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.
A 50-year-old Tongan national has been arrested in Australia after Northern Territory Police allegedly discovered 125 kilograms of kava, more than $100,000 in cash and a Toyota Hilux near the remote Aboriginal community of Ramingining.
Kava and cash allegedly seized by Northern Territory Police during the arrest of a 50-year-old Tongan national near Ramingining, Australia. Photo: Northern Territory Police
Australian police said officers located the man at an outstation about 13 kilometres from the Northern Territory community after receiving anonymous information.
During the operation, officers allegedly found 125kg of kava packaged in individual deal bags, $100,981.30 in cash and the vehicle.
The man, whom police allege was unlawfully remaining in Australia, was charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of kava, dealing in proceeds of crime exceeding $100,000 and entering Aboriginal land without a permit.
He was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Ramingining Local Court on Friday, August 28.
Remote Sergeant Noel Santiago described the seizure as an outstanding result for local police and the community.
“The illegal supply of kava causes harm in our remote communities and there is significant money to be made by people willing to exploit that demand,” Santiago said.
“That’s money that the community could have been using to buy essential goods and services.
“This seizure has taken a substantial amount of kava out of circulation, along with more than $100,000 in alleged proceeds of crime and a vehicle.”
Santiago warned people trafficking prohibited substances into remote communities that their distance from major population centres would not place them beyond the reach of police.
“If you’re bringing prohibited substances into our communities for profit, don’t assume that being remote means you’re out of reach,” he said.
“The majority of our communities don’t want you here and will report you.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that Lord Fakafanua accepted a proposal for the Government to perform a Hū Louifi to the King before the Palace Office directed that it should not proceed.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua
The confirmation followed an earlier response in which the office denied that a Hū Louifi would take place. It maintains that the denial was accurate because the proposed ceremony had neither been finalised nor publicly announced before it was called off.
An apparent internal memorandum subsequently obtained by Kaniva News appeared to indicate that the process of arranging funding for the ceremony had begun.
However, the office said it was unable to verify the document and explained that proposals considered during government processes can change before they are approved and publicly announced.
Office Clarifies Earlier Response
The Prime Minister’s Office was responding for the second time after Kaniva News reported allegations that a taxpayer-funded Hū Louifi had been arranged in an apparent attempt to appease the King. His Majesty was reportedly displeased after learning that a former government had subleased part of his land without his prior knowledge.
The Prime Minister recently said there was nothing unlawful about the sublease. However, he believed the written agreement with the King should have included a clause requiring the Government to notify His Majesty before subleasing the land.
As Kaniva News previously reported, construction of a new World Bank-funded National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) headquarters has been completed, but its official opening has reportedly been delayed because of the land dispute.
The initial report noted that Kaniva News had contacted the Prime Minister on Monday, August 24 for confirmation but had received no response by the time of publication on Wednesday, August 26.
Shortly after that report was published, the Prime Minister’s Office responded, saying: “There is no formal apology / hū louifi to take place to His Majesty.”
Kaniva News published the Prime Minister’s Office’s denial but shortly afterwards obtained a purported internal MEIDECC memorandum dated August 10, 2026, from Deputy Director of Meteorology Taniela Takeifanga to MEIDECC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Soane Laitia Fifita.
The memo appeared to seek Fifita’s approval to begin financial processes for expenses associated with what it described as MEIDECC’s “Formal Traditional Apologies Protocol and Responsibilities (Hū Louifi)” to His Majesty. It also appeared to show the word “Approved” circled in black above what appeared to be Fifita’s name and signature at the bottom of the document.
It stated that the proposed ceremony followed directions from the Prime Minister, who is also Minister for MEIDECC.
The listed expenses included traditional kava, Tongan mats, yams, a pig and a financial gift.
Memo Sent for Verification
Kaniva News subsequently sent a copy of the memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking verification of its authenticity and an explanation of the apparent contradiction.
