Vava’u, Tonga — A striking moment captured during a brass band performance in Vava’u is drawing attention for its blend of improvisation and teamwork, after a drummer was seen seated on the back of a fellow student due to a lack of proper seating.
Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu students’ brass band perform overlooking Vava’u harbour, with a drummer improvising by sitting on a fellow student after no proper seat was available, highlighting teamwork and ingenuity. Photo/Paea Uasike (Facebook)
The photograph shows a group of uniformed students performing on a grassy hillside overlooking a coastal harbour.
The band members are arranged in formation with brass instruments and percussion, playing with the sea and anchored boats visible in the background.
At the centre of the scene, the drummer—positioned behind a drum kit—appears to be seated not on a stool, but on the back of another student who is bent forward on hands and feet to support the player. Nearby, additional band equipment, including cymbals and shells, rests directly on the grass.
The unusual arrangement appears to have been a practical solution after a proper seat for the drummer was unavailable.
Despite the inconvenience, the performance continued uninterrupted, with the group maintaining their formation and focus.
The scenic setting of Vava’u adds to the uniqueness of the moment. With rolling hills, scattered buildings, and a calm bay dotted with boats, the backdrop contrasts with the improvised arrangement in the foreground, underscoring both the beauty of the environment and the resourcefulness of the performers.
The photo was one of several shared by Paea Uasikē on Facebook, drawing lively reactions online with many commenters engaging in light-hearted banter over the unusual scene.
“No seat, no problem! This is next-level creativity from the band — Vava’u style!” a commenter wrote.
“Best seat in the house 😂 Strong back, strong band spirit — love the dedication!”
A source told Kaniva News the moment occurred while the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College band was recently performing at the Fangatongo Royal Palace.
The moment reflects Vava’u’s well-known māfana spirit, where warmth, humour and strong community support often turn challenges into memorable highlights. Such spontaneity and teamwork are widely recognised as defining traits of the local culture.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced the appointment of Mrs Sandradee Fonua Fifita as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of Tourism, marking a significant leadership change within the government sector.
According to an official press release issued on Thursday, Mrs Fifita, of Fangaloto in Tongatapu, will assume the role for a four-year term beginning 15 June 2026.
Fifita brings more than three decades of experience in public service, having worked across key sectors including tourism, trade, commerce, and consumer affairs. Throughout her career, she has held several senior management and executive leadership positions within government.
The PSC highlighted her substantial contributions to policy development, institutional strengthening, and engagement at both regional and international levels on behalf of Tonga. She is also widely recognised for her leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to advancing national development and improving the delivery of public sector services.
Fifita holds tertiary qualifications from the University of the South Pacific and Wellington Polytechnic in New Zealand. The Commission noted that her academic background, combined with extensive professional experience, positions her well to lead the Ministry of Tourism and support the continued growth of Tonga’s tourism sector.
Her appointment follows an open and competitive recruitment process conducted by the PSC and has been endorsed by the Minister for Tourism and Cabinet.
In addition to the leadership transition, the appointment represents progress in gender representation, with Fifita becoming the fifth female CEO among the 18 chief executive positions across the government.
The PSC also acknowledged the service of the outgoing CEO, Mr. Viliami Takau, expressing appreciation for his dedicated contributions and wishing him success in his future endeavours.
Fifita’s contract was formally signed on 28 May 2026 in Nuku’alofa in the presence of PSC officials, government leaders, and family members.
American Samoan authorities have arrested eight men in connection with the death of a 41-year-old man whose body was discovered over the weekend, in a case that has shocked both Samoa and the wider Pacific community.
The victim has been identified as David Golk of Iliili.
According to reporting from the Samoan news website Talanei, Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga Saite Moliga confirmed that police have taken eight suspects into custody as investigations continue.
He said the suspects are expected to be formally charged by Tuesday or Wednesday as inquiries progress.
The victim has been identified as David Golk, a resident of Iliili in American Samoa.
His family has confirmed that he had Tongan heritage through his mother, Vea Golk, who is from Matamaka in Vava’u.
Vea confirmed her son’s death to Kaniva News, expressing the deep grief felt by the family.
In her own words, she said, “It is so very hard.”
