NUKUʻALOFA, TONGA — Tonga Police arrested and charged 54 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during a weekend road-policing enforcement operation.
Police said those arrested comprised 39 males and 15 females.
The arrests were made as part of a road-policing operation targeting drink-driving and improving safety on Tonga’s roads.
Police did not provide further details about where the arrests were made, the ages of those charged, or the alcohol readings recorded during the operation.
Police warn motorists
Tonga Police used the results of the operation to renew its warning about the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol.
“Drink driving places lives at risk,” Police said, urging motorists to make responsible decisions.
The 54 drivers have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol.
Labour and National are both polling below 30 percent in a new poll that also has Opportunity short of the threshold needed for getting into government.
The Quilae Wong-led upstarts have fallen from 6.1 to 4.5 percent in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, bucking the trend found in other polls.
Labour has taken a big hit, down 1.9 to 25.9 percent – its lowest result in this poll since July 2024, and even lower than the 26.9 point thrashing it got at the 2023 election.
National has also taken a tumble, down two points, to 29 percent – also significantly lower than the 38 percentage points it won at the last election.
The current coalition government would be returned to power based on this poll, with Opportunity unable to get above 5 percent and become kingmaker.
ACT and the Greens were the main beneficiaries of the major parties and Opportunity’s collapse. The Greens were up 3.8 percentage points to 13.9 percent, and ACT up 3.2 to 10.5 percent.
New Zealand First was down 0.7 to 8.4 percent.
Te Pāti Māori gained 0.5 points to 2 percent. The party this year hopes to use MMP’s overhang to boost the chance of removing the coalition.
Rounding out the party vote results were NZ Loyal (1.5 percent), Animal Justice (1.2), Women’s Rights (0.7), Vision NZ (0.5) and the New Conservatives (0.5).
When it came to seats, the coalition – National, ACT and NZ First – would get 64 compared to the opposition – Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori – on 56. The right-leaning Taxpayers’ Union’s analysis assumes Te Pāti Māori would win three seats.
Opportunity would get zero on these results, being below the 5 percent threshold.
Christopher Luxon remained ahead of Chris Hipkins as preferred prime minister, down 2 percentage points to 21.2 percent. Hipkins fell 2.9 to 16.9 percent.
The poll was conducted by Curia Market Research for the Taxpayers’ Union. It is a random poll of 1000 adult New Zealanders and is weighted to the overall adult population. It was conducted by phone (landlines and mobile) and online between Tuesday 01 September and Thursday 03 September 2026, has a maximum margin of error of +/- 3.1% and 4.1% were undecided on the party vote question.
American Idol winner Iam Tongi has celebrated his Tongan heritage as he married longtime girlfriend Leah Solis in Hawaii, wearing traditional Tongan attire while cultural performances and a distinctive Vavaʻu kupesi featured prominently in the couple’s wedding celebrations.
American Idol winner Iam Tongi and his wife, Leah Solis, celebrate their marriage in Hawaii, with Tongi proudly incorporating his Tongan heritage into their wedding celebrations.
Tongi, who made history in 2023 as the first Pacific Islander to win American Idol, married Solis in an outdoor ceremony in Hawaii on Friday, September 4, according to photos and videos shared by family and friends.
The wedding came just days after Tongi turned 22 and about three years after his emotional journey on the American television singing competition propelled the young Pacific artist to international recognition.
Footage from the ceremony showed Tongi wearing a tupenu, a traditional form of Tongan male attire, as he stood hand-in-hand with his bride during the ceremony.
His Tongan heritage was also prominent at the wedding reception, where relatives and friends performed traditional Tongan dances as part of the celebrations.
Tongan heritage carried into wedding rings
Perhaps one of the most distinctive expressions of Tongi’s connection to Tonga was incorporated permanently into his wedding ring.
Maui Divers Jewelry and Polynesian cultural artist Sam Mangakahia worked with the couple to design customised gold-and-diamond wedding bands incorporating elements representing their respective cultural heritages.
