Tonga Power Limited (TPL) has commissioned two additional generators at Popua Power Station, boosting electricity generation capacity by 3.52 megawatts as the company continues efforts to address longstanding power outages and supply instability across Tongatapu.

The commissioning comes against a background of repeated electricity disruptions that have affected households, businesses and essential public services, with generator breakdowns, limited generation capacity and damaged power lines contributing to the problems.

In a statement issued on 13 October, TPL said the two Cummins QSK60 generator sets would strengthen electricity supply reliability and stability, particularly during periods of high demand, scheduled maintenance and unexpected generator failures.

Each generator provides approximately 1.76 megawatts, giving the company additional operating reserves and greater flexibility to maintain electricity supply when existing equipment is unavailable.

Temporary generators support upgrades

TPL said the two QSK60 units would provide immediate generation capacity while the company progresses Project Kalofiama, which is intended to deliver a permanent powerhouse solution under the Tonga Power Generation Upgrade Project.

The commissioning forms part of the Tonga Renewable Energy Stabilisation (TRES) programme, a partnership between the Australian Government and TPL aimed at strengthening Tonga’s electricity infrastructure and supporting greater integration of renewable energy.

TPL Chief Executive Officer Scott Westbury described the commissioning as an important step towards improving electricity reliability while broader investments continue.

“These generators provide additional capacity and system stability today, while we continue strengthening the grid and progressing Project Kalofiama,” Westbury said.

“Together, these investments are helping build the foundation for a more reliable and increasingly sustainable electricity system for Tonga.”

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, the Australian Interim High Commissioner, government representatives, TPL board members, management and project stakeholders.

Wider energy improvements underway

The TRES programme comprises three interconnected projects covering electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

The first includes the temporary generators and Project Kalofiama, while the second focuses on strengthening the 33-kilovolt transmission network and enabling the integration of the RAPID renewable energy project.

The third supports further improvements to the electricity distribution network in NNUP Area 4.

TPL said the investments would strengthen the infrastructure required to accommodate higher levels of renewable energy as Tonga works towards its target of 70 percent renewable electricity.

The company acknowledged continued support from the Australian and Tongan governments, project contractors, and technical teams, and thanked electricity consumers for their patience during the ongoing improvements.

The addition of the two generators addresses one of the problems previously identified by TPL — insufficient generation capacity during periods of high demand or equipment failure — while the wider programme seeks to improve the reliability of the electricity network.

Longstanding outages disrupt communities

The commissioning follows years of repeated electricity disruptions that have generated public frustration and criticism of TPL’s ability to maintain a reliable power supply.

As previously reported by Kaniva News, electricity consumers across Tongatapu experienced recurring outages this year in March and April, including load shedding caused by limited generation capacity, generator breakdowns and damaged overhead power lines.

In April, public frustration intensified after generator faults forced further load shedding across several communities, prompting residents to appeal directly to Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua for intervention.

Some households reported losing access to running water when electricity outages disabled village water pumps, while others raised concerns about disruptions affecting elderly residents, children and people dependent on electrical medical equipment.

The interruptions also affected government services, with the Ministry of Justice confirming in April that power failures had temporarily disabled its civil registry system, preventing the issuance of birth, death and marriage certificates.

In May, an unexpected blackout disrupted Fakamē Day celebrations, leaving children in several churches unable to use microphones during their performances.

Planned interruptions continue despite upgrades

Electricity interruptions have continued this month as TPL carries out further maintenance and infrastructure improvements.

In a public advisory, the company announced a scheduled power outage from 11pm on Wednesday, 14 October, until 7am on Thursday, 15 October, affecting several communities across Tongatapu.

The company said the interruption was necessary to replace part of a high-voltage power line to improve supply reliability and reduce the risk of future faults.

Areas scheduled for an eight-hour outage included parts of Fasi, Ngeleʻia, Mailetaha and Pahu.

Other communities, including parts of Kolofoʻou, Longolongo, Havelu, Tofoa, Pea and surrounding areas, were warned of shorter interruptions during the same maintenance period.

TPL advised customers to charge essential devices, prepare emergency lighting and protect sensitive electrical appliances.

The death of celebrated singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Fetutuki Tuʻifua Bloomfield marks a significant loss to Tonga’s musical heritage, particularly the tradition of hiva kakala that helped shape the country’s distinctive musical identity.

