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.
The King of Tonga has condemned the Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other regional states, calling them a grave violation of national sovereignty, international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
His Highness thanked His Majesty Tupou VI for his supportive stance towards the UAE. Photo/WAM
The denunciation was conveyed to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a phone call from His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the official state news agency of the United Arab Emirates.
His Highness expressed appreciation for Tonga’s supportive position as both leaders emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional and international security.
Iran Offensive Meets Surge
The call came amid intensifying conflict as the United States and Israel escalate joint military operations against Iran, with airstrikes reported across Tehran and Beirut while Iran launches retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf nations.
Israeli and U.S. military officials say most of Iran’s missile launchers and air defences have been destroyed, with B‑2 bombers striking deep underground facilities as part of an expanded offensive.
In the past 72 hours, President Donald Trump has signalled a major escalation in the conflict with Iran, with U.S. stealth bombers expected to arrive soon at UK military bases as part of an expanded air campaign.
The New York Post reports that Trump previously warned Tehran that “the big one” could be imminent, as the administration prepares for what officials describe as a significant surge in military strikes.
The Northrop B‑2 Spirit, the U.S. Air Force’s heavy strategic stealth bomber designed to evade advanced air-defence systems and deliver long‑range precision strikes, is among the aircraft positioned for potential deployment in the intensified operation.
Power Vacuum Widens in Tehran
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership remains in flux following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in earlier strikes, with state media reporting preparations to select a new leader as the conflict enters its seventh day.
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, and drone-related incidents impacted U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Gulf.
In the last 48 hours, international media reports said Gulf countries remain on high alert as Iran has launched several waves of drone and missile strikes across the region in response to continued attacks by the United States and Israel.
Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates faced a barrage of Iranian attacks late on Thursday, with the Kuwaiti army’s general staff saying in a social media post that air defences were intercepting projectiles in the country’s airspace, Al Jazeera reported.
International responses to the war continue to evolve, with Canada not ruling out future military involvement and China preparing to send a special envoy to help mediate the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia is reportedly providing Iran with intelligence on the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft, marking the first indication that Moscow has sought to involve itself in the conflict, according to CNN.
Evacuation Urged for Tongans
The King’s message followed a series of travel notices issued by Tonga’s diplomatic services advising Tongans in the Middle East to register with Tonga’s Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and, most recently, urging them to leave the region as soon as possible.
Tonga and the United Arab Emirates maintain formal diplomatic relations, established in July 2007, forming the basis for growing cooperation between the two nations.
In recent years the relationship has strengthened further, including the signing of a Promotion and Protection of Investment Agreement at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, aimed at expanding economic and development partnerships.
High‑level meetings between Tongan and Emirati leaders have also underscored both countries’ commitment to deepening collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Nuku‘alofa — The Tongan Government has once again postponed the enforcement of its planned ban on importing vehicles aged 10 years or older, extending the effective date to 30 June 2026.
The Ministry of Revenue and Customs announced the decision today following approval by Cabinet on 13 February 2026.
The prohibition was originally reinstated on 22 November 2024 by direction of the Legislative Assembly, before being deferred by Government directive on 21 February 2025.
According to the Ministry, the latest extension is intended to give Government agencies responsible for environmental protection, waste management, road transport, and customs operations more time to prepare for implementation.
Officials say the additional months will enable ministries to strengthen legal frameworks, align procedures, and conduct public awareness programs to ensure the prohibition can be effectively enforced.
The Ministry also called for cooperation from the public, including the Tongan diaspora, as well as shipping agents and freight forwarders.
Authorities urged importers to plan ahead and avoid the significant expenses and risks associated with bringing in vehicles that will become prohibited under the new rule.
The prohibition aims to reduce the importation of older vehicles, which are often linked to higher emissions, increased waste challenges, and greater road safety concerns.
Members of the public seeking more information are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Revenue and Customs on 7400653 or via email at cst@revenue.gov.to.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has emphatically rejected speculation about his leadership, insisting today that he is “absolutely not” considering stepping down despite a new poll showing support for the National Party plunging to its lowest level in more than four years.
