Nuku’alofa — A dispute between two brothers over a town allotment in Kolofo’ou has ended in the Supreme Court, with the court ordering the younger brother and his family to vacate the property.
In a judgment delivered on 6 February 2026, Justice Tupou KC ruled in favour of Ve’etutu Satini, ordering his younger brother, Lofia Satini, and his family to vacate a town allotment on Hala Tu’i in Kolofo’ou.
The dispute centred on a house built by Lofia on the allotment around the time of their mother’s illness and subsequent death in 2000.
Ve’etutu, who was living in Canada at the time, argued that the allotment was registered in his name and that Lofia had built and remained on the property without his permission. Lofia claimed that his brother had requested him to construct the house for their mother’s funeral and had promised that he and his family could live there indefinitely.
The court heard evidence from several family members and witnesses regarding the circumstances surrounding the construction of the house and the brothers’ subsequent interactions over the following two decades.
Justice Tupou found that Lofia knowingly built the house on land that he understood had been allocated to Ve’etutu and did so without obtaining his brother’s consent.
Owner Opposed Unauthorised Construction
The court accepted Ve’etutu’s evidence that he objected to the construction upon returning to Tonga and later instructed family members to ask Lofia to remove the house.
The court rejected Lofia’s argument that he had acquired a right to remain on the land through promises allegedly made by Ve’etutu or through legal principles of estoppel and acquiescence.
In his decision, Justice Tupou held that Lofia had failed to prove that Ve’etutu had expressly or unambiguously authorised either the construction of the house or the family’s indefinite occupation of the allotment.
The court therefore ruled that Ve’etutu was entitled to immediate possession of the property.
Immediate Eviction, Nominal Damages Awarded
As part of the orders, Lofia and his family must vacate the allotment immediately. The judgment also provides that Lofia may remove the house from the property or alternatively reach an agreement with Ve’etutu regarding compensation for its value.
While Ve’etutu sought substantial damages for unlawful occupation, the court awarded nominal damages of $100, finding there was insufficient evidence of actual financial loss.
Justice Tupou noted the family relationship between the parties and expressed hope that, despite the immediate effect of the judgment, Ve’etutu would allow his brother sufficient time to make arrangements to relocate “in a dignified manner.”
The case was heard in the Land Court at Nuku’alofa under case number LA 17 of 2024.
Sydney, Australia — Police have launched a major investigation after a gunman armed with an AK-47 opened fire on a building believed to be hosting the funeral of slain Sydney gangster Lorenzo Lemalu. However, no one was present at the time, as the venue had been moved at the last minute.
Lorenzo Lemalu was fatally shot in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 2. (Supplied)
Lemalu, believed to be the leader of the so-called “Coconut Cartel”—a loosely organised criminal network with reported Tongan membership and connections across Australia and the Pacific—was killed in Vietnam last month under circumstances that remain unclear.
Two Samoan men have since confessed to carrying out the killing on Vietnamese television.
About 24 hours after the shooting at the original venue, dozens of mourners gathered at the new location — Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s western suburbs — to farewell Lemalu.
The development comes after Sydney Police said they dismantled the Coconut Cartel last month — a gang involved in a months-long feud with the Alameddine crime family over control of Sydney’s illicit drug market — following the seizure of nearly 400 kilograms of methamphetamine and the arrest of its alleged onshore leader.
As previously reported, several men of Tongan descent were arrested following police efforts to dismantle the Coconut Cartel.
Those brought before Blacktown Local Court included Isoa Moimoi, 27, Sione Tupou, 25, and Eric Hema, 29, all understood by Kaniva News to be of Tongan heritage. They face charges including drug supply and participating in a criminal group.
The Daily Telegraph also published a list of individuals arrested, which we understand includes people of Tongan descent such as Henry Kupa, 27, Sonny Puleiku, 23, and Talanoa Leaaetoa, 27.
As Kaniva News previously reported, police are investigating whether the death of 28-year-old Tongan man Alai Ahio in Canley Heights is linked to the Coconut Cartel.
Ahio, a former associate of the Western Sydney drill rap group OneFour, was among five men shot while sitting in a garage. Police have stressed there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the victims or the music group.
The United States Department of Defense has reclassified The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its official list of religious affiliations, placing it in a separate category from churches listed under the Christian heading.
The change, affecting the denomination that is the second largest in Tonga, forms part of a wider reduction in the number of religious designations recognised by the department, which has reduced its list from more than 200 affiliations to 31.
