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UNGA80: Tonga’s Prime Minister meets US President Trump

By
Kaniva Staff
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New York — On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, joined world leaders at a high-level reception hosted by United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Lotte Hotel on Madison Avenue.

The Hon Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga and Leaders were hosted at the Lotte on Madison Avenue, by the President of the United States, His Excellency Mr Donald Trump and the First Lady Mrs Trump

Prime Minister Eke’s face-to-face meeting with President Trump comes two months after the U.S. administration warned that Tongans could be banned from travelling to the United States if the Kingdom fails to meet certain demands.

The statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office this morning did not provide further details regarding the meeting, nor did it clarify whether the U.S. demands were raised during the discussions.

PM Eke was attending an event that marked a significant moment in diplomatic relations, offering an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding ties between the United States and the Kingdom of Tonga, according to a PM Office statement.

Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in key areas including climate change, maritime security, and regional development.

Prime Minister Eke’s presence underscored Tonga’s commitment to global cooperation and its active role in addressing shared challenges through multilateral engagement.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of Pacific voices in shaping international policy, particularly in areas affecting small island developing states.

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) brought together leaders from across the globe to reflect on the organisation’s legacy and chart a course for its future.

“At the national level, the Prime Minister informed the United Nations of the Kingdom of Tonga’s forthcoming celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Tonga Constitution, as a profound reminder to the world of the sovereignty, unity, enduring independence, which was founded by His Late Majesty King George Tupou I,” the statement says.

“The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the celebration is not only a historic milestone for the Kingdom but a testament of the living legacy that continues to guide the nation and inspire future generations.”

Tongan lawyer’s alarm as recent NZ court ruling revives RSE exploitation concerns

By
Kalino Latu
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An Auckland-based Tongan lawyer has raised concerns about the risks facing Tongan workers under New Zealand’s RSE scheme, following a recent court decision that exposed serious breaches of employment law involving workers from the Solomon Islands.

Lawyer Nalesoni Tupou

Three Solomon Islands RSE workers took the Pick Hawke’s Bay company to the Employment Court, claiming that unlawful deductions had been made from their wages.

Their case raised broader questions about how the adult minimum wage applies to workers employed under the RSE scheme. The Court ruled in favour of the workers.

The court found that Pick Hawke’s Bay failed to inform Immigration New Zealand (INZ) about the way it charged accommodation costs and deducted them from workers’ pay.

“The judges also noted that the workers’ accommodation costs were based on costs calculated over 12 months, when they used them for only seven,” Stuff reported.

“They also noted that Pick Hawke’s Bay had not disclosed to INZ that accommodation costs would be calculated this way and be paid (in some cases) to entities associated with Pick Hawke’s Bay.

The three presiding judges found that deductions made from the workers’ wages for various items, including personal protective equipment, were unlawful.

Additionally, the Pick Hawke’s Bay company retained the workers’ passports, which was a violation of New Zealand law.

Wake-Up Call for Tonga

While the case did not involve Tongan workers directly, Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou warned that similar practices could affect Tongans participating in the scheme.

He urged Tongan authorities and communities to be vigilant and proactive in protecting the RSE workers’ rights.

“It is a pity to see our people are treated like that,” Tupou said in Tongan.

He also encouraged Tongan workers who may have experienced similar issues to come and seek legal action.

Spiritual and Sexual Targeting

His concerns come after Tongan RSE workers were identified in reports early this year as one of the Pacific groups vulnerable to strategic exploitation, where both church ministers and sex workers have reportedly targeted them in isolated environments.

These circumstances make it difficult for workers to resist offers that prey on their loneliness and the immediate availability of their wages, according to a Stuff report.

The report stated that sex workers approached RSE workers on payday by loitering near ATM machines. It also alleged that some of the sex workers were linked to gangs that coordinated the services.

As reported by Kaniva News and other media at the time, a Tongan RSE worker was deported for breaching employment conditions in New Zealand.

The worker missed three consecutive days of work while staying at a property in Motueka on January 22 with a sex worker — a clear breach of his visa conditions, which require him to remain at his designated workplace, the Stuff report said.

The employer later alerted Immigration NZ and police, leading to the man’s location at the woman’s residence, his arrest, and subsequent deportation to Tonga.

It has previously been reported that, over the past year, several church ministers arrived at the Bay, establishing makeshift “churches” in rented halls or garages near RSE workplaces where no formal congregation exists.

