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

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

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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.

Tonga declares dengue fever outbreak with 28 confirmed cases

By
Kalino Latu
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The Ministry of Health has officially declared a Dengue Fever outbreak in Tonga, following a rise in confirmed cases across several island groups.

In a public health update issued today, the ministry confirmed 28 dengue cases nationwide, including four new cases, prompting the formal outbreak declaration.

The cases have been recorded across Tongatapu, Haʻapai, and ʻEua, with four patients currently hospitalised.

Health authorities have reported no deaths associated with the outbreak to date.

According to the Ministry, the most affected age group is adolescents between 11 and 15 years old, raising concerns about the potential spread of the mosquito-borne virus among school-aged children.

Officials say surveillance and response measures have been intensified, including case monitoring, vector control activities, and public health awareness efforts aimed at limiting transmission.

Public Health Response

Dengue Fever is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes and can spread rapidly in tropical conditions, particularly during periods of increased rainfall.

Health officials are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and take practical steps to reduce the risk of dengue transmission, including eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes can breed, using mosquito repellents, installing window screens or sleeping under mosquito nets, and seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain, or rash develop.

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation closely and has indicated that further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.

Community cooperation, health officials note, will play a key role in controlling the spread as Tonga enters the heightened response phase following the official outbreak declaration.

Power outages disrupt civil registry services amid public anger over blackouts

By
Kalino Latu
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Nukuʻalofa — Tonga’s worsening power crisis has now begun disrupting essential government services, after the Ministry of Justice confirmed that ongoing blackouts have forced a temporary shutdown of its civil registry system, preventing the issuance of birth, death and marriage certificates.

The Ministry’s notice comes amid public anger following repeated power cuts over the past 72 hours, as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister over outages affecting homes, village water supplies and vulnerable residents.

In a public notice released this morning, the Registrar General’s Office said the outages had rendered its system inoperable, apologising to the public for the inconvenience and advising that services would only resume once power stability is restored.

The Ministry said it was working to resolve the issue and would issue an update when operations return to normal.

The announcement adds to mounting public frustration as frequent blackouts continue to affect daily life across Tongatapu, with residents increasingly questioning the country’s power reliability and the wider consequences of prolonged electricity disruptions.

Outages Fuel Public Outrage

Social media has been flooded with complaints, with many users describing damage to household appliances and business equipment caused by sudden outages.

Public criticism has intensified in recent days following further load‑shedding advisories from Tonga Power Limited, which has cited faults in several generators that have reduced generation capacity, making outages unavoidable in parts of Tongatapu.

Some have called for urgent investment in backup power systems for critical government departments, while others have urged authorities to treat the electricity situation as a national emergency rather than a routine technical issue.

Tonga Power has issued repeated apologies for the disruption caused by the power outages.

Family of woman and children killed in Hastings homicide say they are ‘devastated’

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Sam Sherwood, National Crime Correspondent, rnz and is repbulished with permission

Two children aged under three years old died alongside a woman at a Hastings house. Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley

The family of a woman, baby and toddler killed in Hastings say they are “heartbroken and devastated”.

It comes as a 36-year-old man was charged with murdering them.

A homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Train, was launched after emergency services were called to a property on Avenue Rd East, Hastings about 6am Sunday, after reports of several people being seriously injured.

Three people died – a woman and her two children, a 3-month-old girl and a 17-month-old girl.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

A fourth person, a man, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

On Wednesday, Detective Inspector Martin James said the man had been charged with murder and was scheduled to have a bedside hearing.

The family said in a statement they were “heartbroken and devastated by the tragic loss of our loved ones”.

“We are struggling to come to terms with the senseless violence that has taken three beautiful lives far too soon.

“They were deeply loved and will be missed beyond words.”

The family asked for privacy “as we grieve together and support one another”.

“We would also like to thank the emergency services, investigators, and the wider community for their care, compassion, and support during this unimaginable time.”

On Monday, Coroner Bruce Hesketh granted an interim non-publication order in relation to the names, or any particulars likely to lead to the identification, of any of the four people.

Coroner Hesketh’s ruling said the mother and children died of stab wounds.

Police previously said they wanted to speak to extended family members, including both the man and woman’s former partners.