According to an official memorandum, the revised classification system is intended to streamline the collection of religious preference data among military personnel and improve the delivery of chaplaincy services.
Under the new list, denominations such as Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Orthodox churches remain grouped under the Christian category. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is listed separately under its own designation.
The move has prompted criticism from Utah political leaders, where the church is headquartered.
US Senator Mike Lee questioned why the church had been omitted from the list of Christian churches, while Senator John Curtis said Latter-day Saints were “unequivocally Christian” and called for the classification to be reviewed.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of publication.
The change does not affect the church’s legal status or religious activities. Rather, it relates to how the Department of Defense categorises religious affiliations for administrative purposes.
The issue has attracted attention among Latter-day Saints because church members identify themselves as Christians based on their belief in and worship of Jesus Christ. However, some Christian denominations regard the church as distinct from historic Christianity because of differences in doctrine and scripture.
Eight people have been injured after a train derailed on Wellington’s Johnsonville Line this evening.
A train partially derailed north of Khandallah Station. (Source: Supplied)
Emergency services were called to the scene just north of Khandallah Station just after 7pm on Saturday.
Fire and Emergency NZ crews attended from Johnsonville and Porirua stations.
“All passengers were removed from the train with FENZ’s assistance,” a FENZ spokesperson said.
Wellington Free Ambulance said it responded with six units.
“Eight have been transported to Wellington City Hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious,” a spokesperson said.
Police said cordons had been in place at Box Hill and Station Rd, but that they had been lifted at around 9pm.
“Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.”
Metlink senior operations manager Paul Tawharu said the cause of the derailment was unknown and that an investigation was underway.
“My immediate thoughts are for the safety and well-being of the passengers and Metlink staff on board,” he said in a statement to 1News.
“I’d also like to thank the emergency responders for their fast and excellent response.”
Trains on the Johnsonville line would be replaced by bus until further notice and passengers should expect delays.
Train ‘crumpled’ after derailment – witness
Emergency services at the scene near Khandallah Station.
A resident near the scene told 1News they heard a loud bang at 7.05pm that shook their house. Looking out from their balcony, they could see the train crumpled and at a standstill.
“When I heard shouting and what sounded like someone in pain, I called emergency services,” they said.
The resident, who asked not to be named, said their father was among the first people on the scene.
Wellington City councillor Diane Calvert said she “heard a huge short boom” with emergency services present later.
Metlink said services were halted “until further notice” and that buses were being sourced as a replacement.
“We are working on sourcing buses at this stage. Updates to follow,” the alert said.
A driver is in “shock” after his vehicle was involved in a serious crash in Auckland’s Te Atatū on Saturday, which left three people injured.
The crash occurred on Te Atatū Rd on Saturday morning. (Source: 1News)
Emergency services were called to the collision between two cars and a bus on Te Atatū Rd, near McLeod Rd and Roberts Rd, at around 11.35am Saturday.
Hato Hone St John responded with two ambulances, one rapid response, and one manager.
One person was transported to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition, while two others in a moderate condition were taken to Waitākere Hospital, a spokesperson said.
The driver of an SUV involved in the crash told 1News he was driving north on Te Atatū South Rd when an oncoming vehicle collided head-on with his.
Police said it received reports of the crash at around 11.35am Saturday. (Source: 1News)
There were multiple people in his car at the time of the crash, he said, including an 8-year-old child.
The door to his SUV was jammed shut after the collision, forcing him to exit from the passenger side.
Everybody in the vehicle was okay but had gone to hospital for a checkup.
He said the incident had left him in “shock”, saying “it all happened so fast”.
The bus was parked at the time of the incident.
Photos from the scene showed two wrecked cars in the middle of the road. One was smashed in the front, while the other was missing its driver’s-side doors and was against the bus.
(Source: 1News)
Multiple police officers were at the scene, with debris strewn across the road.
Auckland Transport told 1News there were two passengers and the driver on board the bus at the time of the incident who were uninjured.
“They have been transferred to another bus and have continued their journey,” said an AT spokesperson.
Fire and Emergency NZ responded with two crews from Te Atatū and Henderson. The Henderson trucks had departed by 12.10pm.
A local business owner told 1News they had seen police and ambulance drive past.
The road was closed following the crash but had since reopened, Auckland Transport said.
Nuku’alofa— The Land Court has rejected an application by the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) to strike out a land claim by Vila Malia Vaka’uta, ruling that the case raises issues that must be properly examined at trial.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Tupou KC, rejected the Bank’s argument that the claim was filed outside the legal 10-year limitation period.
