EDITOR’S NOTE:This commentary was edited to reflect the fact that the response from the Deputy Clerk was meant to say that the Parliament using the circular was a normal means of communication.
COMMENTARY: It is time for the practice of using circulars to make decisions in Parliament was reviewed.
Circulars should only be used on agendas that are urgent.
They should not be used on important issues such as pay rises for Parliamentarians.
Such issues should be properly debated in the House so that they can be recorded in the minutes for the public to read and also broadcast for people to listen.
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the government’s use of a circular to canvas MPs’ views on a pay rise has been called into question.
However, the Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani, said the circular was a normal means of communication approved by the House and any information sent through it was legal.
In Tongan he said: “Ko e tohi ‘avetakai ko e founga ngāue pe ‘oku ‘ataa ke ngaue’aki pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ta’efakalao ha tu’utu’uni ‘i hono fakahoko ‘i he founga koia”.
Dr Vikilani did not respond to a question asking why a circular was used to ballot the pay hike and not a face-to-face voting in the House.
In 2018 Tonga’s former Prime Minister, the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, warned that using circulars in Parliament was open to abuse.
Speaking to Kaniva News, Pōhiva said the use of circulars was normal but did not allow for discussion.
MPs, especially the Opposition, could not debate whatever agenda was being circulated.
He said that traditionally Speakers and the Noble’s representatives, who were mostly the majority in the House, used it to ballot issues they wanted to be decided in their favour.
The late Prime Minister’s comments were made during an interview in 2018 about the decision to approve an invitation from the Tonga Rugby League for a Parliament delegation to attend a match.
The decision was adopted through a circular, by collective resolution of Parliament.
Prime Minister Pōhiva’s concerns are just as relevant today as they were four years ago.
Debates and voting in the House must be open so that all citizens can see how their MPs voted and debate can be held in public.
This was illustrated in our story yesterday when Dr Vikilani would not say how MPs voted on the circular.
A Parliament with secrets is not truly democratic.
By Nik Dirga of RNZ and is republished with permission
You’re reading this in English right now – but should English be an official language? Parliament is soon set to decide.
Winston Peters (file image). (Source: 1News)
A long-running debate on the status of the most commonly spoken language in New Zealand is nearing its climax in Parliament, as the English Language Act works its way through the House.
During a fiery debate in Parliament back in February at the first reading, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters made his case for the bill while many opposition MPs firmly denounced it.
Peters called it a “common sense idea” and has said it fills an anomaly where Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are already both codified as official languages in New Zealand, but English is not specifically.
Others disagree. “Language is being used as a political football here,” said Dr Sharon Harvey, an associate professor specialising in applied linguistics at Auckland University of Technology.
The bill is currently before select committee with a report due to be presented on September 3. The next step is a second reading of the bill and it’s likely it would come to a final vote before November’s election.
But what would the bill actually do? Here’s what you need to know.
What does the bill say?
Bills are often pretty darned long, but this one can actually be summed up right here – it’s only five lines.
It calls for Parliament to enact the English Language Act 2025, and says, “The purpose of this Act is to provide legislative recognition of the status of English as an official language of New Zealand” and that the Act would bind the Crown.
That’s it.
What would the bill actually do?
“The bill is so short because it doesn’t actually have any legal effect that needs spelt out in detail,” University of Otago law professor Andrew Geddis said. “It will have literally no practical consequences at all.
“That isn’t an exaggeration – it will change absolutely no aspect of Aotearoa New Zealand’s current legal rules, practices or procedures. It’s the linguistic equivalent of passing an Act of Parliament that says: ‘The official colour of the New Zealand Rugby Team’s home jersey is black.'”
The bill doesn’t lay out any instructions, punishments or restrictions on other languages. It would add English as an official language alongside Te Reo Māori – which was designated in the Māori Language Act in 1987 – and sign language, designated in the New Zealand Sign Language Act of 2006.