Tongi’s ring features the Tokelau Feletoa, a traditional Tongan kupesi associated with Feletoa in Vavaʻu.
According to the designers, the pattern depicts the cross-section of a tuna and represents chiefly status and courage, serving as a reminder for Tongi to act courageously while honouring his heritage.
Solis’ ring, meanwhile, incorporates a Maya temple motif reflecting her Mayan heritage and connections to spirituality, ancestors and the relationship between heaven and earth.
The wedding bands continue an established relationship between Tongi and Mangakahia, a Māori artist based in Hawaii who previously spent about 60 hours creating a customised guitar for the singer following his American Idol success.
That instrument also incorporated Polynesian designs representing Tongi’s Tongan heritage and family connections, including the name of his late father, Rodney, engraved at the top.
Tongan heritage on both sides of family
Tongi was born and raised in Kahuku on Oʻahu, Hawaii, but his family background has strong connections to Tonga.
His mother, Lillie Tuifua Tongi, is of Tongan and Irish heritage and originally comes from Tongatapu, while his late father, Rodney Tongi, was of Tongan and Samoan heritage.
Tongi himself previously explained his heritage after his American Idol victory, saying his mother’s maiden name was Tuifua and that she was Tongan and Irish, while his father was half Tongan and half Samoan.
He also revealed at the time that although he had never visited Tonga, he hoped to travel there and had extensive family connections in New Zealand and Australia.
Tongi has spoken publicly about the importance of his Pacific identity to his music. During a 2023 interview following his American Idol victory, he said he eventually hoped to produce a Polynesian album featuring songs in Tongan, Samoan, Hawaiian and Fijian.
Father shaped musical journey
Tongi was just 18 when he captured international attention with his American Idol audition.
His emotional performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters”, dedicated to his late father Rodney, moved the judges and became one of the defining moments of his journey through the competition.
Tongi has said his father, who was Tongan and Samoan, was instrumental in developing his love of music, encouraging him to progress from playing the ukulele to guitar and singing.
He eventually won American Idol in May 2023, becoming the first person from Hawaii and the first Pacific Islander to win the competition.
Three years later, Tongi’s wedding provided another public expression of the cultural heritage that has accompanied his rise to international prominence — from his tupenu and Tongan dancing at the celebration to the Feletoa kupesi he will now carry on his wedding ring.
Tongan-heritage Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi found himself at the centre of a fiery confrontation with Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu during South Sydney’s commanding 50–20 victory on Friday night.
The incident unfolded in the 24th minute after the Roosters were awarded a six-again following a ruck infringement involving Koloamatangi.
Instead of immediately playing the ball, Leniu became locked in a tense stare-off with Koloamatangi as the pair exchanged words.
Referee Adam Gee reportedly instructed Leniu six times to play the ball, but the Roosters forward continued focusing on his confrontation with Koloamatangi.
Even after players from both teams separated the pair, Leniu threw the ball away and was penalised.
The incident proved costly for the Roosters, who were already severely undermanned after resting nine players for the match.
Commentators Slam Leniu’s Conduct
Premiership-winning Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk described Leniu’s conduct as “stupid”, while former Panthers star Greg Alexander said the prop had “completely lost his head”.
Fox League commentator Michael Ennis said Leniu had been expected to assume greater leadership responsibility because of the absence of several senior Roosters players.
Leniu was substituted shortly after the confrontation and did not return to the field.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson rejected suggestions that the substitution was intended as punishment, saying it formed part of the club’s wider strategy to give its younger forwards more playing time.
Robinson acknowledged that Leniu had crossed the line but defended the passion and aggression he brings to the team.
“He went over it. I want him to play with his natural spirit and just stay under the line,” Robinson said.
The coach said Leniu had enough experience to control himself, play the ball and ensure that his aggression benefited his team.
