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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.

Koloamatangi at centre of fiery clash as Leniu ignores referee six times

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan-heritage Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi found himself at the centre of a fiery confrontation with Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu during South Sydney’s commanding 50–20 victory on Friday night.

The incident unfolded in the 24th minute after the Roosters were awarded a six-again following a ruck infringement involving Koloamatangi.

Instead of immediately playing the ball, Leniu became locked in a tense stare-off with Koloamatangi as the pair exchanged words.

Referee Adam Gee reportedly instructed Leniu six times to play the ball, but the Roosters forward continued focusing on his confrontation with Koloamatangi.

Even after players from both teams separated the pair, Leniu threw the ball away and was penalised.

The incident proved costly for the Roosters, who were already severely undermanned after resting nine players for the match.

Commentators Slam Leniu’s Conduct

Premiership-winning Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk described Leniu’s conduct as “stupid”, while former Panthers star Greg Alexander said the prop had “completely lost his head”.

Fox League commentator Michael Ennis said Leniu had been expected to assume greater leadership responsibility because of the absence of several senior Roosters players.

Leniu was substituted shortly after the confrontation and did not return to the field.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson rejected suggestions that the substitution was intended as punishment, saying it formed part of the club’s wider strategy to give its younger forwards more playing time.

Robinson acknowledged that Leniu had crossed the line but defended the passion and aggression he brings to the team.

“He went over it. I want him to play with his natural spirit and just stay under the line,” Robinson said.

The coach said Leniu had enough experience to control himself, play the ball and ensure that his aggression benefited his team.

Koloamatangi, meanwhile, remained composed as Leniu’s reaction attracted criticism from commentators and contributed to the Roosters conceding a penalty.

The Rabbitohs went on to secure an emphatic 50–20 victory over their traditional rivals.

Source: Fox Sports

Second patient in two months found dead in Waikato Hospital toilet

By
Kaniva Staff
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RNZ

A second patient within two months has been found dead in a toilet at Waikato Hospital.

Waikato Hospital. (File photo, RNZ / Simon Rogers)

Health New Zealand said the patient died in the bathroom on a surgical ward in mid-August.

Spokesman for the Waikato district, Dr Gary Hopgood, said the ward was fully staffed at the time.

“Whenever an unexpected death occurs in hospital, a review is initiated to establish the circumstances, and this event has triggered such a review. We are not able to provide further details ahead of the completion of that process.”

Hopgood said Health New Zealand’s deepest sympathies are with the patient’s family.

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner.

At the end of June, a woman and her daughter tried unsuccessfully to save the life of a man who was found unconscious in an emergency department toilet at Waikato Hospital.

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz

Unconfirmed reports claim several Tongans arrested at Salt Lake City airport amid expanding ICE crackdown

By
Kalino Latu
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Unconfirmed information circulating on social media claims that about five Tongans were arrested by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement after arriving on an Alaska Airlines flight at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Kaniva News contacted ICE seeking confirmation of whether the arrests occurred, when they allegedly took place and the grounds on which the Tongans may have been detained. ICE had not responded at the time of publication.

US-based Tongan pastor Olympia Kaumatule Tukutau posted a warning on Facebook about the reported arrests, claiming that ICE had previously detained several other Tongans.

However, no photographs, official documents or direct accounts from the alleged detainees or their families have emerged publicly to substantiate the latest claim.

The allegation comes amid a significant expansion of immigration enforcement at airports across the United States, including against travellers taking domestic flights.

Recent investigations have revealed that the Transportation Security Administration has been sharing passenger information with ICE to help agents locate travellers who may be subject to deportation.

Tongans Face Wider Restrictions

The allegation also emerges as Tongans in Tonga continue to face difficulties travelling to the United States following restrictions imposed by the Trump administration in January.

As Kaniva News reported this week, tighter US visa policies have significantly affected Tongan pickleball players seeking to compete in international tournaments.

