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Air NZ fuel crisis cancels travel for tens of thousands; stark warning for Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Commentary – A global jet‑fuel supply crisis has forced Air New Zealand to cancel more than 1,100 flights through early May, triggering travel disruptions across the region and raising concerns in Tonga, where families, businesses, and seasonal workers rely heavily on New Zealand’s air links.

The airline confirmed that approximately 44,000 passengers will be affected as skyrocketing jet‑fuel prices—driven by Middle East tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—hammer New Zealand’s aviation sector, RNZ reported.

The cancellations, which represent a five percent reduction across Air New Zealand’s entire network, will focus on off‑peak services, but both domestic and international flights are included.

Although the exact flights affected have not yet been announced, the short‑haul Pacific routes fall within the risk category, making it highly likely that travel between Auckland and Nukuʻalofa will be disrupted.

Tonga Braces for Travel Uncertainty

Tonga has previously experienced the flow‑on effects of Air New Zealand disruptions. In November 2025, a major Air NZ operational meltdown spread across several countries, including Tonga, where flights to Nukuʻalofa were among those affected.

That episode highlighted the Kingdom’s dependence on New Zealand’s aviation network. In the current crisis, travel agents warn that Tonga‑bound passengers could face reduced seat availability during busy travel periods, unexpected changes in departure times, increasing competition for rebooking slots when schedules shift, and higher ticket prices as fuel surcharges rise.

For Tongans travelling for medical referrals, schooling, funerals, business or seasonal‑worker programmes, any reduction in travel reliability could cause significant hardship.

Fuel Crisis Rooted in Global Conflict

The disruption originates from a severe global fuel shortage linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial waterway carrying about 20 percent of the world’s petroleum—has sharply reduced access to aviation kerosene.

Jet‑fuel prices have more than doubled, and New Zealand, which now relies entirely on imported refined fuel after shutting down domestic refining, has been hit especially hard.

New Zealand’s jet‑fuel reserves totalled only around 50 days at the start of March, underscoring how vulnerable the country is to international market fluctuations and shipping delays, according to RNZ.

Airline Advice

Air New Zealand has advised travellers to monitor their flight updates closely through the Air NZ app or website.

Passengers affected by schedule changes will be contacted directly via email, and those whose new flight timings no longer suit their plans are entitled to full refunds regardless of fare class.

Travel‑management offices have been notified to expect rolling cancellations and to be prepared to assist passengers with last‑minute rerouting.

Calls to let workers stay home to beat fuel prices

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Susan Murray of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

The government is being asked to let the public sector work from home where possible in the face of rising fuel prices – and some private employers are considering what support could be offered.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Petrol prices have increased rapidly in recent weeks as war in the Middle East put pressure on oil supplies.

Some countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, have urged people to work from home to save fuel.

Public Sector Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the New Zealand government should do the same.

“We’re calling on the New Zealand government to take note of these overseas examples and also encourage public sector workers in New Zealand to work from home,” Fitzsimons said.

“Working from home in this environment has lots of benefits. It will reduce the demand on fuel. It will mean more workers are able to get by and don’t suffer the shock of increased petrol prices.”

She said with 91 hitting $3 a litre in some places, many people were struggling to get by.

“Government could easily indicate to the public sector that more workers should work from home and it would overnight have a difference for those people,” Fitzsimons said.

In the private sector, ANZ said its flexible work policy offered options for employees, giving the majority the ability to work remotely up to 50 percent of their time.

“We understand flexibility doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone and flexible arrangements will vary depending on the employee’s role, what part of the business they work in, where they are, personal circumstances, and available technology,” a spokesperson said.

“ANZ staff who need extra assistance can talk to their manager about short-term support options which may be available to them.”

Woolworths said it was monitoring the situation but operating as usual at this stage.

Fonterra said it offered flexible working arrangements for office-based roles and encouraged employees to have an open discussion with their manager about their situation if required.

Employers and Manufacturers Association head of advocacy Alan McDonald said it was likely to be considered by more employers if prices rose significantly further, or the situation continued for longer.

