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.
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.
Havelu, Tonga — Tonga Police have made further drug-related arrests in Havelu, charging two additional suspects in a separate operation carried out days after an earlier methamphetamine arrest in the same village.
Tonga Police
The latest arrests were made on 29 January 2026, when police detained a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, both from Havelu, following an operation targeting illicit drug activity in the area.
During that operation, officers seized several packs of suspected cannabis, drug utensils, and an amount of cash from the scene.
Both suspects have been charged with possession of illicit drugs and possession of drug utensils, and remain in police custody.
The development comes after an earlier police operation in Havelu, in which a 50-year-old man was arrested following information received about the suspected sale of methamphetamine from a residential property.
In that earlier incident, police observed the suspect leaving the residence in a vehicle and followed him to a nearby area, where he attempted to flee but was apprehended without incident.
Officers seized multiple packages of methamphetamine, drug-related utensils, cash, the vehicle involved, and electronic devices believed to be linked to the alleged offending.
The suspect was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug utensils.
Police have not indicated whether the two operations are directly connected, but confirmed that investigations in both cases remain ongoing.
Tonga Police reiterated their commitment to disrupting the supply and distribution of illicit drugs and urged members of the public to continue supporting police efforts by reporting suspicious activities to 922 or to the nearest police station.
Commentary – The political storm unfolding in Britain over approval for a vast new Chinese embassy complex in London has cast an unexpected light on a question many Pacific nations, including Tonga, have largely sidestepped: how much public scrutiny should accompany the expansion of foreign diplomatic footprints—particularly those of major powers such as China.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga. Photo: Kransky, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY‑SA 3.0.
Last week, Britain’s Conservative Party criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government after planning authorities cleared the way for what opponents have labelled a Chinese “super embassy” in central London.
Senior Conservatives accused the government of downplaying national-security concerns and prioritising relations with Beijing over public safety, arguing that the scale of the proposed complex far exceeds normal diplomatic requirements.
The Labour government has rejected those claims, insisting the approval followed established planning processes and security assessments. Even so, the intensity of the backlash has ensured the issue is being debated openly—in Parliament, across national media, and among the wider public.
A debate Britain is having out loud
At the centre of the UK controversy is the issue of scale and purpose. Critics argue that an embassy of such magnitude is more than a diplomatic mission, raising concerns about its potential strategic function.
Some have warned of intelligence-gathering risks, language that UK Labour has dismissed as speculative and exaggerated.
Regardless of where the facts ultimately settle, the significance lies in the process.
In Britain, the construction of a foreign embassy has become a matter of public accountability: who approved it, on what basis, and what safeguards are in place.
The debate is visible, contested, and ongoing.
Thousands of kilometres away in the Pacific, that openness stands in sharp contrast to how similar questions have been handled—or quietly bypassed.
Tonga’s quiet precedent
For Pacific observers, the debate has a familiar undertone. As far back as 2018, veteran Pacific journalist Michael Field questioned the scale of China’s expanded embassy compound in Nukuʻalofa, describing it as unusually large for a country with a small population and limited consular demand.
At the time, the observation prompted little sustained discussion. There were no notable parliamentary debates, no detailed public explanations, and minimal scrutiny in local media. The buildings were completed largely without public interrogation.
In seeking balance, Kaniva News has contacted the Chinese Embassy in Nukuʻalofa for comment, asking about the purpose and scale of the compound, the planning and approval process, staffing levels, compliance with Tongan law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and how the mission compares with Chinese embassies in other Pacific countries.
No response had been received at the time of publication.
When Familiarity Mutes Scrutiny
China’s presence in Tonga has been a source of domestic division since the early 1990s, when hundreds of Chinese passport holders arrived following the collapse of the Kingdom’s passport-sale scheme of the 1980s, which generated about US$26 million later lost in a US investment.
Some locals and critics viewed the newcomers’ business-oriented approach and rapid adaptation to Tonga’s limited economic environment as a threat, arguing that they came to dominate local commerce and lease a significant share of commercial land in Nukuʻalofa and Vava‘u.
