Home Blog

COMMENTARY: Prime Minister Pōhiva warned about use of circulars, said they muzzled Opposition MPs

By
Kalino Latu
-

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.

READ MORE

Controversy surrounds MPs’ pay rise backdated  to 2018; but Parliament claims move was legal

Costs and details of MPs’ flight to rugby match still unclear as Speaker responds to our story

PM’s son slams approval of TP$200,000 to pay MPs to fly to NZ for Mate Ma‘a Tonga test

Bad luck fears mount amid debates on MPs’ controversial Mate Ma‘a attendance

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.

Princess Angelika, PM Fakafanua honour Taumalolo’s 300-game milestone in Townsville

By
Kalino Latu
-

Townsville, Australia – Tonga’s pride in one of its greatest sporting figures was evident today as Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho and Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua travelled to Townsville to honour rugby league star Jason Taumalolo on the occasion of his 300th National Rugby League (NRL) match.

Caption:
Jason Taumalolo is honoured on the field in Townsville after his 300th NRL appearance, receiving a commemorative gift in a special presentation attended by members of Tonga’s delegation, including Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho and Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua.

Their presence highlighted the national significance of the milestone, recognising Taumalolo not only as an elite athlete but also as a proud ambassador of Tonga on the world stage. The visit reflected the Kingdom’s deep appreciation for the achievements of its people abroad, particularly in rugby league where Tongans have made a powerful impact.

Taumalolo reached the historic milestone while playing for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Penrith Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. At 33 years of age, he became the first player in the club’s history to reach 300 NRL games, and only the 56th player in the competition’s long history to achieve the feat.

The achievement marks the culmination of a remarkable 16-year career that began when Taumalolo moved to Townsville as a 13-year-old with immense promise. He made his NRL debut in 2010 at just 17 years and two months, quickly emerging as one of the most formidable young talents in the game.

Over the years, Taumalolo has developed into one of rugby league’s most dominant forwards. Known for his explosive power, relentless work rate, and ability to break through defensive lines, he has redefined the modern lock forward role and earned widespread respect across the sport.

A key element of his legacy is his loyalty to the North Queensland Cowboys, having spent his entire NRL career with the club. He played a crucial role in their 2015 premiership victory and has remained one of the team’s most influential figures ever since.

Beyond club football, Taumalolo’s decision to represent Tonga internationally marked a turning point for Pacific rugby league. His leadership and commitment helped elevate Tonga into a competitive force on the global stage, inspiring pride among Tongans worldwide.

For Tonga, Taumalolo’s 300th match is more than a sporting milestone. It represents the success of a proud son of the nation whose achievements continue to uplift and unite the Tongan community at home and across the diaspora.

The celebrations in Townsville were marked by strong support from Tongan fans, many proudly displaying their national colours, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the deep cultural connection to the occasion.

As Jason Taumalolo reaches this historic milestone, his legacy is firmly established as one of the greatest forwards in rugby league history. His journey stands as a testament to dedication, resilience, and the enduring strength of Tongan identity on the global stage.

Online fundraising drive for Tongan women in China raises questions as authorities investigate

By
Kalino Latu
-

A social media-driven fundraising campaign for young Tongan women reportedly stranded in China has raised concerns among some community members, who question its necessity and credibility as authorities in Tonga and China are already engaged in the case.

Chinese Embassy in Tonga

As Kaniva News reported previously, Tongan woman Aloi Katoa went live on Facebook claiming that three Tongan girls who had travelled to China for marriage had encountered serious difficulties and were in urgent need of returning home, adding that one of the girls was her niece.

The claims were followed by a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, which said it was working with the Tongan Embassy in China to assess the situation.

The embassy stated that, based on information available so far, the matter appeared to involve “transnational marriage disputes” and confirmed that Chinese police were assisting the women, with no evidence at this stage to substantiate allegations of human trafficking.

It added that if any non-compliance were identified on the Chinese side, the women’s lawful rights and interests would be protected under Chinese law.

Meanwhile, Tonga Police yesterday issued a public advisory urging caution, asking the public not to treat unverified allegations as established facts while confirming that an investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Grassroots fundraiser emerges

Despite the involvement of both governments, an independent fundraising campaign has since emerged on social media.

A woman using the Facebook name Sulieti Lupe Latu—whose profile indicates she is currently in China and assisting efforts to return the alleged victims home—said she became involved after being approached by family members and out of a personal desire to help, emphasising that she is not related to the women.

