Sunday, July 6, 2025
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 2

NZ and Australia fund $60m Tonga new parliament building with focus on human rights, media access, and democracy

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga’s new parliamentary complex, the Fale Alea, is set to become a beacon of democracy and human rights in the Pacific, thanks to a NZ$60 million funding partnership between New Zealand and Australia.

A bird’s-eye perspective of Tonga’s new Parliament building, set to begin construction shortly. The modern design honors Tongan architectural traditions while meeting 21st-century governance needs. Photo/Australia in Tonga (Facebook)

A document released by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week confirms the final cost, with New Zealand contributing NZ$41.5 million and Australia providing NZ$18.5 million.

The project, initially estimated at NZ$41 million in November 2021, faced delays after the catastrophic Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in January 2022 triggered a tsunami that destroyed the original parliament site.

Reconstruction was paused until September 2023 while the Tongan government secured a new location.

Following the site selection, New Zealand approved an additional NZ$19.25 million, drawn from its existing International Development Cooperation budget, bringing its total contribution to NZ$41.5 million.

Boosting Democracy and Media Freedom

The new Fale Alea has been designed with a strong emphasis on human rights and accessibility.

It states that it follows the Universal Design Guidelines to ensure the building is fully accessible for people with disabilities, while procurement processes require supplier compliance with international human rights standards.

“Both the process and outcome of this Activity will contribute to the positive realisation of human rights for Tongans; through improved parliamentary and democratic processes, enhanced political participation and promotion of cultural identity”, the document says.

Inside the future Parliament: The chamber’s seating arrangement (left) and media gallery (right) reflect Tonga’s commitment to transparent democracy, blending cultural symbolism with functional design. Photo/Australia in Tonga (Facebook)

“Further, an education centre is included in the design to support the promotion of the Fale Alea as a site for civic engagement, particularly for youth and under-represented groups such as women.

The Fale Alea will feature a public gallery and media facilities to promote civic engagement. New Zealand’s support for this Activity will further facilitate our continuing conversations with Tonga on human rights issues.”

The new parliamentary complex will rise on the Lakalakaimonu Estate within the Tufumahina Royal Estate on Tongatapu, with completion expected in 2027. 

China matches India’s medical offer to Tonga with elite hospital access

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga has secured a new medical referral partnership with China, offering patients treatment at Shandong’s elite Qilu Hospital—a deal the government says matches India’s affordability while providing world-class facilities.

Tonga’s Health Minister Dr. Ana Akau’ola meets with Chinese health officials during her visit to Qilu Hospital in Shandong Province, as the two nations strengthen medical cooperation. Photo/Chinese Embassy in Tonga (Facebook)

The arrangement follows after Chinese officials discovered Tonga’s established medical tourism connections with India, leading them to propose a competitive alternative.

Health Minister Dr Ana Akau’ola confirmed the arrangement but did not disclose specifics about which patients would be sent or the types of medical conditions to be treated.

She revealed that Qilu Hospital in China’s Shandong Province—one of the country’s top medical facilities—has been designated as the primary institution for Tongan patients.

Dr ‘Akau’ola also said that during her recent visit to China, she toured not only the designated hospital but also a traditional Chinese medicine hospital. She also spoke with another medical facility in the country that could assist with laboratory needs, such as X-rays.

The move comes after an invitation from the Chinese Ambassador, according Dr ‘Akau’ola, expanding on existing medical assistance that already includes six Chinese volunteer doctors working at Tonga’s main hospital.

Previously, Tonga relied on India for affordable overseas treatment, but Dr Akau’ola said China has now offered comparable costs with the added advantage of cutting-edge facilities.

“China has yet to engage in medical tourism where patients are sent abroad for care, but they have agreed to assist Tonga in the same way India has,” she said in Tongan.

“We chose India because it was cost-effective, but after discussions with China, we found the expenses would be similar, and China’s hospitals are among the most modern in the world.”

The minister praised Qilu Hospital’s standards, calling it in Tongan “‘Oku lelei” and well-equipped, though she did not provide further details on funding arrangements or patient selection criteria.

The Chinese Embassy in Tonga hailed a “New Milestone in China-Tonga Health Cooperation” early this month after Dr Ana Akau’ola visited Shandong’s Qilu Hospital and Liaocheng Hospital, culminating in the signing of a collaborative agreement.

