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King and Queen attend $90m five-day funeral of Thailand’s King

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho have arrived in Bankok this week for the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Since King Bhumibol passed away in October 2016 aged 88, his body has lain in state in the royal palace in Bangkok while a year-long period of national mourning was observed.

“According to the country’s traditions the embalmed remains have been constantly attended by Buddhist monks performing funeral rites, with ceremonial music played every three hours.

“Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black swell the streets of Bangkok in preparation for the cremation of Thailand’s king in lavish $90million five-day ceremony,” the Daily Mail has reported.

Some 12million Thais have visited the palace to pay their respects to  King Bhumibol since last year

The five-day funeral, including a procession through Bangkok and a public cremation, costs $90million, the Mail said.

“As of Wednesday evening, distinguished guests from at least 19 countries had arrived in Thailand. They included HM King Tupou VI and HM Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga, HM King Letsie III and HM Queen ‘Masenate…

At home, the King of Bhutan ordered special prayers coinciding with Thursday’s royal cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”

“Don’t do it to them as they are also Tongans”; Four arrested as new footage emerged

By
Kaniva Staff
-

WARNING: This video contains foul Tongan language

Police have made two further arrests following the fight which broke out inside a Mangere Pak ‘n Save on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people arrested to four.

A 29-year-old male from Mangere has been charged with assault with intent to injure and disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.

He will be appearing in the Manukau District Court on 1/11/17.

An 18-year-old male has been referred to the Community Justice Panel.

Shocking new footage has emerged of the brawl revealing more Tongan languages could be heard including swearing and one that could identify the men involved were Tongans.

“‘Oua ko e Tonga pe”. This could be translated into English as: “Don’t do it to them as they are also Tongans”, a brave woman who attempted to help break up the fight could be heard as saying in Tongan.

“Sikiuliti! Sikiuliti! ‘Oua! ‘Oua!”, one woman yelled. (“Security! Security! Don’t! Don’t!)

One of the men involved in the brawl can be heard swearing in Tongan – ” ‘Us… e”

As Kaniva Tonga news reported on Tuesday, a bystander could be heard in one of the footages begging earnestly in Tongan to one of the attackers saying “Tuku ia. Ko e Tonga pe” (Stop it. They are also Tongans).

Another woman could be heard yelling in Tongan: “Tuku ia” (Stop it).

NZ Herald report said footage from a different angle reveals it was in fact a nasty brawl involving at least six people.

“Several blows are struck in the footage – including a brave guard who tried to break up the brawl. Other shoppers intervene to try and break it up.”

Police earlier said they were called to the incident involving multiple individuals around 9.10pm on Tuesday, but when they arrived those involved had fled the scene.

Police appealed for public help with their investigation.

Kingdom still faces many obstacles on path to democracy, conference organiser says

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga is at the crossroads on the path to finding its own form of democracy.

Speaking ahead of this week’s National Dialogue on Democracy in Nuku’alofa, Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi said the dismissal of the government by the king had placed the country at what he called “a landmark juncture.”

He said the path to defining a genuine Tongan democracy had been beset with hurdles and challenges.

These included the debate around the representation of the nobility in parliament, as well as the extent and exercise of the King’s residual powers.

Dr Koloamatangi, who is helping organise the event, also raised the possibility of a women’s quota in parliament.

He said tensions between the government and the media and the need for more professionalism in the reporting of the news were a concern.

The fact that half the country’s operating budget consisted of foreign aid had many people worried about the kingdom’s economic stability and growth, as did the need to constantly rejuvenate the private sector for growth.

There were problems with infrastructure and development in the capital and not enough attention was being paid to the development of tourism, despite the fact that it was regarded as a generator of much needed revenue.

There were continuing health issues, with non-communicable diseases affecting the potential productivity of the population and the cost this imposed on an already struggling economy.

Dr Koloamatangi said there were issues with law and order and the police had to be re-trained as an instrument of law enforcement in a democratic society.

He said many of the ideals and ideas that were expressed at the Convention on the Tongan Constitution and Democracy in November 1992, where the first real public call for democracy was made, had not been realised.