Latu’s post outlined urgent financial needs, including accommodation and travel costs.

She said relatives in the United States had funded a seven-day hotel stay, which was due to expire this week. Extending the accommodation, she said, would cost approximately US$295.

The most pressing concern, she said, was securing airfare, estimating tickets from Hong Kong to Tonga via Nadi at between US$1,300 and US$1,500 per person.

Latu also shared Western Union, Zelle and PayPal details, encouraging supporters to donate directly or through her assistance.

Concerns Over Online Fundraising

While many social media users expressed sympathy and offered support, others urged caution, raising concerns about informal fundraising campaigns and warning against sending money without independent verification.

Some commenters also questioned why donations were not being coordinated through official channels, given the involvement of the Tongan Embassy in China.

“No one knows who you are,” one commenter wrote in response to Latu.

Another described the details in her post as unusual, asking why those wishing to provide financial assistance were not being directed instead to the Tongan ambassador in China, who they said would have verified information about the case.

Neither the Chinese Embassy nor the Embassy of Tonga in China has issued any public appeal for financial assistance. Authorities have encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact official channels as investigations continue.

Chinese Embassy says no evidence of human trafficking in response to viral livestream allegations

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Chinese Embassy in Tonga says there is currently no evidence to support claims of human trafficking following a viral Facebook livestream alleging that Tongan women had been lured to China for forced marriage.

Aloi Katoa

In a statement issued after the livestream attracted widespread attention on social media, the embassy said it was working with the Embassy of Tonga in China to investigate the matter.

“Based on information available so far, the issue appears to be transnational marriage disputes,” the statement said.

The embassy said Chinese police were providing assistance to the three Tongan women referred to in the allegations and that, based on the information currently available, there was no evidence verifying that human trafficking was involved.

It added that if any unlawful conduct or non-compliance were identified on the Chinese side, the women’s legitimate rights and interests would be protected under Chinese law.

The embassy’s response follows a Facebook livestream on Wednesday by Tongan woman Aloi Katoa, who alleged that three Tongan women had travelled to China for marriage and later encountered serious difficulties.

The livestream quickly gained widespread attention, attracting more than 170,000 views and over 3,000 shares within hours of being posted.

The allegations prompted concern among members of the Tongan community, with many calling for authorities to investigate the claims.

The Chinese Embassy encouraged the women involved or their family members to contact officials directly to assist with ongoing enquiries.

Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Chinese Embassy in Tonga on +676 24-554, by email at chinaemb_to@mfa.gov.cn, or the Embassy of Tonga in China.

Kaniva News will continue to follow developments as more information becomes available.

Fātumu road rage gunman jailed after firing shots at family with children in car

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Fātumu man has been jailed after the Supreme Court ruled that he deliberately pursued a family’s vehicle, assaulted a woman and fired two gunshots in an attempt to intimidate the occupants, including a 12-year-old boy and a baby.

Tulimi Tu’itupou

Acting Lord Chief Justice Tuʻinukutavake Barron Afeaki sentenced Tulimi Tuʻitupou on Thursday to two years and six months’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate, together with a concurrent sentence of eight months for common assault.

The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended for two years, meaning Tuʻitupou must serve 18 months in prison.

The incident occurred on 5 July 2025 after an argument on a road at Fatumu.

According to the Court, complainant Sosefina Sili was travelling in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Pelaitia Mataele. Her then 12-year-old son was sitting in the back seat holding a baby when their vehicle encountered two vehicles blocking the road, including one driven by Tuʻitupou.

After a verbal exchange, Tuʻitupou chased the complainants’ vehicle, forced it off the road, grabbed Sili through an open window, dislocated her arm and threatened to retrieve a firearm and shoot the vehicle’s tyres.

He later stood in the roadway and fired two shots, with the second striking a hibiscus tree above the vehicle, causing foliage to fall onto its roof as the family fled to Haʻasini Police Station. Police later found two firearms and ammunition in his vehicle.

In his sentencing remarks, Acting Lord Chief Justice Afeaki described the offending as a serious escalation from a verbal disagreement to violence involving a firearm.

“The Court has an important responsibility to ensure that members of the community, particularly women and children, are protected and are able to go about their daily lives in safety and without fear of violence,” he said.

The judge said the case highlighted growing concern over firearm-related offending in Tonga.