Bloomfield, who died on 9 October 2026 aged 84, was widely known for performing alongside renowned Tongan composer, singer and punake Tuʻimala Kaho, whose distinctive voice and compositions earned her the title “Nightingale of Tonga”.

Her musical partnership with Kaho contributed to performances of songs that have remained part of Tonga’s musical and cultural heritage for decades.

Kaho, who died in 2023 aged 84, was celebrated as a composer, singer, poet and choreographer whose work contributed to the preservation and development of Tongan musical and poetic expression.

Songs endure across generations

The voices of the Nightingale of Tonga singers have resonated with Tongan audiences since the early years of their musical careers, with their performances becoming part of the country’s musical heritage.

Among Kaho’s most celebrated compositions was the love song Taumaiā, which remains popular today alongside many other songs she composed throughout her career.

In a face-to-face interview with Kaniva News in May 2018, Kaho recalled that she began composing and singing at the age of 18. She had turned 79 the previous month, placing the beginning of her musical career in the late 1950s.

Bloomfield’s role as a singer and ukulele player contributed to the group’s musical arrangements, supporting Kaho’s compositions through vocal performances and instrumental accompaniment.

Their partnership brought together Tongan poetic expression, melody and instrumental music in performances that continued to resonate with generations of listeners.

Family mourns golden treasure

Bloomfield was born on 14 October 1941 and died just five days before her 85th birthday. Her funeral was held in Tonga.

In an emotional tribute shared on Facebook, a family member described her as a “golden treasure” whose voice had been part of Kaho’s celebrated Nightingale group.

The tribute also remembered her as the last remaining member of the Tuʻakolisi Hala Vaiola Motuʻa household.

“You were more precious than gold or anything else in this world,” the family member wrote.

“May you rest in the peace of the Lord as you go before us to our eternal home.”

Affectionately known as “Mother Fita”, Bloomfield was remembered with love as the family member expressed condolences to her children and grandchildren.

Musical tradition shaped identity

The Nightingale of Tonga group emerged during a significant period in the evolution of Tonga’s distinctive hiva kakala genre, a form of secular Tongan song whose musical style developed under the influence of Free Wesleyan hymns, Catholic liturgical music and other religious traditions introduced by British and French missionaries during the 19th century.

The genre combined Tongan figurative language, known as heliaki, with Western musical influences, marking a shift from ancient Tongan chants, which generally lacked harmonic chord progressions, towards four-part vocal harmonisation featuring lead, alto, tenor and bass.

The incorporation of chord progressions, relative-key relationships and instrumental arrangements further enriched its distinctive musical expression.

Bloomfield’s death marks the loss of a performer whose contribution helped sustain a tradition of Tongan music that continues to be heard and appreciated across generations.

King Tupou VI has congratulated the pioneers of Mate Maʻa Tonga on the national rugby league team’s 40th anniversary as a long-running trademark dispute continues to leave the current Tonga XIII without its historic name ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The controversy has resurfaced as supporters continue to question why a name derived from an old Tongan saying and associated with the national team for four decades is now subject to trademark rights held by Tonga National Rugby League Inc (TNRL), prompting the former governing body to clarify its ownership and rules governing the name’s use.

In a congratulatory message issued through the Royal Palace for the 40th Anniversary Capping Ceremony, King Tupou VI paid tribute to the original national rugby league team and its contribution to Tonga’s sporting history.

“40 years ago, the first Mate Ma’a Tonga Rugby team took to the field, representing Tonga with an unwavering level of passion, resilience and dedication,” the King said.

He acknowledged that the team’s performances had continued to inspire younger generations throughout the past four decades.

The King also congratulated the Tonga Mate Maʻa Tonga Old Boys Association on reaching the milestone and extended his best wishes for a memorable and successful celebration.

The anniversary was celebrated in Auckland on 9–10 October, bringing together former players and supporters to commemorate four decades of Tongan rugby league.

The King’s message comes after Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukālala announced Tonga’s 24-player World Cup squad, coached by Kristian Woolf and featuring stars Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaiya Katoa and Tyson Frizell.

The team will compete under the name Tonga XIII when it opens its World Cup campaign against England in Perth on 17 October.

However, the World Cup preparations have renewed attention on the controversy surrounding the historic Mate Maʻa Tonga name, as the national team continues to compete internationally without an identity that generations of supporters have embraced with pride for its powerful meaning of being willing to die for Tonga.

The controversy has persisted despite repeated public statements by TNRL since last week insisting that the current national team is permitted to use the Mate Maʻa Tonga name.

