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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.

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.

Tonga Police suspend search for missing man at sea after no new leads

By
Kaniva Staff
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Search efforts in Tonga for a man missing at sea have ended after days of operation yielded no new clues following the rescue of his two companions on 18 February.

Police Deputy Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau confirmed to Matangi Tonga today that the search was formally called off on Friday, 20 February 2026.

He said there were no new developments that could help locate the missing man.

The man had been travelling with two others who were rescued by the New Zealand Navy on 18 February, after being spotted by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P‑8A Poseidon aircraft during an aerial search.

The men were located approximately 105 nautical miles south of Tonga.

Police did not release the names of the men or disclose why they had travelled far out to sea.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation,” Taumoepeau reportedly said.

The 11.5‑metre wooden vessel, Mysterious Wonder, left Tongatapu on 8 February. Authorities were alerted on 17 February that the boat was missing, prompting the multinational search effort.

Police have not indicated whether the search may resume if new information emerges.

Moana Pasifika’s Tonga Match Moved After Funding Shortfall

By
Kaniva Staff
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Moana Pasifika has cancelled its highly anticipated Round Nine Super Rugby Pacific fixture against the Chiefs in Tonga after being unable to secure the funding and sponsorship required to host the match at Teufaiva Stadium.

The game, originally scheduled for 11 April in Nuku’alofa, will now be relocated to an alternative venue.

The franchise confirmed the decision this week following months of attempts to bring Super Rugby back to Tonga.

According to multiple reports, Moana Pasifika made “every effort” to progress with the event but ultimately could not meet the significant financial demands required to stage a match in the Pacific.

Moana Pasifika CEO Debbie Sorensen said the decision was heartbreaking for players, supporters, and especially families in Tonga.

“We have explored every avenue possible to try and make it work, but unfortunately we were unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to bring this game to Tonga. The challenge we face is that we are not funded to bring any games to the Pacific region, and we believe we should be,” Sorensen said.

She added that despite the setback, the organisation remained committed to developing rugby pathways and hosting future fixtures in the islands.

“While we are heartbroken for our team, our fans, and especially our families in Tonga, we remain hopeful and deeply committed to growing the game in the region. We look forward to opportunities to bring world‑class rugby to Tonga and other Pacific countries as soon as possible.”

The franchise has previously delivered successful matches in the Pacific, including Apia in 2023 and Nuku’alofa in 2024.

However, Sorensen said Moana Pasifika currently receives no dedicated financial support to take games to the region—an issue echoed by Pacific rugby leaders.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Aisea Aholelei said he understood the challenges Moana Pasifika faced, noting that Tonga itself must rely on major sponsorship to host any financially viable match.

“Whenever we want to play a game here in Tonga, it’s always a loss-making exercise unless a significant sponsor comes our way,” Aholelei said.

Moana Pasifika is now working with Super Rugby Pacific, New Zealand Rugby, and the Chiefs to secure a replacement venue for the Round Nine fixture.

As discussions continue, Pacific leaders and supporters are renewing calls for equitable investment in rugby across the islands.

Many argue that despite producing world‑class players for global competitions, Pacific nations remain underfunded and overlooked when it comes to hosting major events.

Social media clash erupts over new alleged investment scheme targeting Tongan diaspora

By
Kalino Latu
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A war of words and a heated dispute erupted on social media this week in what appeared to be another suspected pyramid‑scheme controversy that has plunged members of the Tongan community in the United States and the wider diaspora into turmoil and disarray.

Victorine “Polygirl,” the businesswoman at the centre of the investment dispute circulating on Tongan social media. Photo/Video screenshot, Victorine’s Facebook account

A Tongan–US–based businesswoman living in Salt Lake City and identifying herself on Facebook as “Victorine Polygirl,” also known as “Viki,” has been accused by several online users of failing to return investors’ money after allegedly encouraging Tongans to put funds into what she promoted as a high‑return investment scheme.

She operates the Falekoloa Famili Tonga USA Trading store in Tonga, which drew attention from Tongan authorities after allegations surfaced that the business did not hold a licence to import medical items.

According to posts and videos shared widely across Tongan Facebook groups and newsfeeds, Victorine allegedly collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from her investors after claiming they would be able to withdraw large profits within a short period, prompting many to deposit money in hopes of quick financial gain.

While the full details of the investment scheme—and the amounts contributed by complainants—remain unclear, critics have accused Victorine of using investors’ funds to build a luxurious house for her family in Vava’u and to make several personal purchases.

These accusations have not been independently verified, but they continue to circulate widely across Tongan social media platforms.

Attempts to contact Victorine were unsuccessful.

Investors Demand Answers

Tensions intensified when some investors claimed this week that their attempts to request withdrawals were either ignored or delayed, leading to growing frustrations and calls for accountability.

Many outraged complainants and critics of Victorine lashed out at her on social media, calling her a “liar” (loi) and “hard‑faced” (mata fefeka).

They claimed she had failed to deliver the high‑profit returns she initially promised, saying the scheme had now collapsed.

In a Facebook post responding to the growing criticism, Victorine told investors that they “should know” their money had been used to build various businesses in which they would supposedly hold shares and earn profits.

