Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala was in Auckland, New Zealand, to represent the Tonga government at the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).

The Prince’s presence comes amid growing concerns over apparent conflicting information and uncertainty regarding who Tonga’s current Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister is.

The meeting at Devonport Naval Base on October 1, attended by Ministers, Secretaries, and Chiefs of Defence from member countries, helps shape partnerships in the Pacific on important topical issues like security and disaster relief support, the New Zealand Defence Force told Kaniva News.

A statement from His Majesty Armed Forces said the Prince was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa.

“The Crown Prince highlighted Tonga’s commitment to ensuring Pacific-led solutions remain central to our regional defence efforts, ensuring our shared values guide all decisions”, the statement said.

It also said: “Tonga is proud to stand with our partners to address shared challenges, and we look forward to our continued efforts to strengthen security and resilience across our beautiful Pacific region”.

Foreign Affairs uncertainty

There is an ongoing dispute and deadlock regarding some top positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the ministerial portfolio and the king’s appointed Secretary, which have yet to be resolved.

It follows King Tupou VI’s withdrawal of confidence and consent in the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, as Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and in Fekitaloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism in February.

Utoikamanu was later reassigned and became the Minister of Communication (MEIDECC).

PM Hu’akavameiliku denied in August that a foreign affairs ministerial portfolio standoff poses a threat to the then Pacific leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa.

A Radio New Zealand report quoted him as saying that “he is the acting minister of foreign affairs.”

It was normal practice for the Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces to also become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In April, the Crown Prince led a government delegation to the second Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue. Members of his delegation included the Prime Minister’s defence advisers as well as officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

There was no official public statement explaining why the Crown Prince led that delegation.

The ministerial issues arising from the King’s withdrawal of confidence took another turn after the Hu’akavameiliku government attempted to replace the king’s Secretary, who was appointed by the King as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary.

The king’s secretary, Viliami Malolo, has filed a lawsuit against the government, and the case is currently in court.

A photo allegedly showing a swimmer riding the tail of a baby whale has sparked outrage in Tonga.

If this is proven to be true, the swimmer’s action may have violated Tonga’s Whale Watching and Swimming law Section 9, which states, “No person shall disturb or harass any whale.” It also says, “No person shall touch or feed any whale.”

It comes after growing concerns in the Pacific with authorities warning this week about abusive swimming activities toward whales, especially mother-calf pairs.

The photo, widely shared on social media, shows a person apparently sitting on the tail while another was swimming nearby on the left side.

The caption, accompanied by the image, said a group of swimmers also touched the whale.

Kaniva News could not independently verify the photo’s authenticity and whether it was indeed taken in Tonga.

Swimming with whales

Tonga offers regulated opportunities for swimming with whales in small groups.

However, the rules said the whales’ behaviour must be considered to decide whether swimming with them should be discontinued.

The practice “is entirely at the captain’s discretion”.

Four swimmers can swim with whales at one time, one report says.

According to Tonga’s Whale Watching and Swimming Law, swimmers are not allowed to come into contact with any whale at any sign of the animal becoming disturbed or alarmed.

“No person shall cause any whale to become separated from a group of whales or cause any members of such a group to be scattered”, it said.

Social media reactions

The photo triggered outrage and frustration among people passionate about whale conservation and raised serious concerns among local community members.

“I am very angry today! This female underwater photographer from China sits on a baby whale in Tonga to take photo”, the caption accompanying the photo claimed.

However, it did not provide evidence to indicate that it was indeed a Chinese swimmer who was allegedly sitting on the whale.

“I feel so disgusted to see these photos and videos lately”.

A commenter responded: “This is what we are fighting for here in Tonga, especially here in Vava’u…. Maybe it’s better to leave the whales alone”.

“Disrespect”, some commenters wrote.

Another commenter said that the individual responsible for taking the swimmers should be held accountable for their actions and face appropriate consequences.

“Their licenses should be taken off them with no second chances”.

“I think there are rules that prohibit this. The operator should be penalized”, one commenter wrote.

Some commentators, however, expressed concerns that labelling the swimmer in question as Chinese might fuel racism issues.

“I think it’s not Good for you to point out here that the problems get resolved between the operators instead of putting them on social media; it affects the reputation of the whale-watching industry of Tonga,” the commenter wrote.

“Not only that, you have pointed out the Chinese tourist, which pretty much single them out by race, it’s sad you’re only nice to the white skin people and throws these people under the bus same rules should apply to everyone, not one set of rules for the Asians especially the Chinese and one set of rules for the white people.

One commenter was suspicious about the photo and asked whether it was photoshopped. 

Stricter regulations

The news comes after the Mauritius island authority called for  “enforcing stricter regulations due to an influx of influencers from China and Taiwan seeking viral social media photos of themselves swimming with whales.”

