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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.

Strong wind warning issued for Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal waters

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tonga Meteorological Service has issued a Strong Wind Warning alongside a Small Craft Advisory for coastal waters aroundTongatapu and ‘Eua, with conditions expected to deteriorate overnight.

According to the 7pm bulletin, the warning now applies to Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal zones, while it remains in force for the Tele ki Tonga and Tele ki Tokelau coastal waters.

The advisory indicates that winds in the affected areas may reach hazardous levels, posing risks to small vessels, coastal activities, and marine operators.

The public—especially fishermen, boat owners, and coastal residents—is urged to exercise caution, stay updated with official weather alerts, and avoid unnecessary sea travel until conditions improve.

The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the system and provide further updates as needed.

Tonga issues urgent warningas Influenza B cases spike

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Ministry of Health has issued an urgent call for community action as Influenza B cases surge nationwide, with Dr Pafilio Tangitau urging the public to take immediate steps to stop the virus from spreading.

Dr Pafilio Tangitau

The warning follows earlier ministry advisories noting an increase in influenza‑related illnesses and respiratory symptoms across the country.

Dr Tangitau, who has previously led public communication on flu outbreaks as Head of Emergency and General Outpatient Services, has reiterated the importance of basic but effective health practices.

He called on families, churches, schools, and workplaces to work together, stressing that strong community participation is vital to reducing viral transmission.

Home Recovery Crucial to Halting the Virus

In a statement issued through the Ministry, Dr Pafilio Tangitau urged every household to take immediate steps to help curb the rise in Influenza B cases.

He stressed the importance of staying home and resting when sick, noting that this not only supports recovery but also prevents further spread of the virus.

He reminded the public to wash their hands regularly and to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows to protect others.

Dr Tangitau also highlighted the need to shield vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people living with chronic illnesses.

He warned that anyone who develops difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, chest pain, or severe weakness must seek medical care immediately, as these symptoms may indicate serious complications requiring urgent attention.

Community Effort Needed to Contain Spread

Health authorities have emphasised that this flu season requires collective responsibility.

With influenza known to circulate more rapidly during cooler periods, Dr Tangitau highlighted that reducing movement while sick and reinforcing hygienic practices in communal settings can significantly slow the spread.

This aligns with previous Ministry of Health guidance urging the public to maintain good hygiene, rest, and take appropriate precautions whenever flu activity increases.

The Ministry of Health says it will continue monitoring Influenza B trends and will provide updates as needed.

Officials are encouraging community leaders and workplaces to help share accurate information, reinforce prevention messages, and support those who need to isolate while ill.

As Dr Tangitau noted, “This flu season requires community cooperation. When we work together, we protect not only ourselves but our most vulnerable.”

Grave removals at Māhina as new Fanga‘uta bridge construction pushes forward

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan cemetery is being urgently dug up to clear the way for a new access road to the long‑awaited Fanga‘uta bridge, Radio and Television Tonga News (RTTN) reports.

Kau matāpule gather under a ceremonial tent during the exhumation process at Māhina cemetery.Photo/RTTN (screenshotted)

The work, which involves the exhumation of graves at the Māhina cemetery in Folaha, marks one of the most culturally sensitive phases of the nationwide infrastructure upgrade.

According to the report, the matter had been formally communicated to the Palace Office prior to the start of any physical work, apparently to seek cultural guidance and ensure the procedures aligned with established customs relating to ancestral respect.

The report said the cemetery holds ancestral ties to the Tu‘i Tonga royal dynasty.

A culturally ceremonial service was carried out at the site before exhumation work commenced. The ceremony, rooted in traditional protocol, included the presence of kau matāpule (traditional talking chiefs), RTTN said.

Video shown during the broadcast depicted a tent set up at the cemetery where these cultural custodians gathered as part of the formal process surrounding the relocation of the dead.

The exhumation work at the Māhina cemetery comes as Tonga undertakes one of its most significant infrastructure developments in recent history — the construction of the Fanga‘uta Lagoon Bridge, a flagship project intended to improve transport connectivity across Tongatapu.

Major Infrastructure Push Backed by ADB and World Bank

The bridge will span 720 metres across the lagoon and include more than 2 kilometres of new approach roads, forming part of a wider government effort to strengthen key economic corridors and modernise national infrastructure.

The project is funded through major development partnerships, including a USD $80 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and a USD $40 million contribution from the World Bank, under the Sustainable Economic Corridors and Urban Resilience Project.

According to earlier project announcements, the new bridge and associated roadworks are designed not only to ease congestion and shorten travel times between Nuku‘alofa and surrounding villages, but also to improve resilience against tsunamis, flooding, storms, and other climate-related hazards.