Coroner Hesketh made the orders until May 4.

Endless blackouts push public to breaking point, PM Fakafanua urged to act

By
Kalino Latu
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Nukuʻalofa — Public frustration has flared again as ongoing power outages continue to darken homes and interrupt electricity to village water sources, intensifying calls for action.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga

Residents across affected areas flooded social media with anger and exhaustion, with many now tagging the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet ministers in appeals for compassion and urgent relief.

The reaction reflects years of simmering frustration, as power outages over the past decade have become routine and public complaints are widely seen as falling on deaf ears.

Complaints ranged from the loss of running water and inability to flush toilets to serious concerns for the elderly, young children, and people dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment.

Outages Hit Without Warning

Several complainants also alleged inconsistencies in planned outage notifications, saying announcements were sometimes issued after power had already been cut in affected areas, resulting in substantial damage to electrical equipment.

Tonga Power could not be reached for comment.

Matangiake resident ʻIsileli Fatani directly appealed to Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua on Facebook, describing severe hardship caused by two consecutive nights without power in the last 72 hours.

“I earnestly appeal to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers Hon. Fane Fotu Fituʻafe, Hon. ʻAisake Eke, and Hon. Sevenitini Toumoʻua — for the past two nights we have been suffering a power outage from 8:30pm through to daylight. Please look into our situation,” Fatani wrote, tagging Fituafe, Toumo’ua, Sika and others in his Facebook post.

He said the power cuts had knocked out the village’s main water pump, leaving families without water for basic sanitation.

“Our water pumps have stopped working, leaving us without water in our bathrooms. The darkness has also led to an increase in theft. What is happening?” he asked.

‘Isileli Fatani

“People who work night shifts and early mornings are suffering, with no water available. We plead with the government to show compassion for our struggles.”

Comments on Fatani’s post reflected similar frustration, with many criticising what they described as a lack of action by authorities.

Other posts about the ongoing outage saga seen by Kaniva News showed some commenters resorting to abusive language directed at Tonga Power.

Faults Force Load‑Shedding

The public frustration intensified yesterday after Tonga Power Limited issued another load‑shedding advisory, confirming that faults in several generators had reduced capacity and made power cuts unavoidable in parts of Tongatapu.

The notice was one of several issued this month alone, with Tonga Power saying load shedding is currently affecting communities in Hahake, including Pea, Haʻateiho, Veitongo, Lapaha, Kolonga, Niutoua, Fuaʻamotu, Nakolo, and surrounding villages. The utility warned that additional areas could also be included if required.

“Load shedding is a necessary last‑resort measure used to reduce pressure on the power system and prevent a total blackout across Tongatapu,” the company said, adding that electricity would be temporarily turned off in some areas to maintain supply to the wider network.

Tonga Power apologised for the disruption and said it would provide further updates as information becomes available, urging consumers to contact 944 or 0800 123 for inquiries.

Despite the explanation, many residents say the repeated outages highlight deeper concerns about the resilience of the country’s power infrastructure, particularly as households and businesses continue to struggle with prolonged disruptions.

Concerns over work procedures behind resignation of three ACC investigators in Tonga: Reports

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) is facing one of its first major tests less than two years after its establishment, following the reported resignation of three investigators amid concerns over leadership and work procedures.

The ACC Commissioner Chris LaHatte

The resignations come amid a broader government effort to bolster the Commission’s capacity by recently recruiting police detectives to assist with the investigation of about 70 complaints lodged ahead of the country’s general election in November.

The complaints reportedly included allegations against the former Hu’akavameiliku government, ranging from misappropriation of public funds to breaches of governance protocols. Hu’akavameiliku denied the allegations at the time.

The Commission was also tasked with investigating former Police Minister Piveni Piukala, who was accused of assisting Mormon leader Pita Foliaki Hopoate to flee Tonga while he was subject to a restraining order. Piukala argued at the time that it was his job to assist Hopoate.

No public updates on the investigations have been released to date.

Professional Principles at Odds

The resigning officers had been recruited from the Tonga Police Force to serve as part of the ACC’s operational staff.

However, their resignations have now seen all three resume duties within the Tonga Police.

