Tonga Police have conducted a successful operation in Fonongahina following intelligence reports about illicit drug distribution in the area.
Police units from neighbouring stations were swiftly mobilised to investigate the tip-off.
During the operation, officers arrested a 43-year-old man from Ha‘ateiho for possessing a Class B controlled substance along with drug paraphernalia.
In a separate but related arrest, a couple aged 31 and 23 from ‘Utulau were taken into custody after being found in possession of methamphetamine (a Class B drug), various drug utensils, and an undisclosed amount of Tongan pa‘anga currency.
Authorities confiscated all evidence and exhibits found connected to these cases.
Those arrested have been formally charged and will face court proceedings in accordance with Tongan law.
In their statement, Tonga Police expressed appreciation for the community’s continued cooperation in combating drug-related crimes.
They encouraged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious behaviour by calling the police hotline at 922 or notifying their local police station promptly.
The operation underscores the police force’s ongoing efforts to curb the distribution and use of illegal substances across the kingdom.
Commentary – The Tongan government’s handling of the Lulutai Airlines Expressions of Interest (EOI) process has become a matter of growing concern, with delays, sudden changes, and questions over the airline’s ability to properly assess multi-million-dollar bids.
What was initially presented as a straightforward process—inviting private operators to take over the controversial domestic airline—has now stretched beyond a month with no clear resolution.
The government had set an original deadline for early July, but after weeks of silence, Public Enterprises Minister Piveni Piukala announced an unexpected two-week extension to “refine the selection criteria.”
That extension period has since passed, yet there has been no further update, leaving bidders and the public in the dark.
Minister Piukala explained that the extension was needed to distinguish between parties interested in operating the airline versus those merely seeking to buy shares—a fair clarification in theory. However, the lack of communication since then suggests deeper issues in the assessment process.
Questions Over Lulutai’s Capacity to Evaluate Bids
Kaniva News has learned that some bidders have expressed frustration with what they describe as an inexperienced and unprofessional evaluation process.
Sources indicate that there have been repeated back-and-forth queries between Lulutai Airlines and potential operators, with some bidders questioning whether the airline’s management has the expertise to properly assess complex commercial proposals.
This is not a minor issue. Lulutai Airlines has been a financial burden on Tonga’s government, plagued by operational struggles and controversies since its inception. Handing over its operations to a competent private operator could be a step toward stability—but only if the selection process is credible.
Transparency and Trust at Stake
The extended silence since the supposed “refinement” of criteria raises legitimate concerns:
Why the delay? If the extension was only for two weeks, why has there been no update?
Who is assessing the bids? Does Lulutai Airlines—a struggling state-owned entity—have the necessary expertise to evaluate multi-million-dollar proposals?
Is the process fair? Bidders reportedly dissatisfied with the handling of their submissions may question whether the playing field is level.
Call In NZ, Aus Help
Given the ongoing concerns about Lulutai Airlines’ ability to properly evaluate bids, wouldn’t it make sense for the Tongan government to request an independent assessment team from New Zealand or Australia?
Both countries have previously shown willingness to assist Tonga in aviation matters.
An independent team of assessors from either country could bring much-needed transparency, technical expertise, and credibility to the bidding process.
Given the millions of dollars at stake—and the importance of ensuring Lulutai’s future stability—such a move would reassure bidders, the public, and international observers that the selection is being conducted fairly and professionally.
The current delays and lack of clarity only deepen suspicions about the process. If the government is serious about finding the best operator for Lulutai, external assistance should be a priority.
The Tongan government must act swiftly to restore confidence in this process. If the goal is truly to bring transparency and better management to Lulutai Airlines, then the evaluation must be conducted professionally, with clear timelines and accountability.
A year after the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Tuipulotu Vi in Pakuranga Heights, New Zealand Police have reaffirmed their commitment to solving the case—but no arrests have yet been made.
Police continue to investigate the death of 59-year-old Tuipulotu Vi
On the morning of August 19, 2024, emergency services rushed to Marvon Downs Avenue after reports of multiple gunshots.
Vi was found inside a vehicle with critical gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite attempts by first responders to save him.
In a statement to Kaniva Tonga News, police acknowledged the frustration over the lengthy investigation but assured the public that progress was being made.
“Police acknowledges the significant period of time that has passed since this tragic incident and our thoughts are with Mr Vi’s family, particularly in the lead up to the first anniversary of his death,” the statement read.
“Our team remain committed to holding the person or persons responsible to account.”
Authorities confirmed they are following “positive lines of enquiry” but declined to disclose specifics, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
The case has left Auckland’s Tongan community and Vi’s loved ones seeking closure.