The authority said the situation “has led to chaos in cetacean habitats, disrupting breeding whales.

Mauritius has now implemented a ban on swimming with whales, imposing hefty fines and jail time for offenders.

Last month, it was reported that French Polynesian environmental associations and some scientists have criticised the boom in whale-watching activities.

The country’s conservation group Mata Tohora, dedicated to protecting marine mammals, expresses concern over the excessive number of boats in the water.

“We need to limit the number of boats around the whales and dolphins. It’s a question of managing the activity, which needs to be done quickly, said Agnes Benet, a biologist and founder of the association.

“You can swim with the whales without disturbing them,” she added.

The association is campaigning for the introduction of a “no whale-watching” period, from 2:00 pm onwards, to allow them to rest.

The Supreme Court has ordered a multi-million pa’anga payout in a case involving the Tonga Development Bank and the Reserve Bank.

The Tonga Development Bank, CEO ‘Emeline Tuita and Board Chair Penisimani Vea sought damages  from the Reserve Bank, its governor and media workers Katalina Tohi, Tevita Motulalo and Kalino Latu of the New Zealand-based Kaniva News.

The damages claim related to the broadcast and publication of extracts from a letter written by the Reserve Bank Governor to the Minister of Finance on May 17, 2024 on the subject of Regulatory Actions being taken by the Reserve Bank against the Tonga Development Bank, its CEO Tuita and Chairman Vea.

The letter reported on what were said to be serious concerns about the Reserve Bank and included an order to remove the CEO and Chairman from their roles in the TDB.

The plaintiffs sought damages for loss of profit, general damages and exemplary damages.

Action against Kalino Latu was not proceeded with.

Lord Chief Justice Bishop ordered the plaintiffs to file a defence within 28 days of the claim being lodged on August 6.

Because the plaintiffs did not file a defence in time, lawyers for the TDB and the other plaintiffs asked the court to issue a judgement in default against all the defendants except Latu.

The four defendants named in the writ of claim, who were ordered to pay the damages are the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and its Governor Tatafu Moeaki (total $15 million), independent Tongan broadcaster Katalina Tohi of Radio 89.5fm (total $4 million), and Nuku’alofa-based journalist and news editor, Tevita Motulalo ($1.2 million).

The Lord Chief Justice awarded general damages to the Tonga Development Bank, ordering payment of TP$5 million against Moeaki and the Reserve Bank, TP$1 million against Tohi and TP$300,000 against Motulalo.

Judge Bishop awarded general damages to be paid to Penisimani Vea, ordering payments of TP$2 million against Moeaki and the Reserve Bank, TP$1 million against Tohi and TP$300,000 against Motulalo.

General Damages were awarded in favour of ‘Emeline Tuita, ordering payments of TP$3 million against Moeaki and the Reserve Bank, TP$1 million gainst Tohi and TP$300,000 against Motulalo.

The Lord Chief Justice awarded damages of TP$5 million against Moeaki and the Reserve Bank, TP$1 million against Tohi and TP$300,000 against Motulalo.

Development Bank order

Meanwhile, as Kaniva News reported recently, the Supreme Court  has ordered that the CEO and executive of the Tongan Development Bank are to remain in place.

The court ordered that the Development Bank not engage in any economic development activities and joint development agreements without the prior approval of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

The ultimate controlling interests of both banks are vested in the government of Tonga.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has all the functions of a central bank which includes important regulatory powers. Although the controlling interest of the Reserve Bank is the government it is a separate and distinct body from the Development Bank.

The National bank had sought to overide the Development Bank by issuing directives that, among other things, removed its CEO, Emeline Tuita and board chairman Pennisimani Vea.

Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC, presiding, said the Reserve Bank’s actions were designed to ensure that it closely controlled the Development Bank  and had a veto on any of that bank‟s activities.

The Development Bank asked for an interlocutory mandatory injunction restraining the National Reserve Bank from enforcing its directives.

The Lord Chief Justice said: ““I am not persuaded that the supervisory role of the reserve bank excludes supervision of the economic activities of the Development Bank.

“I accordingly order that will be the basis that the CEO and chairman continue in place pending the resolution of this matter at trial.”

By Iliesa Tora of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Tonga has agreed to host the 2031 Pacific Games, the announcement coming seven years after pulling out of hosting the 2019 Games.

Team Tonga at the opening ceremony for the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia

It was announced the host in Koror, Palau on Friday, when the Pacific Games Council members voted.

Tonga secured the right to host the Games with a total of 12 votes, against Fiji’s nine.

It will be the first Pacific Games held in Tonga since the 1989 Pacific Mini Games.

