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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.

Five dead in overnight crashes, including three on Desert Road

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ and is republished with permission

Police are calling it “absolutely gutting” after five people have been killed in accidents overnight.

File photo. Photo: RNZ/ Calvin Samuel

Three people died after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1, Waiouru, overnight, while one person remains missing.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 2.55am.

Three people were found dead at the scene, police said. Two further occupants sustained serious injuries.

Another person, who police believe was also in one of the vehicles, has not been accounted for. A search and rescue operation is underway to locate them.

Poice Superintendent Steve Greally, director of road policing, said a total of five people have died in crashes overnight.

One person has died following a crash in Wairakei, north of Taupō.

Another person died in a single-vehicle crash in Waiheke Island overnight. Emergency services were called to Onetangi Road around 1.30am.

“That is absolutely gutting,” Greally said of the road toll .

“We are thinking of their families today, while they deal with the awful reality that their lives will never be the same.”

There were two earlier deaths over King’s Birthday weekend, bringing the provisional number of deaths to seven.

“We say it all the time but we’re going to say it again – there are four main things that contribute to death or serious injury on the roads,” Greally said.

“Those are speeding, not using your seatbelt, driving distracted, or driving impaired, including by tiredness.

“If you’re getting on the road today, please – buckle up, put your phone away, watch your speed, and if you are at all impaired by alcohol, drugs or tiredness, stop – don’t get behind the wheel.

“These things might be the difference between you getting home safely or not.”

The Desert Road has reopened, but police are still working in the area and ask drivers to be cautious.

Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Lātū acquitted by Supreme Court in election bribery case

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Latu has been acquitted by the Supreme Court following allegations of electoral bribery brought by his political rival, ʻEtuate Lavulavu.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Lātū and ‘Etuate Lavulavu

No detailed reasons for the acquittal were immediately released, but the ruling clears Latu of the case brought against him.

This is a developing story. More details will follow as they become available.

As Kaniva News reported previously, the case included claims that town officer Uele Moala received a substantial sum of money from Latu during the November 2025 election campaign period.

A writ filed in Tongan alleged the payment was made at Moala’s home on 18 November 2025, and was intended for a Free Wesleyan Church minister in Hōleva.

Moala was summoned to appear before the court to give evidence regarding the allegation. However, he had earlier publicly denied any wrongdoing, stating in a Facebook post that the claims were false and that he would contest them in court.

“I have not yet seen how lies are being fabricated to appear as truth, but I am glad we have reached court so the truth can be revealed,” Moala said, adding that the allegations had also affected the reputation of church leaders.

The case marks the latest chapter in a long-running political rivalry between Latu and Lavulavu. In 2016, Lavulavu was convicted of electoral bribery and overspending during his 2014 campaign, in a case initiated by Latu.

Following that conviction, a by-election was held in which Lavulavu’s wife, ʻAkosita Lavulavu, defeated Latu to win the vacant parliamentary seat.

The latest ruling brings a close—for now—to another legal clash between the two figures.

Court rejects mother’s bid to halt autopsy of Sydney shooting victim Alai Ahio

By
Kalino Latu
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A New South Wales court has rejected an urgent application by the mother of slain Tongan man Alai ‘Ahio, ruling that authorities can proceed with a post-mortem examination following his death in a violent Sydney shooting.

‘Ahio’s mother embraced by a relative as part of visiting the family after his death. Photo/Malia Palu

Alai ‘Ahio, 28, died after being shot during what police have described as a “targeted” and “brazen” attack at a home in Canley Heights on the evening of May 19, 2026.

Authorities say at least two armed men stormed the property and opened fire on a group gathered in a garage area, leaving five men injured.

‘Ahio, an associate of the OneFour rap group, was rushed to Liverpool Hospital with gunshot wounds but died shortly after arrival, while four others survived with serious injuries.

Police believe the attack was targeted, though the exact motive remains unclear, with investigators examining potential links to organised crime networks in western Sydney.

Mother’s court challenge

In the days following his death, ‘Ahio’s mother Savelina Fisiipeau Ahio lodged an urgent legal challenge seeking to prevent an autopsy being carried out on her son’s body.

The application was reportedly based on deeply held cultural and religious beliefs, reflecting traditional Tongan values that emphasise respect for the body after death and the importance of keeping it intact for burial.