Family members, who have previously described Vi as a respected and kind-hearted man, have pleaded for witnesses to come forward.
Police have reiterated calls for public assistance, particularly from those who may have seen suspicious activity around Marvon Downs Avenue in the early hours of August 19, 2024.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – A tutor and probationary minister of the Free Wesleyan Church has been convicted of serious indecent assault against students at a school affiliated with the church.
The court found the accused guilty of multiple counts of serious sexual violation against female students.
Due to suppression orders, further specifics of the offences cannot be disclosed.
The case has sent shockwaves through the religious and educational communities, as the accused held a dual role as both a tutor and a probationary minister.
In a decisive ruling, Lord Chief Justice Malcolm imposed a complete publication ban on any details that could identify the survivors, citing Section 119 of Tonga’s Criminal Offences Act.
“Nothing in these proceedings that shall reveal the identities of the Complainants shall be published or broadcasted anywhere in the Kingdom pursuant to section 119 of the Criminal Offences Act.,” the judge declared.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the Free Wesleyan Church will take additional disciplinary action.
The sentencing hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
The verdict comes just weeks after American missionary William James Purdy was indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury (July 16) for allegedly sexually exploiting 14 boys in Tonga.
Purdy, arrested in Utah, faces charges related to crimes committed outside U.S. territory.
A whale-watching vessel named Tethys capsized south of Mu’amoa in Vava’u on August 6, reigniting concerns about maritime safety and oversight in Tonga’s bustling whale tourism industry.
The whale-watch vessel Tethys partially submerged after capsizing south of Mu’amoa, Vava’u on August 6. The red-hulled boat – previously flagged for safety concerns – was towed back to port with no casualties reported. Photo/Supplied
This follows warnings from Neiafu’s Town Officer Vava Lapota months before the whale-watching season that Chinese-imported vessels in Neiafu required closer inspection by authorities.
The seasonal activities are currently underway and will continue until November.
The vessel was towed back to port that evening, with no reported injuries, but the incident has sparked urgent questions about compliance and accountability.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Tethys appeared to have suffered a bilge pump failure before capsizing.
“This could of been a major incident and deaths could of occurred but thankfully didn’t,” a source told Kaniva News, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The incident has raised serious questions about maritime safety protocols, with industry observers demanding answers to critical questions: Was the Tethys equipped with operational safety equipment prior to departure?
Why were previous reports about hull damage not addressed before permitting the vessel to operate?
Most crucially, has this potentially catastrophic incident been officially reported to Tongan police authorities for investigation?
These unanswered questions highlight growing concerns about oversight in Vava’u’s whale watching industry during peak season.
Local authorities have yet to release an official report, but community leaders and maritime experts are demanding transparency:
“This cannot be swept under the table. It needs to be transparent and a proper investigation done,” a source said.
Lapota confirmed to Kaniva News that the Tethys matched one of the three damaged vessels he reported months ago.
He expressed concerns about the vessels’ safety standards, citing prior reports of hull damage.
Kaniva News could not reach the relevant authorities or the owner of the vessel for comment.
Vava’u, Tonga – A puzzling footage shared on Facebook showing a whale tail has raised alarms among Tongan communities, with some fearing it may indicate illegal whaling activity near Fonualei Island.
Left: The streamer holds the severed whale tail, estimated at 3-4 feet long. Right: The same tail filmed from meters away, highlighting its size against the ocean backdrop.
The unsettling discovery comes during Tonga’s peak whale-watching season (July-October), when humpback whales migrate to the islands’ warm waters to breed and calve.
This annual event, vital to both tourism and marine ecology, makes the apparent slaughter even more alarming—raising fears that poachers may be targeting protected whales while they gather in Tonga’s sanctuary waters.
The brief streamed video clip, which has gone viral locally, captures only the tail of what appears to be a whale, leaving viewers questioning what happened to the rest of the animal.
The video streamer was shown holding the tail, estimating it to be three to four feet long, and stated that such findings were common in the area.
While some social media users have speculated about possible poaching, authorities caution that the video alone does not confirm illegal activity.
The sighting has put local fishermen and conservationists on high alert.
“We don’t know if this is connected to anything suspicious, but we’re watching carefully,” said a Vava’u-based marine observer.
Tonga has strict protections for whales, making any potential hunting or harassment illegal.
While authorities have not yet identified those responsible, the removal of teeth and fins points to commercial poaching.
These whale parts are highly valued in underground markets for carvings, jewellery, and traditional remedies. The wasteful practice—where only select body parts are taken—mirrors the cruel methods of shark finning operations.
Explainer – In November, Tonga’s so-called democracy will mark 15 years—an anniversary not of progress, but of deception.