In response, Elizabeth Kite, the Prime Minister’s Communications and Engagement Adviser, confirmed that the proposal had previously been considered and accepted by Lord Fakafanua.
“In January, His Majesty’s Land Representative proposed a Hu Louifi as part of efforts to resolve the issue, and MEIDECC’s Acting CEO at the time agreed to the proposed approach,” Kite said.
“This was consistent with the Prime Minister’s direction that the matter be resolved as soon as possible.
“The Prime Minister subsequently accepted the proposed approach.”
Kite said the Prime Minister supported the proposal because he wanted to strengthen the relationship between the Government and His Majesty and work constructively with the King’s representatives to resolve the matter.
Palace Directs Ceremony Be Abandoned
However, she said the proposed ceremony was later abandoned following a direction from the Palace Office.
“The position communicated by Palace Office was that the matter did not arise from an error or action of the current Government and, accordingly, the Government would not be proceeding with a formal apology in relation to it,” Kite said.
She did not specify when the Palace Office issued the direction.
Kite maintained that the Government’s earlier denial was accurate because the ceremony would not proceed.
“To be clear, there will be no formal apology or Hu Louifi to His Majesty. This remains the current position,” she said.
Proposal had not been publicly announced
Kite said the discussions and proposed arrangements were not announced because the details had not been finalised or confirmed.
“Government processes can and do evolve as further considerations arise, and arrangements may change before anything is formally announced. That is what occurred in this instance,” she said.
“The Government did not publicly announce that a Hū Louifi would take place and then subsequently reverse that decision, so there is no contradiction.”
“The confusion has therefore resulted from the reporting of an incomplete position, rather than from the Government changing a publicly announced decision.”
Memo authenticity not confirmed
Although Kite did not authenticate the memorandum, her response confirmed the sequence of events: the Prime Minister directed that the issue underlying the King’s reported displeasure be resolved; His Majesty’s Land Representative proposed a Hū Louifi; MEIDECC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer agreed to the approach; the Prime Minister subsequently accepted it; and the Palace Office later directed that it should not proceed.
Kite said different versions of documents relating to the proposal appeared to have circulated, with variations in their signatures and layouts. She said this reinforced the need to verify their authenticity and provenance.
Kaniva News did not publish the memorandum before sending it to the Prime Minister’s Office for verification and comment.
An investigation is underway after a Saab aircraft operated by Lulutai Airlines reportedly experienced difficulty while landing in Vavaʻu earlier this week.
Lulutai airlines
The aircraft is understood to be leased or otherwise supplied to Lulutai by Air Chathams.
A reliable source told Kaniva News that the aircraft was allegedly carrying a load that substantially exceeded its permitted weight limit at the time of the incident.
The source further alleged that an airport staff member had authorised the loading of undocumented baggage that should not have been carried aboard the aircraft.
It said the pilot ordered the aircraft’s load to be reweighed after arrival, allegedly revealing a significant weight discrepancy.
Kaniva News has not independently verified the allegations concerning the aircraft’s weight or the undocumented baggage.
Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny confirmed that an incident had occurred but declined to provide details while the matter was being investigated.
“There is an active investigation underway. We will not comment until that investigation is complete,” Emeny said in response to questions from Kaniva News.
It remains unclear when the investigation is expected to be completed, which authority is conducting it, or whether any employee has been suspended or otherwise disciplined in connection with the incident.
It is also unclear how many passengers were aboard the aircraft, whether anyone was injured or whether the aircraft sustained any damage.
The incident comes almost three years after a Lulutai Airlines Saab 340B veered off a taxiway and struck a concrete bund at Tonga’s Fuaʻamotu International Airport on December 8, 2023, after aborting a flight to Vavaʻu because of a suspected hydraulic problem.
A preliminary report found that the aircraft, carrying 35 passengers, had no brakes when it struck the concrete block.
Investigators also found no flight data on the recorder, evidence that it had been deliberately disabled, an inaudible cockpit recording and no underwater locator beacon attached to the cockpit recorder.