Koloamatangi, meanwhile, remained composed as Leniu’s reaction attracted criticism from commentators and contributed to the Roosters conceding a penalty.
The Rabbitohs went on to secure an emphatic 50–20 victory over their traditional rivals.
A second patient within two months has been found dead in a toilet at Waikato Hospital.
Waikato Hospital. (File photo, RNZ / Simon Rogers)
Health New Zealand said the patient died in the bathroom on a surgical ward in mid-August.
Spokesman for the Waikato district, Dr Gary Hopgood, said the ward was fully staffed at the time.
“Whenever an unexpected death occurs in hospital, a review is initiated to establish the circumstances, and this event has triggered such a review. We are not able to provide further details ahead of the completion of that process.”
Hopgood said Health New Zealand’s deepest sympathies are with the patient’s family.
Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner.
At the end of June, a woman and her daughter tried unsuccessfully to save the life of a man who was found unconscious in an emergency department toilet at Waikato Hospital.
Unconfirmed information circulating on social media claims that about five Tongans were arrested by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement after arriving on an Alaska Airlines flight at Salt Lake City International Airport.
Kaniva News contacted ICE seeking confirmation of whether the arrests occurred, when they allegedly took place and the grounds on which the Tongans may have been detained. ICE had not responded at the time of publication.
US-based Tongan pastor Olympia Kaumatule Tukutau posted a warning on Facebook about the reported arrests, claiming that ICE had previously detained several other Tongans.
However, no photographs, official documents or direct accounts from the alleged detainees or their families have emerged publicly to substantiate the latest claim.
The allegation comes amid a significant expansion of immigration enforcement at airports across the United States, including against travellers taking domestic flights.
Recent investigations have revealed that the Transportation Security Administration has been sharing passenger information with ICE to help agents locate travellers who may be subject to deportation.
Tongans Face Wider Restrictions
The allegation also emerges as Tongans in Tonga continue to face difficulties travelling to the United States following restrictions imposed by the Trump administration in January.
As Kaniva News reported this week, tighter US visa policies have significantly affected Tongan pickleball players seeking to compete in international tournaments.
Several players were unable to attend a recent tournament in Utah after their visa applications were denied, despite some having previously held multiple-entry US visas and travelled to the country.
Tournament president Johnny Hafoka said the number of Tongan participants fell from 20 last year to eight this year. Players have also faced the prospect of visa bonds and increased scrutiny when entering the United States.
TSA Data Fuels Arrests
According to Reuters, ICE arrested more than 800 people following TSA referrals between President Donald Trump’s return to office and February 2026.
The TSA reportedly supplied ICE with records relating to more than 31,000 travellers through its Secure Flight programme, which was originally established for aviation-security screening.
A formal information-sharing agreement between TSA and ICE was signed in May 2025, but its details only became publicly known in July following legal action seeking the documents.
CBS News reported that the cooperation had expanded beyond national-security and serious-criminal investigations to include civil immigration violations, such as overstaying an authorised period in the country.
ICE sources told the outlet that airports enabled agents to know in advance when targeted individuals would be travelling and where they could be located.
The wider airport-enforcement campaign makes the latest allegation concerning Tongans plausible enough to warrant investigation, but it does not confirm that the reported arrests occurred.
There is also no evidence presently available to Kaniva News suggesting that Alaska Airlines participated in the alleged enforcement action. The airline’s name is relevant only because social-media accounts identify it as the carrier on which the Tongans allegedly travelled.
A man who identified himself as the apparent police officer shown restraining and punching another man in a video reported by Kaniva News has come forward to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and apologise for his conduct.
The sender, Antonio Mafileo Tongia, contacted Kaniva News through Facebook Messenger after the article was published. A review of his Facebook profile indicates that he is from Tokomololo and works for Tonga Police.
However, Tonga Police have not officially confirmed his employment or that he is the uniformed man shown in the 58-second video.