These large-scale works require new land corridors, which in some areas intersect with long‑established community spaces — including cemeteries — prompting culturally sensitive relocations such as the one now underway at Folaha.

Jacinda Ardern relocates to Australia with her family

By
Kaniva Staff
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Former New Zealand prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has moved to Australia with her family, her office has confirmed.

The move follows months of speculation after she was reportedly seen attending open‑home viewings on Sydney’s northern beaches.

In a statement, Ardern’s spokesperson said the family had been “travelling for a few years now,” and for the moment they were “basing themselves out of Australia.”

The spokesperson added that the family had work there, and living in Australia “brings the added bonus of more time back home in New Zealand.”

Reports from Australia indicated Ardern, her husband Clarke Gayford, and their daughter were seen viewing homes in the beachside suburbs of Curl Curl and Freshwater—locations highlighted in both Australian and New Zealand media coverage.

Ardern’s relocation comes after several years of international work.

She had been living in the United States while working with Harvard University and has also held global roles including trustee of the Earthshot Prize and a distinguished fellowship at Oxford University.

The family’s move adds to a broader trend of New Zealanders relocating to Australia amid economic pressures and higher earning opportunities.

While Ardern’s spokesperson did not comment on the duration of their stay or future plans, the confirmation settles weeks of speculation prompted by Australian media reports.

Gov’t rushes to pass new powers allowing ID checks on suspected overstayers before November election

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Government is fast‑tracking legislation that would give immigration officers new powers to request identification from people suspected of overstaying their visas — and aims to have the law introduced by the end of the month and passed before the end of the current parliamentary term.

The Government says the move is designed to close a significant “compliance gap” in the deportation system, while critics warn it could open the door to enforcement practices reminiscent of the controversial ICE raids in the United States.

The proposal forms part of a package of immigration enforcement measures first announced in September 2025. At the centre of the change is the authority for officers to request “identity‑based information” when they have reasonable suspicion that a person is breaching visa conditions or is potentially liable for deportation.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said officers currently face situations where they locate a person of interest but encounter others at the same premises who flee or behave suspiciously. However, officers lack the legal ability to request identification from these additional individuals. The new powers, she argued, would allow officers to respond appropriately in these scenarios.

“Often they’re in a situation where they are looking for a particular person, they find that particular person, and then at that residence or workplace, there are other people who are either fleeing or acting suspiciously. At this point in time they cannot act on that,” Stanford told RNZ. She described the proposed law as “narrow and designed to close a specific compliance gap.”

Stanford also emphasised that the changes do not amount to random street checks or general stop‑and‑search powers. The Government is aiming to introduce the legislation to Parliament by the end of the month, with the goal of passing it before the end of the current parliamentary term.

According to the Minister, the scale of the overstayer issue in New Zealand is larger than previously understood. She said this reality requires giving immigration officers stronger tools.

“We have a big overstayer problem, tens of thousands more than we suspected, and we have to arm [immigration officers] with the tools to be able to request information from people when they have a reasonable suspicion that they are in breach of their visa conditions.”

Dog‑Whistle Politics

Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont questioned whether the law change solves a meaningful problem, arguing that the number of undocumented or non‑compliant migrants is small compared with the broader immigration system.

McClymont said previous legislation had already given “almost unfettered discretion” to immigration officers, raising concerns about how new rules might be applied. He also warned that future governments could weaponise immigration enforcement for political gain.

“There is the risk… in the future, what if we have a government that decides that enforcement on immigration is something which is really good for their particular politicking, I’m referring to dog whistle xenophobic politics,” he said.

Other critics noted the parallels between the proposed New Zealand settings and the heavy‑handed ICE raids in the United States, which have drawn global condemnation for their impact on migrant communities.

The identification‑request powers sit within broader reforms aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s deportation and compliance framework. Previous announcements included expanding deportation liability criteria, tightening rules related to fraudulent information, and increasing penalties for migrant exploitation—from seven to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The Government has framed these changes as essential to maintaining the integrity of the immigration system and ensuring consequences for serious breaches.

A Debate Far From Over

While the Government asserts the new powers are targeted and proportionate, the debate surrounding them is intensifying.

Supporters argue the enhancements are necessary to manage a growing overstayer problem, while critics fear they may usher in a future of harsher, more intrusive immigration enforcement.

With legislation expected to reach Parliament soon, New Zealanders can expect the discussion to sharpen as policymakers and communities weigh the balance between effective immigration compliance and the protection of civil liberties.