Qilu Hospital of Shandong University is ranked among China’s elite medical institutions, placing 20th nationally and 3rd in Eastern China in a 2015 evaluation by Fudan University. It boasts six specialities on China’s ‘Best Medical Disciplines’ list, with 10 others nominated, and ranks 6th nationwide for research output, making it Shandong Province’s top hospital.

A Strategic Shift in Health Diplomacy

This development underscores China’s growing involvement in Tonga’s healthcare sector, which builds upon years of medical assistance, including equipment donations and the deployment of medical personnel.

However, it also raises questions about the long-term implications of deepening ties with Beijing, particularly since Tonga has traditionally aligned with Western and regional partners, such as Australia and New Zealand, for health support.

Some observers view the move as part of China’s broader soft-power strategy in the Pacific, where it has steadily increased its influence through infrastructure projects, disaster relief, and now healthcare initiatives.

First Tongans in America: a 101-year bond facing new challenges under U.S. immigration policies

By
Kalino Latu
-

A century-old connection between Tonga and the United States is facing new challenges as Tongans on both sides of the Pacific grapple with the fallout of the Trump Administration’s restrictive immigration policies.  

Tupou Hettig (left), one of the first known Tongans to settle permanently in the U.S., arrived in 1924 with the aid of Latter-day Saint missionaries

As reported by Kaniva News, the Tongan government is now crafting a response to appease the Trump administration following threats to ban the kingdom’s citizens from travelling to the United States.

A memo from the Trump administration demanded that Tonga and several other countries take action to address what it described as “widespread government fraud”, reduce visa overstays by their citizens in the U.S., and demonstrate that they have “a competent or cooperative central government authority capable of producing reliable identity and civil documents.

These countries were also asked whether they would accept third-country nationals deported from the United States or agree to a ‘safe third country’ arrangement—measures that might alleviate further concerns.

It remains unclear which of the listed concerns specifically apply to Tonga or whether all are relevant. Tongan Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke stated he was “seriously alarmed” upon receiving the notification from the U.S. government. He confirmed that a formal response is currently being drafted.

Forgotten Pioneers’ Legacy

The historic ties between the two countries, dating back to 1924, were quietly forged by what appeared to be the first known Tongans to settle in the U.S. permanently—two German-Tongan boys, Tupou Hettig and Rudy Wolfgramm—whose stories have long been overlooked. 

Newly uncovered records from the now-defunct Tonga News, based in Utah, reveal that Hettig arrived in 1924, followed by Wolfgramm in the early 1930s. Both were descendants of German-Tongan families and were aided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

 While their journeys marked the beginning of permanent Tongan migration, earlier arrivals included Tongans in Hawaii as early as 1916 and a Tongan man who travelled to Utah in 1924 for education.

Most documented records indicate that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), an American-founded denomination, began its presence in Tonga in 1891.

The first missionaries arrived that same year, though the church was not officially established there until 1924.

Today, as modern Tongan communities navigate visa hurdles and fears of deportation, this little-known history highlights the deep yet fragile roots of a diaspora caught in the crossfire of shifting U.S. policies. 

Migration, Money, Identity

There are approximately 80,000 people in the U.S. who identify as of Tongan descent, according to the U.S. Census.  

Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Tongans are overstayers in the United States, with some sources estimating the number as high as 10,000.  

As Kaniva News previously reported, a leaked ICE document listed 151 Tongans among 1.4 million individuals marked for deportation. While some reports focus on those facing removal, others emphasise the broader challenge of a sizable Tongan diaspora, many of whom lack legal status. 

In 2023, Tonga received $222 million (USD) in remittances from the U.S.—a lifeline for its economy, as these funds typically make up roughly 44% of the nation’s GDP, according to The Global Economy.  

Influence Across Borders

Tongans in the U.S. represent a close-knit community whose influence is deeply reflected in their achievements across various fields, including religion, politics, education, and every sector of society. The renowned band The Jets, for example, is of Tongan descent.

Many notable Tongan Americans have made celebrated contributions in diverse fields, including professional athletes like Tony Finau (golf) and Haloti Ngata (NFL), musicians such as Dinah Jane (singer) and influential figures like Kalani Sitake (BYU head football coach) and Vai Sikahema (former NFL player and television personality). William ‘Iam’ Tongi, the American singer who won Season 21 of American Idol, is of Tongan descent through his father.