According to information broadcast by Letiō ‘a e Kakai FM 88.1, the resignations were linked to alleged dissatisfaction with the Commission’s working policies and the way it is managed by its leadership.

The officers reportedly believed that the Commission’s approach to investigations conflicted with their professional values and with established policing principles.

They are understood to have raised concerns about investigative processes, including procedures for receiving and handling complaints, the methods used to investigate those complaints, and the reporting of investigation outcomes, according to the radio.

It said that the officers felt these professional standards were not sufficiently aligned with the Commission’s operational approach, prompting their decision to resign.

When contacted by the radio for comment, the ACC Commissioner Chris LaHatte allegedly declined to comment on the matter.

He reportedly explained that the Commission’s operational rules prohibit officials from speaking to the media or publicly discussing internal work‑related issues.

As previously reported by Kaniva News, Mr LaHatte expressed confidence during the launch of the Commission’s first Strategic Plan (2024–2029) that collaboration with the community would lead to “significant strides in eliminating corruption and upholding the law.”

Inland Revenue contacts crypto investors over unpaid tax

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Susan Edmunds, Money Correspondent, RNZ and is republished with permission

People making money from crypto assets should be thinking about their tax obligations, IR says. Photo: Supplied

Inland Revenue (IR) has sent its first batch of letters to people who would normally have their tax assessed automatically, and who Inland Revenue are aware have traded crypto assets.

The tax department said it had identified 355,000 crypto-asset users in New Zealand who had undertaken 57 million transactions worth a combined $36 billion.

Crypto-assets are treated as a form of property for tax purposes and what people make from selling, trading or exchanging crypto-assets is taxable. Any profit made is treated as income, added to other annual earnings, and taxed within a person’s regular income tax bracket.

Inland Revenue said if people were making money from crypto assets they should be thinking about their tax obligations on this income and the risks of not declaring all related taxable activities.

Access to increased data has allowed IR to identify people with significant crypto assets and New Zealand is now implementing the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), which took effect on 1 April.

Through CARF and annual exchanges of information with other tax authorities, IR will also receive information on transactions and transfers of crypto-assets that take place overseas by New Zealand tax residents.

Inland Revenue will be matching the information to tax returns and following up on any discrepancies.

It said its letter was the opportunity for people who received income from disposing of crypto-assets to review their tax position and correct any errors by filing an Individual income tax return – IR3.

Deloitte partner Ian Fay said the department was clearly emphasising that people could not assume that their crypto activity was invisible.

“For a lot of people, if you’ve got investments in crypto, even if it’s a relatively modest amounts, if you’re starting to double your money or more in terms of taxable income, and you haven’t got other funds aside to pay that tax, it’s still going to be difficult if you’ve not understood the rules properly and not returned the right amount of income to discover you’ve got a tax bill, plus interest, penalties for not accounting for it properly at the time.

“And more so if you’ve got all of your spare money tied up in crypto, and the crypto market has gone down, it gets hard if you’ve made some income a year or so ago that you didn’t properly return to Inland Revenue, your remaining crypto has now gone down in value, you may not have enough left to sell to pay the tax bill that you’ve got from a couple of years ago.”

He said people would not need to have cashed up their investments to get a tax bill.

“Some crypto investments will generate income, which is taxable.

“But more commonly, as soon as you go from one crypto asset to another crypto asset, in a lot of cases, that act will be treated as a taxable disposal of the first asset. And you’re acquiring a second asset.

“For example, often Bitcoin is the gateway crypto asset into other crypto investments. So you might buy some Bitcoin. And then a little while later, you might sell or exchange that Bitcoin for another crypto investment.

“You still think your investment is within the sort of crypto ecosystem, but that act of exchanging the Bitcoin for something else is a taxable event. If your Bitcoin went up in value, then you pay tax on the gain.”

He said many people still did not understand the rules or had not worked out their liabilities correctly.

“People won’t necessarily have huge amounts invested. But you could still do a lot of transacting and create a lot of tax compliance if you weren’t keeping on top of it.”

University of Auckland senior finance lecturer Gertjan Verdickt said a Norwegian study showed 88 percent of crypto holders had not declared their holdings in their tax return.

“Strikingly, even among investors trading on regulated domestic exchanges that already share data with the tax authority, 80 percent still didn’t declare.

