His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services has issued another public notice acknowledging ongoing difficulties affecting passport printing operations, warning that normal processing times will remain longer than usual.

The announcement, issued on Friday, 23 October, follows an earlier notice attributing passport processing and printing delays to an increased volume of applications, amid public complaints about equipment failures and poor communication.

“His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service wishes to inform the public that, owing to difficulties currently affecting passport printing operations, normal processing times are expected to be longer than usual,” the latest notice said.

“Normal passport printing services will resume as soon as circumstances permit a return to normal operations, and the public will be advised accordingly.”

Earlier complaints remain unresolved

The latest notice follows a Kaniva News report highlighting conflicting accounts of the disruptions and public criticism of the department’s handling of passport applications earlier this week.

While the department previously attributed the problems to a surge in applications, complainants on the Tonga Felafoaki Facebook group, which has more than 160,000 followers, reported that passport processing equipment had broken down.

Some said applicants had travelled from eastern and western districts only to be informed by staff that the equipment was not working.

One complainant questioned why the department had not warned the public before people made lengthy and potentially unnecessary journeys.

Other commenters criticised poor communication and customer service, while one called for refunds of urgent passport processing fees paid by affected applicants.

ANZ has warned customers and the wider public in Tonga to be on alert following reports of scammers impersonating bank representatives to obtain personal and financial information.

The warning follows reports of unsolicited phone calls in which fraudsters allegedly posed as ANZ staff and requested account numbers, birth certificates and information about customers’ sources of funds, claiming the details were needed to update banking records.

The bank said the suspicious calls were not limited to ANZ customers, raising concerns that members of the wider community could also be targeted.

ANZ Head of Retail Pacific Melanie Culling said scammers could sound convincing and use pressure tactics to persuade people to disclose sensitive information.

“Scammers can sound convincing and may create a sense of urgency to encourage people to share information or act quickly,” Ms Culling said.

“If you receive an unexpected call, message or email claiming to be from ANZ, stop and check before doing anything.”

Bank warns against deception

ANZ acknowledged that it may legitimately contact customers to update their records or comply with customer identification requirements.

However, it advised anyone uncertain about a caller’s identity to end the conversation and contact the bank independently through its official communication channels.

“Never share sensitive banking information such as your PIN, card security code, or Visa Secure one-time passcodes, and never transfer money to a so-called ‘safe’ account at someone else’s request,” Ms Culling said.

The bank also warned against unexpected requests to click links, visit unfamiliar websites, download software or provide personal documents.

Three steps against scammers

ANZ encouraged customers to follow three precautions under its Stop, Check and Protect campaign.

• Stop: Pause before responding to suspicious requests.
• Check: Independently verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the bank.
• Protect: Do not disclose sensitive information, grant remote access to devices or transfer money when a request appears suspicious.

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a scam should contact ANZ immediately through an official banking channel.

A teenage girl waving what appeared to be a Tongan flag from a moving van attracted police attention in Queensland, Australia, leading to a traffic stop that resulted in a 22-year-old learner driver receiving A$6,077 in fines and 25 demerit points.

The incident occurred amid widespread celebrations by Tongan rugby league supporters ahead of the national team’s World Cup clash with England, which Tonga subsequently won 30–12 in Perth on Saturday, 17 October.

Queensland Police said officers spotted the teenager waving a flag from a Hyundai iLoad travelling along Redbank Plains Road, southwest of Brisbane, at approximately 10.30pm on Wednesday, 14 October.

Officers stopped the vehicle and discovered three other 14-year-old teenagers travelling without proper restraints in the rear of the van.

The female learner driver, from Redbank Plains, received seven traffic infringement notices for alleged offences including carrying unrestrained passengers, exceeding the vehicle’s permitted passenger capacity, driving without an authorised supervisor and failing to display learner plates.

Police footage shared on the myPolice Greater Ipswich Facebook page also shows a passenger wearing a shirt with what appears to be a Tongan flag design on the sleeve.

Another van is seen apparently waiting at traffic lights across the road, with a passenger waving what also appears to be a Tongan flag.

However, police have not confirmed whether the flag in question was Tongan or whether the occupants were participating in rugby league celebrations.

Police issue safety warning

Ipswich Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Jarrad Tyne said the incident highlighted the importance of ensuring passengers were properly restrained.

“We want to remind all drivers whether you’re heading out to celebrate an event or catching up with friends and family it’s important to make sure everyone gets home safely,” he said.

The Hyundai iLoad was registered to carry only three occupants but was carrying five people when police stopped it.