Luxon made the comments in a live interview with Newstalk ZB after the latest Taxpayers’ Union–Curia poll put National at 28.4 percent, a nearly three‑point drop from last month and the party’s weakest result since 2021.
The Prime Minister told the broadcaster that all his ministers had assured him they continued to back him, dismissing rumours of internal pressure.
The RNZ report earlier today noted that Luxon was facing heightened scrutiny following a difficult week in which he struggled to articulate the government’s position on the Iran conflict, adding fuel to political speculation.
Despite this, Luxon said the “only thing” he was focused on was “the future of our children and grandchildren,” stressing that he still believed he had the skills to lead both the National Party and the country.
A separate report from Reuters described the poll results as the ruling party’s worst polling performance in over four years, noting that Luxon is no longer the public’s preferred prime minister—a symbolic blow less than eight months out from the November general election. The Reuters analysis found support for National’s coalition partners, New Zealand First and ACT, also slipping as the centre‑left Labour bloc gains ground.
Luxon, however, pushed back strongly against mounting speculation, insisting there is “no problem” with his leadership and that the public polling does not align with National’s internal numbers. He also said he had not set any threshold at which he would consider resigning, emphasising that he retains the full confidence of his caucus.
The Otago Daily Times reported that senior National ministers were today rallying behind the Prime Minister, saying there was “no need to panic” despite the political fallout. Finance Minister Nicola Willis acknowledged the result was “not acceptable” but reiterated her support for Luxon’s leadership.
Asked whether he was shaken by the poll, Luxon said the media had “gotten carried away” and that he appeared on radio specifically to dispel rumours that he was contemplating standing down. “No, I’m not doing that,” he told Newstalk ZB.
With the government facing a weakening economy, rising unemployment and growing public dissatisfaction, the coming months will determine whether Luxon’s insistence on staying the course can stabilise his leadership—or whether today’s poll marks the start of a deeper political crisis.
Nuku‘alofa — A temporary ban on drinking water in ‘Eua remains in place as Tonga’s Ministry of Health awaits confirmation testing from laboratories in New Zealand and Fiji.
The latest update from health officials follows an earlier Kaniva News report that authorities had issued an urgent public health advisory instructing all residents of ‘Eua not to drink, cook with, or consume water from the island’s public supply or any bore water sources.
According to the Ministry of Health, testing conducted in collaboration with the Tonga Water Board found dangerously high levels of lead (Pb) in both the public water system and groundwater bores.
Officials said the detected lead levels exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, rendering the water unsafe for human consumption.
Health authorities stressed that boiling the water does not remove lead, and therefore does not make the supply safe to drink.
The Ministry confirmed that the current water supply may only be used for bathing and other non‑consumption purposes, while residents are urged to rely on rainwater tanks and commercially bottled water, which remain safe for drinking.
The advisory does not affect alcoholic beverages.
Officials said they are monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates once overseas laboratories return final confirmation results on the contamination.
Nukuʻalofa — The Government of Tonga has declared Thursday, 12 March 2026, as a one‑off public holiday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Queen Salote College.
The decision was approved by Cabinet during its meeting on 2 March and announced in an official media release issued today.
According to the statement, the public holiday recognises the national significance of the centennial milestone and the important role Queen Salote College has played in the educational and cultural development of Tonga over the past century.
The declaration means all government offices will close for the day as the country joins former students, staff, church leaders and the wider community in marking the historic anniversary.
Queen Salote College, one of Tonga’s most renowned girls’ schools, was established in 1926 and named in honour of the late Queen Salote Tupou III.
The centennial programme is expected to include church services, traditional celebrations, and alumni events.
The Government’s announcement underscores the school’s enduring legacy and its contribution to generations of Tongan women over the last 100 years.
Nukuʻalofa – A months‑long tri‑nation cyber probe has pinpointed Roman Khubov as the hacker behind the crippling ransomware attack on Tonga’s Ministry of Health in June 2025.
The Australian authority said this afternoon that the investigation confirmed Khubov’s group controlled the malicious infrastructure used to penetrate the Ministry’s systems and steal sensitive data.