The dispute centres on Lease No. 5442 in Ma‘ufanga, Tongatapu, which was registered in Vila’s name in 1993. Her husband Sione Lilo Vaka’uta had borrowed money from the Bank and allegedly used the property as security.
When the loan fell into arrears, the Bank obtained a default judgment in 1992 for more than $113,000 against both husband and wife.
Consent Order Grants Possession
In May 1997, a consent order was issued allowing the Bank to take possession of the land until the debt was fully repaid or until October 12, 2043. This order effectively placed the property under court authority, giving the Bank legal control over the lease subject to those conditions.
It was not until February 14, 2023, that Vila said she became aware of the situation, after receiving a letter from the Minister of Lands informing her that the property was subject to a court order.
The judgment then outlines a key issue in dispute, stating that the land was not mortgaged to the Bank and that she remains in possession of the original lease.
The timing of that notification appears linked to the Bank’s attempt to transfer the lease to Jian Jun Zheng, who, according to the court judgment, is the current occupier of the land.
According to the judgment, the Bank applied to have the land transferred to Zheng, but the application was withheld because the plaintiff still held the original lease document. This attempted transaction likely prompted the Ministry of Lands to review the legal status of the lease and notify Vila.
Claims Eviction and Damages
She subsequently filed proceedings seeking several orders, including eviction of the current occupier, cancellation of the proposed transfer, and damages exceeding $100,000 for loss of use of the land over more than 20 years.
The TDB applied to strike out the claim under Order 8 Rule 8 of the Supreme Court Rules, arguing that it disclosed no reasonable cause of action because it was time-barred under the Land Act. The Bank said the limitation period began in May 1997 when the consent order was issued, and expired in 2007.
Vila opposed the application, maintaining that she had no knowledge of the proceedings or the consent order until 2023, that she had never been properly served, and that the application was premature.
Strike-Out a Last Resort
In considering the application, Justice Tupou emphasised that striking out a claim at an early stage is a measure of last resort and should only be granted where a case is clearly “hopeless.”
The Court found that determining whether the claim was time-barred was not straightforward. While the consent order dated back to 1997, it allowed the Bank to retain possession until the debt was fully repaid or until 2043, meaning the timing of any limitation period could depend on when the debt was actually settled.
Justice Tupou identified several unresolved questions that can only be addressed at trial, including whether the plaintiff had notice of the consent order, when the debt was repaid, whether the Bank retained any rights after repayment, and whether it was entitled to transfer the land to a third party.
“These questions may be determined only by way of a full hearing and tested evidence,” the Court said in its ruling.
The Court concluded that it could not say the claim was certain to fail. It agreed with the plaintiff that the strike-out application was premature and dismissed the Bank’s application.
Vila was awarded costs, to be fixed by the Registrar if not agreed between the parties.
Ms T. Tapueluelu and F. Vaihu appeared for the TDB, while Miss A. Kafoa represented the plaintiff, Vila Malia Vaka’uta.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in central Auckland.
Emergency services were called to an apartment building on Greys Avenue just after 10:30pm on Friday, where a man and a woman were found with stab wounds.
Both were taken to hospital with moderate to serious injuries, police said on Saturday.
The man was arrested at the scene.
A resident at a Kāinga Ora housing complex, Angus Jowitt, told RNZ he heard a commotion in the complex about five minutes earlier.
“It’s not uncommon to have a disturbance in Greys Ave at this part of the week, Friday night, however, this one seemed to me to be particularly intense, so I stopped what I was doing and went out and had a look on the balcony. There was a couple of people kind of running around and screaming,” Jowitt said.
“You could clearly hear someone yelling ‘I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed, call the police’.
“It seemed very, very drastic, so I went downstairs.”
Jowitt said the Te Mātāwai supported living development complex was staffed 24-7 and he saw workers running outside with phones in hand.
He said his neighbours reported seeing a man stabbing another person on a balcony in one of the complex’s three buildings.
At least a dozen police officers and about four or five police cars, along with an ambulance, attended the scene, Jowitt said.
“[It’s] quite a sad thing to happen in the neighbourhood. I don’t know who it was, but I’m sure we’ll hear in the coming days,” he said.
Police said a man is scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court on Saturday, charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Wests Tigers are reportedly considering a move to sign former Manly Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu once he is released from prison later this year, in what would be one of the most controversial comeback stories in recent NRL history.
Fainu, 26, has been incarcerated since December 2022 after being convicted over a violent incident that occurred at a church event in Sydney in 2019.