Perhaps the most critical link between Tonga and the U.S. is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not only was the Church established in Tonga by Americans, but its profound influence extends far beyond religion, shaping the nation’s economy, education, politics, and all walks of life. 

The Church’s Brigham Young University (BYU) in Hawaiʻi serves as a vital source of knowledge for Tongan members, many of whom return home to contribute to the development of their kingdom. 

Queen’s official record confirms the correct term is ‘kāimu’a,’ not ‘tāimu’a,’ in response to critics of Kaniva News

By
Kalino Latu
-

A linguistic debate has erupted on Tongan social media after Kaniva News mentioned a lyrical word in a recent story about an incident in Ha’apai.

Queen Sālote Tupou III (left) and a screenshot of lyrics from her composition Hiva ʻAfa ʻa Vaea (right), with the correct term ‘kai muʻa’ underlined in red. This confirms the proper wording in response to recent debates about the lyrics

It was a comment on a post sharing a Kaniva News story to its Facebook page, where the editor quoted lyrics from Queen Sālote’s song Hiva ʻAfa ʻa Vaea: “Haʻapai tuʻu hoʻo kai muʻa.” The word is recorded in other sources as kāimu’a.

Some readers quickly corrected this, arguing that kāimu’a was incorrect and that tāimuʻa was the proper term.

However, Kaniva News has pushed back, presenting evidence from a revered cultural source—Queen Sālote Tupou III’s songbook—to confirm their accurate usage.

Published in the authoritative book Songs & Poems of Queen Salote—edited by Elizabeth Wood-Ellem and translated into English by Tongan Linguist Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau the chorus concludes with the phrase in which the term is included: “Haʻapai tu’u hoʻo kai muʻa.”

The disputed word appears on page 201, leaving little room for doubt.

Kaniva News stood by its reporting, stating the term was intentionally chosen based on this historical reference. We do not make linguistic errors lightly, and that’s our response to our critics.

This is Queen Sālote’s own wording, preserved by our most respected scholars and members of the royal family, including Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho and the Late King George V.

The editor of Kaniva News maintained contact with Dr Taumoefolau, who was his teacher at the University of Auckland. They discussed the lyrics published in the book from time to time, and Dr Taumoefolau confirmed that all the lyrics in the Queen’s songs and poems book had been verified against the Royal Palace’s records of the Queen’s handwriting on her songs and other documents.

The Story Behind Hiva Afā ‘a Vaea and the Meaning of kāimu’a 

The song Hiva Afā ‘a Vaea (Vaea’s Hurricane Song) was composed by Queen Sālote Tupou III to honour her nephew, who served as governor of Haʻapai.

The inspiration came in 1961 when Vaea and a group from Haʻapai presented kahokaho yams and food to the Queen for her 61st birthday.

During their return voyage, a hurricane struck, forcing them to take refuge on Haʻafeva Island.

Their boat, Fangaʻi Lifuka, was lost in the storm, prompting the Queen to memorialise the event in song. 

The Linguistic Debate: kai mu’a vs. taaimu’a 

In contemporary Tongan, kai mu’a, also written as kāimuʻa, is sometimes considered derogatory, suggesting someone who is overly forward or showy by taking actions intended for others.

Those who believed the lyrical term was ‘taaimu’a’ appeared to be mistaken. They conflated it with the derogatory phrase ‘tuku ho’o kai mu’a’—a warning telling someone to stop being overly forward—and wrongly assumed that the apparent lyrics ‘Haʻapai tuku ho’o kai mu’a’ were incorrect. In English, this would translate to: ‘People of Haʻapai, stop being overly forward.’ However, this interpretation is a misconception based on a misreading of the actual lyrics.

While the contemporary use of the term “kai mu’a” is derogatory, this appears to be a result of its evolutionary process, which is normal in any language.

Put differently, the original term—which explains the Queen’s usage—carried a positive and culturally significant meaning.

Linguists Feleti Vi and Dr. C. Maxwell Churchward documented kāimuʻa in the Tonga English Dictionary (1959) as an acceptable term with both neutral and poetic forms.  

They defined it as “kāimuʻa – leading or principal (person/people); also self-confident, self-possessed, free from stage fright.” 

