Friday, March 6, 2026
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog

COMMENTARY: Prime Minister Pōhiva warned about use of circulars, said they muzzled Opposition MPs

By
Kalino Latu
-

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.

READ MORE

Controversy surrounds MPs’ pay rise backdated  to 2018; but Parliament claims move was legal

Costs and details of MPs’ flight to rugby match still unclear as Speaker responds to our story

PM’s son slams approval of TP$200,000 to pay MPs to fly to NZ for Mate Ma‘a Tonga test

Bad luck fears mount amid debates on MPs’ controversial Mate Ma‘a attendance

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.

Vava’u woman arrested after 5‑year‑old killed in crash

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Vava’u, Tonga – Tonga Police have confirmed the country’s second road fatality for 2026 following the death of a five‑year‑old boy from ‘Utungake on Wednesday, 4 March.

Tonga Police. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Police said a 37‑year‑old woman from ‘Utungake has been arrested for reckless driving in connection with the incident, which occurred in the village on Wednesday.

Details of the crash have not yet been released, as investigations are still ongoing.

The tragic death marks the second recorded road fatality in Tonga this year.

In a statement, Tonga Police conveyed their sympathies to the child’s family and urged members of the public to prioritise safe and responsible driving.

“Tonga Police extend their condolences to the family of the young victim and urge all motorists to drive responsibly,” the statement said.

Police also released a Tongan‑language version of the announcement, reiterating the same details.

Anyone with further information about the incident is encouraged to contact Tonga Police.

Call for politicians to guarantee KiwiSaver access at 65

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A prominent business leader is urging New Zealand’s political parties to publicly guarantee that KiwiSaver members will retain the right to withdraw their savings at age 65, amid growing uncertainty over future retirement settings.

KiwiSaver is New Zealand’s voluntary work‑based savings scheme, aimed at helping people build retirement funds while also offering the option to use part of their savings toward a first home.

Members contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% of their income, with most employers matching 3%, and the Government providing an annual contribution to support regular saving.

Fraser Whineray, former chief executive of Mercury and a well‑known investor, has released a policy proposal aimed at clarifying and protecting the long‑term foundations of the nearly 20‑year‑old scheme, RNZ reported.

He argues that the withdrawal age must be set independently of New Zealand Superannuation eligibility, which currently determines when members can access their savings.

At present, KiwiSaver funds become available when a person reaches the NZ Super age of 65.

That age has not changed since 1993, though it was previously increased from 60, and periodic proposals to lift the superannuation age continue to surface. Whineray says linking KiwiSaver access to NZ Super creates unnecessary instability for workers planning their retirement.

“People are doing their financial planning, their work planning—everything—on the basis of being able to access their own money at 65,” he said. “If the NZ Super age shifts, KiwiSaver shifts too. That’s not acceptable.”

Whineray is calling on all political parties to give clear, unequivocal commitments that the KiwiSaver withdrawal age will not exceed 65. Anything short of a direct answer, he argues, should be a red flag for New Zealanders. His summary policy will be sent to every party for response.

Beyond the access age, Whineray says the Government must also guarantee that KiwiSaver funds won’t be steered toward solving fiscal pressures. KiwiSaver managers, he insists, should maintain full independence over investment decisions, including how much is invested domestically versus offshore.

He also proposed expanding support for children by automatically opening KiwiSaver accounts at birth, seeded with a government‑funded $5,000 contribution into a growth fund. Whineray believes this could be paid for by reallocating existing incentives, which he says are unevenly distributed across current adult contributors aged 18 to 64.

The call for clarity comes as the broader KiwiSaver environment continues to evolve. Government policy changes in recent years—including adjustments to default contribution rates and government subsidies—have already shifted how New Zealanders save for retirement.

For now, the law still states that most New Zealanders can access their KiwiSaver balance when they reach 65. But with superannuation settings under ongoing scrutiny, Whineray’s push highlights a growing public demand for certainty over one of the country’s most relied‑upon retirement tools.