They reportedly request weekly tithes from workers, with one minister even turning up at orchards on pay day to collect money directly from the men.

70 corruption complaints filed ahead of Tonga’s election—Police called in to assist investigation

By
Kalino Latu
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Nuku’alofa — Tonga’s Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, has confirmed that police detectives have been asked to assist the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in resolving 70 complaints lodged ahead of the country’s general election in November.

Piveni Piukala

“These cases were expected to be addressed before the election,” Piukala said during a press briefing yesterday, citing a meeting with the ACC Commissioner.

The announcement follows revelations made by Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke during an overseas meeting, where he confirmed that complaints against the former Hu’akavameiliku government had been formally submitted to the ACC.

The complaints reportedly include accusations of misappropriation of public funds and breaches of governance protocols.

Dr Eke, who was in Honiara attending the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting recently, has repeatedly claimed that Hu’akavameiliku’s government misappropriated public funds.

He told RNZ Pacific that the proof of corruption against his predecessor is with the ACC.

“We have some cases already submitted the to the anti-corruption office, and they are working on them right away. I think the proof is already with them, and they are now in the process of reviewing [it] for submission to the court,” he said.

The former Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, has denied the allegations, citing audited government accounts for 2022/23 and 2023/24 that show no findings of fraud or misappropriation. He also questioned the timing of the accusations, suggesting they may be politically motivated given the upcoming election, according to RNZ.

Tonga’s general election is scheduled for November 20, and the handling of these complaints is expected to play a significant role in shaping public opinion and political accountability.

Australian tribunal’s ruling puts Tonga in deportation path for drug dealer, father of six

By
Kalino Latu
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A tribunal has ruled that a Tongan father must be deported from Australia—a decision that could potentially separate him from his family.

Tu’aefe Pālelei, who played 15 provincial games between 2007 and 2009, became involved in serious criminal activities after arriving in Perth from New Zealand in 2010, following the collapse of his contract with the Western Force Super Rugby side due to injury.

He is now facing deportation to New Zealand, where he was born.

According to the tribunal ruling, he would likely relocate to Tonga.

The ruling came despite heartfelt pleas from the man’s wife, who told the hearing the family would be “broken” if he were removed, revealing she had become self-sufficient during his imprisonment, according to a report by the New Zealand Herald.

They have six children; two are adults.

After arriving in Perth in 2010, Pālelei worked as a nightclub doorman and bouncer, a debt collector, and took jobs in construction and landscaping.

During this period, he began accumulating a criminal record, including driving offences in 2010, assault in 2011, possession of methamphetamine for supply in 2015, and possession of a large enough quantity in 2019 to be declared a drug trafficker.

He sold some of the drugs he supplied to undercover police officers.

In 2021, a vehicle parked at his home was found to have a sports bag containing A$264,000 ($299,000) cash, the Herald reported.

While on bail for other offending, Pālelei delivered a bag containing A$50,000 to an associate as a down payment on 10kg of meth.

In all, Pālelei has amassed 17 convictions in Australia for driving, assault, weapons and drugs offending.

He has been incarcerated twice and was most recently sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in December 2022.

He is currently in Casuarina Prison south of Perth, with an earliest release date of September 7, 2027.

Palelei’s visa to be in Australia was cancelled under Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act because he had been sentenced to a prison term of more than 12 months.

According to tribunal reports, the seriousness and extent of his offences leave little room for leniency from Australian authorities.

“The tribunal considers that the applicant [Palelei] presents a real, and not insignificant, risk of reoffending and, if he were to reoffend, further significant harm would be visited upon the Australian community,” the Herald reported Senior tribunal member Chelsea Lyford as saying.

“The tribunal considers that the risk to the Australian community should the applicant commit further offences or engage in further serious conduct, weighs heavily against revocation.”

Lyford affirmed the decision under review – the decision not to revoke Palelei’s visa cancellation.

Although born and educated in New Zealand, Palelei is originally from Tonga. He told the tribunal that if deported, he would most likely travel from New Zealand to live with his elderly mother in Tonga, where he spent part of his childhood.

Judge warns of rising gun misuse in Tonga as Lapaha man jailed for armed threat

By
Kalino Latu
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The rise in firearm-related incidents in Tonga was central to the sentencing of Lapaha community warden Vili Lausi‘i, who received a three-month jail term.