Tongan-American Utah lawmaker Doug Fiefia has expressed his condolences following the fatal shooting outside a Tongan funeral in Kearns that killed one teenage twin and critically injured his brother.
Doug Fiefia, who currently serves in the Utah House of Representatives, will soon take his seat in the Utah State Senate, where he will represent approximately 120,000 residents.
Fiefia, who serves in the Utah House of Representatives and is the Republican nominee for Utah Senate District 18, called on the community to support the grieving families before confronting the issues surrounding the tragedy.
“My heart is with the families and everyone affected by the tragedy in Kearns,” Fiefia said in a Facebook post.
“Right now, they deserve the time, space, compassion, and support to grieve. In the days ahead, we must come together to listen, heal, and find a better path forward. ʻOfa atu.”
Fiefia won the Republican primary in June and will contest the general election on November 3. If elected, he is expected to become the first Tongan to serve in a state senate in United States history.
He currently represents Utah House District 48 and is seeking to represent approximately 120,000 residents in the State Senate.
During a recent visit to Tonga, Fiefia described the prospect of making history as both humbling and significant for Tongans worldwide.
“I will be the first Tongan state senator in the history of America, and I’m honoured to serve,” he said.
Fiefia said his political rise reflected the growing influence of Pacific Islanders in the United States. His prospective Senate district includes several thousand Tongans, many of whom supported his campaign by volunteering and raising funds.
Twin killed at funeral
Fiefia’s statement followed the August 17 shooting outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 4660 West 5015 South in Kearns.
Eighteen-year-old twins Vilisoni “Soni” Angilau and Vita Angilau were attending their cousin’s funeral when they were shot.
Vilisoni was taken to Intermountain Medical Center but died from his injuries. Vita was critically injured and admitted to hospital.
The twins, who had recently graduated from high school, had travelled from Seattle to Utah for the funeral.
Police alleged that the shooting followed a confrontation involving the twins and a 17-year-old boy.
Afuhia Masiu Manatau, 45, was arrested on suspicion of murder after investigators alleged that he provided his teenage son with the firearm used in the shooting.
Witnesses gave differing accounts of whether Manatau handed the firearm to his son or whether the teenager took it from him. One witness alleged that the teenager loaded the weapon before firing twice at the person he had been fighting, according to a police affidavit.
Unified police believe the teenager shot both Angilau brothers. Investigators alleged that the brothers then pursued the teenager, took possession of the firearm and used it to shoot him.
The 17-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was admitted to hospital in critical condition. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder while still receiving treatment. Authorities have not identified him because he is a minor.
Further arrests follow
Two other 19-year-olds, Tevita Siope Tonga Kofe and Heneli Suli Grall, have since been arrested on suspicion of obstructing justice.
Investigators alleged that Grall removed the firearm from the scene, while Kofe helped the teenage suspect enter a black minivan to leave the area.
Police said video footage captured two men running from the scene behind the teenager. Other funeral attendees reportedly identified them as Kofe and Grall, who attended the same high school as the teenage suspect.
The allegations against Manatau, his son, Kofe and Grall have not been proven in court.
Fiefia’s appeal for compassion comes as Utah’s Tongan community continues to grieve Vilisoni’s death while supporting Vita through his recovery.
A handful of armed officers are guarding the South Auckland home where a woman and a man were found dead on Thursday.
An armed officer at the scene.Photo credit:RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police have been hunting through the night for those responsible for a suspected double homicide in Wattle Downs.
But they had not given an update on whether their search had been successful.
They also had not yet released any details about who they were looking for, how many people they were looking for, or if they knew who they were looking for.
On Friday morning, two police officers with rifles were outside the home, which has been cordoned off.
Police forensic and crime scene officers were also seen putting on shoe covers and entering the home just before 6.30am.