“While the bill is pretty slim in terms of its content it does serve symbolically at least to cast in legislation the pre-eminence of the already dominant and majoritarian language of NZ: English,” Harvey said.
Legislatively, it would not affect Māori and NZSL, Geddis said, as they have “separately guaranteed (but limited) rights to use those languages”.
“Legislative language recognition was hard won for both Māori and the Deaf community and so the English Language Bill also minimises the historical and contemporaneous importance of those difficult and long language struggles,” Harvey said.
As written, the bill wouldn’t even affect, for instance, signs that include Chinese language at some popular tourist spots, Geddis said.
“That legislative recognition does not add anything to English’s existing legal role and usage. You can use English for any official, public business now. If this bill passes, you will continue to be able to do so. Nothing will have changed.”
If nothing will change, why was this bill introduced?
Making English an official language was part of the coalition agreement between National, NZ First and ACT back in 2023.
Former NZ First MP Clayton Mitchell put forth a similar member’s bill in 2018 but it was never drawn from the ballot.
New Zealand First has pushed for such recognition for some time.
In introducing the current bill, Peters said that it’s correcting an “anomaly” that English is not included with the other two official languages.
“It has never been formally recognised in statute as an official language. This bill seeks to correct that anomaly, providing consistency in legal framework and clarifying the status of all three official languages in legislation.
“The bill does not diminish the status of other official languages, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, but rather complements them, acknowledging the linguistic reality of our nation.”
Peters said the bill is “affirming the value of English as a shared means of communication used by the mass majority of the population – I’ll say it again quietly: Used by the mass majority of the population”.
Although his name is actually on the bill as the MP in charge, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith previously told RNZ that it wasn’t a top priority for National and did not speak at the first reading.
“It wouldn’t be the top priority for us, absolutely not. But it’s something in the coalition and it’s getting done.”
Peters has said that the rise in te reo Māori “has created situations that encourage misunderstanding and confusion for all, and all for the purpose to push a narrative”.
“We have some very real situations now where communications and names of important services are using te reo as primary names and language, and the room for confusion and miscommunication is huge.”
He cited the possibility of confusion where places have had primary names in Māori.
“First responders, on their vehicles and in communications, being unable to get to places because they don’t know where they’re going; transport services with important road signs – they have all announced that.”
Harvey disagreed, saying the dynamic of Māori and English is what makes New Zealand special.
“Te reo Māori only exists in Aotearoa NZ and so, if it does not survive and flourish here, it will not survive.”
“Most of us would recognise that Te Whatu Ora means health especially if it’s heading a letter with health information or is signage on a public hospital,” she said.
“There is no ‘danger’ to English now or in the future. Apart from anything else it is the pre-eminent global language.
“It would be so much better for NZ if we could all gain high proficiency in te reo Māori (as well as English) and if schools could be proactive in supporting students’ home languages, as well as teaching a variety of languages.”
Is English language use becoming a ‘culture war’ issue?
Well, people on both sides of the debate of the current bill have accused the other of “virtue signalling”.
In Parliament, Peters said, “This bill won’t solve the push of this virtue signalling narrative completely, but it is the first step towards ensuring logic and common sense prevails when the vast majority of New Zealanders communicate in English and understand English in a country that should use English as its primary and official language”.
“The [bill] is virtue signalling to a small, monolingual in English, sector of the voting public by NZ First,” Harvey said. “It’s a waste of public money and time and should never have been agreed to as part of the National-NZ First coalition agreement.”
Debate at the first reading was equally heated.
“The English language is not under threat,” said Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “We are literally speaking it and debating in it right now. This is a bill which is an answer to a problem that does not exist.”
“The Government wants to stoke a fight between te iwi Māori and Pākehā, and they want that fight to be the focus of this election,” she claimed.
Chlöe Swarbrick speaks in Parliament (file image). (Source: 1News)
At the debate, National MP Rima Nakhle called for calmer temperatures.
“We’re only making English official. It’s not the end of the world.”