“The use and display of firearms to intimidate or threaten others appears to be becoming more common and this trend is deeply troubling,” he said, stressing that firearms have no place in resolving personal disputes.

The Court warned that the consequences could have been catastrophic if the defendant had accidentally fired into the vehicle, potentially killing or seriously injuring its occupants.

Justice Afeaki also rejected the defence argument that abusive language from the complainant substantially mitigated the offending.

“Whatever words may have been exchanged, they provided no justification for the Defendant’s actions,” the judge said, noting that Tuʻitupou chose to pursue the victims, assault the complainant and then resort to using a firearm.

While acknowledging Tuʻitupou’s previous good character, genuine remorse, customary apology to the complainants, strong community support and responsibilities as the sole caregiver for his four children, the Court held that those factors could not outweigh the seriousness of the offending. The complainants had written to the Court seeking leniency after accepting his apology.

The Court ordered Tuʻitupou to complete an anger management programme, report to the Probation Office upon release and remain on probation for two years. It also ordered that the firearms and ammunition involved in the case be forfeited to Tonga Police.

Viral livestream alleges Tongan women forced into marriage in China

By
Kalino Latu
-

A social media livestream alleging that Tongan women have been taken to China and forced into marriage has attracted significant attention online, prompting concern and discussion across the Tongan community.

Aloi Kātoa

The livestream, broadcast earlier today by Tongan woman Aloi Katoa, has attracted more than 170,000 views and over 3,000 shares within hours of being posted.

During the broadcast, Katoa alleged that one of the victims was her niece, who she claimed had been assisted to return home with the help of a Tongan nurse working in China.

Kaniva News has not independently verified the allegations.

Kātoa did not present documentary evidence during the livestream, and no official confirmation of the claims has been made by authorities.

She identified a Tongan woman whom she alleged was behind the purported trafficking operation. Kaniva News has withheld the woman’s identity for legal reasons, as the allegations have not been independently verified.

Nevertheless, the allegations have resonated widely online, with viewers expressing concern and calling for further investigation into the claims.

Among the hundreds of comments posted during the broadcast, some viewers tagged Tongan authorities, including Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, several Cabinet Ministers, and Kaniva Tonga News, apparently seeking attention to the allegations and calling for an official response.

The allegations are unusual because they suggest Tongan women may have been lured overseas under the guise of employment. Previous reported trafficking cases involving Tonga have largely occurred within the country itself.

As Kaniva News reported last year, human trafficking remains a serious and persistent problem in Tonga, with the latest U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report warning that the kingdom still does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, despite recent progress.

In 2010, a Chinese woman living in Tonga, Lirong Liu, was convicted by the Nukuʻalofa Supreme Court on seven charges, including trafficking in persons, keeping a brothel, and engaging in prostitution.

The court heard that Liu had brought two Chinese women to Tonga under the pretence of employment at a restaurant. Upon their arrival, the women were forced into sex work, primarily servicing Chinese labourers in Tonga.

Human trafficking and forced marriage are internationally recognised forms of exploitation and are criminal offences in many countries.

Efforts by Kaniva News to contact the authorities for comment were unsuccessful.

Fātumu road rage gunman found guilty after threatening family with children in car

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man has been convicted after firing a gun to intimidate others during a road rage confrontation that left a woman, a 12-year-old boy, and a baby in their vehicle terrified.

Tulimi Tu’itupou

Tulimi Tuʻitupou, of Fātumu, subjected the victims to what the Court described as a “terrifying” ordeal across two locations on a Fātumu road on 5 July 2025.

The complainant, Sosefina Sili, was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Pelaitia Mataele, while her then 12-year-old son sat in the back holding a baby.

The incident began near the LDS Church, where the victims encountered two stationary vehicles obstructing the roadway—a Nissan X-Trail driven by Tuʻitupou and a truck facing in the opposite direction.

The Court heard that the victims initially waited for the vehicles to move. When they eventually did, an exchange between Sili and Tuʻitupou quickly escalated, with both parties trading expletives before the victims drove away.

Tuʻitupou then pursued the vehicle, cutting across its path near Laulea Beach and forcing it to swerve onto the roadside. He exited his vehicle and approached the passenger-side door, attempting to open it.

When he found it locked, he reached through the window, grabbed Sili by her clothing, and pulled her upper body out of the car.

The altercation ensued, during which verbal exchanges continued. The defendant then pushed Sosefina’s left arm, causing her injury.

The Court accepted evidence that Tuʻitupou stated, “I will punch the shit out of you.”