However, after nearly half a century of the Chinese community’s presence in Nukuʻalofa, there has been a noticeable growth in public trust, particularly in the operation of wholesale and retail businesses. Their extended trading hours—often operating six days a week, as Tonga restricts Sunday trading—along with full-time owner involvement and proactive customer service, have contributed to a perception among many consumers that Chinese-run businesses are among the most reliable in the country.
That shift—from early suspicion to everyday reliance—may also explain why China’s expanding diplomatic footprint drew little public attention. As Chinese-run businesses became a normal part of Tonga’s commercial life, China itself was increasingly perceived as familiar rather than foreign.
In that context, questions that might have arisen elsewhere about scale, purpose, or transparency were largely muted. What was accepted on the street was rarely interrogated at the state level.
Scale, perception, and transparency
That familiarity, however, does not remove the relevance of scale.
While everyday economic interaction may dull public curiosity, the size and visibility of diplomatic infrastructure raise a different set of questions—ones that go beyond trust and into governance.
Embassy scale is not merely symbolic; it shapes perception, accountability, and the public’s understanding of how foreign power is exercised within national space.
There is nothing inherently improper about large embassies. Major powers operate globally and require substantial diplomatic infrastructure. China, like others, has legitimate reasons to maintain a strong overseas presence.
But perception matters. When an embassy appears disproportionate to its surroundings—whether in London or Nukuʻalofa—questions inevitably arise. Such questions do not presume wrongdoing; they reflect a public interest in transparency, proportionality, and governance.
In this sense, Britain’s controversy is less about China itself and more about how democratic societies explain sensitive foreign-policy decisions to their citizens.
A mirror, not a verdict
Britain’s parliamentary battle will not determine policy in Tonga. But it does offer a mirror.
If a proposal in London can provoke intense national scrutiny, it is reasonable to ask whether Pacific publics should have been afforded greater opportunity to understand and debate similar developments closer to home.
In London, the argument is unfolding in real time.
In Tonga, it may have arrived late—but it has arrived nonetheless.
Vava’u, Tonga — The village of Tu’anuku celebrated a significant milestone in early childhood education yesterday with the soft opening of its brand-new kindergarten facility.
The project, spearheaded by the US-based non-profit Friends of Tonga, marks the culmination of an international effort to provide the village’s youngest learners with a modern, resilient, and safe environment.
The ceremony reached its highlight when Peace Corps Volunteer Maya Manaster officially cut the ribbon, declaring the school open to the cheers of students, parents, and community leaders.
The event was well-attended by local representatives from the Ministry of Education, whose presence underscored the vital importance of this facility to the national educational landscape.
The construction of the kindergarten was made possible through a unique blend of professional athlete advocacy and international non-profit cooperation.
Funding for the project was bolstered by high-profile support from the Tongan diaspora, including Charles Piutau, who facilitated a generous donation from the Bristol Bears during his tenure with the rugby club, and Giovanni Manu, who now plays on the big stage for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
Reflecting on his motivation for the project, Manu shared:
“Tonga will forever hold a special place in my heart since I grew up there and shared countless great memories with my family. I told myself as I embarked on this journey of American football that if I ever made it to the big stage—the NFL—I would give back to the small nation that shaped me into the person I am today.”
Beyond the fundraising efforts, the physical realisation of the school relied on a robust network of partners:
Schools for Children of the World (SCW) supplied the architectural designs and technical oversight for the project, ensuring compliance with modern safety standards.
Funding for the project came from The Atlas Foundation and Edrington, supplemented by furniture donations from Perfect Beginnings Montessori Children’s House and contributions from hundreds of individual donors globally.
The Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) served as a primary local partner, ensuring the project remained aligned with the community’s needs.
“This facility represents a successful collaboration between the Tongan diaspora and our international partners to address a critical need in early childhood education,” said Dr. Michael Hassett, President of Friends of Tonga. “This structure is built to last. It provides Tu’anuku with the security of knowing that, regardless of the elements, the children will always have a stable and secure place to learn.”
Tuesday’s soft opening provided a first look at the facility for local families and staff. While the official academic term is set to begin shortly, the event served as a celebration of the partnership between athletes, non-profits, and the people of Vava’u.
Two men linked to the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, a gang that has attracted attention in Tonga, are facing serious drug and firearms charges following police raids in south‑east Auckland.