Two men charged following Ōtāhuhu assault

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have charged two men in connection with an assault that took place in Ōtāhuhu on 27 February.

Composite image shows the two security guards involved in the alleged assault on Great South Road in Ōtāhuhu on 27 February.

The incident, which occurred on Great South Road, gained public attention this week after video footage circulated on social media showing part of the altercation.

According to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward of Counties Manukau West CIB, officers initiated enquiries after a Police unit came across an altercation involving two security guards and a man.

“Police have made further enquiries into what has taken place, and two men have been charged as a result,” Hayward said.

The two men, aged 24 and 36, have been jointly charged with injuring with intent.

They are scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court on 10 March.

Who is ‘Tongan Sam’? The Tongan underworld figure back in Australian headlines

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Sydney, Australia — A man long known in Australia’s criminal underworld as “Tongan Sam” has re‑entered public discussion after renewed media attention on his notoriety and past run‑ins with police.

A pistol found in a backyard after the shooting (top left), the burnt-out getaway car and bodyguard Semi Ngata. (Supplied: NSW Police)

For Tongan readers, the name may spark curiosity: Who is he? And why does Australian media regularly report on him?

The release of a new mini‑documentary titled Tongan Sam: Sydney’s Most Infamous Enforcer has rekindled public interest in the life of Semi Ngata, the Australian underworld figure long known by the nickname “Tonga Sam.”

The documentary’s circulation across social media has prompted fresh discussion among Tongan communities at home and abroad, particularly as it revisits Ngata’s well‑documented history of clashes with police and his association with some of Sydney’s most notorious criminal circles.

Ngata has been a prominent figure in Sydney crime reporting for years.

He is described by 9News as a long‑time bodyguard to nightclub identity John Ibrahim, a central figure in investigations into the Kings Cross underworld.

The documentary’s release has brought fresh attention to his past cases, including his 2019 arrest after he allegedly crashed his vehicle into several parked cars in Merrylands while intoxicated.

Police at the time alleged that Ngata hit two parked cars on Memorial Avenue before leaving the scene, turning into a nearby street, and allegedly crashing into a third vehicle.

Witnesses said the impact sounded like a bulldozer striking the cars. He was arrested shortly afterwards and charged with drink driving, reckless driving, and failing to exchange details with other motorists.

In the documentary, Ngata is described as “the equivalent of five regular bodyguards.”

A Well‑Known Name in Sydney’s Underworld

Ngata is best known for his role as a bodyguard to Sydney nightclub identity John Ibrahim, one of the most prominent figures in Kings Cross nightlife.

9News Australia describes him as a “long‑time bodyguard of nightclub owner John Ibrahim,” and one of the instantly recognisable characters in Sydney’s organised‑crime landscape.

Ngata’s notoriety stems not from a single event but from a string of publicised police encounters that have repeatedly put him in national headlines.

Ngata was shot in 2017 in an attack carried out just days before his boss Ibrahim’s major family wedding in Sydney. According to police at the time, the gunman was aided by five accomplices who helped drive the getaway car and later set it alight.

The late‑night ambush unfolded ahead of the high‑profile marriage between Mr Ibrahim’s nephew and the sister of former Auburn mayor Salim Mehajer.

Tonga issues second notice urging citizens to leave Middle East as Iran’s missile activity declines

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has issued an urgent travel advisory calling on all Tongan citizens currently in the Middle East to leave the region immediately.

The announcement came days after Dubai, a major city in the United Arab Emirates, came under renewed scrutiny amid Iranian drone attacks following the U.S.–Israeli killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, earlier this week.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, shockwaves from missile strikes rattled windows in a home near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, the area surrounding Etihad Towers where the Tongan embassy is located.

The advisory was released under the embassy’s official letterhead, which lists its location at Etihad Towers on Corniche Road in Abu Dhabi.

No further explanation was provided regarding the nature of the threat or the circumstances prompting the urgent call for Tongans to exit the region.