The former NRL player was found guilty of stabbing a Mormon youth leader during a dance, an attack that shocked both the rugby league community and the wider public.
According to reports, Fainu, who is of Tongan and Māori descent, is eligible for parole in October, opening the door for a possible return to professional rugby league.
Tigers Leading Signing Race
As reported by Code Sports, the contract is reportedly worth about $2.75 million, with the Tigers understood to have beaten several Sydney clubs to secure his signature.
While there has been no official confirmation from the club, the speculation highlights ongoing discussions within NRL circles about whether Fainu could rebuild his career after serving his sentence.
Before his conviction, Fainu was regarded as one of the most promising young hookers in the NRL. He made his debut for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2019 and quickly impressed with his speed, agility, and attacking flair around the ruck.
In his breakout season, Fainu scored several tries and played a key role in Manly’s push to the finals, earning praise as a future star of the game. However, his career was abruptly halted following the charges linked to the church dance incident later that year.
The Sea Eagles terminated his contract following the conviction, bringing an immediate end to his time in the NRL.
Tigers’ roster considerations
The Wests Tigers have been rebuilding their squad in recent seasons and are understood to be exploring options to strengthen key positions, including hooker. The potential signing of Fainu—if it eventuates—would represent a high-risk, high-reward move.
Supporters and critics alike are likely to be divided on the prospect. Some may view it as an opportunity for rehabilitation and a second chance, while others may question whether a player with such a serious criminal conviction should be allowed to return to the professional game so quickly.
Any attempt for Fainu to re-enter the NRL would almost certainly be subject to strict scrutiny from the league’s integrity unit. The NRL has implemented increasingly stringent policies around player behaviour, and a return in these circumstances would require extensive review, including risk assessments and potential conditions on his participation.
It is also expected that any club seeking to sign Fainu would need to demonstrate that appropriate support systems are in place to facilitate his reintegration into both the sport and the community.
A woman in Tonga is being sought after a complainant in the United States reported losing contact with her following payment for a kiekie that was allegedly never delivered.
The woman pictured is alleged to be linked to the scam and was photographed with cash believed to be part of the $300 payment.
‘Iva Fāʻotusia said she paid $300 after seeing the woman advertise on Facebook that she could make traditional kiekie.
She instructed the woman to collect the payment from lawyer Fatai Vaihū’s office in Nuku’alofa, where the transaction was completed.
A photo shared with Kaniva News reportedly shows the woman with $20 notes in front of her, which Fāʻotusia said was taken by Vaihū as evidence of payment.
The woman allegedly promised to complete the kiekie within one week, but failed to deliver.
Fāʻotusia said repeated attempts to follow up were met with excuses before the woman stopped responding altogether.
In a Facebook post by Faʻotusia seeking help to locate the woman, Vaihū also joined the discussion, sharing the photo in the comments as evidence.
A screenshot of the Facebook account’s profile
The woman is believed to be behind a Facebook account named “Kiekie Kaka Fakatau Atu”, with a listed contact number of 8440291, though no confirmed identity has been established.
The case follows a series of similar incidents involving Tongans overseas who have responded to advertisements for koloa faka-Tonga and services offered from Tonga.
Kaniva News recently reported a case involving the weaving service Lalanga Taʻovala Aunoa, where a customer—following this outlet’s intervention—eventually received the taʻovala, but not at the agreed quality.
In a separate incident, a Tongan sewing service in Mildura, Australia left a customer frustrated after delivering poorly made garments.
New religious histories are currently being published, while a university lecture delivered last week in New Zealand highlights Tonga’s preparations to mark 200 years since Christianity was firmly established in the kingdom, following earlier failed missionary attempts.
Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū
Rev’d Dr Paula Onoafe Latu is revisiting the history of the Methodist Church in Tonga and last week delivered a lecture at the University of Otago as part of the commemorative initiatives.
The research and publication programme is overseen by a committee chaired by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu, with members including Free Wesleyan Church President Dr Tevita Havea, Secretary General Rev’d Feleti ‘Atiola, and Dr Latu, who are developing a six-volume book series for the celebrations.
Dr Latu told Kaniva News he is working on the book series from his Takanini residence in New Zealand, with support from colleagues, including his daughter.
Wesleyan and Methodist both emerge from the same Christian tradition founded by John Wesley, an 18th-century English Anglican cleric and theologian who co-founded the Methodist movement.
However, Wesleyan typically refers to the early missionary movement and its theological emphasis, while Methodist serves as the broader term for the churches that later developed from that tradition.
