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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.

Viral livestream alleges Tongan women forced into marriage in China

By
Kalino Latu
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A social media livestream alleging that Tongan women have been taken to China and forced into marriage has attracted significant attention online, prompting concern and discussion across the Tongan community.

Aloi Kātoa

The livestream, broadcast earlier today by a Tongan woman Aloi Katoa, has been viewed more than 170,000 times and shared more than 3,000 times within hours of being posted.

During the broadcast, Katoa alleged that one of the victims was her niece, who she claimed had been assisted to return home with the help of a Tongan nurse working in China.

Kaniva News has not independently verified the allegations.

Kātoa did not present documentary evidence during the livestream, and no official confirmation of the claims has been made by authorities.

She identified a Tongan woman whom she alleged was behind the purported trafficking operation. Kaniva News has withheld the woman’s identity for legal reasons, as the allegations have not been independently verified.

Nevertheless, the allegations have resonated widely online, with viewers expressing concern and calling for further investigation into the claims.

Among the hundreds of comments posted during the broadcast, some viewers tagged Tongan authorities, including Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, several Cabinet Ministers, and Kaniva Tonga News, apparently seeking attention to the allegations and calling for an official response.

The allegations are unusual because they suggest Tongan women may have been lured overseas under the guise of employment. Previous reported trafficking cases involving Tonga have largely occurred within the country itself.

As Kaniva News reported last year, human trafficking remains a serious and persistent problem in Tonga, with the latest U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report warning that the kingdom still does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, despite recent progress.

In 2010, a Chinese woman living in Tonga, Lirong Liu, was convicted by the Nukuʻalofa Supreme Court on seven charges, including trafficking in persons, keeping a brothel, and engaging in prostitution.

The court heard that Liu had brought two Chinese women to Tonga under the pretence of employment at a restaurant. Upon their arrival, the women were forced into sex work, primarily servicing Chinese labourers in Tonga.

Human trafficking and forced marriage are internationally recognised forms of exploitation and are criminal offences in many countries.

Fātumu road rage gunman found guilty after threatening family with children in car

By
Kalino Latu
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A man has been convicted after firing a gun to intimidate others during a road rage confrontation that left a woman, a 12-year-old boy, and a baby in their vehicle terrified.

Tulimi Tu’itupou

Tulimi Tuʻitupou, of Fātumu, subjected the victims to what the Court described as a “terrifying” ordeal across two locations on a Fātumu road on 5 July 2025.

The complainant, Sosefina Sili, was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Pelaitia Mataele, while her then 12-year-old son sat in the back holding a baby.

The incident began near the LDS Church, where the victims encountered two stationary vehicles obstructing the roadway—a Nissan X-Trail driven by Tuʻitupou and a truck facing in the opposite direction.

The Court heard that the victims initially waited for the vehicles to move. When they eventually did, an exchange between Sili and Tuʻitupou quickly escalated, with both parties trading expletives before the victims drove away.

Tuʻitupou then pursued the vehicle, cutting across its path near Laulea Beach and forcing it to swerve onto the roadside. He exited his vehicle and approached the passenger-side door, attempting to open it.

When he found it locked, he reached through the window, grabbed Sili by her clothing, and pulled her upper body out of the car.

The altercation ensued, during which verbal exchanges continued. The defendant then pushed Sosefina’s left arm, causing her injury.

The Court accepted evidence that Tuʻitupou stated, “I will punch the shit out of you.”

It further accepted that he said: “You should all [expletive] know that I am the King of Fatumu. When I am in the middle of the road speaking, no one is to interfere. Do you want me to retrieve my gun and shoot all of your tyres?”

The victims were eventually able to leave. Sili’s son then alerted her to the presence of a firearm, which she also observed. She stated that she saw Tuʻitupou place the firearm through his window, following which she heard a gunshot.

Additional gunshots were heard as they drove away and proceeded directly to the Ha’asini Police Station, where a complaint was lodged.

Police officers visited Tuʻitupou that afternoon and found a .22 calibre rifle, a shotgun and cartridges in his vehicle.

The Lord Chief Justice found Sili to be a truthful and reliable witness, although he did not accept that the exchanges—particularly the initial interaction—occurred in the restrained manner she described.