Geddis said “the bill seems to be motivated by an odd form of linguistic jealousy – something akin to ‘it’s not fair that those languages get called official in a statute, but English doesn’t’.”
New Zealand First’s 2023 coalition agreement with National also stipulated that public service departments have their primary name in English and be required to communicate “primarily in English” except for entities specifically related to Māori. It has been seen in changes to how agencies such as the New Zealand Transport Agency or Health New Zealand are referred to.
Peters has also been vocal about the use of “Aotearoa” to refer to New Zealand by other MPs.
Other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom do not have any official laws on the books declaring English an official language, although it has de facto official status in government, courts and education.
In America, Donald Trump signed an executive order last year “designating English as an official language of the United States”. But as the decision was not passed by Congress and is an executive order, it doesn’t have the power to change existing federal laws and statutes. Around 30 US states also have proclaimed English the official language.
Will the English Language Act pass?
It’s unclear. It is part of the coalition agreement so National and ACT may be obliged to support it.
“Being that we are an English-speaking country, it is bizarre that we have to do this, but this is how far this extremism has taken our country,” Peters said in 2023 before the last election as he pledged to pass the bill that may finally be law soon.
“The bill very well may be rushed into law during the inevitable end-of-term use of urgency in the House,” Geddis said.
“Given current frosty relations between National and NZ First, there could well be some coalition partner reluctance to give NZ First time in Parliament to proceed with what really is nothing more than a form of legislative virtue signalling to its support base.”
Harvey said while National “have publicly said they’re not concerned whether the bill passes or not, I think there is every chance it will pass which will be a great shame for NZ”.
“It’s a waste of the Government’s time and considerably sets back New Zealand’s progress in righting the wrongs of our violent, colonial past,” he said.
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist and is republished with permission
Pasifika people continue to have the highest unemployment rate out of any ethnic group in Aotearoa.
Photo: Supplied/ Unsplash – Josh Olalde
Unemployment figures released Wednesday show an 11.9 percent unemployment rate for Pasifika in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a national rate of 5.3 percent.
For Pasifika, it is a slight improvement from the December 2025 quarter, but it is one percent higher than this time last year.
In Auckland, where nearly two-thirds of Pasifika people live, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 13 percent, compared to 6.6 percent nationally.
At the same time 20.1 percent of Pasfika are underutilised in their work, a 2.4 percent drop from last quarter.
The figures show an increase in employment coinciding with around 8700 more Pasifika in the working-age population.
The Māori unemployment rate is slightly lower at 11.5 percent, but their underutilisation rate is higher at 22.3 percent.
NZ Labour Party deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told RNZ Pacific the reduction is minor, bordering on meaningless.
“It’s still double what the national average is,” she said.
“We know that there are 20,000 fewer jobs in the construction industry, and that many of our Pacific people have been working and serving in that industry.”
RNZ Pacific has reached out to Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith’s office for comment.
‘Complex needs’ holding Pasifika back
This comes after the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) revealed that a seven million dollar programme to help Pasifika find employment has so far only put 84 people into full-time work.
The Pacific Employment Action Plan (PEAP) Fund kicked off in June 2024. It offered funding to community groups supporting unemployed, uneducated Pasifika to enter the workforce. MSD said they have so far spent around $2.4 million.
In a 12-month progress report published last month, MSAD reported that for 624 enrolled participants, the “realities of the job market” were holding most of them back.
But even though some people found part time or casual work, more than half were no better off than before.
MSD said this was not unexpected, but that “these people are still currently participating in the programme, and MSD expects that employment and education outcomes will increase over time.”
“When there are fewer opportunities for employment, people often choose to undertake education and training instead,” the report noted.
Around 253 of participants were able to complete some form of training, such as CV writing, a first aid course, or getting a driver’s licence.
Aside from external conditions, MSD said most had complex needs that held them back.
“One of the main barriers to getting work was participants’ level and complexity of needs upon joining – such as mental health, justice involvement, and low self confidence.”