Two‑year‑old Ta‘e‘iloa granted visitor visa after media backlash over alleged medical ‘misdiagnosis’

By
Kalino Latu
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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has granted a two‑year visitor visa to Jonathan Ta’e’iloa, a Tongan New Zealand‑born toddler whose visa had previously been revoked after authorities argued that allowing him to remain in the country for medical treatment would place an excessive financial burden on taxpayers.

Jonathan with his grandpa. Photo/Supplied

Despite the good news, the family has raised new concerns about Jonathan’s situation and revealed yet another hurdle they face as they continue their fight to secure residency for their son.

Jonathan’s three other siblings, including his twin, all hold valid visas, while both parents hold working holiday visas valid until 2028.

Jonathan has lost his sight, is unable to stand, and now relies on a feeding and medication tube, his mother Kalolaine told ABC in an interview.

He has been repeatedly admitted and discharged from hospital for treatment, which has included several significant surgeries.

In her interview with ABC, Kalolaine alleged that Jonathan “was misdiagnosed” and that no prompt action followed, though she did not specify which medical professional or agency she holds responsible for the alleged misdiagnosis.

Kalolaine expressed concern that a return to Tonga would leave her son without the specialised medical care required to support his condition.

Public Outcry and Policy Questions

Jonathan’s case has drawn widespread attention, with community advocates and members of the Tongan and wider Pacific diaspora questioning INZ’s approach to children with severe medical needs.

It has been reported that, following media coverage of the case, the Children’s Commissioner contacted INZ in an effort to intervene in Jonathan’s visa conditions.

Much of the public frustration stemmed from concerns that the government was prioritising financial thresholds over humanitarian considerations, especially in cases involving New Zealand‑born children.

The media outcry intensified after videos, interviews, and community posts highlighted the severity of Jonathan’s condition and the family’s repeated pleas for help.

Advocacy groups have argued that children in comparable situations should never face deportation risks, while the Green Party’s immigration spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March, has cautioned that although the new visa offers temporary relief to Jonathan’s family, significant uncertainty still remains.

The mounting public and political pressure prompted INZ to revisit the case.

Uncertain Future Ahead

INZ operations director Dominic Forde confirmed the granting of the two‑year visitor visa for Jonathan and acknowledged that there were shortcomings in INZ’s initial assessment that led to the decline of his earlier visa application.

Forde apologised and said INZ had failed to take into account that Jonathan’s treatment “is funded through ACC,” PMN reported.

“We acknowledge this has been a difficult situation for the client and his family and apologise for the upset this has caused,” Forde reportedly said.

While it allows Jonathan to remain in New Zealand for ongoing medical treatment, it does not offer a pathway to residency nor guarantee continuing care once the visa expires.

This uncertainty has left the family anxious, with their lawyer and supporters warning that Jonathan’s condition requires long‑term, specialised medical support that is currently unavailable in Tonga.

The family says their fight will continue until Jonathan has a secure immigration status that reflects the seriousness of his condition and the care he requires.

Huge plume of smoke rises over Nuku‘alofa, days after church office blaze

By
Kalino Latu
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A huge plume of smoke was seen rising over Nuku‘alofa today, sparking fresh concern in the capital just days after a massive fire destroyed the Tonga Hou‘eiki Church Office at Pīkula.

The sighting comes shortly after firefighters in the CBD battled a large blaze that tore through the Tonga Hou‘eiki Church office earlier this week, with livestreamed videos showing towering flames and thick smoke engulfing the central business district.

That fire prompted evacuations and drew significant crowds as authorities worked to contain the inferno.

In the latest incident, livestream videos shared on social media suggested the new smoke was coming from in or near the Loumaile Lodge area, although the precise location and cause of the fire have not yet been confirmed.

The footage showed heavy smoke drifting across parts of the city centre as onlookers attempted to identify the source.

Loumaile Lodge, located in the heart of Nuku‘alofa, is a well‑known accommodation and commercial site in the CBD.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, and it remains unclear whether the new plume is connected to the earlier church office fire or is a separate event.

Kaniva News will provide updates as more information becomes available.

PM’s Office staff member arrested in connection with alleged drug offences

By
Kaniva Staff
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A civil servant employed at the Prime Minister’s Office in Nuku‘alofa has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in illicit drug‑related activities.

St George Palace at Pangai Si’i. Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Kalino Lātū)

According to reports broadcast by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s Radio and Television Tonga, the staff member was among four suspected drug dealers arrested by police last week.

The TBC report, shared on its Facebook page today, February 25, as part of its headline bulletins, did not provide any further details.

The news follows Kaniva’s report last year that a staff member at the Tonga Parliament was suspended after being accused of involvement in drug‑related activities. No specific details about the allegations were released at the time.