However, the court ultimately ruled against the mother’s application, allowing the coroner to proceed with the post-mortem.

Under Australian law, an autopsy can be ordered in cases of sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths, particularly where a homicide investigation is underway. Such examinations are considered critical to determining:

  • The precise cause of death
  • The nature and trajectory of injuries
  • Evidence that may assist police investigations and prosecutions

In homicide cases, courts typically give significant weight to the public interest in establishing the full circumstances of a death, even when objections are raised on personal, cultural, or religious grounds.

Two Tongans honoured for language and community leadership in King’s birthday honours 2026

By
Kalino Latu
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Two Tongans, Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u and Kathleen Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou, have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, which saw 178 people acknowledged in the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u (L) and Kathleen Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou, have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, which saw 178 people acknowledged in the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Ketu’u was awarded the King’s Service Medal (KSM) for her services to Tongan language education.

She has dedicated more than 40 years to promoting Lea Faka-Tonga across schools, churches, and community groups. Her contributions include coordinating the Tonga stage at Polyfest, helping strengthen cultural identity among young people.

Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her decades of work supporting Pacific communities.

She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Vahefonua Tonga Methodist Mission Charitable Trust (SIAOLA).

Through SIAOLA, she has led major community initiatives, including food parcel and utility support programmes during times of hardship.

She has also supported housing projects such as the GREI programme to improve living conditions for Pacific families.

A strong advocate, Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou frequently speaks on key issues affecting Pacific communities, including labour exploitation, health, and education.

Their recognition highlights the significant contributions of Tongans to New Zealand society and reflects the values of service, leadership, and cultural commitment.

The honours have been widely welcomed as a proud moment for the Tongan community in Aotearoa and abroad.

Car crashes into power pole, causing damage in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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A car crashed into a roadside power pole in Tonga, leaving significant damage to electrical infrastructure and raising concerns about public safety.

The crash, believed to have occurred along a residential roadside lined with dense vegetation and palm trees, left at least one wooden power pole severely damaged.

The pole appears to have snapped and is now leaning precariously against another, with overhead power lines visibly strained and displaced.

The black vehicle involved in the incident sustained visible front-end damage and came to a stop partially off the road near a corrugated metal fence and thick roadside foliage.

The impact appears to have been strong enough to compromise the structural integrity of the power poles, suggesting a high-force collision.

No official information has yet been released regarding injuries, the condition of the driver or passengers, or the exact cause of the crash.

It remains unclear whether speed, road conditions, or other factors contributed to the incident.

The damage to the power lines could potentially disrupt electricity supply in the surrounding area, with repairs likely required to restore full service. Fallen or unstable power poles also present a safety hazard to nearby residents and motorists.

Court rules MEIDECC acted unlawfully in multi-million paʻanga water tank contracts

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nukuʻalofa, Tonga — Tonga’s Supreme Court has ruled that the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) acted unlawfully in awarding multi-million paʻanga contracts under the government’s National Water Tank Project, in a decision expected to have wide implications for public procurement practices.

In a landmark judgment delivered on 11 May 2026, Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC found that the Ministry breached procurement laws and a binding agreement when it awarded contracts for water tanks and septic systems without fair competition.

The Court determined that in August 2022 the Ministry used a limited bidding process to procure 1,500 water tanks valued at more than TOP$3.2 million, but unlawfully invited only one supplier, MJ Watertanks, despite identifying other capable local companies.

It ruled that procurement law required MEIDECC to invite more than one bidder where possible and that its failure to do so denied other suppliers a fair opportunity to compete.

The judgment also found that the Ministry’s procurement process was flawed because it effectively pre-selected the winning supplier before any bids were invited, creating bias and undermining fairness.

The Court further criticised MEIDECC for failing to publish the contract award as required by regulations, describing this omission as a breach of transparency obligations.

In addition, the Court ruled that a series of contracts awarded in October 2023 and April 2024, worth more than TOP$7 million, were unlawfully disguised as “grant agreements” in order to bypass procurement rules.

These agreements covered the supply and installation of 1,200 water tanks and gutters, 500 additional tanks for Vavaʻu, and 400 septic tanks, all awarded directly to MJ Watertanks.

Court Rejects Grant Defence

MEIDECC had argued that the use of grant agreements was justified by urgency and donor funding requirements, particularly support from New Zealand.