Two years later, in 1961, Queen Sālote used the term in her song’s chorus: ‘Haʻapai tuʻu hoʻo kai muʻa,’ not ‘Ha’apai tuku ho’o kai mu’a,’ as our critics mistakenly thought.

The context suggests that the Queen was urging her relatives from Haʻapai to summon their legendary courage and stand firm in times of difficulty—a reference to the ordeal faced by Vaea and his crew before their boat sank; see the full lyrics below.

The Authority Behind Songs and Poems of Queen Sālote 

Songs and Poems of Queen Sālote stands as the only official compilation of the late monarch’s musical and poetic works. This authoritative volume was meticulously prepared with contributions from Tonga’s foremost scholars and royalty: 

  • Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho (the eldest daughter of Noble Vaea and wife of King Tupou VI) co-curated the material and wrote essays providing historical and cultural context. 
  • Dr. Melenaite Taumoefolau, a leading Tongan linguist, handled translations. 
  • The text was edited by Elizabeth Wood-Ellem, renowned for her expertise on Tongan history, and features an analytical essay by Professor Adrienne Kaeppler, a preeminent scholar of Pacific cultures. 
  • The book was foreworded by the late King George Tupou V, a grandchild of Queen Sālote.

This collaborative effort ensures the preservation of Queen Sālote’s legacy with both linguistic precision and scholarly depth. 

The full lyrics of the song:

Hiva Afā ‘a Vaea

Ne sika a hema fakahihifo 

Louloua’a e matangi to 
Kolongatata ke fakauo  
‘O falala he faka’osikato  
‘Ise’isa e Kao mo Tofua  
Vilingia hoto kie tāua  
Kuo hola ‘ae fanga ‘i Lifuka  
Tounoa e Maka ko Loupua.  

Pa ‘a e ui moe fie uō  
Ofo ‘ae Fanga Falikipako  
Fine Ha’apai ke fakafanongo  
Ui ‘a e  fangufangu ‘i he pō 
Fakamafola ‘ihe vaha mama’o  
Ko si’oto salusalu manako  
Ke talia ‘ae angi na’a tō  
Ke me’ite Sia ko Veiongo. 

Lelea e hoku ‘ofa atu  
sia ko kafoa ‘alo ‘i talau  
tangi ‘ae toa tu’uaki tau  
he kuo fe’ofa’aki ‘a kakau  
fasi pe sila tuku ki manono  
ke fangumalilingi ‘i vaha’a kolo  
ne ngangatu ‘o ‘alaha ‘i he loto  
kae tupulaki ‘ofa ‘i he moto  
ka faingata’a pe faingofua  
Ha’apai tu’u hoʻo kai muʻa 

Ka fehu’i ‘e he Futu ko Vuna  
Pe ‘ekea ‘e he taunga pekaa  
Tau ta vale pe ‘i ke tala 

He ko au e ko e talatā  
Ko e manusiu ‘o Uoleva  
Ko si’eku me’akai koe fā  
‘Ou inu hahau mo kai la’ā  
Mohenga ‘i he fisi ‘oe naua. 

Air New Zealand denies claims of cancelled flights to Tonga amid protest allegations

By
Kalino Latu
-

Air New Zealand has firmly denied allegations that it will cancel flights to Tonga on July 1.

It follows reports suggesting the airline was protesting against the Tongan government’s decision to renationalise baggage handling services at Fuaʻamotu International Airport.

The speculation was repeatedly raised by the ABC News Tonga reporter Marian Kupu.

Kupu leveraged the allegation to criticise the Minister of Public Enterprises, Piveni Piukala, especially targeting the Minister’s policy of renationalising baggage handling services and the termination of ATS Company’s role. This private company previously managed the ground luggage operations.

She claimed that Air New Zealand flights would not be arriving in Tonga due to the airline’s objection to the government’s decision to remove ATS.

Kupu previously made the claims in several press conferences in Nuku’alofa.

The latest was on Thursday when she allegedly said: “Air New Zealand has already stated, he’ikai ke nau tō mai nautolu ia ‘okapau ‘oku take over ‘e he pule’anga’. Fefe leva ‘a e kau folau ko ia ‘i he ‘aho ‘uluaki ‘o Siulai?