Several players were unable to attend a recent tournament in Utah after their visa applications were denied, despite some having previously held multiple-entry US visas and travelled to the country.

Tournament president Johnny Hafoka said the number of Tongan participants fell from 20 last year to eight this year. Players have also faced the prospect of visa bonds and increased scrutiny when entering the United States.

TSA Data Fuels Arrests

According to Reuters, ICE arrested more than 800 people following TSA referrals between President Donald Trump’s return to office and February 2026.

The TSA reportedly supplied ICE with records relating to more than 31,000 travellers through its Secure Flight programme, which was originally established for aviation-security screening.

A formal information-sharing agreement between TSA and ICE was signed in May 2025, but its details only became publicly known in July following legal action seeking the documents.

CBS News reported that the cooperation had expanded beyond national-security and serious-criminal investigations to include civil immigration violations, such as overstaying an authorised period in the country.

ICE sources told the outlet that airports enabled agents to know in advance when targeted individuals would be travelling and where they could be located.

The wider airport-enforcement campaign makes the latest allegation concerning Tongans plausible enough to warrant investigation, but it does not confirm that the reported arrests occurred.

There is also no evidence presently available to Kaniva News suggesting that Alaska Airlines participated in the alleged enforcement action. The airline’s name is relevant only because social-media accounts identify it as the carrier on which the Tongans allegedly travelled.

Man in viral Tonga restraint video says his phone was stolen, apologises for ‘unlawful’ conduct

By
Kalino Latu
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A man who identified himself as the apparent police officer shown restraining and punching another man in a video reported by Kaniva News has come forward to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and apologise for his conduct.

The sender, Antonio Mafileo Tongia, contacted Kaniva News through Facebook Messenger after the article was published. A review of his Facebook profile indicates that he is from Tokomololo and works for Tonga Police.

However, Tonga Police have not officially confirmed his employment or that he is the uniformed man shown in the 58-second video.

Tongia said he had finished work and was acting as a private citizen when the incident occurred. He said he was waiting for food at a takeaway when he discovered that a man had allegedly entered his vehicle, taken his mobile phone and passed it to a friend.

Tongia said he confronted the man and asked for the phone to be returned but became increasingly angry when the man repeatedly denied taking it.

“My patience grew heavy on the guy, so I held him down and started punching him,” Tongia said.

He claimed the alleged accomplice later passed the phone to a security officer at another restaurant across the street, who returned it to him.

Tongia said he released the restrained man after recovering the phone and checked that he was able to stand before driving away.

Despite explaining the circumstances leading to the incident, Tongia acknowledged that his actions were unacceptable and unlawful.

“I know violence is not the way, and I’m not satisfied any bit of what I did to the guy,” he said. “My emotions took the best of me and rage took over.”

“What I did was not lawful. I am very ashamed.”

Tongia said he had not intended to seriously harm the man and claimed that he loosened his grip whenever he believed the restraint was becoming excessive.

However, the video appeared to show the uniformed man applying his knee or body weight while holding the other man down as he struggled and waved his hands in apparent distress.

A person could be heard warning the apparent officer to treat the man appropriately or he could die.

The restraint technique drew widespread criticism online, including from senior prison officer and competitive Taekwondo practitioner Kuata Tokolahi, who described it as dangerous and warned that it could cause death.

Tongia apologised for his conduct and said he intended to find the man to try to make amends.

“I will try to find the guy and correct my actions,” he said. “I pray he’ll forgive me. Again, I am very ashamed.”

Tongia’s account remains an allegation and does not independently establish that the restrained man stole the phone. His Facebook profile and message also do not constitute official confirmation that he is a Tonga Police officer or the person shown in the video.

Kaniva News is seeking confirmation from Tonga Police and whether an investigation has been opened into the incident.