Tonga’s successful bid comes seven years after the country pulled out of hosting the 2019 Games.

Former prime minister, the late Samiuela Akilisi Pohiva, pulled the plug on the event and cancelled the event, forcing the Pacific Games Council (PGC) to move the Games to Samoa in 2019.

Tonga was also suspended from the Council but the Tongan government two years ago reached an out of court settlement with the PGC, which allowed the Kingdom back into the fold and now getting another chance to host the Games.

TASANOC president Michael Bloomfield, left, and Tonga PM Hu’akavameiliku, sitting front right, and sitting behind him is Lord Vaea, at the Pacific Games Council meeting in Palau. Photo: Supplied / Melielau Manu

Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni led Tonga’s team at the meeting in Koror.

“We are grateful to the members for giving us the votes and backing for Tonga to host the 2023 Games,” he said.

“It is a great achievement. We know there is alot of work to be done but we are confident that with our people, our partners and all stakeholders Tonga can host the event successfully.”

Journalist Melielau Manu, who is in Palau covering the event, said it was cause for celebration for Team Tonga at the event.

“There was so much joy and celebration by the Tongan delegation when the votes were announced,” Manu, of Broadcom 87.5FM in Nuku’alofa, said.

“The team came here determined to get the hosting right and with the Prime Minister here and Lord Vaea plus the TASANOC president Michael Bloomfield, it went through and the support was tremendous.”

The delegation included Lord Vaea, the Minister responsible for Sports, and Tonga’s two-time Olympian Pita Taufatofua.

Fiji also had a strong delegation at the event but the votes did not go in their favour.

Two additional car accidents have been reported in Tonga this week following the fatal crash that took the life of police officer ‘Ifalemi Mala’efo’ou on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, a car was spotted stranded on a foreshore.

Another car was seen overturning and landing on its roof.

Social media reports and photos seen by Kaniva News showed those two crashes happened in Tongatapu.

The locations where the accidents occurred have not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Police reportedly said the off-duty police officer, ‘Ifalemi Mala’efo’ou, died in a car crash at about 12.40am on Wednesday on Vuna Road in Nuku’alofa.

As Kaniva News reported on Wednesday, tributes flooded in after the news of Mala’efo’ou’s passing was posted on social media.

It is understood that the deceased was driving a personal vehicle heading westerly on Vuna Road near the Tanoa Hotel when the accident happened.

Police reportedly said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash that killed the 31-year-old police officer from Sia’atoutai.

He sustained severe injuries and passed away a few hours later, following his admission to Vaiola Hospital.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

The Police said investigations were ongoing. 

Police in Fiji are investigating the discovery of bullets in a Fiji Airways aircraft that arrived from Tonga at Fiji airport on Thursday.

Fiji Times reported that it is believed the bullets were inside the carry-on baggage of a passenger who left them on board when disembarking.

The paper did not provide further details about the flight number and whether the passenger had been located.

“Police have confirmed the discovery of bullets on a Fiji Airways aircraft that arrived from Tonga yesterday morning”, it said.

It mentioned that Fijian Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed “the discovery and said investigations were ongoing.”

“Investigations are also looking into how security checks at the Tongatapu Fua’amotu International Airport failed to detect the bullets inside the passenger’s carry-on bag”.

According to international aviation regulations, any form of ammunition is strictly prohibited in passenger aircraft carry-on luggage.

This rule is in place to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and crew members.

Tongan authorities could not be reached for comment.

A Tongan government authority says it will inform its international counterpart following the departure of a prison officer from the kingdom who had been purportedly involved in drug-related activities.

The revelation comes amid a major investigation into the Prison authorities’ alleged involvement in “accepting bribery and aiding and abetting trafficking illicit drugs into prisons”. 

“This is a grave violation of the good order security of prison”, His Majesty’s Prisons at Hu‘atolitoli said on Thursday.

However, it provided no further details about the overseas country to which the officer had travelled.

The statement only identified the suspect as “Prison A”.

It also identified another suspect still in Tonga as “Recruit Officer B”.

It said both “Prison A” and “Recruit Officer B” were suspended on September 6.

The suspension of the two officers follows the suspension of another Recruit Prison Officer in August after an illicit drug and utensil had been found in a vehicle at the Hu’atolitoli Prison compound.

It is understood the Recruit Prison Officer has been charged and is currently facing court hearings.  

“We understand that Prison Officer A is currently overseas, and we intend to report our findings to the relevant Immigration Office in our effort to provide for the public safety Of Tonga’s Country partners”, the statement read.

“We also handed over our internal investigation last month regarding Recruit Prison Officer B to Tonga Police for further criminal investigation.

“We are still investigating other prison officers who are suspected of illicit drug offences”.