INC Ransom—an international cybercriminal group—has been linked to multiple high‑profile attacks across Australia and New Zealand in recent years, disrupting essential services and putting public safety and livelihoods at risk.
Authorities say the same group attempted similar attacks on critical systems across the Pacific region.
Rapid Assistance After the Attack
Following the breach, Tonga and Australia activated the Cyber Rapid Assistance for Pacific Incidents and Disasters (RAPID) program to contain the attack, restore Ministry of Health systems and resume healthcare services as quickly as possible.
Officials say the RAPID program played a critical role in minimising the disruption to health services for the Tongan public.
The joint advisory includes practical recommendations for organisations across the region to help defend against INC Ransom and similar threat actors.
These include strengthening network monitoring, improving data backup systems, and implementing multi‑factor authentication.
Authorities emphasised the important role that Pacific media organisations can play in distributing the advisory to ensure communities and organisations are better prepared for potential attacks.
A Milestone in Cyber Cooperation
Today’s announcement marks the first time Australia has co‑signed a technical cyber advisory with a Pacific nation, highlighting the growing depth of cyber cooperation between Tonga and Australia under the Australia–Tonga Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Cooperation, signed during His Majesty King Tupou VI’s visit to Australia last year.
Officials from all three countries described the joint statement as a strong signal that their governments are united in deterring malicious cyber activity targeting national interests and in upholding peace and security across the Pacific.
“We stand together in sending a clear message,” the advisory states, “that our Governments will deter and respond to malicious cyber actors threatening our national interests, and promote peace and security in the Pacific.”
Newly released video footage from United States Central Command appears to show a US Navy destroyer deploying what authorities describe as a next‑generation high‑energy laser weapon during operations in the Middle East — technology they say could reshape the future of warfare, including in regions far beyond the current conflict.
The HELIOS laser weapon system was installed on a US Navy destroyer that is off the coast of Iran.Photo/New York Post
It came amid the US‑ and Israel‑led war against Iran, which escalated after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last Saturday, triggering widespread unrest across the Middle East as Iran launched missiles and drones in retaliatory attacks.
President Donald Trump, in the last 72 hours, claimed that Iranian leaders had contacted the United States seeking to negotiate, saying they were “a little bit late.”
He asserted that Iran’s naval forces had suffered heavy losses, describing 24 ships as having been destroyed within three days.
Trump also said Iran’s air‑defence systems and aircraft had been eliminated, along with key communications infrastructure, missiles, and launch platforms, portraying the country’s military capability as severely degraded.
Laser System Confirmed Tests
The footage shows the US vessel equipped with a device resembling the High‑Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system.
The Navy has previously confirmed testing the system in early February, during which it said four hostile drones were successfully intercepted.
A similar laser‑based capability is believed to have been used by Israel along the Lebanon border, the New York Post reported.
Videos shared online show rockets being fired by Hezbollah before shortly exploding mid‑air—a response widely attributed, though not officially confirmed, to Israel’s new Iron Beam laser‑defence platform, designed to destroy rockets and drones with concentrated energy beams.
The New York Post has reported that the new laser‑weapon technology has also been used against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, the codename for recent US strikes on Iranian targets which began on 28 February.
Analysts say one of the most significant developments is that several of the targeting systems appear to have been operated from space‑based platforms, giving US forces greater precision and faster response times than in previous Middle East conflicts.
What is HELIOS?
HELIOS stands for High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical‑dazzler and Surveillance. It was developed for the U.S. Navy, capable of destroying drones, boats and missiles using a 60+kW laser system, with potential upgrades to 120–150 kW.
It integrates with naval combat systems like Aegis.
HELIOS works by using the powerful 60‑kilowatt laser to burn through incoming drones and small missiles in seconds, guided by the ship’s Aegis combat system.
It can also blind the sensors of enemy drones using an optical dazzler, stopping them from gathering targeting information.
Unlimited Laser Firing Power
Because HELIOS is powered by electricity, it can fire continuously without running out of ammunition, making it highly effective against Iran’s drone swarms. In the current conflict, this system allows the U.S. Navy to protect its vessels cheaply, precisely and at high speed.