She claimed that Air New Zealand would not land in Tonga on July 1 if the government were to take over.

“What will happen to those passengers?” Kupu asked the Minister. 

In response, Piukala replied in Tongan that he understood the situation, acknowledging that Air New Zealand had its own interests while the government had its own. 

“But what is paramount,” he stressed, “is national security.” 

Air New Zealand Response

However, in an email statement to Kaniva News following a request for clarification regarding the allegation, an Air New Zealand spokesperson stated: “We have no plans to withdraw services to Tonga.”

The airline did not provide further details.

Tens of thousands of Tongans in the US face uncertainty as legal battle over automatic citizenship takes new turn

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tens of thousands of Tongans living in the United States could be impacted after the US Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s administration to move forward with plans to end automatic birthright citizenship.

This comes as more than 200,000 Tongans—both in the kingdom and across the diaspora—await the government’s response to a Trump administration’s memo, fearing it may restrict their travel to the US.

As Kaniva News recently reported, the US demanded that Tonga and 35 other countries respond within 60 days—though Prime Minister ’Aisake Eke insisted Tonga was not given a formal deadline—before imposing a travel ban.

The Trump administration required these nations to strengthen passport vetting procedures, accept deportees from third countries, and take action against what it called “widespread government fraud.” There were additional requirements included.

We also reported this week that a court decision has allowed the resumption of issuing visas to international students in the United States. Still, applicants must agree to enable U.S. immigration officers to access their social media accounts as part of their supporting evidence.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that approximately 80,000 residents identify as having Tongan ancestry.

Trump applauded the decision, telling reporters it was a “monumental victory for the Constitution, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.”

His order aims to end birthright citizenship for children of both undocumented immigrants and those legally but temporarily present in the U.S., including individuals on student, work, or tourist visas.

Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

Legal Limbo Looms

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order targeting birthright citizenship, a move that immediately sparked legal challenges. Federal judges had initially blocked the order with nationwide injunctions.

Still, in a 6-3 decision on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that such injunctions should only apply to the states or individuals who filed lawsuits, not the entire country.

This means the Trump administration can now enforce its policy in some states.

In contrast, legal battles continue in others, creating a patchwork of laws that could leave many Tongan families in a state of limbo.

Meth seizures fall 98.8%; Police Minister credits anti-drug operations

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga’s Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, yesterday revealed a staggering decline in methamphetamine seizures, citing it as evidence of the government’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking.

Minister of Police Piveni Piukala

Tonga is grappling with an illicit drug crisis, a situation so severe that the King convened a symposium to implement enhanced strategies for combating rampant drug abuse.

During a press conference yesterday, Piukala revealed that police have confiscated only 71 grams (0.071 kg) of methamphetamine this year.

This represents a significant decrease compared to the 45,325 grams (over 45 kilograms) seized in the previous year. He did not provide information on whether any other types of illicit drugs had been confiscated.

He wouldn’t say if seizures dropped because of less trafficking or better smuggling methods.

Speaking in Tongan, he appeared to have framed the dramatic reduction as proof that the government’s anti-drug measures are working.

He then illustrated his point by stating that the government cannot simply provide surveillance or crime prevention camera systems while neglecting the airport. He used this argument to justify his decision to renationalise ground handling services for luggage.

He emphasised that luggage handling between planes and terminals should be handled by government-supervised services

The minister made the remarks while defending the government’s recent decision to renationalise airport luggage handling, which had previously been privatised under Airport Terminal Services (ATS).

While critics questioned the move, Piukala suggested that tighter state control over airport operations could further disrupt drug smuggling networks.

The announcement comes amid rising regional concerns over the methamphetamine trade in the Pacific.

Neighbouring countries like Fiji and New Zealand have also reported shifts in trafficking routes, with criminal syndicates adapting to enforcement pressures.

As Kaniva News reported this morning, a major drug-smuggling ring has been busted at Auckland Airport, with police arresting baggage handlers and other airport staff and seizing millions of dollars worth of drugs.

The mammoth operation led to the arrest of 17 men aged between 20 and 42 and a 19-year-old girl who face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine.

Semisi Tuivai jailed for 7 years in NZ for brutal rape; neighbour’s knock interrupts attack

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Tongan man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the violent rape of a displaced woman, a crime that was only interrupted when a neighbor knocked on the door, causing him to flee naked into the night.