He said there had been significant reforms since the first democratic election was held, many of which involved curtailing the king’s powers.

However, some people had argued that these reforms had not gone far enough and that a genuine ‘Tongan’ democracy could only come about with more durable constitutional and political reforms.

“Others say that not only have there been too many reforms, which have been detrimental to the very cultural and spiritual foundation upon which the 1875 constitution was constructed, they have not delivered on the promise of more transparent and accountable government or on the prosperity that was supposed to have accompanied more democratisation,” Dr Koloamatangi said.

The main points

  • Tonga is at the crossroads on the path to finding its own form of democracy.
  • Speaking ahead of this week’s National Dialogue on Democracy in Nuku’alofa, Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi said the dismissal of the government by the king had placed the country at what he called “a landmark juncture.”
  • He said the path to defining a genuine Tongan democracy had been beset with hurdles and challenges.
  • These included the debate around the representation of the nobility in parliament, as well as the extent and exercise of the King’s residual powers.

Former Deputy PM’s daughter denies money in photo was to buy Tongan passports

By
Kalino Latu
-

A daughter of former Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu has responded to allegations posted online with a photo of her father sitting on a sofa beside a bag full of what appear to be bundles of dollars.

Sisi Vaipulu denied allegations on Facebook that  the photo was taken when Chinese buyers made a deal with Sāmiu to secretly buy Tongan passports.

She said the money was $200,000 paid to her father by investors who wanted to buy shares in Tonga Airways.

The airline was partly owned by the Vaipulus and some foreign investors.

The airline claimed it would provide a second air service for Tonga with cheaper airfares than the existing operator, Real Tonga.

Sisi said the money was used to pay staff who had worked for the company without pay since August 2015 and to pay off money they borrowed to pay for the processing of the company’s license.

She said their family spent $500,000 on the company before receiving the $200,000 from the interested investors.

She said the payment of the $200,000 was made in about May 10, 2016 after Clive Edwards contacted Sāmiu and told him his son, David Edwards, and some Chinese investors including  investor De Feng Mo wanted to meet him to invest in the airline.

Another photo in circulation shows a close up of the money.

Sisi said they spent all their family savings in the business and all the investors’ money before the investors left the company after the application for the license was declined.

The photo

She said she suspected the photo came from De Feng Mo.

Sisi said De took photos to prove to the Chinese investors he paid the money to Sāmiu.

In the photo, in question, Sāmiu is sitting with both legs crossed, with the bundles of money beside him.

Another photo in circulation shows a close up of the money.

Sisi said the accusations against her father, who is a Vava’u 15’s candidate running for Parliament in next month’s snap election, was something they were familiar with, especially at election time.

Tonga Airways

Towards December 2016 Tonga Airways announced its intention to operate domestic flights.

However, the Minister of Civil Aviation rejected the company’s application for a license, saying two airlines to serve the local flight was too much.

Sisi told Kaniva News the cancellation was a huge blow to their family and the investors because they already had spent about half a million in hiring pilots, trainings and processing various certificates and paper works including assessment processes in Vanuatu.

New investors invested more money, but the government still did not offer an Air Operator Certificate, an emotional Sisi said.

She said after their airline business failed, she and her father concentrated on running their law office services.

The main points

  • A daughter of former Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu has responded to allegations posted online with a photo of her father sitting on a sofa beside a bag full of what appear to be bundles of dollars.
  • Sisi Vaipulu denied allegations on Facebook that the money in the photo was taken when Chinese buyers made a deal with Sāmiu to secretly buy Tongan passports.
  • She said the money was $200,000 paid to her father by investors who wanted to buy shares in Tonga Airways.
  • The airline was partly owned by the Vaipulus and some foreign investors.

For more information

Real Tonga airline says no room for second airline

Desperate move to reduce candidate numbers in attempt to unseat ‘Akilisi Pōhiva unlawful, Fonua says

By
Kalino Latu
-

A desperate attempt by a group of critics in Tongatapu 1 to unseat the electorate’s current MP, ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was unlawful, Ana Bing Fonua, the candidate number six at the constituency, has claimed.