TNRL Clarifies Trademark Usage Rules

In its latest statement on Monday, TNRL clarified that members of the public could use the Mate Maʻa Tonga name and logo for personal purposes, but commercial use required its permission.

The organisation maintained that its intention was to protect the name and associated intellectual property from commercial exploitation for private business interests.

It said revenue generated through the commercial use of the trademarks was intended to benefit rugby league players and support the development of the sport.

However, TNRL’s assurances have not resolved the disagreement over the current national team’s official use of the historic branding.

The current national rugby league team is officially known as Tonga XIII under the administration of Tonga Rugby League XIII (TRLXIII), the governing body recognised by International Rugby League (IRL).

TNRL, led by George Koloamatangi, retains registered trademark rights associated with the Mate Maʻa Tonga name and emblem, despite no longer being recognised as Tonga’s international rugby league governing body.

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near Vavaʻu this afternoon, prompting Tonga’s National Tsunami Warning Centre to issue an advisory confirming there was no tsunami threat to the Kingdom.

The earthquake occurred at 4.38pm on Monday, 12 October 2026, approximately 80 kilometres west of Neiafu, at a depth of 198 kilometres.

According to the Tonga Meteorological Service, the earthquake was recorded at latitude 18.5 degrees south and longitude 174.7 degrees west.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre issued its first advisory at 6pm, following reports that the earthquake had been felt in Vavaʻu.

“Based on the earthquake information above, and the felt earthquake report from Vavaʻu Met Services, a tsunami wave is unlikely to affect Tonga,” the advisory stated.

No Tsunami Threat Expected

The Meteorological Service confirmed that the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to Tonga and said the advisory would be its final communication unless significant changes occurred.

Authorities also confirmed that the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) had not been activated.

The earthquake’s depth of 198 kilometres places it in the intermediate-depth category, meaning it originated well beneath the Earth’s surface.

Earthquakes at such depths are generally less likely to generate tsunamis than shallow earthquakes that cause significant displacement of the seafloor.

The Meteorological Service cautioned that the preliminary magnitude could be revised as additional seismic information became available.

There were no details in the advisory about damage, injuries or disruption to services in Vavaʻu.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre reiterated that only warnings issued by the Tonga Meteorological Service represent the official tsunami warning status for Tonga.

A Tongan candidate whose New Zealand political party has proposed an unusual immigration policy offering Pacific overstayers a pathway to legal status has addressed members of the Moʻui Foʻou Church in South Auckland as she campaigns for the Māngere electorate ahead of next month’s general election.

Vicky Hau is among several candidates of Tongan heritage contesting New Zealand’s general election, including Labour MPs Carmel Sepuloni, Jenny Salesa and Anahila Kanongataʻa-Suisuiki, as well as Green Party candidate Te Whatanui Leka Taumālolo Skipwith, who is standing in the Ōtāhuhu electorate against Salesa.

Her church campaign today, Sunday 11, comes as New Zealanders will head to the polls on 7 November, less than four weeks away, with recent surveys indicating a closely contested election. The latest 1News-Verian poll, released on 6 October, put National on 29 percent, Labour on 28 percent, the Greens on 16 percent, NZ First on 10 percent and ACT on 9 percent. A separate Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll placed NZ First at 12 percent.

The polls present contrasting possibilities for the next government. The 1News-Verian survey suggests neither the National–NZ First–ACT coalition nor a Labour-led grouping with the Greens and Te Pāti Māori would secure a parliamentary majority without additional support, potentially leaving the Opportunity Party in a decisive position.

However, the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll projects 65 seats for the current National-led coalition, enough to retain power in the 120-seat Parliament.

NZ First has attracted particular interest among Tongan voters in this year’s election after announcing a proposed two-year clemency period that would allow Pacific Island overstayers to apply for legal visas to remain in New Zealand if the policy is implemented.

The party said the special provision recognised New Zealand’s longstanding relationship with Pacific nations and would apply exclusively to overstayers of Pacific origin.

However, the proposal comes with strict conditions. NZ First has warned that overstayers who remain unlawfully in the country after the clemency period expires would face deportation and permanent ineligibility for future New Zealand visas.

Tongan Overstayers Shape Debate

The proposal is particularly significant for Tongans. According to Immigration New Zealand’s latest estimates, 2,541 Tongan nationals were living in the country after their visas had expired as of July 2026, making them the second-largest group of overstayers after Chinese nationals, who numbered 2,694.