The notice, labelled Travel Advisory No. 3 and dated Wednesday, 04 March 2026, advises Tongans to make arrangements to depart on the earliest available international flight. The advisory states:

“We strongly advise herewith to make arrangements and leave the Middle East on the earliest available international flight.”

It was the second notice, following an earlier advisory that asked Tongans in the Middle East to register with the embassy.

U.S. Strikes Cripple Iran’s Missile Capabilities

Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to escalate, with the United States announcing a sharp decline in Iran’s offensive capabilities following the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

Operation Epic Fury remains sharply focused on dismantling Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, officials said, noting that U.S. B‑2 stealth bombers armed with 2,000‑pound munitions struck hardened ballistic‑missile sites in Iran during overnight raids.

Trump has explicitly stated that a primary goal is ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

According to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Iranian ballistic‑missile activity has dropped 86% since the first day of fighting, including a further 23% decline in the past 24 hours.

Caine told reporters at the Pentagon that Iran’s one‑way attack drone launches have also fallen by 73%.

He said the sustained U.S. strikes have enabled CENTCOM to gain localised air superiority along the southern flank of the Iranian coast, allowing American forces to penetrate Iranian defences “with overwhelming precision and firepower.”

Tehran Surveillance Hack Revealed

Separately, intelligence activity in Iran has also drawn global attention following revelations that long‑compromised traffic‑camera systems across Tehran have been feeding real‑time data into an Israeli intelligence network.

According to an Israeli official, the hacked cameras—originally part of the city’s civilian surveillance grid—allowed Israel to build a detailed map of movement patterns inside the Iranian capital.

The visual feeds formed just one layer of a far broader data‑fusion program described by a source familiar with the system as an AI‑driven “target production machine.” Into this system flowed streams of visual intelligence, intercepted communications, signals data, satellite imagery, and human reporting.

The result, the source said, was the rapid generation of highly precise 14‑digit grid coordinates, enabling Israeli planners to identify and prioritise targets with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

According to the source, the system’s performance highlights Israel’s deep and long-running access to Iran’s inner networks. That access has previously enabled Israel to eliminate multiple senior Iranian nuclear scientists and officials, steal Tehran’s classified nuclear archive, and most recently, carry out the assassination of Hamas’ political chief in the Iranian capital.

On Saturday morning, as the US and Israel launched a massive joint strike against Iran, the system was put to use once again.

The primary target was Iran’s now-deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who Israeli officials believe felt less vulnerable during daylight hours. He was killed along with 40 top Iranian leaders.

Second man charged 18 months after courier driver Tuipulotu Vi’s killing

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have charged a second man in connection with the fatal shooting of Auckland courier driver Saia Kokohu Vi, also known as Tuipulotu Kokohu Vi, 18 months after the father and grandfather was gunned down outside his Pakūranga Heights home.

Police continue to investigate the death of 59-year-old Tuipulotu Vi

The 35-year-old Waiuku man is scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court today, facing a charge of murder.

Police confirmed he is the second individual brought before the court over the killing and said further arrests remain possible.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers of Counties Manukau CIB reportedly said investigators “cannot rule out further arrests being made in this investigation.”

He added that the arrest comes after months of meticulous work by the homicide team assigned to Operation Block, launched shortly after the shooting.

Vi, 59, was shot inside his courier van on 19 August 2024 just before 7am on Marvon Downs Avenue, only metres from his Pixie Place home as he was leaving for work.

Emergency services attempted to save him, but he died at the scene.

Nearby residents reported hearing what sounded like gunfire that morning, prompting multiple calls to police.

First Arrest Came 13 Months After the Killing

More than a year passed before the first breakthrough. In September 2025, police arrested a 23-year-old Ōtara man after executing a search warrant on Franklyne Road.

He was charged with being party to murder and also appeared in the Manukau District Court. At the time, Detective Inspector Vickers acknowledged the “significant” passage of time but said investigators had remained committed to holding those responsible to account.