Fonua said that according to Section 9A of the Electoral Act, the official date for any candidate to withdraw their candidature ended on the first week of October, a week from nomination day.

She said she doubted the Election Office would allow any candidates to withdraw  at this stage.

Fonua, who was CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before quitting to run for Parliament, said she was unaware of the identity of the group.

Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper has identified the group as being led by publisher Kalafi Moala, former Police Inspector Polutele Tu’ihalamaka, Dr. Taniela Palu, Sisi’uno Helu and others.

The paper claimed they feared Hon. Pōhiva would still win the Tongatapu 1 seat.

Meeting

It is understood the group has met with some of the Tongatapu 1 candidates and discussed having some of them voluntarily withdraw to leave only two or one candidate to contest against Pōhiva.

The group appears to believe that having 11 candidates for the seat would give Hon. Pōhiva a greater chance because the voters would spread their votes among the rest of the candidates, based on their blood and political ties.

In the 2014 general election, 1482 voters voted for Hon. Pōhiva while 1287 spread their votes among the other seven candidates.

It is understood the group conducted several meetings with some of the candidates this week.

“In terms of the intention to reduce the number of candidates for Tongatapu 1, my simple comment is that candidates and their campaign advisers/supporters should first understand and familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act,” Fonua said.

“The question is, are these candidates choosing to non-comply with the Electoral Act? How confident are they that the Tonga Electoral Commission will accept the withdrawal, which I doubt they would?

Fonua said she had not met with any of the other candidates regarding the proposal to reduce their number.

Campaigns

“It is fair to assume that the hesitation is because candidates either have not done enough for the nation and constituency in the last three years, or their policies are not convincing enough for the voters, or the votes have in fact split, but Hon. Prime Minister’s supporters still remain strong,” she said.

“Either way, candidates should work extra hard in their campaign in the remaining weeks.

“In regards to my campaign, we had planned to stall a little to ensure we were within budget and that the impact timing was closer to polling day, otherwise we would be wasting resources. Hopefully things will progress smoothly as planned.”

The group reportedly said three contesters in the electorate who were doing well in their campaigns were Dr. Ofo Niumeitolu, Netatua Prescott and Mōsese Manuofetoa.

Meanwhile an unsubstantiated election poll which circulated online since last week using the word Fale Alea (Parliament) forecast Hon. Pohiva would win the Tongatapu 1 seat.

The main points             

  • A desperate attempt by a group of critics in Tongatapu 1 to unseat the electorate’s current MP, ‘Akilisi Pohiva was unlawful, Ana Bing Fonua, the candidate number 6 at the constituency, has claimed.
  • Fonua said that according to Section 9A of the Electoral Act, the official date for any candidate to withdraw their candidature ended on the first week of October, a week from nomination day.
  • She said she doubted the Election Office would allow any candidates to withdraw at this stage.
  • Fonua, who was CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before quitting to run for Parliament, said she was unaware of the identity of the group.

For more information

Tonga Electoral Commission

Prime Minister Ardern names NZ’s first Tongan-born cabinet minister’s portfolios

By
Kalino Latu
-

New Zealand new Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Tongan-born Jenny Salesa is the new Minister for Building and Construction.

She is also the Minister for Ethnic Communities and Associate Minister for Housing and Urban Development, for Associate Health and Associate Education.

Hon. Carmel Sepuloni who is of Tongan decent was  appointed Minister for Social Development; Disability Issues. Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Pacific Peoples.

PM Ardern, who will take on the portfolios of arts, culture and heritage, and national security and intelligence as well as being responsible for child poverty reduction, made the announcement in a press conference this morning.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has been confirmed as Deputy Prime Minister.

Deputy Peters will also hold the ministerial portfolios of Foreign Affairs, State Owned Enterprises, and Racing.

“I am honoured to be appointed as a Minister in this ambitious Labour-led Government, which has the mandate to tackle New Zealand’s housing crisis, the recent years of funding cuts and neglect in health and education and to ensure that economic growth delivers for all Kiwis,” Hon. Salesa said.