It further accepted that he said: “You should all [expletive] know that I am the King of Fatumu. When I am in the middle of the road speaking, no one is to interfere. Do you want me to retrieve my gun and shoot all of your tyres?”

The victims were eventually able to leave. Sili’s son then alerted her to the presence of a firearm, which she also observed. She stated that she saw Tuʻitupou place the firearm through his window, following which she heard a gunshot.

Additional gunshots were heard as they drove away and proceeded directly to the Ha’asini Police Station, where a complaint was lodged.

Police officers visited Tuʻitupou that afternoon and found a .22 calibre rifle, a shotgun and cartridges in his vehicle.

The Lord Chief Justice found Sili to be a truthful and reliable witness, although he did not accept that the exchanges—particularly the initial interaction—occurred in the restrained manner she described.

He also accepted the young boy’s evidence as truthful but raised concern about his treatment as a witness, noting that he was vulnerable and eligible for special measures.

The Court recorded its strong displeasure at the Prosecution’s failure to take appropriate steps in this regard. The Lord Chief Justice recommended that members of the Crown Prosecution attend Justice Garlick KC’s lectures on dealing with vulnerable witnesses and, in the interim, familiarise themselves with the relevant protocols.

Tuʻitupou was found guilty on both counts and convicted accordingly. He is yet to be sentenced.

Police escort woman away after kissing Princess Pilolevu during new church celebration performance

By
Kalino Latu
-

A livestream of the Tatakamotonga Free Wesleyan Church celebrations captured the moment a woman kissed Princess Pilolevu Tuita during a lakalaka performance before a police officer intervened and escorted her away.

A police officer approaches a woman moments after she kissed Princess Pilolevu during a lakalaka performance at celebrations marking the opening of Tatakamotonga 1 Toetuʻu 2’s new church building and the bicentenary of Christianity in Tonga.

The celebrations, marking the opening of the new church building for Tatakamotonga 1’s Toetuʻu 2 congregation, were part of the Free Wesleyan Church’s nationwide commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in Tonga in 1826.

The 17-second livestream video capturing the incident shows the woman apparently emerging from the audience, kissing Princess Pilolevu before sitting and then lying at the Princess’s feet between two women who were already seated there.

Moments later, a female police officer appeared in the video, approached the woman and spoke with her before escorting her away.

The circumstances following the woman’s removal from the venue remain unclear.

However, it is evident that when incidents such as this involve members of the royal family, police or military personnel assigned to their security are required to respond and manage the situation at the scene.

There are established cultural and ceremonial protocols governing the manner in which members of the public may express their appreciation.

Under these customs, direct physical contact with members of the royal family during public performances is generally not permitted and would be considered inconsistent with accepted protocol.

In a speech during the celebrations, the holder of the Tatakamotonga estate, Prince Tungi Mailefihi, said the opening of the new church had been deliberately timed to coincide with the bicentenary celebrations of Christianity in Tonga.

He said this history was marked by the arrival of Wesleyan Methodist missionary Walter Lawry in 1822, who anchored his ship at Fuʻipā Beach in Tatakamotonga in an effort to introduce the faith, although his stay was brief before he departed.

Left bloc leads in latest poll despite Labour slump

By
Kaniva Staff
-

RNZ

Labour is down five points to 32 percent in the latest 1News Verian poll, but could form a government with the Greens and Te Pati Maori.

Photo/RNZ

Between them, the left bloc would have 64 seats to the right bloc’s 60 seats, although that assumes Te Pāti Māori would retain all six of their electorate seats.

With National down slightly, the results point to the major parties’ lowest level of support since the first MMP election in 1996 and its lowest under leader Christopher Luxon in the Verian poll.

Labour: 32 percent, down 5 (41 seats)
National: 29 percent, down 1 (37 seats)
Greens: 13 percent, up 2 (17 seats)
NZ First: 11 percent, up 1 (15 seats)
ACT: 6 percent, down 1 (8 seats)
Te Pāti Māori: 1.8 percent, up 0.3 (6 seats)

Uncertainty appeared to be increasing with 14 percent of those surveyed saying they did not know or were refusing to say who they would vote for, an increase of 5 percent.

ACT’s minor decrease was the party’s fourth consecutive fall in the Verian poll.

For parties outside Parliament, a 1.6-percent bump for Opportunity puts them at 4.6 percent – within a sniff of the 5 percent threshold that would guarantee the party entrance to Parliament without needing an electorate seat.