The killing stunned the local community, where Vi was known as a quiet, family‑orientated man who kept to himself.

A woman who rushed to help him on the morning of the shooting said he was devoted to his grandchildren and she could not imagine why anyone would target him.

“He was a homebody … he loved his grandkids,” she said.

Police have not yet disclosed the motive behind the attack, and with a second man now charged — and investigators signalling more arrests may come — details about what led to Vi’s death remain unresolved.

Blaze breaks out at Tokomololo Primary School in Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A major fire severely damaged several buildings at Tokomololo Primary School in Tongatapu this afternoon, sending thick smoke into the air as firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control.

Footage from the scene showed flames engulfing parts of the school compound while emergency crews worked urgently to contain the fire.

Several children who were not wearing school uniforms were seen gathered across the road, with some sitting on the roof of a nearby vehicle as they watched the scene unfold.

It was not immediately clear when the fire began or whether it broke out during school hours.

No injuries have been reported, but authorities are still assessing the situation.

Fire and Emergency Tonga officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the blaze, and an investigation is expected to be launched once the site is secured.

The extent of the damage also remains unknown, but early indications suggest significant destruction to classrooms and learning facilities.

The school fire follows two recent major blazes in Nuku‘alofa — one at the Loumaile Lodge and another at the office of the Tonga Hou‘eiki Church in central Nuku‘alofa.

Tokomololo Primary School serves more than a hundred students in the area, and the incident is expected to have a significant impact on upcoming school activities.

Further details will be provided as authorities release more information.

Fugitive Pita Hopoate may be returned to Tonga through Interpol after fleeing court order

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nuku‘alofa – Mormon leader Pita Hopoate, who fled Tonga last year despite being under an active court restraining order prohibiting him from leaving the country, may now be brought back with the assistance of Interpol, according to parties involved in the case.

Pita Hopoate (L) and ‘Epalahame Taukei’aho

Hopoate’s escape triggered widespread political turmoil after it was alleged that the former Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, played a role in enabling his departure.

Piukala was subsequently suspended by former Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke to pave the way for the Anti-Corruption Commissioner to investigate the matter.

Under the restraining order, Hopoate was legally barred from leaving the kingdom while court proceedings were still active.

Interpol Request Filed

‘Epalahame Taukei‘aho, the plaintiff who brought the case against Hopoate, told Kaniva News this morning that he and his lawyer have filed an application with the court seeking approval to request Interpol assistance to bring Hopoate back to Tonga.

He said Hopoate had failed to appear in court during several recent hearings.

The next court hearing is scheduled for this Friday, and Taukei‘aho said that if Hopoate again fails to appear, he expects the court to process the Interpol request.

Piukala’s Investigation

Meanwhile, it is understood that the ACC Commissioner’s investigation into Piukala’s alleged involvement is still ongoing.

As Kaniva News reported previously, Piukala did not deny allegations that he assisted Hopoate’s escape; instead, he defended his actions, telling his online followers in a VPON media livestream that it was his duty as a Member of Parliament to help Hopoate.

The incident further exposed the government’s notoriously fractious political structure, where the absence of a party system leaves Cabinet members and MPs operating as independent representatives rather than a unified bloc — a situation that often weakens the Prime Minister’s authority over individual ministers.

As we reported previously, the push from the nobility bloc for Dr Eke to immediately dismiss Piukala over his alleged interference with the court order never materialised.

The former Minister of Customs also publicly criticised Piukala for allegedly interfering with airport operations at Fua‘amotu International Airport. Customs officers are responsible for enforcing movement‑control orders such as court‑imposed travel bans, and the alleged interference raised new questions about whether normal border processes were overridden.

Dr Eke subsequently suspended Piukala from the Cabinet after pressure from ACC Commissioner.

Return via Interpol Considered

With Hopoate living in the United States, Tonga may now pursue Interpol channels, potentially issuing a notice or coordinating with foreign authorities to facilitate his return to face ongoing legal matters.