Tongia said he had finished work and was acting as a private citizen when the incident occurred. He said he was waiting for food at a takeaway when he discovered that a man had allegedly entered his vehicle, taken his mobile phone and passed it to a friend.
Tongia said he confronted the man and asked for the phone to be returned but became increasingly angry when the man repeatedly denied taking it.
“My patience grew heavy on the guy, so I held him down and started punching him,” Tongia said.
He claimed the alleged accomplice later passed the phone to a security officer at another restaurant across the street, who returned it to him.
Tongia said he released the restrained man after recovering the phone and checked that he was able to stand before driving away.
Despite explaining the circumstances leading to the incident, Tongia acknowledged that his actions were unacceptable and unlawful.
“I know violence is not the way, and I’m not satisfied any bit of what I did to the guy,” he said. “My emotions took the best of me and rage took over.”
“What I did was not lawful. I am very ashamed.”
Tongia said he had not intended to seriously harm the man and claimed that he loosened his grip whenever he believed the restraint was becoming excessive.
However, the video appeared to show the uniformed man applying his knee or body weight while holding the other man down as he struggled and waved his hands in apparent distress.
A person could be heard warning the apparent officer to treat the man appropriately or he could die.
The restraint technique drew widespread criticism online, including from senior prison officer and competitive Taekwondo practitioner Kuata Tokolahi, who described it as dangerous and warned that it could cause death.
Tongia apologised for his conduct and said he intended to find the man to try to make amends.
“I will try to find the guy and correct my actions,” he said. “I pray he’ll forgive me. Again, I am very ashamed.”
Tongia’s account remains an allegation and does not independently establish that the restrained man stole the phone. His Facebook profile and message also do not constitute official confirmation that he is a Tonga Police officer or the person shown in the video.
Kaniva News is seeking confirmation from Tonga Police and whether an investigation has been opened into the incident.
A 58-second video reportedly filmed in Tonga showing a man wearing what appears to be a police uniform restraining another man has sparked heated debate on Facebook, with a senior prison officer and competitive martial artist warning that the technique used was dangerous and could potentially result in death.
A screenshot from a 58-second video reportedly filmed in Tonga shows a man wearing what appears to be a police uniform restraining another man on the ground. The restraint technique has sparked debate online, with senior prison officer and competitive martial artist Kuata Tokolahi warning it was dangerous and could risk causing death.
The video appears to show the uniformed man struggling with another man while restraining him on the ground.
At one point, the apparent officer appears to apply his knee or body weight while holding the man down. The man appears to struggle to breathe while waving his hands, seemingly signalling that he was in distress.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including exactly where and when it occurred and what led to the confrontation, have not yet been independently confirmed by Kaniva News.Kaniva has also not independently confirmed that the uniformed man shown in the footage is a Tonga Police officer.
A person can be heard in the video calling on the officer to “treat the man appropriately.”
Martial Artist Warns of Danger
However, the restraint technique attracted particular criticism from Kuata Tokolahi, a senior prison officer who is also a notable competitive martial artist and Taekwondo practitioner representing the Tonga National Taekwondo Association (TNTA).
Tokolahi condemned the technique shown in the footage, describing it as very dangerous and warning that it could put the restrained person’s life at risk.
The footage prompted divided reactions among Facebook commenters.
Many defended the apparent officer, saying that although the technique looked dangerous, he appeared to be doing his job while trying to control a man during a physical struggle. Some argued that considerable force can sometimes be necessary when a person resists being restrained.
Others strongly disagreed and described the technique as unprofessional and unnecessarily dangerous. They argued that law-enforcement officers should be professionally trained to control and restrain people while minimising the risk of serious injury or death.
A University of Auckland student has been caught wearing smart glasses in a test, raising concerns about how the new tech could be used by students to cheat.
New products like Meta glasses have small built-in cameras which can be used to film what is in front of them, and have it answered by an outside helper or AI.
Exam supervisors would now have to check students wearing glasses to their exams to see if they could be using them to cheat.