He also accepted the young boy’s evidence as truthful but raised concern about his treatment as a witness, noting that he was vulnerable and eligible for special measures.

The Court recorded its strong displeasure at the Prosecution’s failure to take appropriate steps in this regard. The Lord Chief Justice recommended that members of the Crown Prosecution attend Justice Garlick KC’s lectures on dealing with vulnerable witnesses and, in the interim, familiarise themselves with the relevant protocols.

Tuʻitupou was found guilty on both counts and convicted accordingly. He is yet to be sentenced.

Police escort woman away after kissing Princess Pilolevu during new church celebration performance

By
Kalino Latu
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A livestream of the Tatakamotonga Free Wesleyan Church celebrations captured the moment a woman kissed Princess Pilolevu Tuita during a lakalaka performance before a police officer intervened and escorted her away.

A police officer approaches a woman moments after she kissed Princess Pilolevu during a lakalaka performance at celebrations marking the opening of Tatakamotonga 1 Toetuʻu 2’s new church building and the bicentenary of Christianity in Tonga.

The celebrations, marking the opening of the new church building for Tatakamotonga 1’s Toetuʻu 2 congregation, were part of the Free Wesleyan Church’s nationwide commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in Tonga in 1826.

The 17-second livestream video capturing the incident shows the woman apparently emerging from the audience, kissing Princess Pilolevu before sitting and then lying at the Princess’s feet between two women who were already seated there.

Moments later, a female police officer appeared in the video, approached the woman and spoke with her before escorting her away.

The circumstances following the woman’s removal from the venue remain unclear.

However, it is evident that when incidents such as this involve members of the royal family, police or military personnel assigned to their security are required to respond and manage the situation at the scene.

There are established cultural and ceremonial protocols governing the manner in which members of the public may express their appreciation.

Under these customs, direct physical contact with members of the royal family during public performances is generally not permitted and would be considered inconsistent with accepted protocol.

In a speech during the celebrations, the holder of the Tatakamotonga estate, Prince Tungi Mailefihi, said the opening of the new church had been deliberately timed to coincide with the bicentenary celebrations of Christianity in Tonga.

He said this history was marked by the arrival of Wesleyan Methodist missionary Walter Lawry in 1822, who anchored his ship at Fuʻipā Beach in Tatakamotonga in an effort to introduce the faith, although his stay was brief before he departed.

Left bloc leads in latest poll despite Labour slump

By
Kaniva Staff
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RNZ

Labour is down five points to 32 percent in the latest 1News Verian poll, but could form a government with the Greens and Te Pati Maori.

Photo/RNZ

Between them, the left bloc would have 64 seats to the right bloc’s 60 seats, although that assumes Te Pāti Māori would retain all six of their electorate seats.

With National down slightly, the results point to the major parties’ lowest level of support since the first MMP election in 1996 and its lowest under leader Christopher Luxon in the Verian poll.

Labour: 32 percent, down 5 (41 seats)
National: 29 percent, down 1 (37 seats)
Greens: 13 percent, up 2 (17 seats)
NZ First: 11 percent, up 1 (15 seats)
ACT: 6 percent, down 1 (8 seats)
Te Pāti Māori: 1.8 percent, up 0.3 (6 seats)

Uncertainty appeared to be increasing with 14 percent of those surveyed saying they did not know or were refusing to say who they would vote for, an increase of 5 percent.

ACT’s minor decrease was the party’s fourth consecutive fall in the Verian poll.

For parties outside Parliament, a 1.6-percent bump for Opportunity puts them at 4.6 percent – within a sniff of the 5 percent threshold that would guarantee the party entrance to Parliament without needing an electorate seat.

The bad news for Labour continued in the preferred prime minister stakes, with leader Chris Hipkins dropping below Luxon.

Preferred prime minister

Christopher Luxon: 18 percent – up 2 points
Chris Hipkins: 16 percent – down 3 points
Winston Peters: 10 percent, down 2
Chlöe Swarbrick: 6 percent, steady
David Seymour: 4 percent, steady
Chris Bishop: 1 percent, down 1

Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Education Minister Erica Stanford, former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, and senior Labour MP Kieran McAnulty all registered at 1 percent.