“It is a huge responsibility and I am excited to play a role in building a better New Zealand in which all New Zealanders will thrive.

“I am looking forward to briefings from the pertinent government departments about the key issues in my portfolios and knuckling down to work.”

Jenny Salesa was the first woman who was born and raised in Tonga to become a New Zealand Member of Parliament.

“I am immensely proud, as an immigrant and as a Pacific woman, to show that anyone who comes here can dream big and can be successful, through perseverance and hard work, at whatever they set out to do.

“New Zealand was a land of opportunity for me and as a Cabinet Minister I can play a part in ensuring it remains so for everyone who chooses to live here”, says Jenny Salesa.

CABINET (RNZ reported):

    • Jacinda Ardern: Prime Minister, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage; National Security and Intelligence; Child Poverty Reduction
    • Winston Peters (NZ First): Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs; State Owned Enterprises; Racing
    • Kelvin Davis: Minister for Crown/Māori Relations; Corrections; Tourism; Associate Minister of Education (Māori ed)
    • Grant Robertson: Minister of Finance (incl regulatory reform); Sport and Recreation; Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
    • Phil Twyford: Minister of Housing and Urban Development; Transport
    • Megan Woods: Minister of Energy and Resources; Greater Christchurch Regeneration; Research, Science and Innovation; Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission
    • Chris Hipkins: Minister of Education; State Services; Leader of the House; Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services
    • Andrew Little: Minister of Justice; Courts; Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Minister Responsible for the GCSB; NZSIS; Pike River Re-entry
    • Carmel Sepuloni: Minister for Social Development; Disability Issues. Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage; Pacific Peoples
    • David Clark: Minister of Health; Associate Minister of Finance
    • David Parker: Attorney-General; Minister for Economic Development; Environment; Trade and Export Growth; Associate Minister of Finance
    • Hon Nanaia Mahuta: Minister for Māori Development; Local Government; Associate Minister for the Environment
    • Stuart Nash: Minister of Police; Fisheries; Revenue; Small Business
    • Iain Lees-Galloway: Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety; Immigration; ACC; Deputy Leader of the House
    • Jenny Salesa: Minister for Building and Construction; Ethnic Communities; Associate Minister of Education; Health; Housing and Urban Development
    • Hon Damien O’Connor: Minister of Agriculture; Biosecurity; Food Safety; Rural Communities; Associate Minister of Trade and Export Growth
    • Clare Curran: Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media; Government Digital Services; Associate Minister for ACC; State Services (Open Government)
    • Ron Mark (NZ First): Minister of Defence; Veterans
    • Tracey Martin (NZ First): Minister for Children; Internal Affairs; Seniors; Associate Minister of Education
    • Hon Shane Jones (NZ First): Minister of Forestry; Infrastructure; Regional Economic Development; Associate Minister of Finance; Transport

MINISTERS OUTSIDE CABINET

    • Kris Faafoi: Minister of Civil Defence; Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Associate Minister of Immigration
    • Peeni Henare: Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Whānau Ora; Youth; Associate Minister for Social Development
    • Willie Jackson: Minister of Employment; Associate Minister for Māori Development
    • Aupito William Sio: Minister for Pacific Peoples; Associate Minister for Courts; Justice
    • Meka Whaitiri: Minister of Customs; Associate Minister of Agriculture; Associate Minister for Crown/Māori Relations; Associate Minister of Local Government

SUPPORT PARTY MINISTERS

    • James Shaw (Greens): Minister for Climate Change; Statistics; Associate Minister of Finance
    • Julie Anne Genter (Greens): Minister for Women; Associate Minister of Health; Transport
    • Eugenie Sage (Greens): Minister of Conservation; Land Information; Associate Minister for the Environment

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES

  • Michael Wood: Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities
  • Fletcher Tabuteau (NZ First): Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Regional Economic Development
  • Jan Logie (Greens): Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence Issues)

About Jenny Salesa:

Jenny Salesa is also the first Cabinet Minister from the Manukau East electorate.Jenny Salesa is affiliated to Lotofoa, Ha’apai and Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and Tefisi, Vava’u. She moved to New Zealand when she was 16 to further her education.

Her commitment to warm, dry affordable housing springs from her family’s experiences of homelessness in their first 2–3 years in New Zealand, which were spent moving from family to family in South Auckland and living in overcrowded conditions.

She attended the University of Auckland, graduating with degrees in Education and Law (BA/LLB).

While there, she helped found the Pacific Island Law Students’ Association (PILSA).

She had over 20 years’ experience in policy, as a health specialist, as a funder and senior official in the Health and Education sectors as well as community development in New Zealand and the US before entering Parliament in 2014.

Videos: brutal fight inside Pak’n Save, witnesses yell in Tongan to stop fighting

By
Kalino Latu
-

New Zealand: Footages of a violent fight among several men inside the Mangere Pak’n Save supermarket has surfaced on social media this morning.

One of the videos showed the men attacked one another while stunned shoppers moved towards them with some yelling at the fighters in Tongan to stop fighting.

The men however engaged in a brutal fight lasting several minutes.

Another 36-second video showed the shoppers crowd around the fight, with many screaming as the brawl escalates.

A woman was heard begging earnestly in Tongan to one of the attackers saying “Tuku ia. Ko e Tonga pe?” (Stop it. They are also Tongans).

Another woman was heard yelling in Tongan: “Tuku ia” (Stop it).

A Pak N Save staff, who did not want to be identified, has confirmed the incident to Kaniva News and said it took place yesterday evening, Tuesday 24.

It is still unclear what started the brawl and whether the men involved suffered injuries or not.

Tongan nationals troubled over passport shortage as NZ security tightened

By
Kalino Latu
-

Hundreds of Tongans who need new passports to enter New Zealand have faced difficulties, with many visa applications being declined after the country rejected Tonga’s Certificate of Identity on its own.

Immigration New Zealand will not accept the Certificates of Identity (COIs) without the holders being able to provide other forms of identification.

New Zealand requires either a New Zealand driver’s license or an expired Tongan passport as supporting identity documents.

Groups such as Recognised Seasonal Employee visa applicants who had planned to travel to New Zealand will need to get supporting letters from the RSE office in Tonga.

Some of those who had complained to Kaniva News said they did not hold New Zealand drivers’ licenses or expired Tongan passports since this was the first time they had applied for Tongan passports.

One complainant said she was surprised after she was issued with a COI in Tonga but then allegedly told at the immigration office she could not use it to apply for a visa to New Zealand.

The trouble came after the kingdom announced in August it had run out of passports.

The sudden shortage was attributed to high local demand and from Tongans living overseas, the government said.

While waiting for the new stock, which was expected to arrive next month, the Tongan government issued the COI to those who had applied for a new passport or whose passports had expired.

“Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is very aware of the current low stock of Tongan passports”, an Immigration New Zealand spokesperson said.

“INZ has some concerns about the security features of the current Certificate of Identity (COI) being issued by the Tongan government until the new stock of passports arrives.

“Although Tongan nationals can lodge a visa application with a COI, a further form of identification is required before a visa can be issued.

“The most preferred form of identity alongside the COI is an expired Tongan passport. However, INZ may also accept other forms of verifiable evidence of identity such as a New Zealand driver’s licence, or in the case of an RSE application, certification/facilitation documents from RSE officials in Tonga.

“Signs about the issue are prominently displayed at INZ’s Nuku’alofa office and there has been extensive advertising in local media.”

The main points

  • Hundreds of Tongans who need new passports to enter New Zealand have faced difficulties, with many visa applications being declined after the country rejected Tonga’s Certificate of Identity on its own.
  • The trouble came after the kingdom announced in August it had run out of passports.
  • The sudden shortage was attributed to high local demand and from Tongans living overseas, the government said.
  • While waiting for more passports, the Tongan government issued the Certificate of Identity to those who had applied for a new passport or whose passports had expired.

For more information

Tonga out of passports until October

NZ, Australia, working on passport problem

National dialogue aims to create shared vision of democracy among Tongans

By
Philip Cass
-

The three-day National Dialogue on Democracy is intended to create a shared vision of what a genuine Tongan democracy might look like.