Photo/NZ Police
A 33‑year‑old patched Comanchero member has been charged with conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.
A 30‑year‑old associate of the gang is facing multiple charges, including possession of methamphetamine for supply, unlawful possession of a pistol, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Both men are expected to appear in the Manukau District Court this afternoon.
Detective Inspector Gray said the Comancheros continued to have a damaging effect on communities across the country.
“It’s no secret that the Comancheros gang continue to impose suffering and a negative influence on many communities across this country,” he said.
“Police remain committed to using every opportunity to prevent and disrupt this criminal activity from occurring, and today’s enforcement is a good example of that.”
“Today’s enforcement activity targeted a patched member and an associate of the Comancheros,” Gray said.
During the searches, police located a press believed to have been used to compress bricks of cocaine, along with other items linked to drug distribution. Officers also seized a loaded pistol from one of the properties.
At another address, police discovered nearly one kilogram of a cutting agent, commonly used to dilute illegal drugs, as well as approximately 64 grams of methamphetamine.
Why the case matters to Tonga
As Kaniva News reported recently, Eneasi Taumoefolau, a senior figure associated with the Comanchero gang in Australia, was sentenced in Tonga to life imprisonment after being convicted in a major drug trafficking case.
In 2024, Tonga Police revealed that a deportee from Australia had attempted to establish a local Comanchero branch in the kingdom. Taumoefolau was reportedly the man who attempted to establish the Comanchero gang in Tonga.
At the time, police carried out drug raids across Tongatapu, targeting methamphetamine distribution networks.
Then Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said the raids delivered a significant blow to the gang’s ambitions in Tonga and reinforced the country’s stance against organised criminal groups.
The president of the New Zealand Comanchero gang, Tongian national Pasilika Naufahu, was sentenced in Auckland in 2022 to nine years and three months’ imprisonment after being convicted of money laundering, participation in a criminal gang, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm, and common assault.
He has a final release date in July 2028.
Community and regional concerns
Tonga Police and regional security experts have warned that organised criminal groups are increasingly attempting to extend their reach into Pacific nations, often through deportees with overseas gang ties.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed, however, that such criminal activity involves individual offenders and does not reflect the values of the wider Tongan community.
Police in both New Zealand and Tonga say they remain committed to sharing intelligence and disrupting transnational drug and firearms networks to prevent gangs from becoming entrenched in the region.
A United States federal court has brought to a close a church arson case that was closely followed by Tongan communities both in Tonga and overseas, particularly in Utah, home to one of the largest Tongan populations in the United States.
According to ABC4, a Mississippi man who deliberately set fire to a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, following his conviction on multiple serious charges.
Details of the crime and court outcome
The defendant, Stefan Rowold, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday to 360 months, equivalent to 30 years, in federal prison after a jury found him guilty in September 2025 of six counts of federal arson and civil rights violations.
According to the United States Department of Justice, evidence presented during the trial showed that Rowold deliberately targeted the LDS meetinghouse in Wiggins, Mississippi, because of his hostility toward what he believed were the church’s religious beliefs.
On July 5 and July 7, 2024, Rowold broke into the church building, vandalised the walls with hateful messages, and set fires inside the property.
The Department of Justice said Rowold admitted to police that he ignited the fires using church hymnals, paintings, and other religious materials as kindling in the building’s multipurpose room. After learning that the first fire had not destroyed the structure, he returned two days later to ignite a second fire, even after police had attempted to secure the scene.
As a result of the damage, members of the local LDS congregation were unable to hold worship services in the building for several months. During sentencing, the federal court ordered Rowold to pay US$176,564 in restitution to cover repairs and property damage.
Federal prosecutors told the court that the offence represented not only the destruction of property, but a direct violation of religious freedom and civil rights, which are protected under US federal law.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner of the Southern District of Mississippi, alongside trial attorney Chloe Neely from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
The case attracted widespread attention after news and images of the burning LDS church circulated online in 2024, prompting concern among Tongan church members in Utah, California, Hawai‘i, and Tonga, according to posts seen by Kaniva News at the time.
Many Tongans living overseas have close family and church ties to LDS congregations in the United States, and the attack was widely shared within the community.
In Utah in particular, LDS churches often function not only as places of worship, but also as important cultural and social centres for Tongan families.