Emergency services responded to reports of a woman unresponsive at an address on Gambare Place about 1.45pm on Thusday.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and, during a search of the property, police found a man who was also pronounced dead.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said the offender or offenders fled the scene prior to officers arriving.
On Thursday evening, armed police stood guard in front of the house, as neighbours looked on.
Dianna Kereopa-Turner had lived in the street her whole life. She told RNZ she had just returned home when “havoc started going on” outside.
“We thought it was our nail gun for our sleepout that we’re building going off … and then it was quite loud,” Kereopa-Turner said.
“But no, it was shooting. All we heard was gun. Then my sister came out of her room and said ‘somebody out there’s shooting’, so we gathered in whoever was loose around the house and stayed inside.”
She said the victims had only just moved in to the street: “It’s sad to know that whatever trouble was following them, obviously followed them right to the doorstep, and unfortunately it happened on this street where there’s a lot of kids and a lot of elderly people.”
Many residents had been unable to return to their homes on Gambare Place and adjoining Volante Avenue while police cordons closed the roads on Thursday afternoon, with armed police stationed at the cordons.
Another Gambare Place resident, Bobbie, said she had been at the doctors and tried to return home around 2.45pm.
“The street was already closed off, so I thought, ‘oh better shoot over to the school and pick up my niece’, got over there and it was locked down as well.”
Bobbie said they were allowed to go home just after 5pm.
She said, once home, she talked with neighbours and some were quite shocked.
While the cordon was in place, police were seen working behind a white tarpaulin on Volante Avenue. Police later confirmed staff had moved the victims to a safe location, away from the scene, to render first aid, while other staff continued working to clear the scene and make it safe.
Va’aelua said the incident appeared to be isolated, but police were not able to “rule anything out”, and were now determining the exact circumstances of the incident.
“This is an awful set of events and no doubt unsettling for everyone involved and the wider community.”
Anyone with information on the incident that could help police with enquiries could contact 105.
A second potential candidate has withdrawn from the Tongatapu 2 by-election to support Dr Malakai Koloamatangi after the pair reached an apparent political understanding centred on completing Tonga’s unfinished 2010 democratic reforms.
Lawyer Sione Fonua (L) and Dr Malakai Koloamatangi
The by-election was triggered after the seats for Tongatapu 2 and Ongo Niua 17 were vacated by former MPs Sēmisi Sika and Lataifaingataʻa Tangimana, respectively. Both vacancies arose from court rulings linked to the 2025 general election.
Sika was found guilty of failing to report his full election expenses, while Tangimana was found guilty of bribery.
Parliament formally unseated the pair on August 3, disqualifying them from contesting an election for five years.
Lawyer Sione Fonua revealed yesterday that he had intended to contest the October 8 by-election but decided to withdraw after holding discussions with Koloamatangi.
“I held discussions with Malakai Koloamatangi and gave considerable thought to the Tongatapu 2 by-election scheduled for October 8,” Fonua said.
“I subsequently decided not to contest the by-election and instead to support Mafua—Malakai Koloamatangi.”
Fonua said their discussions focused on developing a strategy to complete the reforms introduced in 2010.
“A party system will be one of the mechanisms used to advance this work,” he said.
“I will step back and focus on building the Langafonua Tu’uloa Party to serve the King and the people of Tonga as a whole.”
Although Fonua did not describe the understanding as a formal deal, his statement indicates that his withdrawal and endorsement of Koloamatangi were connected to their agreement to pursue further democratic reform.
Dr Malakai Koloamatangi is a political scientist who spent much of his professional career studying and working at universities in New Zealand.
Second candidate steps aside
Fonua’s withdrawal follows a similar announcement by another potential candidate, Soane Patita Vakautafefine Fifita, who said earlier this month that he would not contest the seat and would instead support Koloamatangi.
The two withdrawals could consolidate support behind Koloamatangi before candidate nominations open on September 2 and 3.
Koloamatangi has said his campaign platform includes proposing parliamentary debate on completing what he regards as the unfinished or problematically structured democratic reforms of 2010.