The poll surveyed 1001 eligible voters and was weighted for demographics, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval. It was conducted between 13 and 17 June using a combination of mobile phone calls and online panels.

Undecided voters, non-voters and those who refused to answer are excluded from the data on party support. The results are a snapshot in time of party support, and not a prediction.

Polls compare to the most recent poll by the same polling company, as different polls can use different methologies. They are intended to track trends in voting preferences, showing a snapshot in time, rather than be a completely accurate predictor of the final election result.

The Opportunity Party: The election dark horse

Christopher Luxon defends economic record in face of downgrades, poor polling

Christopher Luxon lives on as leader. Public perception is a tougher challenge

National, Luxon fall in latest poll, coalition trails left bloc

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz

Prince Ata fights back tears as Tonga marks 200 years of Christianity

By
Kalino Latu
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Prince Ata became visibly emotional as he addressed the congregation during celebrations marking 200 years of Christianity in Tonga, pausing at times as tears welled in his eyes.

Prince Ata Moved to Tears Remembering Nasaleti’s Legacy

As previously reported by Kaniva News, Tonga is marking the bicentenary of Christianity with nationwide events, including the Free Wesleyan Church Conference and bicentennial celebrations held from June 19–21, 2026, as well as a special public holiday on Friday, June 26, 2026.

The first missionaries from the London Missionary Society arrived in Tonga in 1797, but their mission ended tragically when all of them were killed during the Kingdom’s civil conflicts.

Christianity became firmly established only after the arrival of missionaries John Hutchinson and John Thomas in 1826. They landed at Kolovai, the estate of Prince Ata, where they established Tonga’s first mission school, naming it Nasaleti (Nazareth).

The Prince recalled a time when the school was viewed as lacking importance in its early days.

Prince Ata’s address was delivered warmly and engagingly, blending humour, gentle teasing, and light-hearted anecdotes that drew laughter and appreciative reactions from the audience.

However, the tone shifted markedly when he called on his kāinga and the people of Hihifo (the western districts) to support the school, becoming emotional as he encouraged families to continue enrolling their children and reflected on its enduring significance to Kolovai and Tonga as a whole.

He was visibly emotional, wiping tears from his eyes as he spoke.

The moment appeared to evoke memories of Nasaleti’s place in the nation’s history, as the school remains a living symbol of the arrival of Christianity and the beginnings of formal education in the Kingdom.

As cybercrime surges, new regional fund could help Tonga bolster cyber security

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga has joined an INTERPOL regional cybercrime initiative a year after a major ransomware attack exposed weaknesses in the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

An INTERPOL Asia and South Pacific Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2025/2026 says Tonga is among the Pacific nations participating in the first phase of the Asia and South Pacific Joint Operations against Cybercrime (ASPJOC), a programme funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The initiative supports Tonga and neighbouring Pacific nations through cybercrime intelligence gathering and analysis, information sharing, coordinated operations, and programmes designed to strengthen law enforcement responses to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

INTERPOL’s latest report echoes those concerns, noting that many small island states in the Pacific face challenges in cybersecurity preparedness, technical expertise and resources, making them vulnerable to cybercriminal activity and transnational attacks.

The report says stronger cooperation, intelligence sharing, technical training and investment in cyber resilience are essential as ransomware, online scams, phishing campaigns and AI-enabled cybercrime continue to escalate throughout the region.

Participating countries include Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.

Tonga’s inclusion in the programme comes as the Kingdom continues to address vulnerabilities exposed by a major ransomware attack on the National Health Information System in 2025, during which hackers encrypted the health database and demanded a US$1 million ransom.

The government refused to pay and later restored the system with assistance from cybersecurity specialists from Australia and New Zealand.

Following the incident, the then Minister of Police said Tonga needed greater standardisation and centralisation of its government networks to improve security and strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself against global cyberattacks.

Parliament approves Tonga’s $949.4 million budget for 2026/27

By
Kalino Latu
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Nuku’alofa — Tonga’s Parliament has approved the Government’s 2026/2027 Budget, paving the way for nearly $949.4 million in spending that the government says is aimed at supporting households, investing in communities, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening the country’s long-term resilience.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua who is also Minister of Finance

According to a government press release issued on 19 June, the budget comprises $735.2 million in cash funding and $214.2 million in in-kind contributions from development partners.