In a separate post, she claimed that while she had been busy “building their businesses,” some of the complaining investors had allegedly been defaming her on Facebook.

Victorine also published several posts on her Facebook page urging investors to be patient, saying she would contact them directly.

In one of the posts, written in Tongan, she told followers: “For those of you who were investors from New Zealand and Australia, I will email you.”

Ongoing Ponzi Prosecutions

The news comes at a time when several Tongan promoters and creators of alleged Ponzi schemes are facing court charges in Tonga, New Zealand, and the United States for their involvement in similar scams.

The Tongitupe Ponzi scheme, invented and operated by Tilila Siolaʻa Walker, allegedly defrauded investors of more than US$10 million before collapsing in 2022, according to FBI court documents.

As Kaniva News reported last week, the Office of the U.S. Attorney General told us that Walker is scheduled to stand trial in the United States in March next year.

In New Zealand and Tonga, several individuals linked to comparable schemes have received hefty fines and been ordered to repay affected investors.

As the dispute continued to spread across social media platforms, supporters and critics of Victorine engaged in heated exchanges, with some defending her intentions while others urged authorities to investigate the matter.

Police seek public assistance to locate wanted man Tevita Lasa

By
Kaniva Staff
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Auckland, NZ — Police are appealing for public assistance to locate 35‑year‑old Tevita Lasa, who is currently wanted in relation to a burglary investigation.

Tevita Lasa. Photo/Police

According to authorities, Lasa has an active warrant for his arrest and is believed to be deliberately avoiding Police.

He is known to frequent the Auckland City area, and officers are continuing efforts to establish his whereabouts.

Police are urging anyone who has seen Lasa, or who may have information that could help locate him, to come forward immediately.

Members of the public can provide information by submitting an update online or by calling 105.

Police advise that anyone who sights Lasa should not approach him and should instead contact them straight away.

Friendliness defined: MV ‘Otuanga’ofa hailed after reversing to pick up late passenger

By
Kaniva Staff
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MV Otuanga’ofa has been widely praised after a livestream captured the ferry reversing to the wharf to pick up a late passenger.

Moments before boarding: A passenger embraces his family at the wharf while hands from inside the MV Otuanga’ofa reach out to assist him onto the vessel.

The moment, which many Tongans say reflects the vessel’s name and the nation’s spirit of friendliness, has since drawn widespread attention online.

In the footage, a man is seen hugging and farewelling a woman and children at the wharf just moments after the vessel had begun to leave.

As the ship slowly reverses toward the dock, a woman off‑camera can be heard explaining that a request had been made to the captain to turn back and collect the late passenger.

The video then shows the man leaving his family and boarding the vessel, where hands from inside the ship reach out to help pull him safely aboard.

On the livestream, passengers can be heard expressing thanks and relief, with one voice saying the request had been successfully carried out.

Social media commenters responded warmly to the gesture.

One viewer wrote, “That reflects the name ‘Otuanga’ofa,” referring to the meaning behind the vessel’s name — “the friendly islands” — and praising the captain’s willingness to accommodate the latecomer.

The brief, heartfelt moment has been widely shared, celebrated as a reminder of the Tongan spirit of helpfulness and community.

Vava’u whale photo ‘Māhina’ crowned World Nature Photo of the Year

By
Kalino Latu
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A breathtaking underwater image captured in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga, has been crowned World Nature Photo of the Year.

Mahina, the rare white humpback calf, glows beneath the surface as she swims beside her protective mother in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga. Photo/ Jono Allen/World Nature Photography Awards 2026

Queensland photographer Jono Allen received the top honour for his portrait of the rare white humpback calf named Māhina.

The striking photograph shows Māhina—whose name means “moon” in Tongan—swimming closely beside her protective mother in the crystal‑clear waters of Vava’u.

Allen reportedly said the young whale “glowed like a beam of light through the deep blue,” describing the encounter as one of the most extraordinary moments of his career.

Only one in 40,000 humpback whales is born with this level of depigmentation, making sightings exceptionally unusual and scientifically significant.

Judges praised the image for both its beauty and its emotional depth, noting how the rare calf symbolises resilience within a species that has rebounded from near‑extinction following decades of intensive whaling.

Allen’s winning image also secured gold in the Underwater category, placing him at the top of a competition that attracted entries from photographers across 51 countries and six continents.

The awards’ co‑founder, Adrian Dinsdale, said this year’s entries highlight not only the splendour of the natural world but also the importance of protecting it for future generations.

Reflecting on the encounter, Allen said sharing the water with Mãhina and her mother was deeply humbling:

“Sharing this moment with Mãhina and her protective mother is a memory that will live with me forever.”

The photograph has since become a symbol of both the power of wildlife conservation and the emotional pull of nature photography.

The World Nature Photography Awards is a global competition dedicated to showcasing the beauty, diversity, and fragility of planet Earth.

Founded on the belief that powerful imagery can inspire positive action for the environment, the awards celebrate the world’s finest nature photographers as they highlight the wonders of the natural world.

The competition attracts entries from across six continents and offers a US$1,000 grand prize for the overall winner

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