“Many participants were early on their employment journey… practical obstacles like language, literacy, access to technology, and missing credentials further limited progress.”
Another government funded employment initiative, Tupu Aotearoa, lost around $22m in funding over four years in the last budget.
A major new hotel development in Tonga is promising to deliver affordable, high-quality accommodation while showcasing the warmth and hospitality that have long defined the Kingdom’s culture.
Grand Tonga Hotel, currently under construction in Fangaloto, is expected to become one of the country’s significant accommodation projects, with plans for approximately 80 rooms, swimming pools, wellness facilities, an event centre, and a full-service restaurant.
The development comes as Tonga continues to face growing demand for accommodation driven by tourism, family events, conferences, and regional activities.
The founders say the project was inspired by their personal experience living in Tonga over the past nine years after originally arriving in 2016 for what was intended to be a short holiday, according to Tonga Tourism.
What began as a temporary visit evolved into a long-term commitment after they developed a strong appreciation for the peaceful environment and the friendliness of the Tongan people.
Recognising a shortage of quality accommodation options, particularly during major events, the developers began planning a hotel that would combine affordability with international hospitality standards.
Their existing restaurant business has since helped support the development of the project.
The developers say lessons learned from previous natural disasters, including Cyclone Gita, played a major role in shaping the hotel’s design and construction approach.
The hotel is being built using steel framing and other durable materials aimed at improving resilience against Tonga’s environmental conditions.
According to the developers, the focus is not only on comfort but also on creating a long-lasting and dependable facility capable of serving visitors and locals for many years.
Facilities focused on comfort and affordability
Once completed, the hotel is expected to include:
Around 80 rooms across two accommodation blocks
VIP and Deluxe room options
Soundproofed rooms designed for privacy and comfort
Swimming pools for adults and children
Sauna and steam facilities
An on-site restaurant
An event and function centre
The developers say the goal is to provide a comfortable stay at a price point that remains accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Construction is currently progressing steadily, with the project reportedly approaching its halfway stage.
Completion is tentatively projected for late 2027, although timelines remain subject to weather conditions, labour availability, and construction logistics.
The developers believe the project will help strengthen Tonga’s tourism infrastructure by increasing accommodation capacity while also encouraging broader tourism experiences and activities throughout the country.
They say the core vision behind the project is simple: to ensure guests experience the same warmth and generosity that first inspired them to make Tonga their home.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) has announced the appointment of Ms ‘Aisiena Latuniua Taumoepeau to its Board, welcoming her extensive experience and leadership as the organisation continues to strengthen the development of rugby across the Kingdom.
In a statement, TRU said Ms Taumoepeau brings more than 15 years of professional experience spanning governance, legal practice, executive leadership, and strategic management across the public, commercial, and regulatory sectors in Tonga and the wider Pacific.
Her expertise in corporate governance, finance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and organisational leadership is expected to contribute significantly to the Union’s long-term direction and operational effectiveness.
Ms Taumoepeau is also recognised as a strong advocate for inclusion and the advancement of women’s rugby in Tonga. She previously contributed to Tonga Rugby as a Board Observer representing the Tonga Women’s Rugby Association, where she supported initiatives aimed at promoting athlete welfare and strengthening participation pathways for women in the sport.
Tonga Rugby Union said her commitment to integrity, community impact, and athlete wellbeing aligns closely with its strategic vision and values.
“We welcome ‘Aisiena to the Board and look forward to her contribution in helping strengthen the future of rugby across the Kingdom,” the Union said.
Her appointment comes as Tonga Rugby continues to focus on governance improvements and expanding opportunities both on and off the field, including the growth of women’s rugby and community engagement initiatives.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga –Tonga Police have arrested two suspects in Te’ekiu as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal drug activity, according to an official media release issued Thursday.
The arrests stem from separate incidents linked to drug possession and distribution within the community. Both individuals are scheduled to appear in court.