Employment lawyers said even those whose employers were not openly offering work from home solutions could request it, if they were feeling budget pressure.

“You can always ask,” said Alastair Espie, at Duncan Cotterill. “The question is whether they have to say yes and the starting point will be they probably don’t necessarily have to.

“If your contract says your place of work is the employer’s premises or offices or site or whatever, then any deviation from that would need to be by agreement.

“If the employer says no, you can look at making say a formal flexible working request. But that’s a sort of a longer process and it’s not necessarily just going to solve it on a day-to-day basis in the short term.”

Alison Maelzer, a partner at Hesketh Henry, said a formal flexible working application was a more structured way of making a request, and there was a framework within which an employer must consider it.

“Many employers and employees will prefer to have a more informal conversation, at least in the first instance. Obviously, working from home will not be possible for all employees, in all roles. However, where a request can be accommodated, this may help employers with retention, employee engagement, and productivity.”

Family of missing fisherman Bruce Māue seeks answers as they hold prayer services

By
Kalino Latu
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The family of the missing Tokomololo fisherman held solemn vigils amid an unsuccessful search mission to find him.

Bruce Māue. Photo/Supplied

Bruce Māue, 43, also known as Chris, remains unaccounted for after disappearing during a fishing trip aboard the longliner FV Pacific Horizon on 4 March 2026, Tonga Police said.

Bruce’s family first raised the alarm on Tuesday, March 3, after his fishing employer notified them that he had gone missing “within 24 hours” of being dropped off to board his fishing boat, his first cousin, Lolinda Māue, said in a livestreamed video seen by Kaniva News.

With the search operation now abandoned, Lolinda said Bruce’s disappearance has left “his family and loved ones heartbroken.”

She said the family desperately wants answers about Bruce’s whereabouts.

Lolinda said that while the official process to determine what happened to Bruce is still underway, the family chose to hold a prayer service last week because they do not want to think of his disappearance as an “open coffin.”

Commenters on social media described Bruce as “tamasi’i angalelei,” meaning he was known as a young man of exemplary conduct, held in high regard by his community.

Several people remembered how often he shared his catch with them.

It is understood that Bruce had previously served as a soldier, although it remains unclear whether he was still in that profession at the time he went missing.

Route Before Disappearance

According to police, the vessel departed Tongatapu on Tuesday, 3 March, heading approximately 44 nautical miles northeast to its designated fishing grounds.

While the crew were operating in the area on Wednesday, 4 March, they discovered that one crew member was missing, the police said.

Immediate search efforts were carried out on board and in the surrounding waters, but the missing fisherman could not be found.

In a statement, Tonga Police extended their sympathies to the family and loved ones of the missing crew member, acknowledging the distress caused by the incident.

Authorities also reminded all maritime operators of the ongoing need to prioritise safety at sea and maintain constant awareness of crew welfare during voyages.

Tokaikolo Church challenges court action over leadership election dispute

By
Kalino Latu
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A dispute over the leadership of the Tokaikolo Church has escalated into a legal battle after a senior minister challenged the eligibility of two top church leaders to continue holding office.

Tokaikolo Church spokesperson Sangster Saulala. Photo/Supplied

Rev Mesake Mapapalangi has reportedly filed legal action challenging the validity of the re‑election of the church’s President, Siosaia Fapuiaki Tatafu, and its General Secretary, Siaosi Pita Kava.

The Tokaikolo Church itself has been named as the third respondent in the case.

According to reports, Rev Mapapalangi argued that both Tatafu and Kava are already over 70 years old, which the reports implied is a legal age limit for holding those positions.

He further states that both men are in declining health, noting that one is now wheelchair‑bound while the other is undergoing dialysis treatment.

Rev Mapapalangi argues that these circumstances make it unlawful for the two leaders to continue serving in their posts.

He claimed this week that a recent court decision had cancelled the election because Tatafu and Kava could no longer legally remain in office.

Church responds to the court action

In response, church spokesperson Sangstar Saulala told Kaniva News that the leadership considered the timing of the court’s communication on the matter unusual and is now formally disputing it.