However, the Court rejected this argument, finding that the transactions were procurements in substance and could not lawfully avoid the requirements of Tonga’s procurement laws simply by being labelled differently.

The Court also found that the Ministry’s actions breached a Deed of Release and Indemnity Agreement signed in November 2022 following earlier litigation.

That agreement required MEIDECC to either share work fairly among local suppliers under limited bidding or conduct publicly advertised tenders. Instead, the Ministry bypassed both options by directly awarding contracts, depriving Rotomould of a reasonable chance to secure a share of the work.

Lord Chief Justice Bishop concluded that these actions amounted to a failure to ensure a “fair and equitable” distribution of contracts and violated both procedural and substantive expectations created by the government’s agreement with the company. The Court noted that Rotomould suffered financial loss through being excluded from the process, describing it as the loss of a real and measurable opportunity to compete.

The ruling further found that the Ministry continued to breach the agreement even in 2025 allocations, where contract shares were not distributed evenly among suppliers as required.

As a result, the Court declared the procurement decisions unlawful, ordered that damages be assessed, and directed that future contracts under the National Water Tank Project must strictly comply with the Public Procurement Regulations.

It also referred the ongoing project to the Minister of Finance and the Government Procurement Committee to ensure proper oversight.

The decision is seen as a significant ruling on government accountability, reinforcing the requirement for transparency, fair competition, and adherence to the law in the use of public and donor funds in Tonga.

Hungas’ deadly eruption may hold clues to reducing global warming

By
Kalino Latu
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A new scientific discovery stemming from Tonga’s massive and deadly volcanic eruption may have revealed a way to help reduce the effects of climate change.

The underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupts in the southern Pacific Ocean, on January 15 2022. NASA

Scientists have confirmed that the eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai in January 2022 was the largest volcanic eruption ever recorded by modern instruments.

Now, researchers say the eruption may have revealed an unexpected clue in the fight against methane. This potent greenhouse gas contributes significantly to global warming, according to a new study.

Using advanced satellite data collected during and after the eruption, scientists detected a huge cloud of formaldehyde high in the atmosphere.

“We found a huge cloud of formaldehyde that should normally not be there,” said Maarten van Herpen, a study author, physicist, and executive director of Acacia Impact Innovation, a Dutch consultancy.

Formaldehyde is commonly produced when methane—a potent greenhouse gas—is destroyed in the atmosphere. The discovery suggests that natural atmospheric processes triggered by the eruption may have accelerated methane removal on an unprecedented scale.

Methane is approximately 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Although it remains in the atmosphere for a much shorter time than carbon dioxide, it is responsible for roughly one-third of current global warming. Atmospheric methane concentrations have more than doubled since pre-industrial times.

Scientists say reducing carbon dioxide emissions remains essential because the gas can persist in the atmosphere for centuries. However, cutting methane emissions has increasingly been viewed as one of the fastest ways to slow global warming in the near term due to its relatively short atmospheric lifetime.

The researchers believe they may have observed a chemical process previously identified over the Atlantic Ocean, but on a far larger scale.

The extraordinary conditions created by the Tongan eruption appear to have provided a rare natural laboratory for studying how methane can be broken down in the atmosphere.

While the findings do not suggest volcanic eruptions themselves are a solution to climate change, scientists say understanding the chemical reactions behind the formaldehyde plume could help develop new methods to accelerate methane removal.

If confirmed through further research, the discovery could provide policymakers and climate scientists with a valuable new tool in efforts to curb global warming and limit the impacts of climate change.

This version is written in a newspaper style, with a stronger lead, clearer transitions, and a focus on the significance of the scientific discovery.

Tributes flow for man found dead in ‘Eua

By
Kalino Latu
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Tributes are pouring in from family, friends, and members of the community following the discovery of a man who was found dead in ‘Eua last night.

Poulia Lavelua

A relative confirmed the body was located outside a community hall in ‘Esia, prompting an immediate police response and an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The relative identified the deceased as 46-year-old Po’ulia Lavelua.

Police have yet to issue an official statement.

As news of his death spread, messages of grief, remembrance, and support for his family quickly followed.

“Our hearts are broken. He was a devoted father and loving husband, always putting his family first. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him,” a relative said.

“He worked hard for his wife and children and never stopped caring for them. He was a humble man with a big heart,” a close friend shared.