Police confirmed that on May 1, a 50-year-old individual from Te’ekiu was taken into custody and charged with multiple offences, including possession of illicit drugs, possession of drug-related utensils, and cultivation of cannabis.
During the operation, officers seized a range of items believed to be connected to criminal activity, including cash suspected to be proceeds of crime, cannabis plants, packaged cannabis, and drug paraphernalia.
In a separate case, an 18-year-old from the same area was arrested and charged with possession of drug-related utensils as well as distributing drugs within the local community.
Authorities say the arrests are part of a broader effort to curb the supply and use of illegal substances across Tonga. Police reiterated their commitment to tackling drug-related crime and maintaining community safety.
“Tonga Police remain committed to disrupting the supply and use of illegal drugs,” the statement said. Officials also urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity that may be related to drugs.
The operation highlights ongoing concerns about drug activity in communities and underscores law enforcement efforts to address the issue through targeted enforcement actions.
Both cases are now before the courts as investigations continue.
A teenager who stabbed his cousin during an alcohol-fuelled confrontation in Matahau has avoided prison after the Supreme Court suspended his sentence, citing his youth and strong prospects for rehabilitation.
Justice Tupou KC sentenced Sekope Talikitonga Tavo, 19, to two years and eight months’ imprisonment but ordered the term to be fully suspended for three years.
The suspension is subject to strict conditions, including that Tavo commit no further offences, report regularly to probation, abstain from alcohol and drugs, avoid known offenders, complete an alcohol treatment programme, and undertake 80 hours of community service.
Any breach could see the prison term activated.
The offending arose from an incident in August 2024 in which Tavo stabbed the victim in the abdomen with a knife, causing a serious injury that required surgery.
The court heard the altercation followed drinking among a group of youth, during which the victim initially punched the defendant.
Justice Tupou said the use of a knife in such circumstances was unacceptable and ordinarily warranted imprisonment to reflect the seriousness of the offending and society’s denunciation of violence.
However, the judge ultimately suspended the sentence, noting Tavo was 17 at the time, had no prior convictions, and had shown genuine remorse, including apologising to the victim, who has since recovered and accepted the apology.
Tavo was also convicted of possessing 1.5 grams of cannabis while on bail for the earlier charge, with two months added to the overall sentence.
The judge used the case to highlight ongoing concerns about alcohol-related offending among young people, warning that alcohol and drugs impair judgment and contribute to violence.
In deciding against immediate imprisonment, the court placed weight on Tavo’s family support, ongoing counselling, and plans to undertake church mission service.
Justice Tupou said Tavo should consider himself fortunate and take the opportunity to reform, warning that continued substance use would likely lead to further offending.
U.S. authorities have frozen more than $41 million in cryptocurrency and seized the website of BG Wealth Sharing, a suspected $150 million Ponzi scheme, in a move that reinforces earlier warnings issued to Pacific communities, including Tongans in New Zealand and the United States.
U.S. law enforcement seizure notice displayed on the BG Wealth Sharing website after authorities took control of the domain as part of a cryptocurrency fraud investigation.
The enforcement action follows attempts by individuals linked to the platform to move over $92 million in crypto assets in late April, according to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, who assisted in tracing and halting the transfers.
ZachXBT has also analysed BG Wealth Sharing, linking it to the DSJ Exchange Ponzi scheme and estimating losses exceeding US$150 million.
His findings, which contributed to the freezing of tens of millions in crypto assets, further allege that the scheme operated using fabricated executive identities.
He noted that many victims were recruited through social media and were unaware they had been defrauded.
The website bgwealthsharing.com now displays a seizure notice after being taken over by U.S. authorities in a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Anyone visiting the BG Wealth Sharing website is now met with a prominent notice stating, “THIS SITE HAS BEEN SEIZED.”
The banner identifies the action as a U.S. law enforcement operation, adding:
“This domain has been seized in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(A), 18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(1), and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c) by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.”