Of all the countries developing laser weapons, including China and Russia, the United States appears to be the first to deploy a high‑energy laser system in real military operations, with its HELIOS weapon successfully destroying drones during naval engagements.
The U.S. testing HELIOS under real battle conditions will likely shape future U.S. naval capabilities in the Pacific, which in turn will influence how the United States supports Tonga’s security, maritime surveillance, and officer training.
Why It Matters to Tonga and the Pacific
While the conflict is geographically distant, defence experts say rapid advances in US laser‑based weapons are likely to influence global military strategies, including in the Pacific.
Tonga maintains strong security relationships with the United States, New Zealand and Australia and has sent troops to international peacekeeping missions under US‑led coalitions.
The Kingdom also has thousands of citizens living and working in the United States and Israel, including Tongan soldiers serving in the US military.
For smaller nations such as Tonga, the emergence of cheaper, more precise laser defence systems could shift the global balance of power—reducing reliance on traditional missiles and making advanced defensive technology more accessible to mid‑sized and developing states in the long term.
America’s Early Pacific Role
During the First World War, the United States operated as a protector power in the Pacific, ensuring that hostile forces could not threaten island nations like Tonga.
Although Tonga was never invaded, the presence of U.S. naval forces in the region acted as a stabilising shield — projecting power, deterring enemies, and signalling that Tonga was not alone.
The kingdom relies on the United States as a key security partner through shiprider agreements, maritime patrols, and regional stability operations.
A U.S. Navy equipped with advanced systems like HELIOS is far better able to safeguard Pacific sea lanes and deter hostile activity — fulfilling the same protective role American forces played historically, but with far more precise and modern technology.
If tensions ever rise in the region, Tonga would again be shielded by an American military now armed with the world’s first combat‑tested shipborne laser weapon, providing powerful reassurance for a small island nation in a strategic ocean.
The Twinnies Brand, a Tongan publishing and consultancy firm, has gained continental recognition after its director, Ana Tuionuku, became the first Tongan and Pasifika woman to receive the NSW Local Woman of the Year Award.
Ana Tuionuku celebrates being named the NSW Local Woman of the Year 2026 in Bankstown — the first Pacific woman to receive the honour.
Tuionuku’s achievement marks a significant milestone for Pasifika representation in Australia, highlighting the growing impact of Tongan professionals and creatives in education, community service, and the arts.
Founded on a mission to elevate Tongan storytelling and cultural knowledge, The Twinnies Brand has evolved from a small self‑publishing venture into a respected provider of educational resources and professional consultancy services.
The company first drew attention through its children’s books, written and developed to nurture literacy and cultural pride among Tongan and Pasifika youth. Its work now spans advisory services, program development, and culturally grounded educational support.
The NSW Local Women of the Year Awards (LWOTY) is an annual programme held each March honouring women who have made outstanding contributions to their local communities.
“Today, I am most humbled to be awarded the NSW Local Woman of the Year Award 2026, Bankstown,” Tu’ionuku wrote on her Facebook.
“This is the first time a Pacific woman is the recipient of this award in Australia, and for that, on behalf of all Pacific women across Australia, I am most humbled and grateful! My children and grandchildren are blessed!
Thank you to my local the Hon. Jihad Dib MP for honouring me and Twinnies with this milestone NSW Local Woman of the Year, Bankstown.”
Recipients are nominated by Members of Parliament in their electorates, highlighting local leadership, expertise, and long‑term commitment to community uplift.
Last year, Tuionuku visited Tupou College in Tonga and donated two Twinnies books to the school library.
A post on the Tupou College Facebook page reported that the gift would “enhance and encourage our students’ learning and reading.”
New Zealand researchers say humpback whale numbers are showing promising signs of recovery more than half a century after the country ended commercial whaling.
A whalesin Vava’u. Photo/Akosita Lavulavu (Facebook)
The findings came as Tonga, whose waters host one of the South Pacific’s most important humpback breeding grounds, experiences its own resurgence in whale sightings — prompting renewed debate among some Tongans over whether a controlled whaling should be activated to help address the nation’s escalating non‑communicable disease crisis.