The budget forecasts a $38.1 million deficit for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The government plans to finance the shortfall through $35 million in government bonds and $3.1 million drawn from cash reserves.

Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Finance Lord Fakafanua tabled the budget in Parliament on 18 May.

Following its First Reading, it was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Public Accounts before being examined by the Whole House Committee and passed after its Second and Third Readings.

The Legislative Assembly reviewed all 29 government votes covering ministries, departments, and agencies before approving the budget.

Focus on Cost-of-Living Support

The government has described the budget as “A Budget for All Tongans”, with a focus on sharing the benefits of development across the population.

Measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures include:

  • $18 million for electricity tariff relief and lifeline support.
  • $5 million for a Cost-of-Living Allowance for civil servants and their families.
  • $900,000 in welfare top-ups for elderly citizens and people with disabilities.
  • Continued funding for health, education, and vulnerable families.
  • Measures to improve access to affordable finance.

Infrastructure and Community Investment

The budget allocates funding to maintain transport links and public services throughout the Kingdom.

Key investments include:

  • $3.7 million in shipping subsidies to support services between outer islands.
  • $3.2 million in domestic airline fuel surcharge subsidies.
  • Continued investment in roads, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, and clinics.
  • Support for outer-island service delivery and community resilience initiatives.

Economic Growth and Employment

The government says the budget seeks to stimulate economic growth through investment in productive sectors and workforce development.

Initiatives include:

  • Funding for youth leadership programmes and vocational training.
  • Investment in a HACCP-certified packhouse and food processing equipment to support agriculture and fisheries.
  • Continued support for tourism recovery and private-sector development.
  • Expansion of digital government services.

Building Resilience

The budget also places significant emphasis on disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Among the major allocations are:

  • $32.8 million for emergency response and national preparedness measures.
  • Continued investment in renewable energy projects under the TERM PLUS programme.
  • Infrastructure renewal projects aimed at reducing vulnerability to external shocks.
  • Support for climate resilience, border security, and national security initiatives.
  • Agreements to diversify Tonga’s electricity generation away from diesel dependence.

Parliament also approved the Government Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, a resolution authorising government borrowing in excess of $15 million, and the Auditor General’s Draft Annual Plan for 2026/2027.

The government said the budget reflects its commitment to improving wellbeing, strengthening communities, expanding economic opportunities, and enhancing Tonga’s resilience in the face of future challenges.

Tongan man convicted of raping teenage relative loses deportation appeal in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man convicted of raping a 13-year-old female relative has failed in his bid to avoid deportation from New Zealand after the Immigration and Protection Tribunal ruled that his removal would not be unjust or unduly harsh.

Illustration of New Zealand’s Immigration and Protection Tribunal, where a Tongan man’s appeal against deportation following a rape conviction was dismissed. The Tribunal ruled that while exceptional humanitarian circumstances existed, deportation would not be unjust or unduly harsh. Note: This image is an AI-generated illustration created for editorial purposes and does not depict the actual Tribunal premises, parties, or events described in this article.

The 49-year-old, whose identity has been withheld to protect the victim, has lived in New Zealand since 1998 and became a resident in 2010. However, he became liable for deportation following his conviction for sexual violation by rape.

According to the Tribunal decision, the offending occurred between 1999 and 2000 while the man was unlawfully in New Zealand. The victim, then aged between 12 and 16, was a younger family member. The abuse was not reported to Police at the time, and charges were not laid until 2019.

A jury found the man guilty in July 2022. He was later sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for rape and three months’ imprisonment for indecent assault, to be served concurrently.

The Tribunal noted that the victim was 13 years old at the time of the rape and that the offender was about 23. The court found he took advantage of a position of trust after moving into the victim’s family home shortly after arriving in New Zealand.

Judge JC Moses, who sentenced the man, identified the victim’s age, the family relationship, and a subsequent threat involving a knife as significant aggravating factors.

The man appealed his deportation liability on humanitarian grounds, arguing that he had spent nearly three decades in New Zealand, had strong family ties there, and faced uncertainty if returned to Tonga.

Family members told the Tribunal they feared he would struggle to re-establish himself because he had no land rights, limited support networks, and uncertain employment prospects.