If Tonga proceeds with an Interpol request, the organisation could issue a Red Notice, which alerts police in member countries to locate and provisionally detain a wanted individual.

While Interpol does not make arrests itself, such notices enable foreign authorities to hold the person while Tonga pursues formal extradition through its legal channels.

Interpol is the International Criminal Police Organisation, a global policing network that helps law‑enforcement agencies in 196 member countries share information and coordinate the location and detention of fugitives who cross borders.

Dave Rennie appointed new All Blacks coach, signs deal through to 2027 world cup

By
Kaniva Staff
-

New Zealand Rugby has appointed Dave Rennie as the new head coach of the All Blacks, ending weeks of speculation and confirming the former Chiefs and Wallabies coach as the man to lead the national side through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The announcement was made just before midday on Wednesday, concluding a near‑50‑day search triggered by the dismissal of former coach Scott Robertson in January following a poor 2025 season review.

Rennie, 62, has secured a two‑year contract and will return from Japan at the end of the current Rugby League One season with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

Rennie becomes the first All Blacks head coach of Pasifika heritage, a milestone noted by New Zealand Rugby, which praised his leadership credentials, experience, and ability to build high‑performance environments.

NZR Chair David Kirk described Rennie as a “world‑class coach” who “understands what it means to coach the All Blacks” and play a brand of rugby reflecting New Zealand’s identity.

Rennie brings one of the most accomplished coaching résumés in world rugby, having led the Chiefs to back‑to‑back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, guided the New Zealand Under‑20s to three consecutive world championships between 2008 and 2010, and later coached the Wallabies from 2020 to 2023.

His overseas experience includes steering Glasgow Warriors to the 2019 Pro14 final, and he is currently the head coach of Japan’s top‑flight club, the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

The Wellington‑born coach said he was honoured to take the helm of the national side.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” Rennie said in a statement.

Rennie’s immediate priority will be preparing the All Blacks for the inaugural Nations Championship and the July home Test series against France, Italy and Ireland, fixtures that will set the tone for his tenure as head coach.

New Zealand Rugby said it will work alongside Rennie over the coming weeks to finalise the wider coaching and management team that will support him in the build‑up to these major campaigns.

Beats Jamie Joseph for the Job

Rennie was selected ahead of former All Blacks and Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, who had been widely seen as the early frontrunner. The appointment panel included former All Blacks Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu, as well as NZR high‑performance staff.

Rennie inherits an All Blacks side recovering from a difficult 2025 campaign, which included a record loss to South Africa, a historic defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires, and a heavy loss to England at Twickenham — results that contributed to Robertson’s departure.

Fans and analysts expect Rennie’s clean‑slate leadership and strong emphasis on culture to stabilise a side seeking renewed cohesion and direction.

Crown Prince launches e‑passport project to modernise national identity systems

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku‘alofa — Tonga is joining the regional effort to modernise border security, boost tourism, and meet international travel standards through the introduction of electronic passports, known as e‑passports.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala meets with project officials during the inaugural

The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga convened the inaugural meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Tonga e‑Passport Project, a multiyear initiative designed to introduce secure, internationally compliant electronic passports for Tongan citizens.

The project will also help advance public‑sector digitalisation and enhance the integrity of Tonga’s legal identity framework.

Chaired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala, the meeting brought together senior representatives from key government ministries, the Embassy of Japan, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Discussions focused on the rollout of the new biometric passport system, security features, and implementation timelines.

Funded by the Government of Japan, the project reflects a shared commitment to improving governance, bolstering national resilience, and supporting safe, dignified mobility for people across the Pacific.

IOM said it is proud to partner with Tonga on this transformative effort, emphasising that secure identity systems are essential for protecting borders while enabling citizens to access global travel opportunities.

The launch of the e‑Passport project marks a significant milestone in Tonga’s digital development pathway and positions the kingdom to meet international travel and security standards in the years ahead.

123...937Page 1 of 937
© Copyright 2026 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment