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Democrats have numbers to form government on their own after final count

By
Philip Cass
-

The Democrats have won 14 seats in today’s election, giving them enough seats in
Parliament to form the next government without needing the support of independents.

Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu, who is covering the elections from Tonga, reports that
supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki confirmed a moment ago that the Democrats had added
five more seats to their tally.

Democrats had won two seats in Ha’apai, two in Vava’u and one in Niua, according to Vuki’s announcement.

The Democrat Party had already won a landslide victory in Tongatapu in today’s elections.

The only seat they lost is Tongatapu 3, which was won by former Deputy Prime Minister
Siaosi Sovaleni who was re-elected as an independent.

The final official results

Tongatapu 1 – ‘Akilisi Pohiva

Tongatapu 2 – Semisi Lafu Sika

Tongatapu 3 – Siaosi Sovaleni (Independent MP)

Tongatapu 4 – Mateni Tapueluelu

Tongatapu 5 – Losaline Ma’asi

Tongatapu 6 – Poasi Tei

Tongatapu 7 – Sione Vuna Fa’otusia

Tongatapu 8 – Semisi Fakahau

Tongatapu 9 – Penisimani Fifita

Tongatapu 10 – Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa

‘Eua 11 – Tevita Lavemaau (Independent)

Ha’apai 12 – Mo’ale Finau

Ha’apai 13 – Veivosa Taka

Vava’u 14 – Dr Saia Piukala

Vava’u 15 – Samiu Vaipulu (Independent)

Vava’u 16 – Akosita Lavulavu

Niua 17 – Vavatau Hui

There has been huge personal support for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Hon. Pohiva won despite being challenged by 10 candidates.

A total of 86 candidates stood today, including 15 women, for 17 open seats.

About 146 police officers were assigned to polling stations today

As Kaniva News reported earlier today, all but two of the Noble’s Representatives in Tonga’s parliament have been re-elected.

Lord Vaha’i took the third Tongatapu seat after winning a coin toss with Lord Vaea.

Massey University director of Pasifika Malakai Koloamatangi told Radio New Zealand the
importance of the vote could not be overstated.

“The first election was okay, 2010, it was testing the waters and so forth. 2014 was to see whether the mechanisms and machinery was in place,” he said.

“But this election, I think more than the others, even before 2010, will be the real litmus.”

The main points

  • An unofficial count made a few moments ago gives the Democrat Party 14 seats,
    enough to form the next government without needing the support of independents.
  • Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu, who is covering the elections from Tonga, reports
    that the unofficial count gives the Democrats five more seats, bringing them to 14.
  • Indications are that the Democrats have won two seats in Ha’apai, two in Vava’u and
    one in Niua.
  • The Democrat Party won a landslide in Tongatapu in today’s elections.

Lord Vaha’i wins after coin toss as Democrats lead in Tongatapu early election results

By
Kalino Latu
-

A coin toss was used to decide whether Lord Vaea or Lord Vaha’i won the third seat of members of the nobility to Parliament.

Lord Vaha’i won the seat.

Meanwhile, Losaline Ma’asi of the Democratic Party was leading the Tongatapu 5 race by 971 – 908 votes against sitting MP Dr. ‘Aisake Eke. The provisional results from ‘Atatā electorate have yet to be announced to give Tongatapu 5 outcome.

Dr. Eke had secured the seat in the last two elections in provisional early results.

Other Democratic Party candidates were leading the race in their Tongatapu constituencies.

They were current Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva (Tt1), SÄ“misi Lafu Sika (Tt2), Māteni Tapueluelu (Tt4), Poasi Tei (Tt6), Vuna Fā’otusia (Tt7), SÄ“misi Fakahau (Tt8), Penisimani Fifita (Tt9) and Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa (Tt10)

Former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has been reelected by Tongatapu 3.

The king’s 33 nobles reelected seven nobles to Parliament including the Speaker Lord Tu’ivakano and a Minister in Prime Minister’s ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s government Lord Ma’afu.

Vava’u, Niuas, Ha’apai and ‘Eua people election results have yet to be announced.

Noble’s Representatives 2017

Tongatapu

1. Lord Tu’ivakano 12 votes

2. Lord Ma’afu 11 votes

3. Lord Vaha’i 7 votes

Vava’u

1. Lord Tu’ilakepa 6 votes

2. Lord Tu’i’afitu 5 votes

Ha’apai

1. Lord Tui’ha’angana 5 votes

2. Lord Fakafanua 3 votes

‘Eua

1. Lord Nuku 10 votes

Ongo Niua

1. Lord Fusitu’a 3 votes

Reserve Bank names Speaker in list of “suspicious” money transfers

By
Kalino Latu
-

Speaker of Parliament Lord Tu’ivakanō and his wife Joyce Robin Kaho have been listed by the Tonga National Reserve bank as being involved in suspicious money transfers.

The list comprises 15 people who have transferred money overseas, including former Acting Chief Secretary to Cabinet ‘Aholotu Palu and former female Police Inspector ‘Ileana Taulua who worked at the immigration department.

Lord Tu’ivakanō and his wife’s names were first on the list.

The Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva gave copies of the list to local media in a press conference last week.

Hon. Pōhiva said the names on the list were people suspected of money laundering.

The Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Dr Ngongo Kioa, did not respond to a request for comment by Kaniva News.

However, he confirmed the authenticity of the list to Talaki Newspaper.

Dr. Kioa said he was surprised when he found out the list had been leaked to media.

He said the document was confidential and only the bank and Police had it in their possession.

Dr Kioa told the paper the list had been created after the bank noticed these people transferred huge amounts of money overseas.

He said the bank was “suspicious” of the amounts of money transferred by these people.

Dr. Kioa said the bank has yet to prove there were illegal activities involved with these people’s money transfers.

The revelation came after a former parliamentary legal advisor Seinimili Tu’i’onetoa Fonua alleged there were financial and other irregularities involving Lord Tuʻivakanō and parliamentary staff.

Fonua claimed Lord Tuʻivakanō and parliamentary staff were involved in improperly sending money overseas. Sums of up to TP$20,000 at a time were involved.

The Speaker has dismissed Fonua’s accusations.

The list

  1. Siale ‘Ataongo Kaho (Honourable Tu’ivakanō)
  2. Joyce Robyn Kaho
  3. Sien Lee (Anthony Lee)
  4. Yung Huang Lee (Angela Lee)
  5. ‘Aholotu Palu (‘Aholotu Saafi)
  6. Heleni Makoni Palu
  7. David Lavulo Edwards
  8. ‘Isapela Saiatua Tu’akoi (Satua Tu’akoi)
  9. Salote Halaevalu Tupoulahi
  10. Sioeli Kivalu Heleta
  11. Na Li
  12. Nai Yan Cheuing (Lawrence Cheuing)
  13. Mia Wang (Orlandoni Wang)
  14. Tony Chen
  15. Ileana Suliana Taulua  (‘Ileana Taulua)
  • The main points
    Speaker of Parliament Lord Tu’ivakanō and his wife Joyce Robin Kaho have been listed by  the Tonga National Reserve bank as being involved in suspicious money transfers.
  • The list comprises 15 people who have transferred money overseas, including former Acting Chief Secretary to Cabinet ‘Aholotu Palu.
  • Lord Tu’ivakanō and his wife’s names were first on the list.
  • The Prime Minister gave a copy of the list to Kaniva News last night.

Overseas observers will report to government after elections, says Pita Vuki

By
Kalino Latu
-

The  Commonwealth Observer Group which is in Tonga to monitor tomorrow’s election will report what they see during the elections to the government, the  Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said.

The report could include anything including any suspected irregularities, Vuki said.

He said all the work for the election process had been completed under the leadership of the Election Commission office.

Vuki said work his office did during July to try to register more voters in Tongatapu had been interrupted by the sudden dissolution of parliament.

He said at the last election voter turnout was 79 percent but they were trying to increase that number.

According to the law 24 hours before the election day all posters and any material that tended to promote candidates must be pulled down, he said.

“The spirit of the law is to give voters time to rest their minds from the challenges of the campaigns and that they will not be disturbed by candidates in that particular time,” Vuki told Kaniva News.

The Commonwealth Observer Group was invited to observe the elections by the Tongan government.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, observers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the US Embassy in Suva will also be watching the election.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said the ‘Akilisi Pohiva caretaker government would continue in its role until the new Prime Minister is elected.

Tu’i’onetoa said after the election tomorrow King Tupou VI would appoint an interim Speaker of Parliament.

That person would be responsible for the process of handing over power from the care taker government to the new government, he said.

Polling booths will open at 9am and close at 4pm tomorrow.

The main points

  • The Commonwealth Observer Group which is in Tonga to monitor tomorrow’s election will report what they see during the elections to the government, the  Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said.
  • The report could include anything including any suspected irregularities, Vuki said.
  • He said all the work for the election process had been completed under the leadership of the Election Commission office.
  • Vuki said work his office did during July to try to register more voters in Tongatapu had been interrupted by the sudden dissolution of parliament.

For more information  

Elections crucial, Commonwealth head says as observer team readies for Thursday’s poll

10 things you need to know about the Tongan election

By
Kaniva Staff
-

While rugby league and the prospect of a Tongan team taking the World Cup is currently gripping Tongans around the world, in the Kingdom there is an election to be won on Thursday.

Massey University Pasifika Director Associate Professor Malakai Kolamatangi will be an observer at the election and says this is what you need to know ahead of the vote.

  1. The election is a year early after King George Tupou the sixth dismissed the country’s scandal-ridden Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and dissolved parliament in August and called for a fresh election.
  2. The Government was dissolved on the advice of the Speaker of the House Lord Tu’ivakano and the Tongan Privy Council. It follows a series of Government controversies including the dismissal of three cabinet ministers including one convicted of bribery, the creation of a golf course at the Popua wetland and heritage area, a decision to part privatise the National Broadcaster and the decision to pull out of hosting the Pacific Games.
  3. This is only the third time Tongans have gone to the polls since a new electoral system was introduced in 2010.  Tongan is the only constitutional monarchy in the Pacific.
  4. Voters get to vote for 17 of the 26 Legislative Assembly of Tonga seats. Nine seats are held by members of the nobility who elect representatives amongst themselves and the PM can choose to appoint up to 4 people non-elected people to his cabinet.
  5. Former New Zealand cabinet minister and speaker of the house Margaret Wilson, is leading the first ever Commonwealth Observer team to observe the Tongan elections.
  6. Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was the first commoner to be elected prime minister in 2014 and his will be the most hotly contested seat with 11 candidates running
  7. 59,000 people are registered to vote in the election up 8000 on last election when voter turnout was 79%
  8. The swiftness of the election has caught out some potential politicians living off shore because in order to be eligible candidates must have lived in Tonga for the previous three months to an election.
  9. The country’s only elected woman MP Akosita Havili Lavulavu, won her seat in a by election in 2016 but in this election, there are 15 women candidates running – the highest number ever.
  10. Tonga’s 170 islands are spread over nearly 700,000 square kilometres. Polling from the outer islands have to be called in by polling supervisors to the Electoral Commission on the main island Tongatapu and results are expected before 11pm

Chief clerk denies allegations of payment as treasury investigates

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan Parliament’s Chief Clerk has dismissed allegations that her husband’s construction company did not do maintenance works it had been paid to do by Parliament.

The Treasury said it was investigating the allegations after Kaniva News asked the Minister of Finance if he could confirm money was paid for the work.

Finance Minister Hon. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa asked his CEO and another senior officer to look at the allegations and report to him.

He said in e-mails seen  by Kaniva News that  a report about what actually had happened would help the Treasury in the way how it dealt with such circumstances and in the future.

Chief Clerk Gloria Pōle‘o did not respond to request for a comment from Kaniva News.

However, she said in a statement published on the Parliament’s website last week that she was not involved in the alleged illegal activities in the office of the Legislative Assembly.

Pōle’o said there were allegations of passport dealings, money laundering and others against Parliament which led to a search warrant being issued in 2015.

Because she valued justice and the rule of law she allowed authorities to search Parliament, she said.

Pōle’o did not say anything about the outcome of the search.

She also did not reject claims that she had a conflict of interests with the Speaker of the House after claims were made that a restaurant owned by the Speaker and operated by her mother and sister was regularly used for parliamentary functions.

The allegations were raised in a resignation letter by former parliamentary legal advisor, Seinimili Tu’ionetoa Fonua, who is now working as a legal advisor for the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Fonua claimed Parliament paid money for the construction but it did not do the work for several years.

She said it was recently realised some minor works were implemented in the House by the construction company which she believed were made to cover work the company was paid for but did not do.

Fonua has questioned the conditions of the work done.

As Kaniva News reported last week, Fonua, said she had resigned from the Legislative Assembly over what she claimed was a lack of independence in Parliament and allegations of financial and other irregularities involving Lord Tuʻivakanō, who is the Speaker of the House and a former Prime Minister.

The Speaker has denied Fonua’s claims.

The main points

  • The Tongan Parliament’s Chief Clerk has dismissed allegation that her husband’s construction company did not do maintenance work it had been paid to do by Parliament.
  • The Treasury said it was investigating the allegations after Kaniva News asked the Minister of Finance if he could confirm money was paid for the work.
  • Finance Minister Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa asked his CEO and another senior officer to look at the allegation and report to him.
  • Chief Clerk Gloria Pole‘o said last week that she was not involved in the alleged illegal activities in the office of the Legislative Assembly.

Voters should vote in MPs who could be elected Ministers, says candidate Bloomfield

By
Kalino Latu
-

Vava’u 15 voters must make sure they elected a candidate to Parliament who could be elected as a minister, independent candidate Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield said today.

He believed the results of this Thursday’s election could follow the pattern of 2014 general election results in which the people’s elected MPs were a mixture of independent and democratic candidates.

The elected government of ‘Akilisi Pohiva was made up of some independent, democratic MPs and one member of the nobility.

Voters should elect MPs who could bring the three party leaders to power through the exercise of their political influence, Bloomfield said.

Tonga has three unofficial parties in the last two general elections. They were the democratic party, the independents and a party led by nine noble MPs.

Bloomfield, who is Vava’u 15 candidate number 1, said that from past experience, only electorates whose MPs were elected Ministers gained benefits for their constituents through various government development projects.

Since the government of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was elected in 2014, Vava’u 14 had received significant amounts of development aid projects.

Vava’u 15 and Vava’u 16 did not receive such benefits, Bloomfield said.

“Vava’u 14 received those benefits because their MP, Dr Siosaia Piukala, was Minister of Health,” Bloomfield said.

“If Vava’u 15 and Vava’u 16 MPs were in cabinet they would get the same advantages.”

Bloomfield said Vava’u 14 constituents received two vehicles for Ta’anea and Tefisi health centres, the first time the centres had received vehicles since its establishment.

They also had solar panels installed through a project facilitated by government.

Growers in Vava’u 14 received tractors through a project which came through cabinet.

“I do not say the government only helped Vava’u 14 and ignored the other two constituencies,” Bloomfield said.

“No. My point is the Minister facilitated the aid for his electorate because he was there in government and had the power to facilitate those development projects to happen.”

Negotiation

Bloomfield said a Vava’u MP who wanted to become a Minister must be able to negotiate with all parties after this week’s snap election.

Bloomfield believed some potential MPs from Vava’u especially Vava’u 15 could not be able to cross the floor of the House from the nobility to join other independents or the Democrats.

Vava’u voters should not elect those candidates because they could put an adverse effect on the constituents during the next four parliamentary terms, the former government CEO said.

He said he had been asked whether he could work together with Pohiva’s party if he could be elected.

Bloomfield said the most important thing for him was to make sure the Vava’u 15 MP must have a ministerial post.

Vava’u 15 MP Samiu Vaipulu was a fierce rival of Prime Minister Pohiva.

He was defeated by Pohiva in the contest for premiership in 2014.

Political stance

Bloomfield said he had supported Pōhiva and his Democratic Party in the 2014 elections.

However, in this election he told the Party he would run as an independent candidate.

“That’s after I got feedback from my constituents. They wanted me to become an independent candidate,” he said.

As part of his election campaigns at the Makave electorate last weekend, Bloomfield told constituents in a kava session the Pohiva government was formed with the help of five independent candidates.

Those candidates were all given ministerial posts.

Elections crucial, Commonwealth head says as observer team readies for Thursday’s poll

By
Philip Cass
-

Thursday’s election is crucial for the people of Tonga, according to Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

Baroness Scotland said the elections would strengthen the democratic process in Tonga.

A Commonwealth Observer Group is in Tonga to monitor this Thursday’s election.

The team was invited to observe the elections by the Tongan government.

The group is being led by former New Zealand Attorney General Margaret Wilson.

Other members of the commonwealth team include Nauru’s Electoral Commissioner Joseph Cain, Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem and a human rights lawyer from Swaziland, Lomcebo Dlamini.

It will remain in country until November 20.

Observers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the US Embassy in Suva will also be watching the election.

Meanwhile, the kingdom’s supervisor of elections, Pita Vuki has told Radio New Zealand he hoped the election results would be announced on Thursday night.

Polling booths will open at 9am and close at 4pm.

Polling officials from  ‘Eua, Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai and the Niua have been trained on what to do on election day and election matertials have been sent to the outer islands.

Vuki said the final electoral roll containing about 59,000 names, had been printed.

At the last election voter turnout was 79 percent.

Thursday’s elections were called after King Tupou VI dissolved Parliament in August.

The main points

  • Thursday’s election is crucial for the people of Tonga, according to Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.
  • A Commonwealth Observer Group is in Tonga to monitor this Thursday’s election.
  • Observers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the US Embassy in Suva will also be watching the election.
  • Voting begins at 9am on Thursday.

For more information

Commonwealth to observe general elections in Tonga

Tonga ready for next week’s vote – Election Supervisor

Blizzard of tries in second half secures victory over New Zealand for Tonga

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga took another step towards seizing the Rugby League World Cup in Hamilton this afternoon by defeating New Zealand 28-22.

It was the first time Mate Mea Tonga had beaten New Zealand, a loss the Waikato Times called “embarrassing.”

In a closely contested game marked by a flurry of penalties, New Zealand was leading 16-2 at half time.

Tonga did not score until the second half, but then unleashed a blizzard of tries that secured victory.

Dallin Zalezniak scored the first try of the match for New Zealand in the 19th minute.

Jordan Rapana followed with a try in the 27th minute.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck followed over the line 11 minutes later.

However, Tonga came back with a vengeance, with David Fusitua scoring two tries in the 47th and 58th minute.

Four minutes later, Tuimoala Lolohea scored for Tonga again, followed two minutes later by Will Hopoate.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored for New Zealand in the 71st minute, but David Fusitua scored his third try – and the last of the game – in the 76th minute to cement Tonga’s victory.

Tonga had already qualified for the quarter finals before today’s game, with wins over Scotland and Samoa.

Mate Ma’a Tonga beat Samoa 32-18 in Hamilton last Saturday.

Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu, who is in Tonga to cover the national elections, reports scenes of jubilation in Vava’u, with huge celebrations in Neiafu.

“People are going crazy after the match,” he reported.

“Neighbours are yelling at each other to show their jubilation.”

He said cars were blowing their horns in Kameli.

Kameli resident Naulima Bloomfield, 92, who listened to the match on the radio, said she was happy with Tonga’s victory.

Other matches scheduled for today include Samoa vs Scotland in Cairns at 4.10pm Queensland time, and Australia vs the United States in Sydney at 8pm local time.

The main points

• Tonga took another step towards seizing the Rugby League World Cup in Hamilton this afternoon by defeating New Zealand 28-22.

• It was the first time Mate Mea Tonga had beaten New Zealand, a loss the Waikato Times called “embarrassing.”

• In a closely contested game marked by a flurry of penalties, New Zealand was leading 16-2 at half time.

• Tonga did not score until the second half, but then unleashed a blizzard of tries that secured victory.

For more information

Kiwis fall to Tonga in embarrassing World Cup loss
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/98791932/kiwis-fall-to-tonga-in-embarrassing-world-cup-loss

Rugby League World Cup
http://www.rlwc2017.com

New bilingual book educates artists and traditional upholders of Tongan culture

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A new bilingual book on Tongan education, theology and performing arts has been launched in New Zealand.

Titled “A Parent’s Dream: A Son Inspired,” the book is a collection of the works of Tongan artist, educator and theologian, Rev Dr Tevita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka.

First launched in Tonga last July by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho, the author spoke about his work at the Auckland launch at the Mangere Arts Centre on November 4, where he also autographed launch day copies.

Queen Nanasipau’u praised the book as a priceless resource for the education of all Tongan children, ministers, artists, nation-builders and traditional upholders of Tongan culture and society.

Fellow Tongan theologian Archbishop Winston Halapua commended Dr Puloka’s artistic and linguistic skills.

“He enables the reader also to join a joyful dance to the glory of God. The content of this valuable collection speaks to our changing and challenging contexts today. The collection is a precious gift for future generations. Puloka’s passion and love of God is mānava (breath) encountered through his courageous and creative writings,” Bishop Halapua said.

Book editors Sione Tu’itahi and Viliami Puloka regard the book as a rich repository of Tongan Indigenous knowledge for Tongan and non-Tongan scholars and researchers.

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