Problems identified after reform
Tonga’s 2010 reforms transferred much of the monarch’s executive authority to an elected government, increased the number of people’s representatives to 17 and allowed elected MPs to choose the Prime Minister.
However, problems with the new constitutional structure emerged soon after Lord Tuʻivakanō formed the first government under the reformed system.
The government commissioned Commonwealth constitutional lawyer Peter Pursglove to review the constitutional and judicial arrangements. His report was tabled in Parliament, and a copy was presented to King Tupou VI.
Pursglove concluded that Tonga’s Constitution could claim to be among the most poorly structured and drafted constitutions in the Commonwealth. He also warned that the 2010 changes had weakened the earlier protections supporting judicial independence.
Speaking to RNZ in 2014, Pursglove warned that the problems would worsen unless corrective changes were made.
“It’s pretty obvious that the system isn’t working, it will only get worse and somebody has to bite the bullet and face reality and make the changes,” he said.
Fonua’s withdrawal now places the completion of those reforms at the centre of Koloamatangi’s campaign and raises the prospect of a broader political organisation being developed around that objective.
Two 19-year-olds have been arrested on suspicion of obstructing justice following the deadly shooting outside a funeral in Kearns, Utah, that killed one Tongan twin and left his brother critically injured.
Vilisoni and Vita Angilau, 18. (Courtesy: Lacie Roth)
Heneli Suli Grall was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of second-degree felony obstruction of justice after investigators alleged that he removed the firearm used in the killing from the scene.
A second man, Tevita Siope Tonga Kofe, was arrested on Wednesday, August 26, on an obstruction charge. Investigators alleged that Kofe helped the 17-year-old shooting suspect enter a vehicle so he could flee.
The arrests are the latest development in the August 17 shooting that killed 18-year-old Vilisoni “Soni” Angilau and critically injured his twin brother, Vita Angilau.
As previously reported by Kaniva News, the twins had recently graduated from high school and were visiting Utah from Seattle to attend a relative’s funeral at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Weapon allegedly removed
According to probable-cause statements reported by ABC4, detectives with the Unified Police Authority believe Grall took the firearm used in the killing from the crime scene.
Video footage provided by a funeral attendee reportedly captured part of the physical confrontation and the shooting.
Detectives said they identified the 17-year-old suspect, his father, Afuhia Masiu Manatau, and Vilisoni in the footage. However, they were initially unable to identify two men seen running from the scene behind the teenage suspect.
Investigators later showed the video to members of a family who attended the funeral. They allegedly identified the two men as Grall and Kofe.
Police said the footage appeared to show Grall carrying a gun in his right hand before placing it near his waistband. Investigators allege that this was the firearm removed from the scene.
Another witness reportedly told detectives that Kofe helped the teenage suspect enter a black minivan so he could escape.
The minivan, allegedly driven by Manatau, was stopped following a brief police pursuit near the church shortly after the shooting, according to FOX 13.
Father accused of supplying gun
Police alleged that the shooting began after the unidentified 17-year-old became involved in a physical confrontation with the Angilau brothers.
Investigators accused Manatau of handing a firearm to his teenage son, who then allegedly shot the twins.
Manatau was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and felony discharge of a firearm. Police have not publicly identified the teenager because he is a minor.
Vilisoni died from his injuries, while Vita was admitted to hospital in critical condition and is continuing his recovery.
The allegations against Grall, Kofe, Manatau and the teenage suspect have not been proven in court.
Two people are dead in an “unfolding serious incident” in South Auckland this afternoon, with several nearby schools placed into lockdown.
Emergency services were called to an address on Gambare Place at around 1.45pm after reports of a woman who was unresponsive.
Hato Hone St John staff with police at Wattle Downs. (Source: 1News)
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“During a search of the property, police located a man who was also pronounced deceased,” he said.
Do you know more? Contact us at news@tvnz.co.nz
St John said a rapid response unit, an ambulance, and an operations manager responded to an incident on Gambare Pl at around 1.58pm.