“But the bigger picture: most non-compliers owed fairly modest amounts individually – bounds of around US$200 to US$1,000 per person, so the story is more about breadth than big tax evasion, and Norway is a good proxy for NZ given both treat crypto as property and have similar adoption rates. Also, it suggests that going after this money from an IR perspective can be costly.”

Luxon survives caucus vote after poor poll showing

By
Kaniva Staff
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has retained the confidence of his National Party caucus following a lengthy meeting at Parliament on Tuesday, held amid renewed scrutiny of his leadership after a sharp drop in polling support.

Luxon retains confidence of his caucus.1News

The caucus meeting, which began at 10am and ran significantly longer than usual, followed the party’s worst result in a 1News Verian poll since Luxon became leader. Poor numbers and media speculation had intensified pressure on Luxon in recent days.

Speaking briefly to reporters after the meeting, Luxon confirmed he had moved a formal motion of confidence in his leadership, which was passed by caucus. He declined to take questions.

“My message to New Zealanders today, as it is every day, is that I’m exclusively focused on fixing this economy and building a better New Zealand for our children and grandchildren,” Luxon said.

He criticised what he described as “speculation and rumour” surrounding his leadership, saying he would no longer engage in what he called political sideshows.

While Luxon said caucus had “answered clearly and decisively” in backing him, several MPs declined to say whether the support was unanimous. National MP Dan Bidois described the meeting as “cathartic”, while others described discussions as honest and robust.

Senior ministers later confirmed Luxon remains Prime Minister, but details of the caucus debate have not been disclosed.

U.S. arrests suspect named Shamim Mafi; no links to Tonga confirmed

By
Kalino Latu
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United States federal authorities have arrested a person identified as Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport on allegations of weapons trafficking linked to Sudan, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

Shamim Mafi, 44, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 18, 2026 for allegedly trafficking weapons for Islamic Republic. Credit: U.S. Justice Department.

The arrest, which took place on Saturday night, has drawn attention within Tongan communities overseas and on social media due to the surname “Mafi,” which is commonly associated with Tonga.

However, U.S. authorities have not disclosed any information indicating that the suspect has Tongan heritage or any connection to Tonga.

The first assistant United States attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, said the suspect, Shamim Mafi, 44, is an Iranian national who has lived in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, and obtained lawful permanent resident status in the United States in 2016.

Essayli said Mafi is accused of facilitating the sale of Iranian‑manufactured military equipment, including drones, explosives, detonators and large quantities of ammunition, allegedly destined for Sudan.

She submitted “a letter of intent” to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to broker the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to Sudan’s defence ministry, the BBC reported.

If found guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.

The allegations remain before the courts, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

A Tongan reader who shared the story with Kaniva News said it would be interesting to know that the surname Mafi is also of Iranian origin.

In the Tongan language, Mafi conveys meanings associated with strength, victory, or a champion, and is traditionally linked to spiritual power attributed to God.

The name has also been used culturally to designate individuals appointed as matāpule, or talking chiefs.

Mafi is among the most commonly used names in Tonga, comparable to names such as John or Mary in English‑speaking countries.

Call centre launched as Ministry of Lands moves to improve public communication

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Ministry of Lands will officially open its call centre this morning, Tuesday 21 April, at 9am, marking a significant step in its efforts to improve communication with the public.

The launch comes amid long‑standing public complaints about poor communication, delays, and allegations of corruption and negligence that have surrounded the Ministry for years, particularly in relation to land matters.

The Lands Minister, Dr Taniela Fusimālohi, previously announced the news, saying the call centre is intended to serve as a central point of contact for the public, allowing enquiries and requests to be received and recorded through a single, structured system rather than through informal or fragmented channels.

The Ministry hopes the new service will improve transparency, reduce confusion, and provide more timely responses to land‑related enquiries, while also easing pressure on frontline offices.

As Kaniva News has previously reported, the Ministry of Lands is currently undergoing major reforms, including investigations into allegations that some lands were subjected to dishonest and illegal dealings dating back many years, according to the Minister.

