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Tonga Police issues urgent reminder on domestic violence as new survey reveals alarming levels of abuse

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga Police has issued a fresh public alert on domestic violence, posting a new advisory to its official Facebook page today, urging families to recognise the seriousness of violence within the home and to report incidents early.

The notice, titled “Domestic Violence Is a Crime,” reinforces that abuse of any form remains a prosecutable offence and stresses the need for collective community action to keep families safe.

The advisory outlines six key forms of domestic violence: physical assault, verbal and emotional abuse, threats and intimidation, sexual abuse, financial control or deprivation, and damage to property. Police reiterated their zero‑tolerance stance, promising firm action against offenders and prioritising the protection of victims.

The public message comes at a critical time, following the release of new data that paints a stark picture of the scale of violence occurring in Tongan homes.

According to the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC), findings from Tonga’s 2024 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) reveal that 86.1% of children aged 1–14 experienced physical punishment and/or psychological aggression from household members within the previous month.

Meanwhile, 33.68% of women aged 15–49 reported suffering physical, sexual, or psychological violence from an intimate partner in the past year.

WCCC says these figures expose not only widespread abuse but deeply rooted attitudes that continue to normalise violence. The survey found 23.6% of women and 14.5% of men believe a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances. Overall, 38.1% of respondents agree it is acceptable to beat a woman in some situations.

“These are not just statistics – they are reflections of daily pain and fear endured by our women and children,” said WCCC Monitoring & Evaluation Advocate Soana Pongi.

The Police advisory, posted just hours after the WCCC statement, includes practical guidance for those needing help. Members of the public are urged to report incidents immediately to 922, reach out to trusted family or community leaders, and take action early to prevent further harm.

Police say they issued today’s reminder because many cases remain unreported, and the harm caused—especially to children—can have long‑lasting effects on wellbeing and relationships. The advisory reinforces the national message: “Safe Homes. Safe Communities. Safe Tonga.”

With both law enforcement and frontline advocates calling attention to the escalating problem, authorities are urging the public to take domestic violence seriously and to support efforts to break what they describe as a cycle of silence, fear, and generational trauma.

Eleven arrested as Police dismantle dark web drug import network

By
Kaniva Staff
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Auckland, NZ – A nine‑month police investigation has uncovered what authorities describe as a sophisticated drug‑importation and distribution ring using the dark web to smuggle large quantities of illicit substances into New Zealand.

Cocaine seized during Operation Solana (Source: NZ Police )

Operation Solana — led by the National Organised Crime Group — culminated in coordinated raids across Auckland and Hamilton on Thursday and Friday, resulting in the arrest of 11 people.

The operation targeted an alleged network involved in sourcing and supplying methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.

Police executed 16 search warrants, seizing significant quantities of drugs alongside approximately $500,000 in cash and three firearms, one of which was a 3D‑printed weapon.

Investigators say the group relied on encrypted messaging platforms, anonymous online marketplaces and cryptocurrency services to obscure their identities and financial trails.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Hunt said the inquiry began after investigators identified a local syndicate suspected of using anonymous dark‑web trading sites to conduct illegal activity.

“We have established this group allegedly imported and distributed these controlled drugs across the country,” Hunt said.

Police believe the drugs were shipped from multiple overseas sources, including the UK, Europe and the United States.

Working with New Zealand Customs and international agencies — among them US and European law‑enforcement partners and the Australian Border Force — authorities intercepted more than 200 kilograms of controlled drugs offshore before they could reach the network.

Additional quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and ketamine were discovered during the execution of this week’s search warrants.

The 11 arrested individuals, aged between 24 and 42, were expected to appear in the Auckland District and Hamilton District Courts today.

They face a raft of charges, including the importation, possession and supply of Class A, B and C drugs, unlawful possession of firearms and participation in an organised criminal group.

Hunt said Operation Solana demonstrated the growing capability of police to track offending in encrypted and anonymous online environments.

“Offending on the dark web is not invisible,” he said. “These arrests send a clear message: If you are importing or dealing drugs through the dark web, we will find you, and we will hold you to account.”

What is wastewater drug testing, the method Tonga’s Police Commissioner wants to use?

By
Kalino Latu
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Explainer – Tonga’s Police Commissioner, Geoff Turner, told Matangi Tonga he is seeking government approval to authorise wastewater drug testing in the kingdom.

Police Commissioner Geoff Turner. Photo/Tonga Police (cropped)

Turner said the approach would help police measure illicit drug consumption trends nationwide.

If approved, he said wastewater testing could initially be carried out at police stations, where officers would be tested first as a lead‑by‑example measure before the programme is expanded to the wider community.

While wastewater testing works best in countries with centralised sewage networks like New Zealand, Tonga lacks such infrastructure.

Instead, local authorities would need to rely on sampling from individual septic systems and other decentralised wastewater sources.

The programme would be backed by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, which has secured funding to carry out wastewater testing initiatives across several Pacific nations.

But what exactly is wastewater testing — and how has it been used overseas?

Wastewater Drug Testing

Wastewater drug testing, known scientifically as wastewater‑based epidemiology (WBE), analyses raw sewage for traces of illicit drugs excreted by users. Daily samples are collected from wastewater systems and examined using advanced laboratory methods such as chromatography‑mass spectrometry.

These tests detect drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, heroin, fentanyl and new synthetic substances. The findings are usually expressed as estimated milligrams per 1,000 people per day, offering an anonymous and real‑time picture of drug use across regions.

The technique can also distinguish whether drugs were consumed or simply dumped into the sewer, using chemical profiling to compare parent drugs with their metabolites.

WBE is now widely used by law enforcement, public‑health agencies and policymakers to identify emerging drug threats and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

How New Zealand Uses Wastewater Testing

New Zealand operates one of the world’s most comprehensive wastewater drug monitoring programmes, covering more than 75% of the population. Regular reports from New Zealand Police show consistently high levels of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine across multiple districts.

In late 2024, RNZ reported that wastewater data revealed a sharp increase in methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA use, prompting police to investigate the cause and consider enforcement responses.

Earlier nationwide testing summarised by Water New Zealand also noted that methamphetamine was the dominant illicit drug detected, with an estimated $20 million per week in associated social harm.

Wastewater Testing Leading to Police Action

In December 2025, The New Zealand Herald reported that three people were arrested and drugs, weapons and cash seized during raids in Hawke’s Bay. According to the report, the arrests followed a six‑month police operation codenamed Operation Tukutuki, which police launched specifically in response to high levels of methamphetamine detected in wastewater testing.

Police said wastewater analysis indicated methamphetamine had “an increasingly strong grip” on the region, prompting targeted enforcement. Multiple search warrants were executed, uncovering methamphetamine, cash, a 3D‑printed firearm and stolen property.

This case is a clear example of how wastewater data can directly influence police operations — not by identifying individual users, but by guiding strategic enforcement in high‑consumption areas.

Why Tonga Must Adopt the Same Method

Turner reportedly said a large proportion of drugs transhipped through the region were not destined for domestic markets.

This assessment is consistent with reports from experts in Fiji and Samoa, who say their islands have become strategic transit points in a wider trafficking network funnelling drugs toward New Zealand and Australia.

While the bulk of these shipments move onward, portions are believed to be left behind as part of the transactional arrangements that enable the smuggling routes to operate.

In Tonga, however, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. A steady succession of arrests involving alleged illicit drug dealers — including cases brought before the courts as recently as last week and earlier this month — points to a deeper, largely unseen flow of narcotics within the country.

The frequency of these cases raises questions about how much contraband escapes detection and whether Tonga is now facing the domestic consequences of a trade long thought to pass through the region rather than settle in it.

Given the precision and evidentiary strength of wastewater testing, its adoption in Tonga is widely viewed as long overdue.

The system would allow police to better target resources and avoid unnecessary or failed operations that stem from unreliable tip‑offs.

Family dispute leads to demolition of property in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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A building in Tonga has been demolished after what is understood to be a family dispute, according to video footage shared online.

An excavator demolishes a building in Tonga following a family land dispute, as seen in footage shared on social media. Photo/Screenshot

The video, posted to social media, shows a large excavator tearing down the structure while bystanders recorded the incident from outside the property’s gate.

The footage shows the excavator positioned on top of piles of broken timber, roofing iron, and other debris as it continues to pull apart what remains of the building.

Kaniva News understands the destruction stemmed from a disagreement related to land rights.

In the video, a woman can be heard alleging that the conflict arose because of a legal issue involving land registration. She claimed that under Tongan law, “no one should register two land allotments, only one.”

Her comments suggest the dispute involved questions about whether one party held more than a single legal allotment, an issue that has historically caused tension within some families under Tonga’s land tenure system.

The location of the property and the identity of its owner remained unknown.

Authorities and those involved in the dispute could not be reached for comment.

Strong Reactions from the Public

The footage has prompted a wave of responses across social media.

Some commenters expressed sympathy for those affected, with several alleging that the demolished building was worth “millions,” though no official estimate has been confirmed.

Others offered religious reflections, quoting verses from the Holy Bible and urging patience, forgiveness, and compassion.

Some urged families to pursue peaceful resolution rather than resorting to actions that cause visible and emotional destruction.

No Official Statement Yet

As of publication, authorities have not released any statement regarding the cause of the demolition or whether any legal proceedings will follow.

It remains unclear whether the dispute had been taken through any formal mediation channels before the situation escalated.

Kaniva News will continue to monitor developments and report as more information becomes available.

Photos reveal dangerous state of disrepair inside Ngū Hospital in Vavaʻu

By
Kalino Latu
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Shocking images exposing dangerous structural decay inside Ngū Hospital in Vavaʻu have unleashed fierce criticism, as frustrated residents point to years of government promises to build a replacement facility — promises that vanished without action.

Photos uploaded by Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota reveal the deteriorating state of Ngu Hospital, with a hazardous floor hole and crumbling door frame among the visible damage.

One of the photos shows a gaping hole in the hospital floor, directly beside a hospital bed or medical trolley.

The hole exposes broken flooring material and a dark cavity beneath—posing an immediate danger to anyone walking or working near it. The image highlights how parts of the hospital appear to be literally falling apart under the feet of staff and patients.

Another photo reveals severe structural failure around a doorway, with crumbling concrete, broken wall surfaces, and debris scattered across the ground.

The area inside the room appears filled with damaged materials, giving the impression of long‑term neglect and abandonment rather than an operational health facility.

It comes after Kaniva News reported about four years ago, in 2022, that Ngū Hospital was facing serious infrastructure problems, including leaking and outdated buildings. At the time, senior cabinet ministers described the situation as urgent and unacceptable.

The then Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Dr Viliami Uasikē Lātū, said the conditions were “inappropriate and pitiable” (“’tu’unga ‘ikai fe’unga mo faka’ofa”). Posting in Tongan on Facebook after a ministerial site visit, he wrote: “It is in a dangerous state and really needs reconstruction urgently.”

Dr Lātū inspected the hospital alongside the then Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala, and the Minister for Justice, Sāmiu Vaipulu. They were accompanied by the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Tonga, Ms Lucy Joyce, and the First Secretary to the Australian High Commission.

Two years later, on 7 November 2024, the World Bank announced the approval of a US$30 million grant to help Tonga address the growing burden of non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes and heart disease. The funding was also intended to support the reconstruction of Ngū Hospital.

Public Outcry as Photos Confirm Years of Neglect

Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota published the images on Facebook this week, describing the condition as rotten (“popo”), triggering a wave of frustration among local residents, many of whom say the photos confirm long‑standing warnings about the hospital’s deteriorating condition.

Some commenters expressed disbelief that the main hospital for the Vavaʻu island group could be allowed to fall into such disrepair, while others questioned how patient safety and dignity could be maintained in such conditions.

One outraged commenter pointed out that while authorities are urging the public to clean up amid dengue outbreaks, the very institution that should embody cleanliness and safety — the hospital itself — is in a state of chaos and neglect.

“We never thought one of the main hospitals in Tonga could ever end up in this kind of danger,” a commenter wrote.

Another commenter pointed out that past governments repeatedly promised to renovate the hospital, yet none of those pledges ever materialised.

Last year, the Australian High Commission in Tonga announced on Facebook that the redevelopment of Vavaʻu’s Prince Wellington Ngū Hospital was “a project close to our hearts,” noting that work with key partners was progressing.

The post said the Australian team had joined the Ministry of Health and the World Bank to mark early milestones, confirming that design work for the new hospital building would begin soon. Tonga’s Ministry of Finance has allocated AUD $10 million from Australia’s budget support funds to the national project.

Remaining land from Hunga eruption continues to erode, new aerial survey finds

By
Kalino Latu
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The last fragments of land created by the devastating 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai eruption are continuing to erode, according to new aerial observations released by Tonga’s Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources.

The remaining remnant of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai continues to erode, as shown in this aerial image captured during the recent volcanic survey. Photo/Supplied

The deadly eruption and tsunami resulted in three confirmed deaths in Tonga, according to official reporting by the Tongan government and the United Nations at the time.

The victims included British national Angela Glover, a 65‑year‑old woman from Mango Island, and a 49‑year‑old man from Nomuka Island.

The tsunami’s impact was also felt internationally, with high waves causing two deaths in Peru, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the disaster to at least five.

The latest finding emerged during a United States–supported reconnaissance flight conducted on 17 February 2026.

The Ministry confirmed that during the survey, the remaining section of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai showed no visible signs of volcanic activity, but the landmass continues to shrink as the sea steadily reclaims what is left of the once‑significant island formed in the years before the 2022 explosion.

The update was issued in a public notice following an invitation from the United States Embassy in Fiji, which arranged for the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, MEIDECC CEO Mr Sione Akau‘ola, and Deputy CEO for Natural Resources Division, Mr Rennie Vaiomounga, to board a demonstration flight of a U.S. Government Pacific regional jet.

The flight doubled as an opportunity to assess multiple active volcanic sites across Tonga.

Aerial checks confirmed that no steam, ash, discoloured water, or other indicators of unrest were visible at Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai. The Ministry reported that only the eroding remnant of the island formed prior to the 2022 eruption remains, highlighting how dramatically the landscape has changed since the explosion that triggered a Pacific‑wide tsunami.

Images released with the notice show the reduced landmass from both distance and close‑range perspectives.

The survey team also inspected Tofua Volcano, where gas emissions confirm the volcano remains active but stable. Low to moderate steam and gas emissions were observed at the Lo‘uta crater, with plumes rising to moderate heights.

The Ministry reported no ash emissions or volcanic explosions during the flight.

The mission included an assessment of Home Reef, one of Tonga’s most active submarine volcanoes in recent years. While the notice did not include detailed observations in the visible section, the Ministry confirmed the site was part of the aerial survey.

The U.S. regional jet, originally intended for Pacific Heads of Government travel, allowed Tongan officials an opportunity to view remote volcanic areas from the air—an important component of hazard monitoring in a nation vulnerable to rapidly changing geological conditions.

The Ministry said such cooperation strengthens Tonga’s ability to track volcanic unrest and respond effectively to emerging risks.

One man still missing as search continues after dramatic rescue of two Tongans at sea

By
Kaniva Staff
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A search operation remains underway for one man still missing at sea after two Tongans were rescued following more than ten days adrift about 200 kilometres off the coast of Tonga.

The vessel Mysterious Wonder, from which one crew member remains missing after two men were rescued more than ten days adrift off Tonga.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, the pair were located yesterday morning by a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P‑8A Poseidon and brought safely on board the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Canterbury last night.

Tonga Police have not yet issued a public statement on the rescue or the ongoing search.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau confirmed to local media that one man from the vessel Mysterious Wonder remains missing, and that his identity is being withheld.

Taumoepeau described the missing man’s details as “critical information”, saying they would not be released while the search continues.

The RNZAF aircraft had originally been en route to conduct maritime surveillance related to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the South West Pacific when it was diverted for the emergency search.

The request came from Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre after the vessel was reported overdue.

The 11.5‑metre wooden boat had departed Tongatapu on 8 February. Authorities were formally notified on Tuesday that the vessel and its crew had not returned as expected.

The search is being carried out as a large-scale joint operation involving the New Zealand Defence Force, Tonga Police Maritime, the Tonga Navy, Tonga Meteorology Services, and several private agencies that have offered vessels and support.

Inspector Kisina of Tonga Police Maritime is leading and coordinating the mission on the Tongan side, with multiple agencies working together under challenging conditions.

Taumoepeau said all agencies remain on standby and will continue the search until Tonga Police Maritime issues formal direction.

“We are all waiting upon the Maritime before the operation is suspended,” Taumoepeau reportedly said.

Tilila Siola’a Walker’s ponzi scheme trial set for March 2027, U.S. prosecutors confirm

By
Kalino Latu
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Tilila Siola‘a Walker, the Tongan woman charged in 2023 over an alleged mulit-million Ponzi‑style investment scheme, is now scheduled to stand trial on 1 March 2027.

Tilila Siola‘a Walker, who faces U.S. federal charges over an alleged Ponzi‑style investment scheme, is scheduled to stand trial in March 2027.

The clarification followed Kaniva Tonga News’ request for an update and its alert to U.S. authorities that Walker is now linked to promoting BG Wealth Sharing, a scheme officially branded a “scam” by financial regulators in both Tonga and New Zealand.

In its official response, the U.S. Office said it had forwarded Kaniva Tonga News’ information to the attorneys currently managing the matter, but stressed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is bound by a strict communications policy that prevents it from commenting on any potential new investigations.

In an email to this outlet, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote:

“As you may know, the policy of the U.S. Department of Justice is to neither confirm or deny an investigation, so I cannot say whether or not there is an investigation into any current happenings.”

This means that U.S. federal prosecutors will not publicly state whether they are examining new claims or recent developments connected to Walker, including any additional schemes she is alleged to be promoting.

However, in a significant development in Walker’s 2023 Ponzi‑scheme case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed:

“Ms. Walker’s trial is now scheduled for March 1, 2027, a year away. This is to give the defense the time to prepare for trial.”

Investor Funds Spent on Casino Trips and Shopping

U.S. regulators allege that Walker (also known as Tilila Walker Sumchai) orchestrated a major Ponzi‑style investment scheme that defrauded members of the Tongan American community across the United States.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Walker raised approximately US $11.8 million from more than 1,000 investors between January and October 2021 through a fraudulent securities offering.

The SEC’s complaint states that Walker promoted an investment she named “Tongi Tupe,” claiming she used a secret algorithm that guaranteed extremely high returns.

Investigators say she first targeted respected Tongan American community leaders, paying them unusually large returns to build trust and legitimacy. These leaders, believing the scheme was genuine, then hosted meetings and promoted Tongi Tupe to broader groups within the community.

According to the SEC, Walker promised impossible profits, including claims that a US $3,000 investment would return US $146,000 in just 16 weeks. In reality, the SEC alleges that Tongi Tupe produced no legitimate investment returns.

Instead, Walker operated a classic Ponzi scheme, using money from new investors to pay earlier participants. The complaint further alleges that she diverted investor funds for personal expenses, including casino trips, travel, and shopping.

Kaniva News understands that Tongans in New Zealand and Australia—particularly members and affiliates of the Tonga Democratic Party (PTOA)—were heavily invested in the scheme, as Walker was one of the prominent figures within the diaspora group at the time.

The SEC filed civil charges against Walker in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, accusing her of violating multiple U.S. securities laws, including anti‑fraud provisions and rules prohibiting the sale of unregistered securities.

Regulators are seeking permanent injunctions, a conduct‑based injunction, disgorgement of profits, civil monetary penalties, and an order barring Walker from serving as an officer or director of any company.

FBI Urges Potential Tongi Tupe Victims to Come Forward

In its 2023 public notice, the FBI urged anyone who believes they were affected by Walker’s Tongi Tupe investment program to come forward and assist federal authorities.

The Bureau said it is legally required to identify victims in fraud cases and asked potential victims to complete an official questionnaire, noting that the information provided may help the investigation and allow agents to contact individuals for further details.

The FBI stressed that responses are voluntary but important for determining the scope of the alleged fraud.

Fresh judging controversy reignites Tongan mistrust of Miss Pacific Islands — despite reform promises

By
Kalino Latu
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Commentary – Fresh controversy at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant has reignited anger among Tongan supporters, who say the regional event continues to betray their trust despite public assurances of reform.

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant has once again been swept into controversy. Photo/Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

Many are again urging the Tongan government to consider withdrawing from future participation unless the pageant delivers credible, transparent change.

The current backlash does not exist in a vacuum.

Just a year ago, allegations surfaced that Samoan lawyer Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt—then the head judge for the 2025 pageant—had interfered with the final results, awarding the crown to Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia‑Allan, instead of awarding it to Miss Tonga, Racheal Guttenbeil, whom critics argued was the rightful winner.

The claims were serious enough to prompt a police investigation in the Solomon Islands and travel restrictions on Brunt. Authorities there stopped him at the border and questioned him over suspected “fraudulent activities.”

He denied any wrongdoing and was later allowed to leave, but the episode cast a long shadow over the competition and eroded public trust—especially in Tonga.

Tonga’s dilemma: participate or protest?

In the wake of that scandal, Tongan fans called on the government to step back from the pageant. Yet Tonga still sent Miss Heilala, Siosi‘ana Patricia Lavulo Taumoepeau, to compete in Fiji this year.

Some supporters responded with a targeted protest: boycotting the popular online vote.

That threat appears to have materialised. Tonga lost the online voting title—previously held by Miss Guttenbeil—to Miss Papua New Guinea this year, a visible signal of grassroots frustration.

With the 2025 dispute unresolved, the Solomon Islands withdrew from this year’s competition in Fiji, citing concern over the lack of progress in addressing the controversy.

For many Tongan observers, that decision echoed the very trust issues they have been raising for months.

Vow to reform

Media reports during the MPIP contest in Fiji stated that the regional pageant had pledged to reform its judging process, although no details were provided about what those reforms would involve.

During one of the events, some Tongan observers noticed a heavily stapled envelope—apparently containing the scorecards—being presented on stage.

They joked that perhaps this was the “reform,” a tongue‑in‑cheek reference to the 2025 controversy, when it was alleged that the envelope containing the judges’ scores had been opened before reaching the MCs who were meant to announce the winners.

2026 result lights the fuse

Despite the reform promise, this year’s final result only sharpened the debate. Fiji’s Ailava Samuels was crowned Miss Pacific Islands, with Papua New Guinea’s Iampela Popena and Samoa’s Iliganoa Feagaimali‘i Soti named first and second runner‑up respectively. Miss Tonga became the third runner-up.

Within minutes, viewers across the region erupted online questioning whether the heavy presence of Fiji-affiliated judges gave the host nation an unfair advantage.

From Papua New Guinea, Anna Bais of the Miss PNG team said she was disappointed with the outcome and called on organisers to release the judges’ scorecards, as reported by ABC News.

Critics across the region described the situation as “a bad look for the Pacific,” and renewed calls for stronger oversight and transparency.

What Tonga wants—before next time

For Tongan supporters, the question is no longer who wins a crown, but whether the crown still carries credibility. If the pageant is to regain Tonga’s trust, several concrete steps are expected:

  • Publish full scorecards for all rounds, with judge names anonymised but affiliations declared.
  • Independent audit of scoring and tabulation, with a public summary report.
  • Conflict‑of‑interest rules that clearly govern judge selection, host‑nation affiliations, and backstage access.
  • Balanced judging panels with regional representation that avoids host‑nation dominance.
  • Appeals and review mechanism for contestants and national committees, with clear timelines.
  • A reform timeline published before the next pageant cycle, including who is accountable for delivery.

Until such measures are in place—and demonstrably enforced—Tongan supporters will continue to question the integrity of the competition and the wisdom of remaining involved.

For a pageant meant to celebrate Pacific unity, credibility is the true crown.

Cocaine detections surge in workplace drug tests across New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
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New workplace drug‑testing data shows a sharp rise in cocaine detections across the country, signalling what experts say is a concerning shift in New Zealand’s drug‑use landscape.

The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) has released its results for the three months to December, revealing that cocaine appeared in 3.7 percent of all positive tests — more than double the rate recorded in the previous quarter.

TDDA identified Bay of Plenty, Auckland West, and Waikato as the regions showing the steepest increases.

Under New Zealand employment law, employers are allowed to carry out random drug testing, but only in specific circumstances. Random testing typically applies to safety‑sensitive roles — such as transport, construction, forestry, logistics and manufacturing — where impairment could pose serious risks.

It must also be explicitly stated in the employee’s contract or in the company’s formal drug and alcohol policy. Without this, employers risk breaching privacy rights or opening themselves to legal challenges over unjustified testing.

Chief Executive Glenn Dobson told broadcaster Mike Hosking of Newstalk ZB that the upward trend is worrying, especially alongside New Zealand’s already well‑established methamphetamine problem.

“New Zealand already has a strong use base of methamphetamine, and now we’re starting to see a real increase in cocaine usage, which is a real concern for us,” Dobson said.

Industry experts say the rise may reflect changing drug supply lines, increased workplace testing, or shifting social patterns — but all agree the new data points to a growing presence of cocaine in New Zealand communities.

TDDA conducts tens of thousands of workplace drug tests annually across sectors including transport, construction, manufacturing and logistics.

The latest figures suggest employers may need to prepare for a wider range of substances appearing among staff.

The agency is expected to release a full breakdown of its annual statistics later this year.

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