The Whangārei District Court heard that Semisi Tuivai, 20, not only raped the victim but also forced her into oral sex during the assault, the NZ Herald reported.

The attack came to an abrupt end when a neighbour’s unexpected knock at the door startled Tuivai, who then ran from the scene without clothing.

His discarded clothes were later found outside the building, and DNA evidence conclusively linked him to the crime.

During sentencing, Tuivai’s lawyer, Jarred Scott, argued for a reduced sentence, citing his client’s young age and limited English proficiency. Scott also presented a letter of remorse, which he said was difficult for Tuivai to prepare due to language barriers.

However, Crown prosecutor Danette Cole strongly opposed any leniency, stating that Tuivai was “too old to be considered a youth” and emphasising the severity of the attack.

Justice John McDonald ultimately sided with the prosecution, imposing a seven-year prison term and noting the traumatic impact on the victim.

Judge McDonald said this was a home invasion committed by Tuivai for the sole purpose of obtaining non-consensual sex.

“You accept she did not consent,” Judge McDonald said.

“She was surprised and confronted by you, a much larger and powerfully built man

The court heard that Tuivai was in New Zealand from Tonga, working at the Marsden Point refinery.

The living complex where he resided was adjacent to a block of emergency housing units occupied by the victim.

Severe weather wreaks havoc across New Zealand: tornado hits Auckland, states of emergency declared in South Island

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Severe weather continues to batter New Zealand, with a tornado striking Auckland this morning, causing building collapses and widespread disruption.

Tapawera’s current Birds Eye View credit: Facebook/Tapawera Volunteer Fire Brigade

Meanwhile, Nelson and Marlborough have declared states of emergency amid catastrophic flooding.

Auckland was rocked by a tornado early today, with ferocious winds tearing through the city, collapsing a building and leaving many households without power.

Torrential rain and thunderstorms are expected to worsen throughout the afternoon, prompting warnings for residents to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, the South Island faces a deepening crisis as Nelson and Tasman endure relentless rainfall, with more than 300mm falling in just 24 hours.

Floodwaters have submerged roads, forced school closures, and left entire communities isolated. In Tapawera and Tadmor Valley, residents were urgently advised to seek higher ground as rivers surged.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith described the situation as “extremely serious,” with critical state highways cut off by flooding, stranding some communities.

Emergency evacuations are underway as rivers continue to rise.

In Marlborough, a state of emergency has also been declared, with dozens of homes evacuated due to rapidly rising floodwaters. Emergency services are working around the clock to assist stranded residents.

The severe weather comes at the worst possible time, with school holidays beginning and many families hitting the roads.

Authorities have warned drivers to avoid non-essential travel, with treacherous conditions expected to persist.

Auckland Airport has reported significant flight disruptions due to high winds, while power outages and road closures are causing chaos across both islands. MetService has issued severe weather warnings for multiple regions, urging people to stay vigilant as the storm system shows no sign of easing.

Stay tuned for further updates as emergency responders assess the damage and more evacuations are expected in the coming hours.

Air New Zealand threatens to halt Tonga flights amid ground handling dispute as ATS responded to Minister allegations  

By
Kalino Latu
-

 
Air New Zealand has allegedly threatened to suspend flights to Tonga next week, on July 1, in response to the Tongan government’s decision to renationalise airport ground handling services.  

The move, part of Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke’s broader strategy to reclaim control of critical border operations in pursue on its illicit drugs importation fight, ends years of private management by ATS (Air Terminal Services (Tonga) Limited).  

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Piveni Piukala, has announced that the government will take over the service after September 30. It is understood that ATS will end its services on July 1.

The issue has become a point of contention between Piukala, ABC Tongan correspondent Marian Kupu, and local FM 87.5 Broadcom director Katalina Tohi.

The journalists pressed Piukala at several recent press conferences, seeking clarity on what they viewed as the Minister’s shaky justification for renationalising airport services and undermining trust in ATS.

Yesterday, Kupu and Tohi raised the question again, but Piukala stood firm.

At one point during their heated exchange, Kupu dropped a bombshell revelation: Air New Zealand would halt flights to Tonga as a direct result of the government decision.