Health authorities in Tonga and New Zealand are urging travellers to remain vigilant.
People who feel unwell are being advised to seek immediate medical attention amid continued concerns about the Nipah virus.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans.
It is most commonly linked to fruit bats, which are considered the virus’s natural host, and in some cases pigs.
Human infections have previously been associated with close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
Serious illness with rapid progression
Health experts warn that symptoms of Nipah virus infection can begin mildly but may escalate quickly.
Early symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, but in more severe cases the virus can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis) and serious respiratory illness, which may be life‑threatening.
Medical specialists stress that early diagnosis and care are critical, as there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. Supportive medical care remains the primary approach for managing cases.
Advice from Tonga’s Ministry of Health
The Tonga Ministry of Health has reminded travellers and the public to act quickly if they feel unwell after travel or animal exposure.
“If you feel unwell after travel or contact with animals, seek medical attention immediately,” the Ministry said.
Officials emphasised the importance of telling health workers about any recent travel history or contact with animals, particularly in regions where Nipah virus has been reported.
New Zealand updates travel advice
In New Zealand, the ongoing situation has prompted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to update its travel advice for New Zealanders planning to travel to India, following reports of Nipah virus cases there.
While the developments have raised public awareness, experts say the overall risk to New Zealand remains low.
Speaking to Breakfast on 1News, University of Otago professor and evolutionary virologist Jemma Geoghegan said there was a “low risk” of a Nipah virus outbreak in New Zealand.
“This virus is sort of a natural virus for fruit bats, but it does spread over to humans, and it can spill over in several ways,” she said.
“Humans can have direct contact with bats, for example, their faeces, urine and saliva from bats, and humans can be infected with that.”
How the virus spreads
Health authorities say Nipah virus transmission can occur through:
Direct contact with infected fruit bats or their bodily fluids
Exposure to contaminated food or surfaces
Contact with infected animals such as pigs
Close contact with an infected person in some situations
For travellers, avoiding contact with wild animals, practising good hygiene, and following local health guidance are considered key preventative measures.
Authorities in both Tonga and New Zealand say they are continuing to monitor international developments closely and will update health and travel guidance as needed.
Members of the public are encouraged to rely on official health advice and not to panic, while remaining alert to symptoms and taking sensible precautions when travelling overseas.
Commentary – Although the government must continue strengthening democratic structures that prioritise journalism, the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office ahead of tomorrow’s inaugural press conference signals more than routine communication; it marks a reset.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua
For the first time since Tonga’s 2010 Democratic Reforms, the organisation of the government press conference reflects a deliberate move toward formality, clarity, and institutional respect, rather than openness without structure.
The introduction of weekly press conferences by former governments was widely welcomed as a democratic advance. It signalled a willingness to face the media regularly and to speak directly to the public.
That approach aligned well with post‑2010 expectations of transparency and open government.
With few boundaries around question scope or format, press conferences sometimes drifted away from policy substance. Questions occasionally moved into personal areas unrelated to governance, while others lacked relevance to Cabinet responsibility.
The result, at times, was unnecessary tension, unfocused exchanges, and responses that diminished the stature of both the office and the forum itself.
More problematic was the fact that previous press conferences were livestreamed to the public on social media, where exchanges involving both ministers and journalists were often subjected to intense public reaction, including criticism and, at times, ridicule.
More mature model
The Prime Minister’s Office announcement yesterday signals a different approach.
It states that this is a formal national press conference, clearly defined in purpose, scope, duration, and protocol. Cabinet Ministers will present their 100‑Day Work Plans, allowing the public to understand—through the media—what the government intends to deliver in its initial period.
Importantly, journalists are invited to ask questions specifically related to these work plans. Far from limiting scrutiny, this focus encourages sharper, more relevant questioning and more meaningful answers.
Restoring respect for the forum
Several aspects of the new arrangements reflect a conscious effort to strengthen the standing of the press conference itself:
Defined camera placement and broadcast rules
Visible identification of journalists by media outlet
Time limits on questions
A fixed one‑hour duration
Proceedings conducted in the Tongan language
A national dress requirement reflecting the dignity of the event
Taken together, these measures transform the press conference from an arena of ad hoc questioning—frequently met with claims that ministers are unavailable—into a civic forum of national importance that acknowledges both the role of the media and the authority of the offices represented.