Against this political backdrop, Hau’s appearance at Moʻui Foʻou Church today highlights her engagement with the Tongan community as NZ First campaigns for support ahead of the election.

Hau is ranked 21st on NZ First’s party list, making her entry into Parliament through the party vote unlikely unless the party secures substantially more seats than current polls suggest.

Nonetheless, under New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, she could still enter Parliament by winning the Māngere electorate, regardless of her list ranking or NZ First’s share of the party vote.

In a Facebook post, Hau thanked Reverend Kava Moa and church leaders for inviting her to speak and offering their blessings and prayers for her campaign.

“Honoured to be invited by the Mo’uifo’ou Church to speak today,” she wrote.

New Zealand’s first female judge of Tongan heritage was moved to tears by a grieving family’s extraordinary forgiveness of a young woman whose dangerous driving killed her pregnant teenage friend and unborn baby.

Judge Soana Moala became emotional during sentencing at the Manukau District Court after the family of 19-year-old Kydejah Kisiona told the court they had forgiven Vavatau He Kakala Elizabeth Nau Bing, 23, despite the devastating loss of two lives.

Kisiona, who was 34 weeks pregnant, died two days after Bing crashed into a tree in Tōtara Heights, South Auckland. Her unborn daughter also died as a result of the collision.

According to court proceedings reported by NZ Herald/Open Justice, the two close friends had been inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or “nangs”, before the crash.

Bing, who had reportedly been deprived of adequate sleep, lost consciousness while driving, causing the vehicle to leave the road and strike a tree.

Extraordinary forgiveness

In an emotional victim impact statement, a representative of Kisiona’s family said they had chosen forgiveness rather than allowing anger and hatred to dominate their lives.

The family described Kisiona as their “perfectly imperfect child”, remembering her loving personality, infectious laughter and devotion to her family.

Despite their grief, they wanted Bing, who had shared a sister-like relationship with Kisiona, to rebuild her life and remain with her own children.

Judge Moala, who was born in Tonga and appointed to the District Court bench in 2016, reportedly had tears rolling down her face as she listened to the statement.

She told the court that, throughout her judicial career, she had never heard such a powerful expression of love and forgiveness.

However, she reminded those present that forgiveness could not remove criminal responsibility.

“Our law, it applies to everybody, even to those who are forgiven,” she said.

The judge acknowledged that the family’s wishes had significantly influenced her decision to impose home detention rather than imprisonment.

Home detention instead of prison

Bing was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention and disqualified from driving for three years after admitting charges of dangerous driving causing death, driving while disqualified and possessing a psychoactive substance.

The court considered her guilty plea, remorse, rehabilitation efforts, young age and the impact imprisonment would have on her child.

Judge Moala made clear that the family’s forgiveness had ultimately tipped the balance in Bing’s favour.

“That’s the only reason you are not going to prison today,” she told Bing.

Following the sentencing, members of Kisiona’s family were seen embracing Bing in an emotional conclusion to the proceedings.

Police have meanwhile warned that inhaling nitrous oxide can impair judgment, coordination and consciousness, posing a serious danger when driving.

The sentencing proceedings were reported by NZ Herald/Open Justice.

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Panama’s Pacific coast has raised concerns about a possible tsunami across the Pacific Ocean, including whether island nations such as Tonga could be affected.

The earthquake, initially reported at magnitude 8.0, triggered tsunami warnings in parts of Central and South America and prompted New Zealand authorities to assess whether potentially dangerous waves could travel across the Pacific.

The quake struck southern Panama at 6.56am New Zealand time on Saturday, at a depth of approximately 33 kilometres.

Its magnitude was initially downgraded from 8.0 to 7.6 before being revised to 7.7.

New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and GNS Science initially announced they were assessing whether the earthquake had generated a tsunami capable of reaching New Zealand.

However, approximately 30 minutes later, the authorities indicated that the risk appeared low.

“Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will affect New Zealand,” NEMA said.

Tonga Meteorological Services (Tonga Met) has yet to release a statement on the powerful earthquake or clarify whether it poses any tsunami threat to the Kingdom.

Tonga’s vulnerability to tsunamis

Tonga experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its recent history following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano on January 15, 2022.

The eruption generated a powerful tsunami that struck coastal communities, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and claimed lives.

The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of Tonga’s low-lying coastal settlements and the importance of timely tsunami warnings and evacuation procedures.

Warnings across Central America

Reuters reported that there were no immediate reports of significant damage in Panama following the earthquake.