How a Call Centre Works in Practice

A government call centre is a central phone service set up to receive and manage public enquiries, rather than people contacting individual officers directly. For many Tongans living overseas, this system is already familiar through everyday dealings with governments in countries such as New Zealand and Australia.

In those countries, Tongans typically begin contact with agencies like Work and Income, Inland Revenue or Immigration New Zealand by calling a single public number. Call centre staff answer enquiries, provide information, record requests and refer more complex matters to the appropriate units, rather than making decisions themselves.

For the Tongan diaspora, this model is valued because it provides clear access from overseas. Instead of relying on family members to visit offices in Tonga or using personal connections, people can speak directly to a ministry, have their enquiry logged, and receive consistent information.

In the context of Tonga, a call centre — particularly for land matters — is intended to organise communication, not replace authority or traditional processes. It serves as a first point of contact, helping manage high demand, reducing confusion and creating a record of public requests.

For overseas Tongans with land, inheritance or administrative concerns, a functioning call centre aligns Tonga’s public service with systems they already trust and use daily, offering a more transparent and practical way to stay connected with government at home.

Complaint‑driven Washington probe cites BG Wealth’s ‘false SEC and Colorado licences’ as Tongans press ahead

By
Kalino Latu
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A Washington State regulatory investigation into the BG Wealth Sharing scheme is the latest development to heighten debate within the Tongan online community, following warnings issued in Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, and the US state of Utah about activities they have described as resembling pyramid‑style schemes.

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) said it considers BG Wealth Sharing Ltd and its related platform, DSJ Exchange Pty Ltd, to be fraudulent after receiving multiple investor complaints that they were unable to withdraw their deposited funds.

BG Wealth describes itself as “the world’s largest hedge fund,” but the regulator warned that the company has linked its promotions to licences it said are “false” and “do not appear to be legitimate.”

DFI said the companies’ online presence has been marked by frequent website removals, followed by the creation of new domains.

This included domains such as bggp.vip, bg911.cc, and dsjex.net, a pattern regulators said reflects a common red flag associated with online investment scams.

Concerns Over Incorporation Records

Both companies are incorporated in Colorado, but the regulator said the business addresses listed in official filings appear questionable, including the use of mailing services and temporary office rentals.

DFI also noted inconsistencies between the dates the companies claim to have been established and their actual incorporation filings.

According to regulators, investors are largely recruited through social media, with participants encouraged to bring in new investors in exchange for higher earnings.

Communication reportedly takes place through private messaging apps such as Telegram and Bonchat.

DFI stressed that legitimate investment firms generally do not communicate with investors or provide trading instructions through private messaging platforms.

Regulators said investors are given daily “trading signals” and are promised guaranteed, zero‑risk returns, including claims that a $2,000 USDT investment could generate $1,500 USDT per month for life — assertions authorities say are unrealistic and misleading.

The regulator also warned that claims by BG Wealth and DSJ that they are licensed or approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are false. Filings made with the SEC do not amount to registration or regulatory approval, it said.

Several investors have reported being unable to withdraw their funds, although some online accounts suggest a small number of users were initially able to withdraw limited amounts — a tactic regulators say is often used to build trust in fraudulent schemes.

DFI is urging consumers to exercise extreme caution and to verify the credentials of anyone offering investment services. Investors can check licensing status and complaints through FINRA BrokerCheck at brokercheck.finra.org.

Past Scam Warnings Ignored

The case has reignited warnings over a string of investment schemes that have swept through the Tongan community locally and across the diaspora over the past decade.

Despite repeated warnings from authorities, Tongans have continued to be targeted through social media and word‑of‑mouth promotions, with some schemes later collapsing and leaving investors with significant losses.

These included Validus, which reports said drew in about US$200 million before authorities shut it down, and HyperFund, a global crypto scheme that regulators later described as a scam estimated to have taken about US$1.8 billion worldwide, including funds from Tongans.

In several cases, promoters have faced legal action, with matters heard in Tongan courts and others currently before the courts in New Zealand.

This included Tongitupe, a Tonga-targeted scheme that was shut down earlier but remains the subject of overseas legal proceedings, with its operator, Tilila Siolaʻa, expected to appear before a United States court in March 2027.

Her co‑founder, ‘Ofa Siasau, is currently facing court proceedings in New Zealand.

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