This is a signal of confidence, not control.
Transparency with discipline
Some may question whether limiting the scope of questions risks narrowing accountability. However, this is precisely the purpose of a press conference: it is intended to be brief, focused, and direct, concentrating on the key issue the government seeks to communicate clearly to an attentive and informed public.
Other matters should be directed to the relevant authorities.
The Prime Minister’s Office statement makes this clear by instructing that questions outside the session’s scope be submitted directly to the Prime Minister’s Press Office, thereby clarifying how and where different forms of accountability should take place.
From Silence to Structure
It is hoped that the Prime Minister will treat this opportunity for public submission with the seriousness it warrants and formally entrench the approach within a legal framework.
Historically, journalists have raised persistent concerns that requests for comment or clarification directed to government ministries were frequently ignored or went unanswered, reflecting a lack of seriousness in the government’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability.
At times, the government advised journalists during press conferences that additional information would be provided later to clarify issues, creating the impression of openness and transparency. However, the promised press releases were often never issued, leaving the media with no further details.
Worse still, some past prime ministers lost their temper and publicly scolded journalists during press conferences. In one instance, a prime minister even ridiculed a female journalist who had emailed him with tough questions about his policies.
A promising signal
As the Fakafanua administration’s first formal press conference, the organisational choices being made matter. They suggest a government that seeks new ways to engage more effectively with the media—not by retreating from scrutiny, but by professionalising its approach.
If sustained, this model has the potential to strengthen both governance and journalism, improving policy scrutiny while preserving respect for national office.
It is a quiet change, but a meaningful one.
Since 2010, Tonga has sought not only democratic openness, but democratic maturity. Tomorrow’s press conference appears to mark a step in that direction.
An arrest warrant has been ordered for Mormon Church leader Pita Foliaki Hopoate after he failed to appear before Tonga’s Magistrates’ Court in connection with an ongoing legal dispute involving co‑alumni member Epalahame Taukeiʻaho.
Piveni Piukala (L) with Pita Foliaki Hopoate
The development comes amid an Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into former Police Minister Piveni Piukala, following allegations that he helped Hopoate flee the Kingdom despite a court‑imposed restraining order.
Kakalu ʻo Tonga online reported that when the matter was called in court on 15 December, neither Hopoate nor his legal counsel was present, prompting the court to take further action. Hopoate is believed to have left Tonga in late October.
Senior Police Court Judge Ane Tavo Mailangi subsequently ordered that Hopoate be brought before the court on 13 February 2026, the outlet said.
As Kaniva News previously reported, Piukala has confirmed during one of his online livestream programmes that he provided the assistance after being approached for help.
The incident has sparked debate over allegations of political interference, concerns about cabinet governance and accountability, the independence of leadership roles from ministerial influence, and the enforcement of court orders.
Former Customs Minister Mateni Tapueluelu strongly criticised Piukala over alleged interference in the court order relating to Hopoate.
Lord Vaea, who now serves as Speaker of Parliament, also criticised former Prime Minister Aisake Eke for what he described as a lack of action against Piukala.
Eke later suspended Piukala, saying he had been contacted by the ACC Commissioner.
Following the incident, Immigration and Customs officers accused of facilitating Hopoate’s departure were dealt with by their respective ministries.
They both reportedly said they were pressured by Piukala to release Hopoate, who he claimed was in the process of resolving the matter with authorities.
Hopoate is a retired senior church leader who previously held several leadership positions, including serving as an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints.
Australian authorities have identified BG Wealth Sharing as an unlicensed entity suspected of fraudulent activity, claiming it has impersonated legitimate financial institutions, including HSBC Bank Australia Limited, to attract investors.
As a result, Australia has joined the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Tonga in issuing a formal warning, following the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) addition of the operation to its Investor Alert List on 16 January 2026.
The move comes amid an escalating war of words triggered by the promotions of the scheme within the Tongan community.
Some observers have warned that hard lessons appear to have gone unlearned from the wave of pyramid schemes that swept through the community between 2021 and 2024, leaving victims with losses totalling millions.