According to Talanei, Commissioner Moliga indicated that investigations remain ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence relating to the circumstances of the death and the involvement of those arrested.
Further information reported by KHJ News provides insight into the final moments before the tragedy came to light.
It reportedly said the last time Vea saw her son was on Friday afternoon.
She recounted that early the next morning, police arrived at her home and requested that she accompany them to the hospital to identify a body that had been found behind a store in Vaitogi.
She revealed that when she saw her son, his injuries were so severe that she could hardly recognise him.
His face, she said, was swollen and black, indicating the level of violence he had been subjected to before his death.
The Kingdom of Tonga has marked a historic milestone in its digital development with the official naming and commissioning of its second international undersea fibre optic cable, now known as Tu‘i Vava‘u.
The name Tu‘i Vava‘u—literally meaning “Vava‘u Sovereign” represents a significant step forward in improving Tonga’s international connectivity.
It enhances network resilience by providing an additional link to global communication systems, reducing the country’s reliance on a single cable and mitigating the risks of service disruptions caused by natural disasters or technical faults.
The cable, jointly funded by Australia through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and New Zealand, is expected to deliver major improvements in connectivity, reliability, and capacity for Tonga’s communications network.
Integral to strengthening regional resilience and security, the new system will provide Tongan communities and businesses with access to a more reliable, higher-capacity network. It is designed to support essential services while advancing social and economic growth across the Kingdom.
The project also addresses vulnerabilities exposed during past telecommunications disruptions. The second international undersea cable will enhance Tonga’s disaster resilience and response capability by reducing the risk of network outages, such as those experienced in 2019 and 2022, when damage to undersea infrastructure severely impacted communications.
Spanning 405 kilometres, the Tonga Hawaiki Cable forms part of a broader network of undersea telecommunications cables being delivered across the Pacific with support from the AIFFP. Several of these regional projects are expected to come online this year, reflecting a wider push to strengthen digital connectivity across island nations.
The initiative highlights a trilateral partnership between Australia, Tonga and New Zealand, underscoring their shared commitment to delivering high-quality critical infrastructure aligned with national and regional priorities. The collaboration aims to strengthen essential services while providing long-term, Pacific-led solutions that enhance regional security.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasised the importance of the partnership in advancing regional development.
“Australia is pleased to partner with Tonga and New Zealand to deliver the reliable, high-quality digital infrastructure needed to support regional economic growth, security and prosperity.
“Australia is the region’s largest development partner and a proud member of the Pacific family. Our region is stronger and more prosperous when we work in partnership to uplift and empower our economies and communities.”
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy highlighted the broader economic and social benefits of the project.
“This initiative will support businesses, industries, and jobs, and help inform, engage, and empower people. It will help to build a stronger, more united region.
“Australia, through the AIFFP, is bolstering telecommunications resilience across the Pacific to ensure communities have access to reliable digital connectivity.”
“The cable will create new opportunities for Tonga’s people and businesses, while strengthening the country’s ability to stay connected during times of disruption.”
The completion of the Tonga Hawaiki Cable marks a major step forward in securing Tonga’s digital future, reinforcing its connectivity to the global network while safeguarding against future disruptions.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent presided over the ceremony in Vava‘u, formally bestowing the name on the cable in an event that underscored both national pride and technological progress. The occasion also included the official “switch on” of the cable, signalling a major advancement in Tonga’s telecommunications capability and resilience.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Royal Family and senior national leaders, including Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, Lord Fakatulolo, Nobles of the Realm, Cabinet Ministers, and government officials. Development partners and members of the diplomatic community were also present, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the project.
Among the distinguished guests were His Excellency Mr. Brek Batley, Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, and His Excellency Mr Brody Sinclair, New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, representing key international partners who have supported Tonga’s efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure.
The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice attended the event and delivered the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Government and people of Tonga.
Nukuʻalofa – Allegations that MPs and Cabinet Ministers have misused overseas travel “to inflate their salaries” have resurfaced in Tonga, after Speaker of Parliament Lord Vaea raised concerns last week about ministers missing their oath due to overseas travel.