The Tribunal accepted that the appellant faced exceptional humanitarian circumstances. It found that he had lived virtually all of his adult life in New Zealand, maintained close relationships with relatives there, and would face challenges reintegrating into life in Tonga.

However, the Tribunal concluded those circumstances were outweighed by the seriousness of the offending.

In its decision, the Tribunal said the appellant’s crime involved “serious sexual offending against a young and vulnerable victim” to whom he owed a duty of trust.

After balancing the humanitarian considerations against the gravity of the offence, the Tribunal ruled that deportation would not be unjust or unduly harsh and dismissed the appeal.

The decision means the man remains liable for deportation and his permanent resident visa will be cancelled unless he seeks and obtains leave to appeal to the High Court.

Missing child found safe at home, police thank public

By
Kaniva Staff
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Editor’s Note: This story has been amended to reflect that the child has been located safe and unharmed.

Tonga Police have confirmed that the missing child who was the subject of an earlier public appeal has been found safe and unharmed.

In an update issued today, Police said the child was located following a thorough search and was found asleep in one of the rooms of the family home.

Police thanked members of the public for their concern, support, and assistance in sharing the missing child notice.

“Tonga Police extend sincere gratitude to members of the public for their concern, support, and for sharing the earlier notice. Your assistance and vigilance are greatly appreciated,” the statement said.

Police also thanked the community for helping to keep Tonga’s communities safe.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tonga Police as soon as possible.

Land row stalls Tonga’s biggest bridge; Penalty bill set to hit $14 million

By
Kalino Latu
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Construction of the long-awaited Fangaʻuta Lagoon bridge has been delayed by unresolved land disputes at ʻUmusī, leaving the project stalled and costing the government millions of paʻanga in penalty payments to the contractor.

Conceptual images of the proposed Fangaʻuta Lagoon bridge, a 720-metre crossing designed to link eastern villages with Nukuʻalofa and ease traffic congestion along Taufaʻahau Road. Photo/Ministry of Infrastructure)

As previously reported by Kaniva News, the former government of Prime Minister ʻAisake Eke signed a civil works contract worth approximately US$55 million with McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd in September 2025.

The project involves building a 720-metre bridge across Fangaʻuta Lagoon, along with 2.1 kilometres of approach roads designed to withstand climate change impacts and severe weather events.

Under the contract, construction was expected to begin in October 2025, span roughly three years, and result in the bridge opening by late 2028.

Dispute Stalls Construction

However, the work has yet to begin because lease and compensation disputes involving land at ʻUmusī, where the bridge is expected to commence on its northern side, remain unresolved, Infrastructure Minister Sēmisi Sika told Kaniva News.

He said the southern end of the bridge at Folaha was ready, with no unresolved issues affecting that side of the project.

Sika said Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, whose estate includes the disputed ʻUmusī land, had recently indicated that the issue could be resolved by adjusting the bridge’s proposed starting point at ʻUmusī.

Sika questioned why previous governments had proceeded with the construction contract without first ensuring that all land issues had been resolved.

Millions Lost To Delays

As a result, the government has incurred substantial financial penalties due to the prolonged delay. Sika said the government paid about $7 million in penalty fees during the six months from September to February 2026.

With land issues still unresolved and construction yet to commence, Sika said the government is likely to incur an additional $7 million in penalties over the next six months, through to August, bringing the total to as much as $14 million.

Sika said the arrangement reflects a standard contractual provision commonly included in major infrastructure projects.

“If the contractor causes the delay, the company pays us. If we cause the delay, we pay the company,” he said in Tongan.

“The Folaha side is ready, but construction cannot begin until the issues surrounding the ʻUmukisia land are resolved.”

The Government is responsible for managing early works and preliminary stages of the project, while funding arrangements involving the Asian Development Bank (ADB), including grant approvals and effectiveness processes, were expected to follow.

The bridge is expected to provide a major new transport link between eastern villages and Nukuʻalofa, reducing pressure on Taufaʻahau main road and helping to ease chronic traffic congestion on the main eastern approach to the capital.

However, until the outstanding land and compensation disputes are settled, construction cannot proceed, leaving the project on hold and increasing costs to the government.

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