The anniversary marks the introduction of Christianity by early missionaries, beginning with the London Missionary Society in 1797, followed by Wesleyan missionaries in 1822 and Catholic missionaries in 1840.
In a tribute within his Otago paper, Dr Latu wrote: “We remember with condolences the families of Harper, Bowel, and Gaulton, along with an English sailor from Great Britain, who lost their lives during the civil war of 1799, bringing an end to the short-lived mission of the London Missionary Society in Tonga.”
He described these missionaries as “the first martyrs of Christianity in Tonga.” Drawing on the words of early Christian writer Tertullian, Dr Latu noted: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
He further reflected that their sacrifice became the foundation for the spread of the Christian Gospel and faith in Tonga over the past 200 years. Lest we forget — Rest in God’s love.
Assessing Missionary Legacy
Although early British missionary efforts faced challenges and were not without flaws, Dr Latu’s research and forthcoming publications aim to evaluate the achievements of the Wesleyan mission in Tonga.
These missions laid the foundations of a faith that would reshape Tongan society and identity over the next two centuries.
In his Otago presentation, Dr Latu said Christianity not only transformed the spiritual life of the people but also played a central role in shaping Tonga’s political development, legal system, and national unity.
The presentation marked not only the historic anniversary but also the establishment of a new partnership between the University of Otago and the Free Wesleyan Church’s Sia’atoutai Theological College, where Dr Latu serves as principal.
Christianity and Royal Reform
The paper also highlighted King George Taufaʻāhau Tupou I’s pivotal role in embracing Christianity—alongside his wife, Queen Sālote Lupepauʻu—and using its influence to modernise Tonga, beginning with the 1862 emancipation of the people from chiefly and royal control.
The document notes that King Taufaʻāhau I’s establishment of the 1875 Constitution, grounded in Christian principles, stands as one of the most significant outcomes of this legacy, helping Tonga preserve its sovereignty and avoid colonisation.
Churches and schools established by missionaries also drove widespread literacy and education, with Bible translations into Tongan playing a key role in shaping both language and national identity.
Tree of Life
Dr Latu describes the growth of Christianity in Tonga as a “Tree of Life,” beginning with the planting of the Gospel seed, taking root in the hearts of the people, and eventually bearing fruit in social progress and spiritual maturity.
This transformation extended beyond Tonga’s shores, with Tongan missionaries being sent across the Pacific and the world since the 19th century, continuing the cycle of spreading the Christian faith.
The anniversary is expected to unite churches, communities, and the Tongan diaspora in a shared celebration of faith, identity, and resilience.
Why 1826 Marks the Start
According to Dr Latu, early missionary efforts by the London Missionary Society (1797–1799) and later by the Wesleyan leader Walter Lawry (1822–1823) recorded no conversions.
The turning point came with the arrival of John Hutchinson and John Thomas in 1826, who established a mission base at Kolovai, including a church and school known as Nazareth. This marked the beginning of a sustained and structured Christian presence in Tonga, even though the first recorded Tongan convert, John Lolohea, did not occur until 1829.
Despite early resistance—including the suppression of the church in Kolovai in the Hihifo district by Chief Ata in 1829—the mission began to gain momentum. Following this setback, Chief ‘Ahome‘e escorted Mr Thomas from Kolovai to King Aleamotu‘a in Nuku‘alofa.
LMS missionaries from Tahiti, accompanied by local and regional helpers, arrived in Nukuʻalofa en route to Fiji, but were instructed by Aleamotuʻa to remain and establish the mission there, underscoring his belief that Christianity must first take root in Tonga before spreading beyond, according to Dr Latu.
This led to the construction of the first church at Sia ko Veiongo in Nukuʻalofa, while the continued efforts of Wesleyan missionaries such as Nathaniel Turner and William Cross from 1828 further strengthened the mission.
Growing Converts, Expanding Mission
By 1829, the number of converts had begun to grow, with seven early baptisms recorded. Requests for missionary support also increased, notably from Taufa‘āhau, the Tu‘i Ha‘apai—who later became King George Tupou I—to whom Mr Thomas and the Tongan convert Pita Vī were subsequently sent.
From this point, the Wesleyan mission developed consistently and spread throughout the kingdom, laying the foundation for the nationwide acceptance of Christianity.
For this reason, 1826 is recognised as the starting point of Christianity’s enduring establishment in Tonga—marking not its first arrival, but the beginning of sustained growth, organisation, and eventual transformation of the nation.