Police at the scene on Gambare Pl in Manurewa. (Source: 1News)
Cordons were in place at Mahia Rd, with police advising nearby schools to lock down and asking all members of the public to avoid the area.
Speaking to 1News, Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman said the Ministry of Education had advised several school communities in the vicinity to initiate a lockdown.
“I don’t yet know the reason why that lockdown was requested,” he said earlier.
Newman said he expected the schools would be “responding to an updated advisory from the ministry, who of course will be acting on the advice of the police”.
Takanini MP Rima Nakhle has urged residents to “remain vigilant while our police conduct their work”.
Tonga National University (TNU) is facing serious questions after Parliament was told that students had paid for and completed courses only to discover that their qualifications were not accepted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Minister for Education Dr Mo’ale ‘Otunuku
The parliamentary exchange between two MPs and the Minister for Education failed to resolve the issue, leaving fundamental questions about the programmes’ accreditation and the PSC’s refusal to recognise the qualifications unanswered.
Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala said graduates from TNU’s Business Faculty had complained that the PSC refused to recognise their qualifications, reportedly because the programmes had not been accredited by the Tonga National Qualifications and Accreditation Board (TNQAB).
Piukala said the students had paid for, completed and passed the courses.
The concern intensified when Tongatapu 4 MP Mateni Tapueluelu said similar complaints had repeatedly been raised during his constituency visit.
He told Parliament that those involved had confirmed that some TNU courses had not yet been accredited, and he questioned how this had been allowed to happen.
Students Charged Before Course Accreditation
Minister for Education Moʻale ʻOtunuku appeared unaware of the alleged situation and did not confirm whether it had occurred at TNU. Instead, he explained that no TNU programme should be taught until it had been approved and accredited by TNQAB.
He added that whether another organisation recognised the resulting qualification was a separate issue.
Key questions remain over whether TNU knew the programmes were unaccredited when it enrolled the students, what assurances it gave about PSC recognition and what remedies would be available if the complaints were substantiated.
The PSC and TNU could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that the government was planning a taxpayer-funded Hū Louifi ceremony to seek forgiveness from King Tupou VI, responding shortly after Kaniva News published the allegations last night.
Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Screenshot
Before publication, Kaniva News asked Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua on Monday 24 to confirm whether the ceremony was being planned and, if so, explain why it was considered necessary.
No response had been received by the time the story was published. The report therefore clearly stated that the allegations had not been independently verified and that Lord Fakafanua had not responded to questions.
Shortly after the article appeared online on Thursday 26, the Prime Minister’s Office responded and said: “There is no formal apology / hu louifi to take place to His Majesty.”
Its response denies the central allegation contained in the original report.
Alleged cultural presentations
Information obtained by Kaniva News had alleged that the proposed ceremony would include a TOP$30,000 cash envelope, a pig valued at TOP$5,000, Tongan handicrafts worth TOP$9,000, yams costing TOP$3,000 and kava toho valued at TOP$3,000.
Together, the alleged presentations would have cost at least TOP$50,000. It had also been alleged that they would be funded with taxpayers’ money.
The response did not explain the origin of the information or indicate whether any informal discussion about such a ceremony had taken place. However, it stated clearly that no Hū Louifi was planned.
Allegation linked to Matatoa
The alleged ceremony had been linked to the controversy surrounding royal land at Matatoa, which had originally been leased to the government for a specific purpose before being subleased under a previous administration.
Reports indicated that His Majesty was dissatisfied with aspects of the arrangement.
Lord Fakafanua previously said the documented transaction did not appear to be illegal. However, he expressed the view that the government responsible for the sublease should have informed the King because the land had originally been leased for a different purpose.
It was subsequently alleged that this position had prompted the Fakafanua government to consider seeking the King’s forgiveness through a formal Hū Louifi. The Prime Minister’s Office has now denied that any such ceremony is planned.