An international study involving scientists from the University of Auckland shows that humpback breeding behaviour in New Zealand has shifted in ways that indicate a growing population.
Dr Emma Carroll and her colleagues say the rise in breeding success among older, larger “super‑males” is a significant development.
Data collected in the 2000s and again in the 2010s allowed Carroll and her colleagues to draw their conclusions.
“For the first part of the study, when the population was really small, young males and old males had the same number of babies or paternities,” she explained.
“But in the second half of the study, as the population is recovering from whaling, we see that older males are actually more dominant.”
Tonga Ban on Whaling
King Taufaʻāhau Tupou IV, who first banned whaling in 1978, issued a decree that safeguarded the marine mammals from hunting and was later strengthened under the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act 1993, laying the foundation for Tonga’s transformation into a major protected humpback‑whale sanctuary.
About half a century later, critics argue that the growth in whale breeding numbers in Tonga could justify introducing a controlled whaling programme.
It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 humpback whales visit Tonga during the peak season from July to October.
Because fatty meats such as hakulā puaka (sword fish)and whale are considered delicacies in Tonga—and even though whale meat has not been eaten in the kingdom since the ban—stories of how ancestors cooked and enjoyed it still surface whenever people talk about whales.
Whale Meat Debate Resurfaces
Some Tongans argue that the national ban on whaling should be reconsidered on cultural and public‑health grounds.
Public reaction to the issue remains strong, with recurring themes appearing across Kaniva News’ public Facebook page whenever whale‑related stories are posted.
Kaniva’s past coverage of whales has included several cases of animals found dead on shore, which many people saw as a waste, arguing that if controlled whaling were permitted, some of these deaths might have been avoided.
Many commenters argue that limited access to traditional whale meat could offer a healthier, culturally familiar alternative to fatty imported meats such as mutton flaps, which they associate with Tonga’s worsening non‑communicable disease crisis.
Others maintain that conservation protections and tourism benefits should remain the priority, reflecting a community divided between cultural memory, economic realities, and modern public‑health concerns.
Advocates for controlled whaling in Tonga argue that, because of the animals’ enormous size, harvesting just two or three whales a month could provide ample healthy meat for the population.
However, Tonga’s government has given no indication that it intends to lift its whale‑protection policies. Officials continue to emphasise tourism, conservation, and adherence to international agreements, including the whale sanctuary and IWC regulations.
The late King Tau’āhau Tupou IV’s granddaughter, Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka, has emerged as a leading voice in global marine conservation, spearheading the “I’m a Person Too” campaign to grant whales legal personhood—a bold initiative she unveiled at the 2025 One Ocean Science Congress in Nice as part of her work with the Huelo Matamoana Trust.
Today, Tonga hosts one of the world’s top regulated “swim‑with‑whales” industries, attracting thousands of visitors annually and contributing millions to the economy.
Recent seasons have been among the most active in years, with more than 50 confirmed sightings across Vavaʻu, Haʻapai and Tongatapu in just the first weeks of the 2025 season.
As Kaniva News reported recently, Tonga even drew global attention when a rare white humpback calf — Māhina — was photographed in Vavaʻu, with photographer Jono Allan winning the World Nature Photo of the Year for the image.
While international conservationists see whale recovery as a success story, the debate inside Tonga is more complicated.
Vava’u, Tonga – Tonga Police have confirmed the country’s second road fatality for 2026 following the death of a five‑year‑old boy from ‘Utungake on Wednesday, 4 March.
Tonga Police. Photo/Kalino Lātū
Police said a 37‑year‑old woman from ‘Utungake has been arrested for reckless driving in connection with the incident, which occurred in the village on Wednesday.
Details of the crash have not yet been released, as investigations are still ongoing.
The tragic death marks the second recorded road fatality in Tonga this year.
In a statement, Tonga Police conveyed their sympathies to the child’s family and urged members of the public to prioritise safe and responsible driving.
“Tonga Police extend their condolences to the family of the young victim and urge all motorists to drive responsibly,” the statement said.
Police also released a Tongan‑language version of the announcement, reiterating the same details.
Anyone with further information about the incident is encouraged to contact Tonga Police.