Organisers hope it will lead to a greater public understanding of the political reform and democratisation process.

They also hope it will lead to the creation of register of policies to inform decisions by incoming governments.

They would also like such an event to be held every three years.

The event will explore the political and constitutional issues surrounding the dissolution of parliament.

It will look at the relationship between the different branches of government and how they can be enhanced to ensure the growth and advancement of effective and democratic government.

The three-day meeting will ask how Tongans can ensure the election of highly capable representatives in the 2018-2022 parliament.

It will also ask whether there should be any changes to the way Parliament works and whether the existing system allows voter’s wishes to the House.

It will also look at what lessons have been learned from development of democracy in Tonga so far.

Timetable

The National Dialogue on Democracy will be held at the Fā’onelua Convention Centre, Nuku’alofa from tomorrow (October 25) to October 27.

It will be opened at 10am by HRH Princess Pilolevu.

  • Sessions tomorrow include:

11.30am Democracy

1.30pm Constitution

2.30pm Government institutions and relationships

3.345pm Current political issues

  • Sessions on Thursday include:

9am Keynote address by the Prime Minister, Hon. Akilisi Pohiva.

9.10am Economy and business

10.25am Trade and development

11.25am Media

1.25pm Civil society

2.25pm Church

3.40pm Education

  • Sessions on Friday include:

9am Keynote address by the Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tu’ivakano.

9.10am Culture

10.25am Security and defence

11.25am election 1

1.25pm election 2

3.25pm Finish

The event is being organised by the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika) at Massey University, New Zealand, in conjunction with the annual Queen Sālote Tupou III Lecture Series.

The main points

  • The three day National Dialogue on Democracy is intended to create a shared vision of what a genuine Tongan democracy might look like.
  • Organisers hope it will lead to a greater public understanding of the political reform and democratisation process.
  • They also hope it will lead to the creation of register of policies to inform decisions by incoming governments.
  • They would also like such an event to be held every three years.

As polls loom, questions remain over what Tongan democracy should look like

By
Philip Cass
-

With Tonga’s national election just over three weeks away, there is still debate about what democracy in the kingdom should look like.

Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi, of the Pasifika Research and Policy Centre, said Tongans still needed to work out what sort of democracy they wanted.

“There is a general perception in Tonga about some sort of idea, a vague idea in many ways, of what a democracy would look like for Tonga,” Dr Koloamatangi told Radio New Zealand this morning.

While concepts like an elected parliament, more power to the people, transparency and accountability were held, there was no consensus on what a Tonga democracy should look like.

Next month’s elections were called after King Tupou VI dissolved Parliament.

In August, Dr Koloamatangi told Radio Australia that while King Tupou VI had the right to dissolve Parliament, his action had undermined Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

He said at the time that the motives behind the King’s decision remained a mystery.

Dr Koloamatangi is one of the organisers of what has been billed as a National Dialogue on Democracy in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, tomorrow.

The debate is open to members of the public.

Another forum on the elections was held earlier this month, with speakers including Acting prime Minuister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Lord Vaea and Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government has New Zealand has donated $US93,000 towards the cost of the elections.

Radio Tonga said the Tongan government asked for financial help.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner in Tonga, Sarah Walsh, said the money would go towards printing of the electoral roll and ballot papers, public awareness, travel and training for election officials and the venue hire for polling stations.

The elections will be held on November 16.

As Kaniva News reported recently, as of September 22, a total of 50,450 voters were registered with the Tongan Electoral Commission, of whom  25,722 (51%) were women and 24,683 (49%) were men.

A total of 15 women will contest the elections on November 16. There are 86 candidates in total, of whom 15 are women.

The main points

  • With Tonga’s national election just over three weeks away, there is still debate about what democracy in the kingdom should look like.
  • Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi said Tongans still needed to work out what sort of democracy they wanted.
  • He is one of the organisers of what has been billed as a National Dialogue on Democracy in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, tomorrow.
  • The debate is open to members of the public.

For more information  

Tongans searching for consensus on democracy – academic

Tongan electoral Commission

NZ gives aid for Tongan election

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