He said the court’s letter was only delivered last Friday and required a response within seven days. However, the letter itself was dated 26 February, which meant the seven‑day deadline technically expired on Friday 6 March—the same day it was delivered.

Saulala said that under normal practice, deadlines begin from the day the letter is actually received. If counted from last Friday, the church’s seven‑day window would not expire until tomorrow.

“The church will therefore submit its response tomorrow,” Saulala said, adding that they would also ask the court to cancel the order issued on Tuesday, 10 March, on the grounds that the church did not receive the original notice until after the deadline had already passed.

Saulala did not dispute questions about our information, indicating that Rev Mapapalangi is taking the church, the president, and the secretary to court, nor the basis of their accusations.

The Tokaikolo Church is no stranger to court disputes.

The Auckland‑based Tokaikolo Christian Church previously faced High Court allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims of misused donations and substantial losses in a Ponzi scheme.

Plaintiffs in that case sought interim orders to freeze church spending and called for a forensic audit of all income and expenditure dating back to 2003.

The Tokaikolo Church has also been involved in a long‑running land dispute in Kolomotuʻa, where the Court of Appeal ruled that church members were entitled to reoccupy and own the land and buildings after a split in 2014.

The decision required the breakaway Mo’ui ‘Ia Kalaisi fellowship to vacate the property within 21 days, overturning earlier rulings that had awarded them the lease.

Cabinet steps in after years of land bungles with new disputes and complaints committee

By
Kalino Latu
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After years of public frustration, legal setbacks, and scathing court criticism over the Ministry’s mishandling of land matters, the government has finally moved to overhaul how disputes are dealt with.

Land Minister Dr Taniela Fusimalohi

To break the cycle of costly, time‑draining court battles, a new dispute‑resolution process has been created to offer landowners a quicker and more accessible path to justice.

The Minister for Lands, Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, announced today that Cabinet has formally approved the creation of the new land‑grievance review body within the ministry

The committee will include the Government’s Legal Advisor, the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Lands, and will be chaired by the Minister, with the Head of the Ministry’s Legal Division serving as secretary.

Land‑related disputes or serious complaints involving two parties, particularly over land boundaries or contentious ownership claims, will be referred to the committee for review.

The Minister said the committee is expected to mediate disagreements, resolve conflicts, or provide well‑considered recommendations to the Minister, helping reduce the number of cases that escalate to the courts.

The initiative will streamline and strengthen land administration, ensuring clearer, more efficient, and better‑informed ministerial decisions on land matters.

The news comes as a relief to many Tongans, especially the more than 200,000 living abroad who often must return home to resolve land matters that affect their families and estates in the kingdom.

A recurring pattern has also emerged on Kaniva News’ Facebook platforms, where readers regularly express frustration whenever land‑related stories are published, with many commenters criticising the Ministry for its handling of land applications, decisions, and its ongoing failure to improve these processes.

CEO: Govt revisits airport ground‑handling issue after identified ‘shorcomings’

By
Kalino Latu
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The Lord Fakafanua government has reopened discussions on the long‑running Fuaʻamotu Airport ground‑handling controversy, revisiting concerns first raised during last year’s political standoff over how the service was allocated.

Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi

The issue re‑emerged following former Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni Piukala’s unsuccessful attempt to renationalise the service.

At the time, he claimed that awarding the ground‑handling contract to a private company may have weakened border controls and contributed to breaches that undermined efforts to stop illicit drugs entering the country.

Piukala also made several other allegations that appeared to link Air Terminal Services (ATS), the long‑standing company responsible for ground‑handling operations, to the rising importation of illicit drugs into the country.

The former Minister further alleged that a Sunday medivac landing request by ATS, intended for a patient evacuation, was rejected after his own investigation revealed there was no patient.

He also dismissed the chief executive of Tonga Airports Ltd during the pursuit of his reform agenda, accusing the head of the state‑owned enterprise—which oversees the nation’s airport services—of what he described as an “abuse of power.” The CEO, Edgar Cocker, could not be reached for comment at the time.