“This is a devastating loss for ‘Eua.

He was a family man, dedicated to his loved ones, and respected in the community,” another resident wrote.

“We are keeping his wife and children in our prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

“May they find strength and comfort in the love of those around them,” one commenter said.

“Gone too soon. Your children will always be proud of the father you were, and your love will live on through them,” a family friend posted on social media.

Pacific drug boat death toll tops 200 in U.S. strikes as island leaders pull together – PM Fakafanua

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nuku’alofa – Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, has revealed that Pacific Island leaders are strengthening regional cooperation to combat the growing spread of illicit drugs across the Pacific.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Lord Fakafanua said leaders across the region have agreed to work together “as a team” to confront drug trafficking, which he described as an escalating threat to Pacific communities.

“The Pacific can no longer face this challenge in isolation. We have undertaken to stand together and coordinate our efforts to stop the flow of illicit drugs through our ocean,” he said in Tongan.

Regional concern over drug trafficking

The Prime Minister’s comments reflect mounting concern among Pacific nations about the increasing use of regional waters as transit routes for international drug syndicates.

However, Fakafanua said the Pacific is no longer merely a transit route for the global drug trade, but is increasingly being used as a hub, with international syndicates turning the world’s largest ocean into a ground zero for storage and transhipment.

His comments come amid reports that cartels are exploiting Fiji’s vast maritime borders to channel large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into Australia and New Zealand, while countries such as Tonga and Samoa continue to grapple with the growing impact of illicit drugs.

Authorities across several island countries have reported rising drug seizures and organised criminal activity, prompting calls for greater cooperation in surveillance, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement.

U.S. strike highlights global dimension

The Prime Minister’s remarks come as the issue of drug trafficking gained further international attention following reports from the United States military.

The U.S. Southern Command said it carried out another strike on Friday targeting a vessel accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to the statement, three men were killed in the incident, marking the third such strike this week in the ongoing anti-drug campaign.

The authority said it manages U.S. military operations in the region of Latin America south of Mexico and the Caribbean — and announced the latest strike in the monthslong campaign against alleged drug boats traversing the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific.

The Command said the targeted vessel was allegedly “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” and linked to a designated criminal or terrorist organisation. However, no detailed evidence was publicly released to support the claim.

Reports indicate the latest operation is part of a broader, months-long campaign targeting suspected drug trafficking boats moving through the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific waters, with the overall reported death toll now said to exceed 200.

PM Fakafanua among dignitaries arriving for Samoa’s independence anniversary

By
Kaniva Staff
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Apia, Samoa – Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, has arrived in Samoa this afternoon as one of the distinguished guests for the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Tonga’s Prime Minister Hon. Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua and Lady Fane Fakafanua are welcomed on arrival in Samoa by officials from the Samoa Police and Prisons Service during the 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations. Photo/Government of Samoa

Prime Minister Fakafanua was accompanied by Lady Fane Fakafanua and members of his official delegation.

Upon arrival, they were formally received with a Guard of Honour by the Samoa Police and Prisons Service, marking a respectful and ceremonial welcome in line with Pacific traditions of hospitality.

His visit underscores the close diplomatic and cultural ties between Tonga and Samoa, as both nations come together to celebrate a milestone of great historical significance for the region.

A Significant Regional Occasion

Samoa’s Independence Anniversary commemorates 64 years since the nation regained sovereignty from New Zealand on January 1, 1962, becoming the first Pacific Island country to achieve modern independence.

The occasion honours the determination and sacrifices of Samoan leaders and citizens who resisted both German and later New Zealand colonial administrations in their pursuit of self-governance.

This year’s celebrations have drawn regional and international guests, reflecting Samoa’s enduring role as a symbol of independence and resilience across the Pacific.

Unity, Culture, and Heritage

The anniversary is not only a historical observance but also a unifying national event.

It brings together communities across Samoa under themes of unity, pride, and resilience, reinforced through official programmes and nationwide participation.

Central to the celebrations is the preservation and promotion of Samoan culture. The multi-day programme features traditional events such as kilikiki (Samoan cricket), fautasi long-boat racing, and a range of cultural performances, highlighting the richness of Samoan heritage and identity.

Prime Minister Fakafanua’s presence at the celebrations reflects Tonga’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and standing alongside neighbouring nations during significant national milestones.

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