Senior prison officer and martial artist warns restraint technique in Tonga video could risk death

By
Kalino Latu
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A 58-second video reportedly filmed in Tonga showing a man wearing what appears to be a police uniform restraining another man has sparked heated debate on Facebook, with a senior prison officer and competitive martial artist warning that the technique used was dangerous and could potentially result in death.

A screenshot from a 58-second video reportedly filmed in Tonga shows a man wearing what appears to be a police uniform restraining another man on the ground. The restraint technique has sparked debate online, with senior prison officer and competitive martial artist Kuata Tokolahi warning it was dangerous and could risk causing death.

The video appears to show the uniformed man struggling with another man while restraining him on the ground.

At one point, the apparent officer appears to apply his knee or body weight while holding the man down. The man appears to struggle to breathe while waving his hands, seemingly signalling that he was in distress.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including exactly where and when it occurred and what led to the confrontation, have not yet been independently confirmed by Kaniva News. Kaniva has also not independently confirmed that the uniformed man shown in the footage is a Tonga Police officer.

A person can be heard in the video calling on the officer to “treat the man appropriately.”

Martial Artist Warns of Danger

However, the restraint technique attracted particular criticism from Kuata Tokolahi, a senior prison officer who is also a notable competitive martial artist and Taekwondo practitioner representing the Tonga National Taekwondo Association (TNTA).

Tokolahi condemned the technique shown in the footage, describing it as very dangerous and warning that it could put the restrained person’s life at risk.

The footage prompted divided reactions among Facebook commenters.

Many defended the apparent officer, saying that although the technique looked dangerous, he appeared to be doing his job while trying to control a man during a physical struggle. Some argued that considerable force can sometimes be necessary when a person resists being restrained.

Others strongly disagreed and described the technique as unprofessional and unnecessarily dangerous. They argued that law-enforcement officers should be professionally trained to control and restrain people while minimising the risk of serious injury or death.

Authorities could not be reached for comment.

Uni student caught wearing smart glasses in exam

By
Kaniva Staff
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Luka Forman of RNZ

A University of Auckland student has been caught wearing smart glasses in a test, raising concerns about how the new tech could be used by students to cheat.

New products like Meta glasses have small built-in cameras which can be used to film what is in front of them, and have it answered by an outside helper or AI.

Exam supervisors would now have to check students wearing glasses to their exams to see if they could be using them to cheat.

Gone are the days of trying to smuggle pieces of paper into an exam or writing answers on a hand or water bottle label.

Technology has brought new ways for students to try to cheat their tests, as Computer Science Professor at the University of Auckland Ulrich Speidel explained.

“You can go, for example, and record your questions, you can possibly send them to external helpers and most of those glasses also project stuff into the glasses that only the wearer can see.”

A University of Auckland spokesperson said a student was seen wearing smart glasses during a test by an invigilator, after a pre-test announcement explicitly said no smart glasses or watches were allowed.

The student had the glasses taken off them, and was allowed to continue the test, they said.

The student was given a penalty over the incident, but the university would not say what it was.

Ulrich Speidel said exam invigilators would now be on the lookout for smart glasses.

“Generally what you can see is they’ve got rather broad hinge parts or large bridges, so we can ask our invigilators to go and look for those, and for example ask [or] offer masking tape to be put over them.”

Invigilators would tape over the cameras rather than taking the glasses, if students were using them as prescriptions.

Meta, the company that owned Instagram and Facebook, had two models of smart glasses made with brands Rayban and Oakley.

They retailed for between $350 and $750, depending on the model.

On the cheaper end, K-mart sold its own smart glasses for just $99 – which recorded videos and photos but did not have the AI features of the Meta ones.

Engineering student at AUT, Preston Williams, had a pair of the Meta glasses, which he used to make content for his business.

“I’ve got like a detailing business, so I do like POV [point of view] videos and stuff. But I don’t use it for tests, because there’s a massive white flashing light. So it’s kind of hard to be inconspicuous.”

However, that flashing light could be disabled through a relatively quick repair job.