ATS Rejects Allegations

However, ATS firmly denied any wrongdoing in a press release issued at the time, describing Piukala’s accusation as “a barrage of unjustified and ill-informed attacks.”

ATS Director Paul Karalus told Kaniva News in October last year that the company continued to operate as normal, despite Piukala telling the media that a process was underway to replace it.

Kaniva News understands that ATS’s contract with the government expired last year, but because of the technical complexity of the operation and the stringent regulatory requirements for any company seeking to take over—criteria that reportedly only ATS currently meets—the company has continued providing the service.

Review Included in 100‑Day Plan

Dr Fotu Fisiiahi, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, recently confirmed that the matter has now been formally brought back to the Ministry’s attention.

He said the current Minister Hu’akavameiliku has included the issue as part of his 100‑day policy agenda.

In Tongan he said: “Talu mei he ‘aho ‘uluaki ‘o ‘Okatapa ta’u kuo ‘osi’ pea mo e ngata ‘a e ngaahi alēlea ko eni’ makatu’unga pe ia ‘i ha ngaahi tō nounou fakaalea.”

This translates into English as: since October last year, the negotiations around this issue had ended due to shortcomings.

He did not elaborate further, offering no additional details about the matter.

Child struck by vehicle on way to school, remains in recovery at Vaiola Hospital

By
Kaniva Staff
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A seven‑year‑old boy from Haʻateiho is recovering at Vaiola Hospital after he was struck by a vehicle while walking to school yesterday morning.

Photo/Kaniva Tonga News

The incident occurred at around 7.30am on Vahaʻakolo Road in Tofoa, near Tonga Side School, Deputy Police Commissioner Tevita Vailea told Radio Tonga News.

According to Vailea, a 32‑year‑old man from Kolofoʻou was driving south when the child suddenly crossed the road in front of his vehicle, resulting in the collision.

The boy sustained injuries to his head, arm, and legs and was rushed to Vaiola Hospital, where he remains under medical care.

Police have not laid any charges at this stage, but an investigation is underway.

Vailea confirmed that officers are seeking any available surveillance footage from nearby businesses to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.

He said any potential charges will depend on the outcome of the investigation.

Vailea also issued a public reminder urging motorists to exercise extreme caution in school zones, especially during morning and afternoon peak times, and to ensure driving speeds are kept low to protect children in the area.

Man arrested over Loumaile Lodge blaze after ‘canister’ found at scene

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man has been arrested in Tonga in connection with the recent blaze at Loumaile Lodge, Prime Minister and Minister of Police Lord Fakafanua has confirmed.

His announcement follows growing public concern after a series of fires struck central Nuku’alofa within days of each other.

According to Lord Fakafanua, firefighters discovered a canister inside the burnt structure, prompting police to treat the case as suspicious.

Fire and Emergency Services were able to save around 90 percent of the building despite the blaze breaking out on the second floor of the abandoned commercial property.

The confirmation of the arrest comes as authorities are also investigating another fire that destroyed a significant portion of the Tonga Hou‘eiki Church office, located less than a kilometre from Loumaile Lodge.

That earlier blaze consumed about 60 percent of the office building and sent thick smoke across the capital, prompting evacuations and a heavy emergency response.

The two incidents, occurring just days apart, have heightened concerns in the community as police attempt to determine whether the fires are connected.

Investigations into both blazes remain ongoing.

Woman dies, child hurt car crashes into cafe on Auckland’s North Shore

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

A woman has died after a car mounted the curb and ploughed into a cafe in Auckland.

The crash, about 9am on Wednesday, closed William Souter Street in the North Shore suburb of Forrest Hill.

Three people were initially hurt – one critically, one with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries. Two were taken to hospital.

Police have confirmed one of those injured had since died.

A woman at an Auckland cafe has been left bleeding and with life-threatening injuries after a car crashed into the building in Auckland.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“We just heard a massive crash sound,” Jess, who works in a neighbouring store, told RNZ.

“I was out back and I thought maybe some of our shelves had fallen down, so I rushed out to the front of the store, and lo and behold, there’s just a car on the sidewalk.”