Lord Vaea. Photo/Kalino Lātū/Kaniva Tonga News
The Speaker’s intervention comes against the backdrop of lingering public unease following explosive allegations in July 2025 that three Cabinet Ministers in the former Hu’akavameiliku government received travel-related payments totalling up to $8 million, reportedly split as $5 million, $2 million, and $1 million.
The revelation emerged during scrutiny of a major increase in that government’s travel budget, which surged by more than 60 percent—from $13 million to $21 million.
The allegation, made during a press conference, claimed that some ministers travelled and remained overseas for months, leaving their ministerial posts effectively vacant.
During the media briefing, then–Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimālohi warned that Cabinet Ministers should not exploit travel to inflate their salaries. He did not respond to questions about the alleged payout, and no further information was reported on the matter afterwards.
Before raising the alleged payout at the press conference, the Hu’akavameiliku government had defended the increase in the travel budget in Parliament, stating that ministers’ overseas travel was essential for international diplomacy and securing foreign aid, particularly as borders had only recently reopened following the COVID-19 lockdown.
Speaker Questions Ministerial Accountability
The renewed scrutiny over ministers’ overseas travel resurfaced last week when Lord Vaea stressed in Parliament that taking the oath is a fundamental constitutional requirement.
His comments followed notification to the House that Minister for Lands Taniela Fusimālohi was in Australia on official business and would miss his oath for the second time.
The Speaker said that although the law allows MPs to excuse themselves for overseas travel, there is also an unwritten expectation from the public that they should be present to take their oath.
He expressed serious concern over the repeated absence of MPs during the oath-taking, warning the Prime Minister about the issue and indicating he may seek to review the law to ensure it does not happen again.
Overseas travel by MPs, particularly Cabinet Ministers, has long been a source of controversy.
Former Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva previously told this reporter that the King once questioned why several ministers were travelling excessively after being presented with a list of ministerial trips during a royal audience.
Public Questions Cost Of Travel
Public criticism over ministers’ overseas travel has also extended beyond questions of parliamentary accountability.
The government’s recent decision to send overseas delegations under the Talatalanoa Programme, led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to consult Tongan communities abroad, has drawn criticism from some members of the public.
Critics noted that the same ministry undertook a similar overseas consultation programme in the 2010s, during which concerns raised by Tongans overseas were compiled into a report. However, they argued that little visible action had resulted from that earlier exercise.
Photos shared with this outlet last year appeared to show then–Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Lord Tu’i’āfitu posing for photographs with apparent restaurant staff in Sydney during the Australian leg of the programme.
A hotel employee alleged to Kaniva News at the time that some members of the ministerial delegation were seen playing pokie machines during the dinner.
Kaniva News sought comment from the Ministry at the time.
A tornado struck the Haʻafeva island in Tonga’s Ha’apai group this morning, causing minor damage to homes and vegetation.
Roof damage and fallen trees are seen in Haʻafeva after a tornado struck the island early this morning, following intense thunderstorms linked to a low-pressure system affecting parts of Tonga. Photo/Tonga Met Service
According to the Tonga Meteorological Services, the tornado was reported around 9am following a burst of thunderstorm activity that affected the Lulunga Islands.
Several houses sustained roof damage, while a number of trees were uprooted by the strong winds.
The weather event was linked to an active trough of low pressure that moved across Tonga, bringing heavy rain and gusty conditions to parts of the Kingdom.
Authorities had earlier issued a heavy rain warning, flash flood advisory, and strong wind warning for the land areas of Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, and ‘Eua as the system intensified.
Tonga Meteorological Services said it is working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and assess the full extent of the damage caused by the tornado.
An Auckland-based Tongan woman who charged desperate borrowers interest rates as high as 15% a week and threatened to shame them on Facebook has now been sentenced by the Auckland District Court.
Ilaisaane Malupō, accused of targeting vulnerable members of South Auckland’s Tongan community, has been ordered to pay reparations, perform community work, and cease operations for at least two years.
As Kaniva News reported previously, Malupō operated Nane Easy Loan Finance Services NZ (Nane Loans) without the required registration as a financial services provider before she was charged by the Commerce Commission last June.
