition.

The Ministry of Health is urging the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes and schools to curb the spread of the virus.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly with increased travel for the religious gathering.

Preventive measures, including fumigation and public awareness campaigns, are being intensified to reduce further transmission.

Health officials advise residents to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, or joint pain.

Royal visit to Shandong strengthens China-Tonga friendship

By
Kaniva Staff
-

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukālala of Tonga, who also serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, recently concluded a fruitful visit to Shandong, China, further strengthening bilateral relations.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala of Tonga meets with Shandong provincial leaders during his official visit, strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, climate action and cultural exchange

The trip underscored the growing partnership between China and Tonga in key areas such as education, healthcare, climate resilience, and industrial development.

During his stay, the Crown Prince attended the opening ceremony of the Shandong International Friendship Cities Conference for Cooperation and Development in Jinan, where he delivered remarks highlighting Shandong’s vital support for Tonga in critical sectors.

He emphasised the importance of people-to-people exchanges in fostering long-term collaboration and mutual understanding between the two nations.

A significant part of the visit was dedicated to exploring ties between Tonga’s Vava’u and its sister city, Liaocheng. The Crown Prince toured Zhongtong Bus Co., a leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles, to discuss potential cooperation in green transportation.

He also visited the Pacific Island Countries Research Centre and the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Centre, where discussions focused on enhancing joint efforts in climate adaptation and sustainable development.

In Jinan, the Crown Prince made a special stop at Shandong University QILU Hospital, where he explored opportunities for deeper medical collaboration.

This visit is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange and healthcare improvements for Tonga.

The successful trip marks another milestone in China-Tonga relations, with Shandong playing a central role in advancing practical cooperation.

Both sides expressed optimism for future collaboration, reinforcing their commitment to a stronger and more prosperous partnership.

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