Jess said she and her manager both rushed out and could see that the car had “obviously” crashed into the cafe.

“The first thing we saw was obviously the lady that was really injured, she was lying on the ground and there was, like, another girl, it looked like quite a young girl, whose face was bleeding as well so there were like two very noticeably injured,” she said.

“And the first thing was just to call 111, just because obviously we saw that the lady who was hit was in a not so good situation, she was in a lot of pain and she kind of looked super, super confused so we called emergency right off the bat.

A woman at an Auckland cafe has been left bleeding and with life-threatening injuries after a car crashed into the building in Auckland.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“The car obviously has taken out the door area, the whole glass panel, it’s almost like a split glass panel and the one glass panel is literally floating in mid-air.”

Jess said they then tried to keep people away from the entrance so there were no further injuries.

She credited another nearby worker.

“The cat doctor next door to us, there is a cat nurse, she was brilliant in that situation, she ran right across from the cat doctor and she sat on the ground with the injured lady and she just sat with her and talked her through it. She was amazing,” Jess said.

A woman at an Auckland cafe has been left bleeding and with life-threatening injuries after a car crashed into the building in Auckland.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A worker at the cafe that was hit by the car said a woman and her daughter were sitting at the time.

“Very sad news to see today. Thinking of all those involved,” North Shore MP Simon Watts said in a post on Facebook.

St John sent three ambulances and two rapid response units.

Police said only one vehicle was involved.

Free Wesleyan Church president condemns alcohol served at QSC centenary ball

By
Kalino Latu
-

The President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT), Dr Tevita Havea, has strongly rebuked Queen Sālote College (QSC) authorities after alcohol was reportedly served at an ex-student centenary ball, calling the incident deeply disappointing and contrary to the values of a church‑run school.

Dr Tevita Havea receives a cultural visit from the Queen Salote College principal and staff, during which he strongly criticised the school’s decision to allow alcohol at an ex‑students’ centenary ball. Photo/Screenshotted.

A video sighted by Kaniva News shows Dr Havea meeting face‑to‑face with school leaders, including the principal, where he expressed deep disappointment over the event and the apparent approval of alcohol as part of the celebration.

Kaniva News also understands that the ball had been publicly announced as part of the centenary programme and was recently held at the Taufaʻāhau Wharf building in Maʻufanga.

Photos circulating on social media at the time became the subject of widespread banter and emotional sharings, showing former students posing beside tables lined with beer and wine.

The FWCT, the largest Christian denomination in Tonga and the owner of QSC, maintains a firm anti‑alcohol stance and strictly prohibits any of its activities from involving alcohol.

Dr Havea told the school authorities that while former students were free to drink in their own time, it was unacceptable for the church‑run institution to allow alcohol to be associated with an official school centenary programme.

He reminded the staff that QSC has always been upheld as a school of high discipline, and allowing such an incident to occur undermined that long‑standing reputation.

While speaking to the staff, he said the Church was deeply disappointed by the incident, adding that although only a small group was responsible, the impact was felt across the entire Church.

“Do something about it,” he said.

Rev Havea also pointed to livestreams circulating on social media showing tables filled with alcohol at the event, implying the footage devastated him.

He reminded the principal that while the school often speaks out on national issues, it has remained silent about its own internal problems and has failed to address them openly.

During the exchange, several women—believed to be the principal and staff members—responded with “io” and “koia” (yes) in agreement, their voices sounding emotional as they acknowledged the president’s concerns.

The President asked the staff to excuse him for speaking so forcefully, explaining that it was better for him to express his disappointment before the main event so that he could feel free and able to lead a proper service on the day, a point with which the women agreed.

It remained unclear whether the principal and staff had visited the president as part of the customary tala fatongia process to formally present and confirm the centenary programme, or whether the visit was prompted by an effort to apologise after learning of his disappointment over the ball.

The centenary main celebration is scheduled for Thursday, beginning with a prayer service expected to be attended by the King and Queen, followed by a series of activities running through to Sunday.

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