US tech journalist Joanna Stern found in an investigation that dozens of services were available to do just that for about US$100 on Facebook marketplace.

However, those services did not appear to be available online in New Zealand.

Speidel said the university was keeping on top of cheating in exams, for now.

“I dread the day once smart glasses will be available as contact lenses. At that point I think it will be checkmate for us.”

His department has moved to mostly pen and paper tests with randomised multi-choice questions, meaning each student had different tests to their peers.

The University of Auckland spokesperson said it undertook an academic integrity investigation into the student with the smart glasses, resulting in a penalty for the student.

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz

PM says Attorney General’s Office has faced years of challenges following Chief Justice’s criticism of prosecutors

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Attorney General’s Office has been hit by years of staffing difficulties, with professional lawyers resigning from positions ranging from senior leadership and mid-management to entry-level roles, Parliament has been told.

Lord Fakafanua

The disclosure follows recent criticism from the courts over the performance of Crown prosecutors, including concerns raised by Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC over the handling of a vulnerable child witness.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua told Parliament that the staffing difficulties were identified in the general overview of the office’s report and were linked to the departure of professional legal staff at various levels.

“Ka ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e pole ‘oku fehangahangai pea mo e potungāue ko ení,” he said in Tongan, emphasising the challenge facing the office.

The report said the situation needed to be reviewed and raised concerns about whether existing salary levels were sufficient to retain lawyers working within the Attorney General and Solicitor General’s offices.

Despite the staffing difficulties, the report described the overall performance of the offices as satisfactory.

The Government’s legal offices perform crucial functions, including legislative drafting, providing legal advice to the Government, handling international treaties and representing the Crown in civil, land, family and criminal proceedings, the Prime Minister said.

Chief Justice previously criticised prosecution

The Chief Justice’s concerns related to the prosecution’s handling of a 12-year-old witness in a criminal case involving a road-rage confrontation at Fātumu.

As Kaniva News reported last month, he also recommended further training for prosecutors, to be led by Supreme Court Justice Paul Garlick KC.

The criticism was not an isolated judicial concern.

Tongan judges have previously criticised prosecutors over failures including not calling important witnesses, problems presenting defendants’ criminal histories, unexplained discrepancies in drug evidence and failures to follow proper procedures.

In one serious armed-robbery case, former Justice Charles Cato described the prosecution’s handling of the matter as an “unacceptable litany of error”.

Dr Pingi Fasi absent from Tongatapu 2 by-election race despite successful case that unseated Sika

By
Kaniva Staff
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Former Tongatapu 2 MP Dr Pingi Fasi, also known by the name ‘Uhilamoelangi, is notably absent from the list of candidates for the constituency’s upcoming by-election, despite being the person whose successful legal challenge led to the removal of former MP Sēmisi Sika and ultimately triggered the poll.

The Electoral Commission of Tonga has announced nine candidates for Tongatapu 2 and five for ʻOngo Niua 17 after nominations for the two parliamentary by-elections closed.

Fasi brought the election petition against Sika, accusing him of bribery in connection with the election. The court subsequently convicted Sika of bribery, resulting in his removal from Parliament and paving the way for the by-election.

However, Fasi’s name does not appear among the nine candidates confirmed by the Electoral Commission to contest the vacant seat.

The Commission’s announcement did not give any reason why Fasi was not standing, and it was not immediately clear whether he had decided against contesting the by-election or whether other circumstances were involved.

While Fasi will not contest the seat, Sika’s younger brother, Alvin Lafu Sika of Haveluloto, is among the nine candidates confirmed for the Tongatapu 2 by-election.

His candidacy adds another dimension to the contest, with a member of Sēmisi Sika’s family now seeking the parliamentary seat left vacant following his removal.