Kaniva News has sought comment from U.S. authorities and is awaiting a response.
Tonga, NZ Issue Warning
The development follows earlier warnings issued to Tongan communities, including a joint alert by authorities in Tonga and New Zealand, cautioning that BG Wealth Sharing showed signs of an investment scam and was operating without proper licensing.
The platform had gained traction among Pacific diaspora networks, particularly through online recruitment channels.
Despite these warnings, the company continued to attract investors by promoting itself as a crypto trading platform offering daily returns of up to 2.6 percent, along with referral commissions and bonus structures.
Concerns escalated in the days before the collapse when the platform required investors to pay a 12 percent “tax” on their account balances, claiming it was part of preparations for a public listing.
Soon after, users reported being unable to withdraw funds, raising fears that the platform had executed a “rug pull” — a scam in which operators abruptly drain all funds and disappear, leaving investors with worthless assets.
Regulators later warned that such demands for additional payments to access funds are a key indicator of advance-fee fraud.
Investigations into BG Wealth Sharing are continuing as U.S. authorities work to trace remaining assets and identify those responsible.
Tongan Promoters Remain Silent
Since the seizure of the BG Wealth Sharing website and the disclosure that U.S. authorities had frozen funds, leading Tongan promoters of the scheme have gone quiet and have yet to respond publicly.
The development follows a joint warning issued in February 2026 by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, which identified the BG Wealth/DSJ EX scheme as a Ponzi-style, multi-level marketing fraud targeting Tongan communities in both countries.
Authorities in Utah and Washington also issued warnings against BG Wealth Sharing and rejected its registration claims in Colorado.
The Washington warning in early April specifically noted that BG Wealth clients had complained they were unable to withdraw funds, despite earlier promises of profit returns.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga Police are investigating an alleged gunpoint threat involving a female journalist from Kele’a Publications, with their latest public statement making no mention of any arrests in connection with the case.
The police confirmed in a statement this afternoon that the matter remains under active investigation, following a complaint linked to an incident said to have occurred at the organisation’s office in Nuku’alofa on 23 April 2026 and was reported to police the following day.
It described the matter as a “life-threatening incident involving media staff”, but did not provide further specifics on suspects or enforcement action.
Police said the alleged threat is understood to have occurred in the context of recent media activity, including a news report and a talkback radio programme aired on Kele’a Voice FM91.5.
The programme reportedly discussed a member of the Comancheros motorcycle gang, who is serving a life sentence, and featured an interview with a foreign correspondent.
The extent to which that coverage may be connected to the alleged incident remains part of the ongoing investigation.
Public Appeal
“Tonga Police take this matter seriously and are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement said.
Members of the public with relevant information are urged to contact Tonga Police on 922 or report to the nearest police station.
The alleged gunman is believed to have been angered by the radio news item aired earlier that morning about prisoner Eneasi Taumoefolau, who has links to the outlaw Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Comancheros Figure Jailed for Meth
Taumoefolau was sentenced to life imprisonment in Tonga in early 2026 for importing more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. He was also accused of attempting to establish a “Kingdom Chapter” of the gang in the kingdom.
No one was injured, and police are investigating the incident, according to Kele’a Media.
It said the unidentified individual reportedly entered the premises and confronted the staff member while armed with a handgun.
The suspect, described as wearing a black hooded cardigan, allegedly approached the journalist who was alone at the time and threatened them with the firearm.
It is alleged that the suspect warned the journalist not to broadcast any further reports related to Taumoefolau or the gang before leaving the office. The individual then exited in a waiting vehicle.
ABC Documentary Sparks Coverage
The news item in question reportedly drew on information from an ABC Foreign Correspondent documentary released on April 22, 2026, via ABC Pacific’s social media platforms. The documentary examined drug trafficking routes from South America to Australia through the South Pacific and the impact of such operations on island nations, including Tonga.
The programme included an interview with Taumoefolau, during which he discussed his alleged connections to the Comancheros and a reported failed attempt to establish a local chapter in Tonga.