However, television footage showed people evacuating buildings as authorities assessed the situation.

The earthquake was felt in Panama’s capital and neighbouring Costa Rica.

Tributes have poured in from grieving relatives, former schoolmates and friends of a Tongan man who was shot dead by sheriff’s deputies in Sacramento, California, with many remembering him as a humble and kind-hearted person while others called for justice over his death.

The death of 34-year-old Ingold Guttenbeil on Sunday, October 4, has sparked questions over the actions of the deputies after a witness video emerged showing the moments before he was fatally shot.

According to Sacramento television station FOX40, sheriff’s deputies responded to a parking lot near Marconi and Eastern avenues on Sunday morning after a woman reported seeing a man she alleged had fired a gun at her and her husband the previous night.

The woman told authorities the man was sleeping on the ground with a gun on his lap.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrived and found Guttenbeil matching the caller’s description.

Deputies reportedly used a loud horn to wake him before issuing repeated commands.

The sheriff’s office alleged Guttenbeil failed to comply with instructions and was shot after lowering his hands and beginning to turn towards deputies.

However, a witness who recorded the confrontation disputed that interpretation.

Robert Bertges, who provided the video to FOX40, said Guttenbeil appeared confused after being abruptly awakened and was trying to pull up his trousers when deputies opened fire.

“He had just stood up and his pants were falling down,” Bertges told FOX40.

Bertges said several deputies were shouting different instructions at Guttenbeil, potentially adding to his confusion.

The position of Guttenbeil’s gun at the moment deputies fired remains unclear.

Community activist Berry Accius, who attended Monday night’s vigil, also questioned whether the shooting was justified.

Accius argued that deputies should have attempted to de-escalate the confrontation rather than resorting to deadly force.

Ingold’s wife, Jasmine Guttenbeil, has questioned how deputies handled the confrontation, saying the tragedy has left their four sons without a father.

Widow Questions Police Response

At Monday night’s candlelight vigil, Jasmine spoke emotionally about the devastating impact of her husband’s death on their children.

“It could have been handled in a totally different manner than what happened,” she told FOX40.

She said the loss would remain with her and their four sons long after the public attention surrounding the shooting had faded.

“Me and my kids are going to mourn for the rest of our lives,” she said.

Jasmine also drew strength from her Christian faith, quoting Psalm 34:18 about God being close to those who are broken-hearted.

The vigil brought together grieving family members, friends and community advocates who called for answers and accountability.

The shooting is being investigated by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division.

Facebook tributes pour in

As mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil in Sacramento on Monday night, relatives and friends took to Facebook to express their shock, share memories of Guttenbeil and offer condolences to his family.

His cousin, Soi Vehikite, confirmed the family connection in an emotional Facebook post.

“My cousin was the man shot by Sacramento Police on Sunday,” Vehikite wrote, adding that the family had already suffered several deaths this year.

The post prompted an outpouring of sympathy from relatives and friends, including people who remembered Guttenbeil from his younger years in Tonga.

Mosese Moa Tupou recalled their time together at ʻAtele, describing Guttenbeil as a kind, loving and well-mannered person.

“Such sweet memories of this brother from our school days at ʻAtele. He was a kind, loving and respectful man,” Tupou wrote in Tongan.

Another friend, Lita Pepa, said she had known Guttenbeil while growing up in Vaini.

“I knew Ini when we were growing up in Vaini. He was a humble guy. So sad. Rest in peace, Ini,” she wrote.

The tributes reflected the close connections Guttenbeil maintained with people who knew him in Tonga, many of whom referred to him affectionately as Ini or Ingi.

Grace Sch-Guttenbeil expressed sympathy for Vehikite and the wider family, describing the death as a tragedy that had deeply affected them.

“What a bad tragedy. May Ingold Guttenbeil rest in peace. May God comfort you all at this time of sorrow,” she wrote.

Selina T Fa’asolo also offered condolences, writing: “RIP cuz Ingold,” while sending love to the grieving family.

Others expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Molini Guttenbeil posted the hashtags #JusticeForIni and #IngoldGuttenbeil, while Amelia Loiti Talakai Pomee offered condolences and expressed hope that justice would be served.

Siosifa Lokotui said he had watched the video of the shooting and was heartbroken by what he saw.

“I saw the video, and it breaks my heart,” he wrote, describing the death as devastating and offering condolences to the family.

His description of the shooting as murder reflected his personal reaction, rather than any finding by investigators.