Former Niua 17 MP ‘Ilaisa Lepolo Taunisila makes political comeback in Tongatapu 2

Nine candidates for Tongatapu 2

The Electoral Commission confirmed the following candidates for Tongatapu 2:

  1. Mounu Uaisele, Kolofōʻou
  2. Malakai Matafonuafoʻou ʻOfa ki Wakawaka Koloamatangi, Kolofōʻou
  3. Alvin Lafu Sika, Haveluloto
  4. ʻOlioni Manoa, Haveluloto
  5. Samiuela Vea, Kolofōʻou
  6. Mele Teusivi ʻAmanaki, Fanga ʻo Pilolevu
  7. Lei Paasi, Haveluloto
  8. ʻIlaisa Lepolo Taunisila, Fanga ʻo Pilolevu
  9. Sione Harvard Tupouniua, Kolofōʻou

Five candidates for ʻOngo Niua 17

The ʻOngo Niua 17 by-election was also triggered by the removal of its former MP, Lātai­fāingataʻa Tangimana, after he was convicted of bribery. His conviction resulted in the parliamentary seat becoming vacant, requiring voters in the constituency to return to the polls.

Five candidates have meanwhile been confirmed for the ʻOngo Niua 17 by-election:

  1. Sitiveni Selui, Vaipoa
  2. ʻAisake Hoatatau Finau, Vaipoa
  3. Sione Tuifio Hui, Falehau
  4. Paea ʻI Vaha Filimoehala, ʻEsia
  5. ʻAminiasi Tonga Pauʻu Tangimana, Falehau

The Electoral Commission said the final electoral roll for the by-elections is expected to be completed on September 23.

Polling for both constituencies is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 9am until 4pm.

Two New Zealanders caught with meth-soaked clothing after flights from Malaysia

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two New Zealanders have been intercepted at Auckland International Airport after Customs officers discovered clothing allegedly saturated with methamphetamine in their luggage.

New Zealand Customs said both travellers had arrived on flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and were carrying sealed bags containing clothing that either felt unusual or showed signs of powder residue.

Tests carried out by Customs subsequently returned positive results for methamphetamine.

Customs Acting Manager Airports Northern Simon Peterson said similarities between the two interceptions suggested they were linked to a coordinated drug-smuggling operation.

“Both travellers arrived off flights from Kuala Lumpur carrying clothing impregnated with methamphetamine, using a very similar concealment method, and attempting to bring drugs into New Zealand,” Peterson said.

He warned that organised criminal groups were exploiting people to bring illicit drugs across New Zealand’s border.

“Make no mistake, this is organised crime trying to exploit New Zealanders for their own gain,” he said.

“The people behind these operations are motivated solely by profit. They do not care about those they recruit, or the damage caused by drugs.”

Customs did not disclose in its social media statement the identities of the two travellers, when the interceptions occurred, the quantity or estimated value of methamphetamine involved, or whether charges had been laid.

The unusual concealment method involves impregnating fabric with methamphetamine rather than attempting to hide the drug in a more readily identifiable form.

Peterson urged people approached to act as couriers to consider the potentially serious consequences before becoming involved.

“We want people to think carefully before becoming involved. Acting as a drug courier can have life-changing consequences, and anyone caught attempting to import illicit drugs into New Zealand can expect to face serious penalties,” he said.

Van crashes into power pole in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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A van has crashed into a power pole beside a road in Tonga, causing significant damage to the front of the vehicle.

A van is seen damaged after crashing into a power pole beside a road in Tonga. The circumstances surrounding the incident and whether anyone was injured were not immediately known.

A photograph obtained by Kaniva News shows the van off the roadway with its front end against a power pole.

The front of the vehicle appears to have sustained considerable damage, with parts of the bumper and other debris visible on the ground.

People can also be seen at the scene, while a traffic cone had been placed near the roadside.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash or whether anyone was injured.

The exact location and time of the incident were also not immediately available.

Police and other relevant authorities have yet to release details about the incident.

Kaniva News is seeking further information.

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