In its statement, the publication expressed serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists operating in Tonga, particularly when covering sensitive or controversial issues.
“This unfortunate incident highlights the risks our local journalists face in carrying out their duties,” the statement said.
History of Threats and Closure
Kele’a has not been new to threats and attacks from its most outspoken critics over its nearly 40 years of operation.
In 2007, the outlet’s office in Nuku’alofa was entered by members of the Tonga military and shut down on the grounds that it was operating without a licence.
Then editor Tavake Fusimalohi argued the closure was politically motivated, claiming it came in response to the paper’s reporting on alleged government corruption.
Its founder, ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, who rose politically from a vocal critic of government and royal involvement in alleged corruption to become Prime Minister, faced numerous court cases linked to the publication’s pro‑democracy stance.
Kele’a, which now also operates a radio service, has long maintained a strongly pro‑liberal editorial line.
The Supreme Court this morning found the Minister of Tourism, Semisi Sika, guilty of electoral breaches.
The ruling brings to a close an inquiry triggered by a complaint from rival candidate Dr Pingi Fasi, which led to an Electoral Commission investigation into allegations of overspending and undeclared expenses, including a controversial $10,000 sponsorship for the Suliana Dance Academy announced just weeks before polling day.
…………….This is a developing story — more updates to follow shortly.
While we await the court’s detailed decision, here is one of Kaniva News’ earlier reports on the case.
Tonga’s Electoral Commission has been investigating allegations of campaign overspending and concerns over whether all expenses were properly declared, following a formal complaint against Tongatapu 2 MP Semisi Sika.
The dispute centres on a $10,000 sponsorship for Suliana Dance Academy, announced during a recital on November 8, 2025, just weeks before the general election.
Former MP and defeated candidate ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, also known by the name Pingi Fasi, raised the concern in a letter to the Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki, claiming the donation should be classified as campaign expenditure under Section 24 of the Electoral Act.
According to the document, written on December 16, seen by Kaniva News, Fasi argued that the payment, made within six months of the election, amounted to 50 percent of the allowable spending limit of $20,000 and, if unreported, could constitute an electoral offence.
He also questioned whether fireworks celebrating Sika’s victory on election night were itemised in his expense report. Affidavits and video evidence from the recital were submitted to support the claim, including statements from the event’s MC endorsing Sika’s candidacy.
The Electoral Commission has forwarded the complaint to Sika, requesting his response.
Corporate Sponsorship, Not Campaign
In response, Sika categorically denied any wrongdoing, stating the sponsorship was not a personal campaign expense but a corporate contribution from Five Star Finance, a company in which he is a shareholder.
He emphasised that the support was part of the firm’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility program and had been provided annually, regardless of his political status.
“This expenditure does not constitute spending on an election campaign by a candidate under Section 24 of the Electoral Act,” Sika wrote in his reply to the Commission.
Bribery and Residency Alleged
Sika further countered with allegations against Fasi, accusing him of breaching residency requirements for candidacy and engaging in illegal campaigning on the day of the poll.
He alleged that Fasi had been residing in Fangaloto, not in any location within Tongatapu Constituency 2, which includes Havelu, Tofoa, Fanga ‘o Pilolevu, Kolofoou and Mailetaha, during the three months preceding the election as required by law.
Documents addressed to the Election Supervisor seen by Kaniva News show that Sika also alleged Fasi’s secretary sent SMS messages urging voters to “remember Pingi” and accused his rival of bribery through the selective distribution of kumala (sweet potatoes) to households during the campaign period.
Sika urged the Commission to investigate these alleged violations, describing them as “substantial and warranting immediate action.”
Fasi and the Election Commission could not be reached for comment.
This was not the first time Sika and Fasi clashed after a general election.
In 2022, following Fasi’s victory over Sika, Sika filed a petition alleging electoral bribery. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the claim and ruled in Fasi’s favour.