Presiding over the case, Chief Justice Lord Malcolm Bishop said the courts have a duty to deter such behaviour, noting the “increase in the negative use of arms in society” and expressing concern over the growing presence of firearms in the Kingdom.

The incident occurred on 19 December 2024, between 10 and 11pm when the complainant and her family were driving through Lapaha.

Lausi‘i, 46, allegedly stopped his vehicle abruptly at an intersection, pointed a gun at them, and followed them to their home, continuing to aim the weapon at their car.

The family remained inside, too afraid to exit.

The complainant’s mother called out, asking why he was doing this, but Lausi‘i remained silent and only left when the complainant’s father arrived.

Mr Bishop said: “What is particularly serious about your case is that this offending arose with no provocation and out of your own volition you chose to approach the Complainant and her family then proceeded to follow them home with your loaded rifle pointed at their direction.”

Mr Bishop noted that Lausi‘i may have been part of an additional patrol group assisting community policing, possibly concerned about thefts occurring at the church.

“I can only speculate that you thought the occupants of this vehicle were potential thieves, even if your suspicion was justified, it is no excuse for pointing a loaded firearm in their direction causing them to be fearful and I would imagine, terrified.”

Lausi‘i is a father of two and had no prior criminal record and he expressed remorse for his actions.

“You are identified as a good citizen for being a reliable and hardworking individual for the benefit of his family and communities”, Mr Bishop said.

He imposed a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, with the final nine months suspended for two years under specified conditions.

Church Minister sentenced in Tonga over sexual assault case

By
Kalino Latu
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“Those in positions of trust must be held to the highest moral standards,” said the presiding judge, Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop, in a case involving a former probationary minister and tutor at a church-run boarding school who was found guilty of multiple offences against students under his care.

The judge emphasised that the offender had been entrusted by both the church and the parents of the pupils to ensure their safety and protection.

“What is particularly serious about your case,” the judge stated, “is that you were in a position of trust at the school… entrusted with the wellbeing of children.”

Despite being convicted on the evidence presented during trial, the offender continues to maintain his innocence and has shown no remorse, according to a report from the Probation Office.

The judge noted this lack of accountability as a significant concern in sentencing.

While the prosecution submitted comparable cases to guide the court, the judge stressed that “each case must be decided on its own particular facts,” particularly when the offences involve multiple complainants and persistent conduct over a span of time.

The offender’s previous good character and status as a first-time offender were acknowledged, supported by numerous reference letters from community members. These were the only mitigating factors considered by the court.

The judge also referenced the principles in Mo’unga when considering the possibility of sentence suspension, noting that although the offender did not cooperate with police and expressed no remorse, his prior exemplary character suggested a high prospect of rehabilitation.

The court sentenced the offender to 16 months’ imprisonment, followed by a further 12 months suspended for two years under specified conditions.

In delivering the final orders, Mr Bishop directed that no part of these proceedings that could reveal the identities of the complainants shall be published or broadcast anywhere in the Kingdom, in accordance with Section 119 of the Criminal Offences Act.

“That is the order of the court,” the judge concluded.

Government reforms student loan policy as 400 Tongans in Fiji study without scholarships: Deputy PM

By
Kalino Latu
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga — Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi has announced a major reform to Tonga Development Bank (TDB) loan policy aimed at supporting families of students studying in Fiji, where only more than 100 out of more than 500 Tongans are on government scholarships.

The reform of scholarship system is part of a wider initiative to strengthen Tonga’s workforce development and ensure fair access to higher education, especially in fields critical to national growth.

Speaking at a briefing this morning, Fusimalohi revealed that while more than 100 scholarships are funded by overseas donors, the Tonga Government currently manages only 20 to 30 scholarships.

The remaining 400 students are privately funded by their parents, prompting the government to revise its loan scheme to allow families to borrow money for their children’s education.

“This loan policy, initiated by our government, available at TDB, is designed to support students in critical fields such as medicine,” Fusimalohi said.

He acknowledged the contributions of China, Australia, and New Zealand, which continue to provide scholarship opportunities open to all Tongans.

However, he stressed the need for a more responsive and inclusive system to ensure students with potential are not left behind due to financial constraints.

The reform is part of a broader effort to strengthen Tonga’s human capital development and ensure equitable access to higher education, particularly in areas of national need.

Tonga established its first-ever government-owned national university in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education sector.

Prior to this, higher education in Tonga was primarily served by the University of the South Pacific (USP), based in Fiji and jointly owned by 12 regional member countries, including Tonga.