She has now been sentenced to 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay $15,000 in reparation—at a rate of $40 per week—reduced from the original $32,698 owed to victims, according to the New Zealand Herald. Judge Sharp acknowledged that repayments at $40 per week would be slow but emphasised that it was important for victims to receive something.
Court documents state that her loans carried weekly interest rates ranging from 8% to 15%, with the rates doubling if repayments were not made within 28 days. She also imposed late-payment charges of $10 per day.
The sentence follows repeated exchanges between Malupo and the Commerce Commission, during which she was warned and gave assurances she would comply, but ultimately failed to do so.
The Herald reported that Malupō continued lending even after charges were laid, breaching her bail conditions last September.
In a statement to the court, Malupō expressed regret and said the ordeal had prompted her to change, adding that she now recognises the need to act properly even when it is challenging.
Her lawyer told the court she remains active in her church and has since completed financial education courses.
Associate Commerce Commissioner Joseph Liava’a was quoted by the Herald saying that when Malupō was charged last year, some borrowers were forced to sell treasured belongings or fall behind on rent to repay her.
“Often these kinds of lenders are a last resort for people who are struggling to borrow from reputable lenders,” he said. “Many people who borrowed from Ms Malupo were already under financial pressure and on low incomes, so irresponsible lending could have had a big impact on borrowers and their families.”
The official also criticised Malupoo’s weaponisation of social media.
“Public shaming is never okay and could put borrowers in a vulnerable position to avoid being called out for their friends and family to see,” Liava’a said.
Auckland, NZ – Police investigations are ongoing after a man was found with what appears to be a serious gunshot wound in Mount Wellington this morning.
Emergency services were called to a property on Mount Wellington Highway shortly after 6.30am, where the injured man was discovered. He was transported to hospital in a serious condition.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk of Auckland City CIB said authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“A scene guard is in place, and enquiries are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk said.
Police have advised that members of the public should expect to see an increased presence of officers in the area while investigations continue.
“Members of the public can expect an increased Police presence in the area to remain while these enquiries take place,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk added.
Police are appealing for information from the public to assist with the investigation.
“Anyone with information that could assist in our enquiries, please get in touch through 105, either online or over the phone using reference number P066504576.”
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A group of mostly male police officers in eastern Thailand has captured widespread attention on social media after successfully carrying out an unusual undercover operation—disguising themselves as a female dance troupe to apprehend a suspected drug dealer.
Police officers dressed in elaborate costumes posing with a handcuffed suspect.
The operation, led by officers in Tha Luang district, turned into an online sensation when police shared a photograph of the team following the arrest. The image shows six officers dressed in glittering dresses, smiling broadly after completing their mission. Only one individual in the photo is believed to be a biological female officer.
According to police, the suspect—identified as Mekha Fa-wap-wap—was arrested during a street festival where the officers had blended in as performers to avoid detection. Authorities had reportedly suspected Mekha of involvement in drug trafficking and devised the unconventional disguise to catch him off guard in a public setting.
During the arrest, officers allegedly found 53 methamphetamine pills, more than 200 small plastic bags commonly used for packaging drugs, and a mobile phone believed to be linked to his activities. Police said the confiscated items indicated intent to distribute the narcotics.
Mekha now faces multiple charges, including possession of category one narcotics with intent to sell, as well as operating an unauthorized slot machine. He remains in police custody while awaiting further legal proceedings.
The operation has sparked a wave of reactions online, with many social media users praising the officers’ creativity. One commenter humorously compared the scene to the American film 21 Jump Street, referencing undercover police going to unusual lengths to catch suspects.
While the tactic may appear theatrical, it is not without precedent. Thai police have previously employed elaborate disguises to conduct arrests. In a recent case in Bangkok, officers reportedly dressed as a lion dance troupe during Lunar New Year celebrations to apprehend a repeat offender. Such approaches are seen as a way to blend into crowded public environments where suspects might otherwise evade detection.
Authorities in Thailand continue to face challenges in combating drug-related crimes, particularly in areas where illegal substances are distributed discreetly in public spaces. Undercover operations remain a critical tool in identifying and capturing suspects without raising suspicion.
The Tha Luang incident highlights how unconventional methods can sometimes yield effective results, even if they draw global attention for their dramatic flair.