In a statement, the Speaker and the Office of the Legislative Assembly said they remained committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

“It will not tolerate or condone any activities involving illicit drugs. The actions of this employee are not representative of the values of the Legislative Assembly and this Office,” the statement said.

“The Office of the Legislative Assembly will continue to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in all aspects of its operations.”

In early 2024, 39-year-old Tevita Kolokihakaufisi was arrested after authorities discovered more than 15 kilograms of cocaine.

The drugs were allegedly found in quantities at both his residence and his workplace—the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. Kolokihakaufisi was jailed last year.

The latest arrest comes amid Tonga’s continued efforts to combat rising drug‑related offences, with law enforcement repeatedly highlighting the growing impact of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs across local communities.

Arrest warrant issued for ‘Ofa Siasau after failure to repay victim of Tongitupe scam

By
Kalino Latu
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A New Zealand tribunal has issued an immediate warrant to arrest ‘Ofa Siasau after she failed to appear at a Financial Assessment Hearing on 17 February 2026.

‘Ofa Siasau

The civil case, brought by creditor Pita Hingano, concerns an unpaid judgment debt totalling $26,491, with no payments recorded to date.

It follows Kaniva News’ report last year that an Auckland tribunal ordered Siasau to repay Hingano $26,250 by May 21, 2025, after finding that she had operated an illegal pyramid scheme known as Tongitupe New Zealand PTOA.

Siasau’s warrant of arrest, detailed in a Ministry of Justice Collections Unit letter on 20 February 2026, seen by Kaniva News, lists the “Agent reference number: Tongitupe,” indicating that the debt enforcement action is recorded under the same name as the notorious investment scheme operated internationally by Tilila Siola‘a Walker.

In the letter, the registrar noted: “Immediate issue of a warrant to arrest. No appearance by debtor,” referring to Siasau, whom the tribunal had previously found to owe Hingano.

Kaniva News, which first reported on the Tongitupe scam in 2021, understands that Siasau acted as an agent for Tongitupe, and her involvement in facilitating the scheme has been the focus of earlier investigative reporting.

Victim of Hype

Hingano was among the hundreds of Tongans who fell victim to the Tongitupe scam after it was aggressively promoted across Facebook, including widely viewed live streams filmed from a business yard in Ōtara.

One of the Tongitupe promotional social media messages at the time claimed that for every $4,500 invested, participants needed only to wait three weeks before receiving $2,500 every week thereafter.

During the scheme’s peak, investors posted photos on social media as they lined up to collect envelopes of cash from Siasau’s office.

The Tongitupe (also known as Tongi Tupe) investment program was founded and operated by Tilila Siola‘a Walker (also known as Tilila Walker Sumchai), a Tongan California‑based woman charged by U.S. authorities with orchestrating a multimillion‑dollar Ponzi‑style scheme that defrauded members of the Tongan diaspora across the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Federal authorities allege that Walker defrauded more than 1,000 investors, raising over USD $11.8 million through her Tongitupe investment scheme, according to statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investigators say Walker lured victims by falsely claiming to use a secret algorithm that guaranteed exceptionally high returns, while in reality she spent investor funds on gambling, travel and personal expenses, rather than legitimate investments.

Officials further state that the operation relied on new investor money to pay earlier investors, mirroring the structure of a classic Ponzi scheme.

U.S. federal prosecutors have confirmed that Walker is scheduled to stand trial on 1 March 2027, giving the defence additional preparation time.

Alleged killer of Tongan bus stabbing victim identified as Adrian Soane Patita Pani

By
Kaniva Staff
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Adrian Soane Patita Pani has been publicly named as the man accused of killing 59‑year‑old Tongan passenger Sosefo Leger during a knife attack on an Auckland bus in December last year.

Sōsefo Ledger

Pani, 36, was arrested on December 9, one day after what police described as an “unprovoked” stabbing aboard Auckland Transport’s number 76 bus as it travelled from Glen Innes toward Ōrākei.

According to court and police records, the bus was nearly empty when Pani boarded at 7.53pm on December 8.

Leger entered moments later and was allegedly attacked as he attempted to exit near Fenchurch Street. He died later that night after being taken to hospital.

A second passenger, aged 51, was also stabbed in a separate attack minutes later and required surgery but survived.

Pani has been charged with Leger’s murder and with wounding another passenger with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. His identity can now be published following the lifting of earlier name‑suppression orders, the NZ Herald reported.

Kaniva News understands that both Pani and Leger are of Tongan descent. It remains unclear whether the two men knew each other or if the fatal attack stemmed from any prior dispute.

Police have not released information suggesting a motive, and the incident is still being treated as an unprovoked act of violence.

Pani is scheduled to stand trial next February.

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