Queensland Police released the footage on Tuesday, 20 October, as part of a public road safety warning.

World Cup victory fuels celebrations

Tongan supporters had begun displaying national flags and celebrating across Australia, New Zealand and Tonga in the days leading up to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The excitement intensified after Tonga defeated England 30–12 at HBF Park in Perth, with Haumole Olakauʻatu scoring twice and Stefano Utoikamanu and Tolutau Koula adding a try each.

The match attracted 18,302 spectators, including King Tupou VI and Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala.

The victory strengthened Tonga’s prospects of advancing further in the tournament and provided another occasion for overseas Tongan communities to demonstrate their national pride.

Queensland’s Tongan community

Queensland is home to a substantial Tongan community, including families living in Brisbane, Ipswich and surrounding areas.

According to the 2021 Australian Census, approximately 9,491 Queensland residents reported Tongan ancestry, while 2,225 were born in Tonga.

The community forms part of Australia’s wider Tongan diaspora, where rugby league has become an important expression of cultural identity and solidarity with the national team.

Tongan man Pelikani Taukei’aho has been acquitted of murder and manslaughter after fatally shooting a man during an armed robbery linked to a cocaine deal worth about $100,000 in Featherston, New Zealand.

The High Court in Wellington heard that Taukei’aho fired his revolver after Doreion Hard and his associates robbed him and another Auckland man, Tauave Sue, of cocaine in a supermarket carpark in March 2025.

Both defendants were cleared of homicide charges following a three-week trial but are awaiting sentencing in December after pleading guilty to cocaine possession, supply and offering to supply.

According to the NZ Herald’s Open Justice reporting, the pair had travelled from Auckland on 22 March 2025 carrying cocaine, cash, a 9mm revolver and 50 rounds of ammunition.

Prosecutors said each expected to earn $4,000 from the transaction, which could have helped establish a drug supply network in the Wellington region.

Drug deal turns deadly

The court heard that Hard, who was under the influence of methamphetamine, had no intention of paying for the cocaine.

He arrived at the Fresh Choice supermarket carpark with five associates in two vehicles.

Hard and another man confronted Taukei’aho and Sue at gunpoint before taking two backpacks containing cocaine from their car.

As the robbers attempted to escape in a red ute, Hard fired a shot, prompting Taukei’aho to discharge his revolver.

One of Taukei’aho’s bullets fatally wounded Hard, while two others struck a bakery sign across the road.

The exchange of gunfire lasted approximately three seconds.

Defence argues self-defence

Taukei’aho’s lawyer, Louise Sziranyi, argued that her client had acted to protect himself after being threatened with firearms during the robbery.

She said Taukei’aho was outside his vehicle when a shot was fired from the departing ute, leaving him only moments to react.

However, Crown prosecutor Tim Bain disputed the self-defence argument, maintaining that the robbers were already leaving and no longer posed an immediate threat.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants had pursued the robbers after losing their cocaine and that Taukei’aho’s use of force was excessive.

Jury delivers not-guilty verdicts

Sue’s lawyer, Karun Lakshman, argued that his client had arranged the drug transaction but neither anticipated nor agreed to a shooting.

He also pointed out that Sue’s DNA and fingerprints were not found on the firearm recovered by police.

In his summing up, Justice Andru Isac reminded jurors that the defendants’ involvement in drug dealing did not automatically make them criminally responsible for Hard’s death.

After approximately 10 hours of deliberations, the 11-member jury returned not-guilty verdicts on the homicide charges.

Taukei’aho and Sue are scheduled to be sentenced in the High Court at Wellington in December on the cocaine-related offences they admitted at the beginning of the trial.

Former St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Talatau ‘Junior’ Amone has moved closer to reviving his international rugby league career after being named among Tonga’s reserves for Friday’s World Cup clash against Lebanon in Sydney.

The 24-year-old, whose NRL career was derailed by a criminal conviction over a hammer attack on a roofing contractor in Australia, has been cleared to represent Tonga despite remaining barred from the Australian competition.

His inclusion follows Tonga’s impressive 30-12 victory over England in Perth on Saturday, giving the national team a winning start to its 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign.

The official team list released on Tuesday, 20 October, confirms that Amone has been named as reserve No. 20, outside the starting lineup and interchange bench.

Conviction derailed NRL career

Amone was deregistered by the NRL after being convicted over a November 2022 incident in Wollongong in which he chased roofing contractor Jai King across a rooftop while armed with a hammer. King fell while attempting to escape, breaking both hands and suffering injuries to his ribs and hip, according to evidence reported by ABC News.