ʻAtenisi University, founded in 1975 by Professor Futa Helu, operated as a privately owned institution within Tonga.

Princess Angelika inaugurates new classrooms and facilities at GPS ‘Eueiki

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Eueiki, Tonga — Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Napua ‘Okalani Tuku’aho officiated the opening ceremony of newly constructed and upgraded facilities at Government Primary School ‘Eueiki, marking a major milestone in Tonga’s post-disaster education recovery efforts.

Front view of the newly constructed two-classroom block at Government Primary School ‘Eueiki, officially inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka. The facility is part of the Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project, designed to withstand natural disasters and provide a safe learning environment for students.

The project includes a newly built two-classroom block, a staff quarter, and a modern WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facility designed for boys, girls, and students with disabilities.

Existing classrooms and staff quarters were also retrofitted to meet higher safety standards. The construction, valued at TOP$860,500, was carried out by Masila Construction Limited.

These upgrades are part of the Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project (TSRSP), led by the Ministry of Education and Training with financial support from the World Bank and the Government of Australia.

The initiative aims to strengthen the safety, resilience, and crisis-readiness of Tonga’s education infrastructure.

GPS ‘Eueiki is one of eleven “tsunami schools” rebuilt following the devastating Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2021. Other completed schools include Tonga College Atele, GMS Te’ekiu, and GPS Kanokupolu.

Over forty additional “risk-based schools” across Tongatapu, Haʻapai, Vavaʻu, and the Niuas are also scheduled for upgrades under the program.

The new facilities have been engineered to withstand stronger cyclones, earthquakes, and other natural hazards, ensuring that schools remain safe learning environments in the face of future disasters.

Crown Prince honours 51 police officers with diplomas in general policing

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga — His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala presented awards yesterday to 51 police officers who successfully completed the Diploma in General Policing Level 5, marking a significant milestone in Tonga’s law enforcement development.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala presents certificates to graduating officers at the Diploma in General Policing Level 5 ceremony, joined by Minister of Police Hon. Piveni Piukala and Police Commissioner Geoff Turner.

The Crown Prince’s presence and active participation in the ceremony underscored the importance of professional training within the Tonga Police Force.

They reflected the Royal Family’s continued support for strengthening public service across the nation.

The diploma recipients were recognised for their commitment to modern policing practices, leadership, and ethical conduct.

The qualification represents a key step in enhancing the capacity and professionalism of Tonga’s frontline officers.

“Professional policing is the foundation of a safe, peaceful, and prosperous Tonga,” said a spokesperson for the Tonga Police.

“This achievement is not only a personal accomplishment for the officers but also a meaningful contribution to national progress.”

The Diploma in General Policing Level 5 is part of an ongoing initiative to elevate law enforcement standards in Tonga, ensuring officers are equipped to meet the evolving challenges of public safety and community engagement.

Tonga secures $6 million grant from Japan to launch electronic passport system

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Nuku’alofa, Tonga — The Governments of Japan and Tonga signed an agreement on Thursday, September 25, 2025, to introduce an Electronic Machine-Readable Passport (EMRP) system in the Kingdom of Tonga.

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs honoured the occasion and witnessed the signing ceremony by His Excellency Mr. INAGAKI Hisao, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga and Mr. Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission and Subregional Coordinator for the South Pacific, International Organisation for Migration, Fiji.

The initiative is backed by a grant of 882 million Japanese Yen—approximately USD $6 million—from the Government of Japan.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and officiated by His Excellency Mr. Inagaki Hisao, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, alongside Mr. Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission and Subregional Coordinator for the South Pacific at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Ambassador Inagaki praised the trilateral collaboration between Japan, Tonga, and IOM, noting that the e-passport system aligns with the goals of the PALM10 Leaders’ Declaration and the Joint Action Plan, particularly in the areas of peace, security, and digital connectivity.

Mr. Kantha emphasised the project’s people-centred approach, highlighting its role in equipping frontline officers with the tools and training needed to make informed decisions at the border.

The EMRP system marks the next phase of Japan’s support for Tonga’s border management, following the successful implementation of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) in October 2024. IOM, which has been active in Tonga since 2018, will execute the project in close coordination with Tonga’s Immigration Division and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The new e-passport system will replace Tonga’s manual, paper-based passports, offering faster, more secure access to government services and international travel.

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