Gone are the days of trying to smuggle pieces of paper into an exam or writing answers on a hand or water bottle label.
Technology has brought new ways for students to try to cheat their tests, as Computer Science Professor at the University of Auckland Ulrich Speidel explained.
“You can go, for example, and record your questions, you can possibly send them to external helpers and most of those glasses also project stuff into the glasses that only the wearer can see.”
A University of Auckland spokesperson said a student was seen wearing smart glasses during a test by an invigilator, after a pre-test announcement explicitly said no smart glasses or watches were allowed.
The student had the glasses taken off them, and was allowed to continue the test, they said.
The student was given a penalty over the incident, but the university would not say what it was.
Ulrich Speidel said exam invigilators would now be on the lookout for smart glasses.
“Generally what you can see is they’ve got rather broad hinge parts or large bridges, so we can ask our invigilators to go and look for those, and for example ask [or] offer masking tape to be put over them.”
Invigilators would tape over the cameras rather than taking the glasses, if students were using them as prescriptions.
Meta, the company that owned Instagram and Facebook, had two models of smart glasses made with brands Rayban and Oakley.
They retailed for between $350 and $750, depending on the model.
On the cheaper end, K-mart sold its own smart glasses for just $99 – which recorded videos and photos but did not have the AI features of the Meta ones.
Engineering student at AUT, Preston Williams, had a pair of the Meta glasses, which he used to make content for his business.
“I’ve got like a detailing business, so I do like POV [point of view] videos and stuff. But I don’t use it for tests, because there’s a massive white flashing light. So it’s kind of hard to be inconspicuous.”
However, that flashing light could be disabled through a relatively quick repair job.
US tech journalist Joanna Stern found in an investigation that dozens of services were available to do just that for about US$100 on Facebook marketplace.
However, those services did not appear to be available online in New Zealand.
Speidel said the university was keeping on top of cheating in exams, for now.
“I dread the day once smart glasses will be available as contact lenses. At that point I think it will be checkmate for us.”
His department has moved to mostly pen and paper tests with randomised multi-choice questions, meaning each student had different tests to their peers.
The University of Auckland spokesperson said it undertook an academic integrity investigation into the student with the smart glasses, resulting in a penalty for the student.
Tonga’s Attorney General’s Office has been hit by years of staffing difficulties, with professional lawyers resigning from positions ranging from senior leadership and mid-management to entry-level roles, Parliament has been told.
Lord Fakafanua
The disclosure follows recent criticism from the courts over the performance of Crown prosecutors, including concerns raised by Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC over the handlingof a vulnerable child witness.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua told Parliament that the staffing difficulties were identified in the general overview of the office’s report and were linked to the departure of professional legal staff at various levels.
“Ka ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e pole ‘oku fehangahangai pea mo e potungāue ko ení,” he said in Tongan, emphasising the challenge facing the office.
The report said the situation needed to be reviewed and raised concerns about whether existing salary levels were sufficient to retain lawyers working within the Attorney General and Solicitor General’s offices.
Despite the staffing difficulties, the report described the overall performance of the offices as satisfactory.
The Government’s legal offices perform crucial functions, including legislative drafting, providing legal advice to the Government, handling international treaties and representing the Crown in civil, land, family and criminal proceedings, the Prime Minister said.
Chief Justice previously criticised prosecution
The Chief Justice’s concerns related to the prosecution’s handling of a 12-year-old witness in a criminal case involving a road-rage confrontation at Fātumu.
As Kaniva News reported last month, he also recommended further training for prosecutors, to be led by Supreme Court Justice Paul Garlick KC.
The criticism was not an isolated judicial concern.
Tongan judges have previously criticised prosecutors over failures including not calling important witnesses, problems presenting defendants’ criminal histories, unexplained discrepancies in drug evidence and failures to follow proper procedures.
In one serious armed-robbery case, former Justice Charles Cato described the prosecution’s handling of the matter as an “unacceptable litany of error”.