Despite pleading not guilty, he received a two-year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service.

The conviction cost him his $500,000-a-year contract with St George Illawarra Dragons, and the NRL has so far refused to consider registering a new contract for him.

Amone has since continued playing with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup, where his performances impressed Tonga’s coaching staff.

International authorities approve return

According to The Age, International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant said Amone’s deregistration applied only to the NRL competition and did not prevent him from participating in the World Cup.

“He was only subject to an NRL competition stand-down,” Grant said.

Grant cited Amone’s community work and continued involvement in rugby league, describing his situation as a redemption story.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf also praised the player’s maturity since his previous involvement with the national team in 2022.

“He came into camp with us in 2022 as a young man. He’s come back into camp this time and I can tell there’s a different focus, there’s a real maturity about him, and it’s been a pleasure to have him in camp,” Woolf told The Age.

Amone represented Tonga at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, playing two matches and scoring one try.

Tonga assesses playing options

Amone’s chances of taking the field against Lebanon remain uncertain, with Tui Lolohea named at five-eighth alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa.

Latu Fainu, who suffered a pectoral injury during the victory over England, has also been named on the interchange bench after assessments indicated the injury was less serious than initially feared.

Any opportunity for Amone to play will depend on changes to Tonga’s match-day lineup.

Workers recruited from overseas for jobs in New Zealand cannot legally be charged recruitment fees, even if the payments are made outside New Zealand, following a landmark Employment Court ruling.

The ruling matters for Tonga, where workers have long relied on New Zealand employment opportunities, particularly through the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, raising important questions about protection from unlawful recruitment charges.

According to a 1News report published in August, 1,676 Tongan workers participated in the programme during the 2025/26 season.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced the ruling on Tuesday, 20 October, saying it confirmed that the Wages Protection Act 1983 prohibits such payments regardless of where they are made.

Overseas Recruitment Fees Prohibited

INZ National Manager Risk and Verification Aaron Smith said the Court’s decision established an important precedent in combating migrant exploitation.

The prohibition covers payments made by prospective workers or on their behalf by relatives, friends or others, including payments collected by agents acting for New Zealand employers.

“The Court’s decision provides a legal tool to help combat this exploitation,” Smith said.

“It makes it clear no matter where the worker is, how much is paid, and regardless of to who, that it is illegal to charge a fee for a job in New Zealand.”

Smith said migrant workers paying substantial sums for promises of employment and residency remained a widespread feature of exploitation.

Implications For Tongan Workers

Tonga has long supplied seasonal workers to New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industries, where they are employed in fruit harvesting, orchards, vineyards and produce packing.

Recruitment may be conducted directly by New Zealand employers or through overseas agents operating under established labour mobility arrangements.

Immigration New Zealand requires employers using recruitment agents to cover recruitment costs both inside and outside New Zealand rather than passing those expenses on to workers.

The ruling also has implications for Tongans recruited through other employment pathways, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.

However, legitimate visa application fees, medical examinations and other authorised immigration expenses are distinct from unlawful payments demanded in exchange for securing employment.

Employers Face Legal Consequences

Smith urged migrant workers who believed they had been misled or pressured into paying for job offers or visa support to report their experiences to Immigration New Zealand.

“Anyone who believes they have been misled or pressured into paying for job offers or visa support should contact us,” he said.

Although INZ cannot itself recover money paid in job scams, it has enforcement options against New Zealand employers responsible for unlawful recruitment charges.

“If you break the law, misuse your position, or take advantage of migrants for financial gain, including through making false job offers, there will be consequences,” Smith warned.

The ruling does not establish that recruitment agents operating in Tonga have engaged in unlawful practices, but it strengthens legal protections for workers recruited overseas and reinforces employers’ accountability for recruitment arrangements involving third parties.

A 64-year-old man has died after suffering a fall at Fanga ko Pava Beach in Vaini, Tongatapu, on Sunday, 18 October.

Tonga Police confirmed the death in a media statement issued on Monday, identifying the deceased as a man originally from Pahu who had been residing in Vaini.

No further details about the incident were provided.

The incident has prompted police to remind members of the public to exercise caution and prioritise their safety while enjoying recreational activities.

“This tragic incident serves as a solemn reminder to the public to exercise caution, celebrate responsibly, and prioritise safety at all times,” the statement said.

Tonga Police extended their condolences to the deceased man’s family, relatives and loved ones during what it described as a difficult time.