The bad news for Labour continued in the preferred prime minister stakes, with leader Chris Hipkins dropping below Luxon.

Preferred prime minister

Christopher Luxon: 18 percent – up 2 points
Chris Hipkins: 16 percent – down 3 points
Winston Peters: 10 percent, down 2
Chlöe Swarbrick: 6 percent, steady
David Seymour: 4 percent, steady
Chris Bishop: 1 percent, down 1

Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Education Minister Erica Stanford, former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, and senior Labour MP Kieran McAnulty all registered at 1 percent.

The poll surveyed 1001 eligible voters and was weighted for demographics, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval. It was conducted between 13 and 17 June using a combination of mobile phone calls and online panels.

Undecided voters, non-voters and those who refused to answer are excluded from the data on party support. The results are a snapshot in time of party support, and not a prediction.

Polls compare to the most recent poll by the same polling company, as different polls can use different methologies. They are intended to track trends in voting preferences, showing a snapshot in time, rather than be a completely accurate predictor of the final election result.

The Opportunity Party: The election dark horse

Christopher Luxon defends economic record in face of downgrades, poor polling

Christopher Luxon lives on as leader. Public perception is a tougher challenge

National, Luxon fall in latest poll, coalition trails left bloc

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz

Prince Ata fights back tears as Tonga marks 200 years of Christianity

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prince Ata became visibly emotional as he addressed the congregation during celebrations marking 200 years of Christianity in Tonga, pausing at times as tears welled in his eyes.

Prince Ata Moved to Tears Remembering Nasaleti’s Legacy

As previously reported by Kaniva News, Tonga is marking the bicentenary of Christianity with nationwide events, including the Free Wesleyan Church Conference and bicentennial celebrations held from June 19–21, 2026, as well as a special public holiday on Friday, June 26, 2026.

The first missionaries from the London Missionary Society arrived in Tonga in 1797, but their mission ended tragically when all of them were killed during the Kingdom’s civil conflicts.

Christianity became firmly established only after the arrival of missionaries John Hutchinson and John Thomas in 1826. They landed at Kolovai, the estate of Prince Ata, where they established Tonga’s first mission school, naming it Nasaleti (Nazareth).

The Prince recalled a time when the school was viewed as lacking importance in its early days.

Prince Ata’s address was delivered warmly and engagingly, blending humour, gentle teasing, and light-hearted anecdotes that drew laughter and appreciative reactions from the audience.

However, the tone shifted markedly when he called on his kāinga and the people of Hihifo (the western districts) to support the school, becoming emotional as he encouraged families to continue enrolling their children and reflected on its enduring significance to Kolovai and Tonga as a whole.

He was visibly emotional, wiping tears from his eyes as he spoke.

The moment appeared to evoke memories of Nasaleti’s place in the nation’s history, as the school remains a living symbol of the arrival of Christianity and the beginnings of formal education in the Kingdom.

As cybercrime surges, new regional fund could help Tonga bolster cyber security

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga has joined an INTERPOL regional cybercrime initiative a year after a major ransomware attack exposed weaknesses in the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

An INTERPOL Asia and South Pacific Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2025/2026 says Tonga is among the Pacific nations participating in the first phase of the Asia and South Pacific Joint Operations against Cybercrime (ASPJOC), a programme funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The initiative supports Tonga and neighbouring Pacific nations through cybercrime intelligence gathering and analysis, information sharing, coordinated operations, and programmes designed to strengthen law enforcement responses to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

INTERPOL’s latest report echoes those concerns, noting that many small island states in the Pacific face challenges in cybersecurity preparedness, technical expertise and resources, making them vulnerable to cybercriminal activity and transnational attacks.

The report says stronger cooperation, intelligence sharing, technical training and investment in cyber resilience are essential as ransomware, online scams, phishing campaigns and AI-enabled cybercrime continue to escalate throughout the region.

Participating countries include Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.

Tonga’s inclusion in the programme comes as the Kingdom continues to address vulnerabilities exposed by a major ransomware attack on the National Health Information System in 2025, during which hackers encrypted the health database and demanded a US$1 million ransom.

The government refused to pay and later restored the system with assistance from cybersecurity specialists from Australia and New Zealand.

Following the incident, the then Minister of Police said Tonga needed greater standardisation and centralisation of its government networks to improve security and strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself against global cyberattacks.

123...973Page 1 of 973