In a statement that combines Tongan and English, Kupu claimed: “Air New Zealand has already stated, he’ikai ke nau tō mai nautolu ia ‘okapau ‘oku take over ‘e he pule’anga’. Fefe leva ‘a e kau folau ko ia ‘i he ‘aho ‘uluaki ‘o Siulai?

She was alleging that Air New Zealand would not land in Tonga on July 1 if the government took over.

“What will happen to those passengers?” Kupu asked the Minister.

In response, Piukala replied in Tongan that he understood the situation, acknowledging that Air New Zealand had its own interests while the government had its own. 

“But what is paramount,” he stressed, “is national security.” 

Kupu pushed back and asked, “What national security did ATS breach?” 

In response, Piukala said, “It’s not as straightforward as saying they clearly breached this or that, but…” 

Kupu interrupted the minister, replying in Tongan, “Fakamahamahalo?” (Assumption?)—implying that the basis for removing ATS was based on an assumption. 

Piukala replied “yes” but later attempted to clarify that it was based on factual information.

Air New Zealand could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, ATS has responded and vehemently denied Piukala’s allegations.  

Kaniva News has decided to publish the ATS Media Release in full below.

ATS Media Release

1. Air Terminal Services (Tonga) Limited (ATS) wishes to respond to assertions and statements made by the Minister for Police, as recently as 20 June 2025, in relation to two instances where permission for Sunday flights was sought and refused; and to make a comment on our future going forward. 

2.          ATS is a privately owned Tongan company with a 20-year history of Ground Handling in Tonga. ATS is also the international ground handler for all international flights into and out of Tonga. In this role, ATS regularly receives requests from international organisations to assist them to get permission to operate flights into Tonga. Some of those requests are for Sunday flights. When we receive these requests, we pass them on to the relevant authorities for their consideration and approval. In other words, ATS’s role is simply to act as an intermediary between the organisation requesting to land their aircraft and the relevant local authorities. One of those relevant authorities is the Minister for Police.

2 March 2025

3          On Friday, the 28 February 2025, we received a request from the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service (NZAAS) for our assistance in seeking permission for a Sunday evacuation, out of Tonga as the aircraft would be ready by then. ATS forwarded NZAAS’s request to the relevant authorities on Friday evening. The following day, ATS received and also forwarded to the relevant authorities, the medical referral from NZAAS to support the application for permission to land in Tonga on Sunday 2 March 2025.

5          This application was subsequently refused by the Minister for Police.

6          What followed, was a barrage of unjustified and ill-informed attacks by the police minister, directed at ATS for its role in what had occurred. The Minister’s continued assertions that he is still investigating what had occurred during the 2 March incident is all the more difficult to understand because on 31 March there was a meeting between the Minster for Police, Police Deputy Commissioner, Health and ATS where the police minister was informed of ATS role as an agent for NZAAS. Later, on the night of 2 April at a dinner, hosted by the CEO of the NZAAS, the police minister was informed again of ATS’s role as NZAAS’s agent, and that from time to time he would receive requests for permission for their aircraft to land on a Sunday.

13 April 2025

7          The Police Minister also made reference to an incident on Sunday, 13 April 2025 where he denied an NZAAS aircraft, originating in Pagopago and carrying a patient, permission, to refuel in Tonga, because in his words “it was convenient, financial or otherwise” to do so.  Again, ATS was unjustifiably attacked by the Police Minister. We would like to state on the record that his assertion that “it was convenient, financial or otherwise” is not only wrong it is also deeply offensive. Ambulance aircraft do not make refuelling stops based on “financial” or “convenient” considerations but based on the  refuelling stop that best supports the preservation of the life of the patient it is carrying. Furthermore, Tonga as a member of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) has a duty to allow for mercy flights for organisations like NZAAS. .

            Going Forward

8          International Airlines provide a vital service to Tonga and is a major contributor to our economy. International travel also provides the people of Tonga with the ability to visit loved ones or for them to visit us.

9          ATS is certified in Tonga and internationally to provide ground handling services and has existing ground handling contracts with all international airlines operating in Tonga.

10        Furthermore, ATS is the only organisation in Tonga with the equipment and more importantly the people, qualified to provide ground handling services in Tonga.

11        We therefore look forward to continuing to provide our services for benefit of the people of Tonga.

123...894Page 2 of 894
© Copyright 2025 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment