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Tonga’s position in question as China and Russia respond to Trump’s nuclear submarine orders

By
Kalino Latu
-

Commentary – As tensions escalate between global superpowers, a critical question arises for the Pacific: Where would Tonga stand if China, Russia, and the United States went to war? 

This question has become more pressing following revelations that U.S. President Donald Trump, in response to threats from a former Russian president and military leader, Dmitry Medvedev, ordered two nuclear submarines near Russian waters.

In a swift counter, China and Russia launched joint military drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, signalling a deepening strategic alliance aimed at challenging U.S. influence.

The drills, known as Joint Sea-2025, began near Vladivostok and involve advanced naval operations including submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and missile interception. Four Chinese warships, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, joined Russian vessels in the exercises.

These manoeuvres reflect a growing military partnership that has evolved since the first Joint Sea exercises in 2012. While both nations claim the drills are defensive, Japan and other regional powers view them as a serious security concern.

China’s Influence in Tonga

Tonga’s position in this geopolitical triangle is far from simple. The Kingdom has cultivated strong ties with China since the 1990s, when King Tupou IV shifted diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing.

Since then, China has become one of Tonga’s most influential development partners.

Chinese aid has funded major infrastructure projects, including government buildings, sports facilities, and, most recently, the China-Aid Tongatapu Wind Power Project.

Commissioned by King Tupou VI in July 2025, the wind farm now contributes nearly 4% of Tonga’s annual electricity supply and a quarter of its renewable energy output.

Western Ties Remain Strong

At the same time, Tonga maintains important relationships with Western allies and the United States, particularly Australia and New Zealand, through military training and regional security cooperation. The United States recently re-established its embassy in Nuku’alofa, signaling renewed diplomatic engagement.

Historically, the U.S. has supported Tonga not only through direct funding, but also via international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.

New Zealand and Australia are Tonga’s largest funders and aid donors.

During World War II, American forces helped defend Tonga from Japanese threats.

Tonga’s Strategic Balancing Act

This dual alignment places Tonga in a delicate position. On one hand, China’s economic support has been vital to Tonga’s development. On the other hand, Tonga’s defence and security as well as economic ties lean toward Western powers.

The Kingdom’s military has trained extensively with Australia and New Zealand, participating in exercises that some analysts interpret as countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

Culturally and politically, Tonga is a monarchy that underwent a significant political reform in 2010, transitioning into a democracy. Despite this change—initiated by the late King George V, who wished to relinquish the monarch’s executive powers to Parliament and an elected government—his brother, the current King Tupou VI, has made moves that suggest he is not fully committed to continuing his brother’s vision for a fully democratized Tonga.

As the constitution stands, the King still holds sovereign powers, including authority over foreign diplomacy and the military.

Tonga’s Critical Foreign Crossroads

Tonga must publicly declare its stance on this issue and inform the people which country it would support in the event of war. This is not a time for silence or allowing the public to speculate.

This is also a time for our leaders to deeply reflect on how they make decisions regarding the Kingdom’s foreign policy. Tonga must reassess its approach of leveraging the country’s poverty to seek financial assistance from China, while at the same time maintaining deep-rooted ties with the West.

For over two centuries, Tonga has been profoundly shaped by Western values—its people speak English fluently and embrace democratic principles along with the Western way of life. Today, more Tongans live in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States than in Tonga itself.

Yet, the Kingdom is increasingly turning to China—a nation governed by a Communist doctrine that stands in contrast to Western civilisation—for assistance. Our leaders must understand that the ongoing confrontation between the United States and China is primarily rooted in the clash between democracy and communism.

Modern Warfare Has Changed

Tonga must take this matter seriously. Recent events—particularly last month’s conflict between Israel and Iran—have demonstrated what modern warfare truly looks like.

The traditional tactics of deploying infantry platoons and establishing frontlines are becoming obsolete. Instead, nations now overwhelmingly rely on hypersonic missiles and precision airstrikes using advanced nuclear-capable aircraft, as vividly demonstrated in the Israel-Iran conflict.

This shift has dire implications for Tonga. Should the Kingdom ever become entangled in a conflict involving major powers like the United States, Russia, or China, the threat of a missile strike—capable of reaching our shores within hours—becomes alarmingly real.

For a small island nation with limited defences, this represents an existential risk.

TOP$1 billion drug bust in French Polynesia reveals Tonga’s role in Pacific narcotics route

By
Kalino Latu
-

Large shipments of cocaine from Mexico, intercepted in French Polynesia and valued at a staggering €331 million (approximately TOP$1 billion), were reportedly bound for Tonga and Australia.

Seized drugs onboard include 232kg of methamphetamine and 1,646kg of cocaine. Photo: Comgend Polynésie française OFAST

The discovery suggests that the Kingdom’s decade-long battle against its drug crisis is far from over and is, in fact, escalating.

The initial seizure took place on 14 July in Nuku Hiva, located in the Marquesas Islands, approximately 1,400 kilometres north of Tahiti, according to RNZ Pacific.

In the largest drug bust in French Polynesian history, authorities discovered 900 kilograms of cocaine and 180 kilograms of methamphetamines, seized the yacht used for transport, and repatriated it to Tahiti and the capital, Pape’ete.

Sniffer dog units were deployed during the investigation, resulting in the discovery of an additional 714.1 kilograms of cocaine and 49.8 kilograms of methamphetamines concealed within the boat’s structure.

This brought the final total to 1,646.8 kilograms of cocaine and 232.4 kilograms of methamphetamines, according to the report.

Weapons Among Drugs

In addition to the massive drug haul, authorities also discovered 11 Glock semi-automatic pistols and 24 ammunition magazines concealed aboard the seized vessel. French Home Affairs Minister Bruno Retailleau described the operation as a historic first for French Polynesia.

He praised the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies involved, including French Customs, the anti-narcotics unit OFAST, and the Gendarmerie, for their role in executing one of the region’s most significant maritime drug busts.

The three men onboard (a German skipper and two Dutch nationals), remain in custody, local Public Prosecutor Solène Belaouar said in a statement at the weekend.

“This shipment was not for French Polynesia”, head of French Polynesia’s Customs Serge Puccetti told local media.

He said intelligence shared between French authorities and regional law enforcement agencies such as the US, Australia and New Zealand has now clearly established the Pacific as a major transit area between narcotic-production from South America and one of its major new markets, Australia.

Key Transit Route

The discovery has highlighted the increasing use of Tonga as a potential stopover for drug smugglers transporting narcotics from South America to Australia and New Zealand.

Yachts arriving in Tonga have long been under scrutiny, especially since the 2012 discovery of a decomposed body and 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of cocaine aboard a grounded vessel off the coast of the Kingdom.

The drugs, hidden in the hull of a 13-meter yacht, were estimated to be worth up to A$116 million (US$120 million; £75 million).

According to Australian police, law enforcement agencies had been alerted that the drug-laden vessel was en route from South America. Since then, signs of marine-based drug trafficking to Tonga have increased, including blocks of cocaine and methamphetamine washing ashore, and rafts found on beaches in Vavaʻu.

Tonga’s efforts to combat its drug crisis have included high-level initiatives led by King Tupou VI, such as hosting a costly national symposium. Meanwhile, Parliament has introduced tougher penalties for drug-related crimes, including life imprisonment for convicted offenders.

Silent invaders: Tonga faces new drug smuggling tactics as narco-subs emerge in the Pacific

By
Kalino Latu
-

Commentary – Tonga is in the grip of a drug crisis. That much is clear. What remains disturbingly unclear is whether our leaders truly understand the evolving methods used by transnational drug traffickers to infiltrate our borders.

Narco subs, also known as narco-submarines, are typically constructed from a combination of materials, including wood, fiberglass, or steel for the hull. These vessels are designed to be semi-submersible, meaning they can partially submerge to evade detection by surface ships or aircraft.

For years, public discourse in Tonga has focused on familiar smuggling routes: yachts docking at our ports, cargo vessels suspected of dropping packages at sea, and local rafts ferrying drugs to shore. These are real threats, and they deserve attention. But there is a new, more sophisticated method of trafficking that has yet to enter the national conversation—sub-narcotic craft.

These are semi-submersible or fully submersible vessels, often custom-built and used by drug cartels to transport large quantities of narcotics undetected beneath the ocean’s surface. They have been intercepted in parts of Central and South America for years. Now, they are appearing in the Pacific.

Just recently, a sub-narcotic craft was discovered in the Solomon Islands. This should have sent shockwaves through the region. Yet in Tonga, there has been no official statement, no public discussion, and no indication that our authorities are even aware of this development.

Criminal networks often stay ahead of law enforcement by adopting advanced technologies. One such innovation is the use of small, semi-submersible vessels that skim just above the ocean’s surface.

Fiji Village reported in December that narco-subs carrying large quantities of drugs had been found in the Pacific, highlighting the urgent need for stronger maritime security cooperation 

The Colombian Navy announced its first seizure of an unmanned narco-submarine equipped with a Starlink antenna off its Caribbean coast, the NZ Herald reported. Although the vessel was not carrying drugs, officials believed it was a test run by a cocaine trafficking cartel.

These crafts are difficult to detect and can travel long distances without stopping, making it harder for authorities to intercept them during transit.

This silence is alarming.

Tonga’s vast maritime territory makes it vulnerable to precisely this kind of covert trafficking. If sub-narcotic craft are already operating in the Pacific, it is only a matter of time before they reach our waters—if they haven’t already.

The question is: Are we prepared?

Our leaders must urgently expand their understanding of the drug trade. This includes investing in maritime surveillance, collaborating with regional security partners, and educating the public about the full scope of the threat.

Ignorance is no longer an excuse. The technology used by traffickers is evolving. Our response must evolve with it.

Tonga cannot afford to be reactive. We must be proactive. The lives of our young people—and the future of our nation—depend on it.

Influencer Siaki Lonitenisi echoes public excitement as Vava’u’s new Mormon temple nears completion

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Excitement is building in Tonga’s picturesque Vava’u islands as the long-awaited Neiafu Temple approaches its final stages of construction.

The 17,000-square-foot temple houses two instruction rooms and two sealing rooms. Photo/Sylvester Tonga

Top social media influencer, Siaki Lonitenisi, said in a livestream video last week he couldn’t wait for the day the new temple opens—though his wife, Siutiti, jokingly doubted whether the Church would actually let him inside.

In response, the internet celebrity laughed and said it would be a pity if that were to happen.

Lonitenisi, a member of the church, has gained popularity for his entertaining content—such as picking up a heated pot with his bare hands by gripping its sides directly from a fire, and demonstrating precision shooting with his .22 rifle.

He is so popular that Tongans visiting from overseas often travel to Vava’u just to meet him, bringing various gifts ranging from money and food to even a newly built house.

A Vision Taking Shape

Locals have been eagerly watching the progress of the stunning edifice, with many expressing their anticipation for its opening ceremony, expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

The single-story temple spans nearly 17,000 square feet, featuring elegant architectural details that harmonize with the island’s natural beauty.

Recent updates from the Church highlight significant progress: lush palm trees and vibrant plants now adorn the temple grounds, while workers prepare sections for grass landscaping.

The steeple, a striking feature of the design, has been fitted with stained glass, casting a radiant glow in the Pacific sunlight.

Inside, craftsmen are putting the finishing touches on the sacred interior spaces, ensuring every detail reflects the reverence and devotion the temple will embody.

An ancillary building is also under construction, which will house a distribution centre, an arrival centre, a family history centre, and living quarters for temple missionaries and leaders.

A Second Temple for Tonga

The Neiafu Tonga Temple will be the second LDS temple in the island nation, following the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple, which was dedicated in 1983.

For members of the faith in Vava’u and surrounding islands, the new temple eliminates the need for long journeys to the capital for sacred ordinances, bringing spiritual blessings closer to home.

Local videos circulating on social media showcase the temple’s rapid transformation, with many residents marvelling at its beauty. “We have been waiting for this for so long,” said one Vava’u resident. “It’s not just a building—it’s a blessing for our families and future generations.”

The temple has been a focal point of community interest since its groundbreaking on September 11, 2021.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, underscoring the significance of the project for the nation.

Suspected narco-submarine found near Solomon Islands echoes drug vessel reports in Tonga’s waters

By
Kalino Latu
-

A suspected drug-smuggling submarine discovered in the Solomon Islands has revived concerns about sophisticated narcotics operations in Tonga’s waters, where similar vessels have allegedly been spotted unloading cargo.

A suspected narco-submarine discovered near Solomon Islands’ Isabel Province on July 28, 2025. The fiberglass vessel, fitted with four 85-horsepower engines, matches descriptions of craft used by South American drug cartel. Video Screenshot

The mysterious vessel is believed to have transported tonnes of cocaine from South America toward Australia.

The discovery follows earlier reports of vessel activity near deep-sea locations in Tonga’s Vava’u islands, where witnesses spotted cranes being lowered, an activity the Police Minister Piveni Piukala suggested could indicate illicit drug operations.

The Minister’s concerns echo a 2021 case reported by Kaniva News, when blocks of cocaine from a large shipment washed ashore at ‘Otualea Beach in Vava’u. Eight locals were subsequently sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 13.5 years for their involvement in handling the drugs.

Reports of rafts, allegedly used to transport drugs, have surfaced in the waters around Tonga’s outer islands. The unverified videos of these sightings by Kaniva News have been shared on social media.

As we reported last week, New Zealand deployed two K9 units to assist in inspecting yachts arriving in Vava’u, amid growing concerns that some operators may be unknowingly or deliberately involved in transporting illicit drugs to the islands.

The move reflects a proactive effort to safeguard Tonga from the escalating threat of drug-related activities.

Solomon Islands Discovery

Ben Maenu’u, Member of Parliament for Lau/Baelelea constituency and an experienced fisherman, made the unusual discovery of the apparent type of stealth craft often used by drug cartels to smuggle tonnes of narcotics across international waters undetected, on Monday, July 28, 2025, during a fishing trip to Isabel Province.

Speaking to Island Sun upon his return to Honiara on Tuesday, Maenu’u described encountering the vessel around 5 PM: “From a distance, we mistook it for an aluminium boat.

“As we approached, its submarine-like design became apparent—a fully enclosed, frightening structure of unknown origin,” he said.

The craft was drifting toward Lord Howe Island at the time of discovery, the report said.

The parliamentarian planned to tow the vessel to Honiara for further inspection.

As of Tuesday, July 29, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) had not commented on the discovery, despite inquiries from Island Sun.

This incident highlights growing concerns about sophisticated drug trafficking networks exploiting Pacific maritime routes.

Update: Court clarifies position on sealed judgment in Kolokihakaufisi cocaine case

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kaniva News has learned that the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court has sealed the verdict in the high-profile cocaine case involving Tevita Kolokihakaufisi.

Tevita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi

The 39-year-old was arrested after authorities discovered more than 15 kilograms of cocaine.

The drugs were allegedly found in quantities at both his residence and his workplace—the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

Following inquiries made by Kaniva News, the Court Registrar confirmed that a court order is in place prohibiting any media publication or public disclosure of the court’s decision.

In reference to our original report, we wish to clarify that the advice from the Registrar did not suggest that the Court would provide an order explaining the reasons for sealing the judgment.

We would like to emphasise the following clarification:

“While the sealed judgment cannot be released, the Registrar advised that Kaniva News may formally request a separate order confirming the non-publication aspect only. This does not include any explanation for the sealing of the judgment.”

Concerns raised over possible exploitation of schoolgirls in Tonga 

By
Kalino Latu
-

A suspected case of internal trafficking involving school-aged girls has raised alarm in Tonga, prompting quiet intervention by school officials and community members.  

Allegations have emerged regarding potential coercive control, including reports of massage requests by a “manager” and the sudden full payment of previously unpaid student school fees.

It follows a concerned member of the public alerting a local high school after spotting female students in uniform entering and exiting a now-closed foreign-owned business in Nuku’alofa, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Acting on the alert, the school’s officials confirmed the students involved and launched an investigation, Kaniva News can reveal. 

This resulted in the discovery that the students had been employed by a foreign business to work as kitchen hands.

The girls were promptly returned to their homes, and their employment was terminated.

Following the investigation, the school reached out to other stakeholders for support.  

The community response included a visit where counselling was offered to the girls to “build trust and assess their well-being.”

Curtained Room Raises Concerns

The workplace where the students were reportedly employed operated across three floors, with the presumed owner residing on the top level, while the girls reportedly stayed there.

They allegedly lived in a single large room separated by curtains, with their employer covering all living costs, according to student accounts obtained by Kaniva News.  

Authorities reportedly grew concerned about potential exploitation after claims the manager had taken the girls swimming and asked them for massages, according to sources.

The business has since ceased operations at its original location and is understood to have relocated to another area. 

Authorities could not be reached for comment, and it is unknown whether any formal complaints have been lodged with police.

Gaps Found, Plans Made

The last known police report of trafficking in Tonga, previously covered by Kaniva News, involved the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a victim during a human trafficking operation late last year.

The foreign victim was reportedly assisted in returning to their home country, while the accused trafficker faced charges

The U.S. State Department previously raised concern about Tonga’s lack of a comprehensive prevention plan to combat all forms of trafficking and to support and protect victims.

In response, Tonga launched its first national action plan to address human trafficking in 2023.

Tonga’s meth crisis deepens as New Zealand’s role in Pacific drug trade fuels local market, expert warns 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga is facing a deepening methamphetamine crisis, with experts warning that its growing local drug market is being fueled by transnational trafficking networks linked to New Zealand and Australia.   

In picture: Drugs seized by Australian and Tongan police from a yacht that had run aground at an uninhabited atol in Vava’u in 2012

Although Tonga’s Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, recently celebrated a dramatic 98.8% drop in methamphetamine seizures — from over 45 kilograms last year to just 71 grams this year — police continue to arrest individuals involved in drug-related activities, including meth distribution and cannabis cultivation on Tongatapu.  

Recent raids in areas such as Hauloto, Fua‘amotu, and Fasi have led to multiple arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine, cannabis plants, drug paraphernalia, and cash.   

Last week, on July 14, the Supreme Court convicted Penisimani Tuifua Angilau for supplying methamphetamine, threatening a police officer in March 2024, and committing money laundering. 

A leading Pacific crime expert says Tonga, once a quiet transit point for international drug cartels, is now grappling with the social, health, and law enforcement fallout of meth use — a shift driven by traffickers paying local facilitators in drugs instead of cash.  

Jose Sousa-Santos, associate professor of practice at the University of Canterbury’s Pacific Regional Security Hub, told RNZ’s Pacific Waves that Tonga has been used as a transport hub for the flow of methamphetamine and cocaine from North and South America, and Southeast Asia, to Australia and New Zealand. 

Sousa-Santos explained that over the past five years, the dynamics of drug trafficking in the Pacific have shifted — from paying local distributors in cash to compensating them with drugs — due to the increasing failure to prevent the spread of illicit substances into Pacific communities. 

“This is where we started to see the development and the growth of a local market, not just in Fiji, but in Tonga and other Pacific Island countries,” Sousa-Santos was quoted by the Pacific Wave as saying.  

“Because if you’re being paid in drugs, by selling those drugs, you can make more than the agreed upon amount.” 

Sousa-Santos also said that deportees from the US, Australia, and New Zealand were part of the evolving drug trade dynamic.  

While only a small number of these deportees were involved in criminal activity, many struggled to reintegrate due to a lack of understanding of local culture and language, as well as limited employment opportunities.  

As a result, some began reconnecting with criminal counterparts in the countries from which they were deported.  

These individuals introduced new tactics that Pacific law enforcement agencies were unprepared for, contributing to the evolution of drug smuggling and criminal enterprises in the region. 

As Kaniva News recently reported, Koli Moa, a Tongan deportee from the US, was sentenced to nearly two years in prison after pointing a pistol at a hotel staff member’s head and being later arrested in possession of illicit drugs. 

Passport fraud and sham marriage lands man record jail term

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Bangladesh-born Jahangir Alam – whose true name is not known – was found guilty of 29 offences, which included applying for visas for his wife and mother with his false identity, earlier this year.

A man who pretended to be his brother for 25 years and entered a sham marriage to get citizenship has been handed the longest jail term in New Zealand history for passport fraud.

He was jailed for four years at the Auckland District Court on Friday for producing forged documents, supplying false information and using a false passport, where the judge Peter Winter denounced the two-decade-long passport and immigration fraud.

“The initial identity fraud offending progressed and continued to mushroom from there,” said Winter. “It was complex, premeditated and longstanding. The duration and scale of the offending is considerable.”

His 45-year-old wife, Taj Parvin Shilpi, who was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention, was “fully aware” of the fraud, he said, as they were cousins who had lived in the same village growing up.

The Te Atatu couple have a 21-year-old son, a university student who was ‘entirely blameless’ said Winter, having arrived with his mother as a four-year-old in 2008. He became a citizen as the child of a New Zealander.

Alam went on to become president of the Bangladesh Association of New Zealand Inc (BANZI), in which he helped up to 80 people applying for passports.

Bangladesh had no consulate in New Zealand and Alam, through BANZI, had helped with paperwork, passports and stamps. There was no suggestion any of those passports were false. The judge was asked to take his work in helping others into account as community service when looking at whether Alam’s sentence could be discounted.

Winter said it was a “form of arrogance” that someone who was illegally in the country, and who had standing in the Bengali community, was dealing with other people’s passports. He refused to reduce his sentence for that, or for Alam being of good character.

Sham marriage

Alam’s age and true identity remain unknown, but he is believed to be the 50-year-old older brother of John Alam, who lives in the US.

How he adopted his brother’s identity and came to possess the Bangladeshi passport that got him to New Zealand is not clear, but authorities found he lived in Japan in the 1990s, before returning home and setting off for Auckland.

He became a taxi driver and entered a ‘marriage of convenience’ with a New Zealand woman – they separated shortly after he got his residence. He told a jury earlier this year that they split because of differences over her ‘lifestyle’ but claimed that it was a genuine partnership.

Having become a citizen, married Shilpi and had a son, he could still not complete his fraud, as Immigration New Zealand initially rejected her visa application because of discepancies in the interviews staff had with the husband and wife.

But she arrived in 2008 on the first of a number of visas – her application for residence was rejected as her health was deemed too poor. Alam had also tried to get his mother a visitor visa, but that too had been declined.

Shilpi, who suffers from hypertension and diabetes, was “aware that he was not the person who he claimed to be, and was aware from the very beginning”, said Winter. The jury had not believed her version that the couple did not meet until after his New Zealand marriage failed.

Immigration New Zealand welcomed the record prison sentence, and said it was a complex investigation that took six years to complete.

Shilpi has only been on temporary visas and her last visitor visa has expired. Alam’s case will be referred to Internal Affairs, which is in charge of passports and citizenship.

rnz.co.nz

Lord Tu’ilakepa’s remarks reveal lack of neutrality, gender bias, and disrespect for cultural expression in parliament

By
Kalino Latu
-

Commentary – The recent exchange in Tonga’s Parliament, in which the Chair of the Whole House Committee, Lord Tu’ilakepa, suggested that Acting Prime Minister Taniela Fusimālohi should “wear women’s clothing” in the House, has sparked serious concerns about the use of language, the role of parliamentary leadership, and the need for cultural and gender sensitivity in public discourse.

Lord Tu’ilakepa. Photo/ Fale Alea ‘O Tonga

What appeared to be an unfounded criticism by Lord Tu’ilakepa exposed what seems to be a lack of understanding of his role, a misconception of the traditional language lea heliaki, and an abuse of authority, threatening to eject any MP who attempted to correct him.

At the heart of this controversy is a comment that may breach the expected decorum of parliamentary debate while also invoking outdated and discriminatory gender stereotypes.

It reinforces the notion that femininity is inferior or laughable when applied to men, a sentiment rooted in sexism and misogyny. Such language is not only inappropriate in any professional setting but is especially troubling when voiced by someone in a position of authority within the legislature, like Tu’ilakepa.

Neutrality and Abuse of Authority

Parliamentary chairs are expected to uphold neutrality and foster respectful debate. Lord Tu’ilakepa’s remarks, as reported, crossed the line from moderation into personal insult.

His comment was not only dismissive of the Acting Prime Minister’s rhetorical style—delivered through traditional lea heliaki—but also appeared to weaponise gender as a means of humiliation.

This undermines the dignity of the House and erodes public confidence in its leadership.

Police Minister Piveni Piukala’s intervention was timely and justified. By urging the Chair to ‘hide what was in his heart’ and warning that the public could see the remark as demeaning to the Acting Prime Minister, he highlighted the severity of the breach. Yet the Chair retaliated by threatening to eject him from the House.

His appeal for the Chair to return to a neutral, moderating role was a call to restore the integrity of parliamentary proceedings.

It is also important to recognise the cultural context in which this exchange occurred. Lea heliaki, or the use of figurative speech, is a respected form of oratory in Tongan culture.

Fusimālohi’s use of this rhetorical style to discuss national energy policy was not only appropriate but culturally resonant. To dismiss or mock this approach is to disregard a valued tradition of Tongan political and public discourse.

What is lea heliaki?

But what exactly does lea heliaki mean in Tongan? It is the equivalent of “figures of speech” in English—a classified type of language used to generate effect, enhance expression, or evoke emotion.

The commotion in Parliament on Thursday that led to Lord Tu’ilakepa’s outburst came after Acting Prime Minister Fusimālohi employed lea heliaki to highlight the government’s lack of planning in relation to Australia’s support for Tonga’s electricity energy sources.

Fusimālohi used the type of lea heliaki known in English as analogy, comparing the situation to an “arranged marriage” in which Australia was ready with the bridegroom, while Tonga had yet to provide the bride.

Analogies help us understand complex or abstract ideas by relating them to something simpler or more concrete. They are a powerful tool in writing, speech, and everyday conversation, making concepts more relatable and easier to grasp.

Since lea heliaki is an important form of language used in both formal and everyday communication, the criticisms from Lord Tu’ilakepa raise the question of whether he truly understands the very language that, as a noble of the King, he is culturally expected to uphold.

Gender Discrimination and Public Impact

The apparent use of gendered insults in Parliament sends a harmful message to the public. It perpetuates the idea that femininity is something to be mocked, and it risks alienating women, gender-diverse individuals, and others who do not conform to traditional gender norms.

In a modern democracy, such language has no place.

It is essential that all members of Parliament, especially those in leadership roles, model respectful and inclusive communication.

This incident should prompt serious reflection within Tonga’s Parliament. Upholding the dignity of the House requires more than adherence to rules—it demands a commitment to respect, cultural understanding, and gender equity.

The public deserves a Parliament that debates ideas vigorously but treats all members with dignity, regardless of gender or political affiliation.

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