However, some participants who reported withdrawing funds from the scheme dismissed the criticism, saying the money was theirs and that any potential failure was a matter of personal choice.
The financial harm previously suffered by the Tongan community has resulted in multiple court cases in New Zealand and the United States, with some pyramid‑scheme promoters receiving substantial fines while others remain before the courts.
One of the most prominent examples is the HyperFund scheme, which collapsed after losses estimated at US$1.8 billion. The scheme was heavily promoted within the Tongan community by Tongan promoter Setaita Folau Tanaki, alongside its founders Sam Lee and Richard Brunton, who have recently been indicted in the United States.
Another was the Validus scheme, which was widely promoted within the Tongan community in Australia and New Zealand by Tongan promoter Timote Makaui. The scheme has effectively collapsed following heightened regulatory action, with its operations largely halted in 2023.
Validus claimed it had expanded rapidly from about US$10 million to roughly US$200 million in investments in the 12 months leading up to early 2023, shortly before the platform froze investor withdrawals in April 2023. Investigators and recovery firms stress that the US$200 million figure represents claimed funds invested, not verified recoverable assets or confirmed investor losses.
To date, the total number of victims and the exact scale of financial losses remain unknown, with no audited records or official victim tally released by regulators or law‑enforcement agencies
The pyramid scheme known as Tongitupe differed from HyperFund and Validus in that it was created by a Tongan national, Tilila Siolaʻa Walker‑Sumchai. The 63‑year‑old Richmond, California resident was indicted in September 2023 for allegedly operating the US$13 million Ponzi scheme.
Prosecutors say the operation targeted the Tongan community across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, with more than 1,000 victims worldwide.
What does Australia say about BG Wealth Sharing?
The regulator said the scheme is operating without a licence and may be targeting Australian consumers.
In its public notice, ASIC cautioned people to “be wary of dealing with this business,” stating that BG Wealth Sharing Investment Group, which operates through the website tradewithnick.com and also uses the alias DSJ Exchange, is not authorised to provide financial services in Australia.
The regulator said the entity does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence or credit licence and is not authorised by any licensee.
ASIC’s alert lists the operation as an unlicensed entity with no verified address and a phone number linked to 707‑342‑6229.
The regulator warned that scammers frequently change names, websites and contact details to avoid detection, and said consumers should independently check a business’s licensing status before investing.
Australia’s warning adds to a growing international consensus that BG Wealth Sharing and its associated platform DSJEX are operating as fraudulent investment schemes.
Regulators in the UK, US and Tonga issue warnings
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a warning in May 2025, stating the scheme was providing financial services without authorisation and may be targeting UK residents.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga declared the operation a scam in December 2025, saying it was targeting Tongans both in the Kingdom and across the diaspora, including communities in New Zealand and Australia.
Regulators in North America have also raised concerns, noting that the scheme relies on fabricated profits, misleading documents and blocked withdrawals.
Across these jurisdictions, authorities have highlighted the same pattern of red flags, including pressure to reinvest larger sums, fake trading dashboards and demands for additional fees or taxes that never lead to the release of funds.
Investigative reports have also noted the scheme’s reliance on private messaging groups, community‑based recruitment and claims of fixed daily returns of up to 2.6 percent, all indicators of a Ponzi‑style operation.
ASIC reminded consumers that even if a company is not yet listed on its alert list, that does not mean it is safe or licensed. The regulator urged people to always verify the legitimacy of any business offering financial services before investing.
A magnitude‑4.7 earthquake struck near Vava’u early this morning, but authorities say it poses no tsunami threat to Tonga.
The Tonga Meteorological Service issued a Tsunami No‑Threat Advisory after the quake, which occurred at 1:43 am local time on 28 January 2026.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 98 kilometres, with its epicentre located 62km north‑northwest of Neiafu, Vava’u.
After assessing data from the United States Geological Survey, the National Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that the quake was unlikely to generate a tsunami.
No further alerts are expected unless conditions change.
The National Emergency Operation Centre has not been activated, and officials say normal monitoring continues.
As Kaniva News reported earlier this morning, Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota said the tremor “was not big” and appeared to be minor. No damage or injuries have been reported.
Lapota reported the incident on Facebook shortly after it occured.