Lord Sevele (in the middle), King George V (left), and King Tupou VI—symbolising Tonga’s complex democratic journey. Sevele, once a reform advocate, later opposed the very changes initiated under King George V’s democratic vision. King Tupou VI, successor to George V, has been seen as reluctant to advance the reforms, leaving Tonga’s democratic future uncertain.
What was once heralded as a historic shift from absolute to representative governance has proven to be little more than an illusion —a meticulously crafted façade that dupes citizens into believing their votes grant true accountability, when in reality, corrupt powerholders remain entrenched beyond the reach of democratic checks.
For over 40 years, Tonga’s democratic reforms were championed by the nation’s foremost scholars and patriots—figures such as former Deputy Prime Minister Langikavaliku, Catholic Bishop Patelesio Finau, Free Wesleyan President Dr Sione ‘Amanaki Havea, Professor Futa Helu of ‘Atenisi University and democracy advocate ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
Their movement gained undeniable momentum, with Pōhiva’s unbroken parliamentary presence from 1987 to 2019—culminating in his premiership from 2014 until his death.
This vision was ultimately realised by King George V, who relinquished his executive powers to an elected government in 2010
Democracy’s Broken Promise Exposed
Yet when Lord Tuʻivakanō’s government took office after the November 2010 general election—becoming the first to test the new democracy—it immediately encountered constitutional flaws that undermined transparency, accountability, and good governance: the very crux of any democratic system.
Rather than a functioning democracy, Tonga was left with a fractured system—its promise of reform diluted by inconsistencies that preserved the old guard’s power.
The Tuʻivakanō government acted swiftly, commissioning Trinidad and Tobago’s constitutional law expert, Peters Pursglove, to review the 2010 constitution and report his findings.
Constitutional Failure Undermining Democracy
In 2014, Pursglove’s assessment of Tonga’s 2010 constitution—believed to have been primarily drafted by Lord Dalgety (now one of the king’s law lords) and enacted under Lord Sevele’s government—was unequivocal: the reforms had failed to establish genuine democracy.
Pursglove said the constitution is poorly written, promotes secrecy, has compromised the role of the judiciary and parts of it may be illegal.
Tonga’s 2010 constitution does not uphold democracy
The Privy Council lacks any democratic composition or accountability
The judiciary lacks accountability and transparency.
Changes to the judiciary are inefficient, ineffective, unaffordable and possibly illegal.
No public discussions were held regarding the reforms to the judiciary or why they were considered necessary.
“The present Constitution of Tonga can lay claim to being the most poorly structured and drafted Constitution of any Country in the Commonwealth,” the report says.
The Pursglove report also recommended transferring appointment powers for both the Attorney-General and Police Commissioner to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
King George V died in Hong Kong on March 18, 2012, before the Pursglove report was completed and submitted to both the government and Parliament in 2014. It is understood that a copy of the report was handed to King Tupou VI.
Initiators Oppose Pursglove Findings
The report’s recommendations were adopted by ʻAkilisi Pōhiva’s government after it came to power in 2015 and following its victory in the 2017 snap election. The Pursglove report’s findings were consolidated into six government bills, widely known in Tongan as “Fo’i lao ‘e Ono”, and were presented to Parliament by the Pōhiva government.
However, the six bills faced immediate resistance from the very architects of the Pursglove report.
Noble MPs and former Cabinet ministers—many of whom held dual legislative and executive roles when the Cabinet approved Pursglove’s hiring in 2011—fiercely obstructed implementation of his recommendations during parliamentary debates. Many believe the opposition from these elites was not due to the Pursglove reports themselves but rather their political malice toward Pōhiva.
This culminated in the Pōhiva government threatening to sue Chairman Lord Tuʻilakepa, accusing him of systematically and unnecessarily prolonging the parliamentary debates.
Tuʻilakepa finally apologised and allowed the report to be tabled in early September 2019, but Pōhiva passed away on the 12th before its adoption.
However, Pōhiva’s attempt to implement the report’s recommendations is widely believed to have prompted King Tupou VI’s 2017 dissolution of Parliament – revealing the monarch’s reluctance to continue his elder brother George V’s democratic reforms.
Following Pōhiva’s death, the subsequent Prime Minister, Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, told Kaniva News that he had withdrawn the bills, citing more pressing policy priorities.
The Pursglove report remains shelved, with neither legislative nor executive branches willing to enact its proposed reforms.
The king’s democracy dream: What went wrong?
Despite King George V publicly announcing his willingness to relinquish executive powers, the political transition process relied heavily on Lord Fred Sevele, who had served as Prime Minister prior to the democratic reform transition.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Sevele and democratic leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva had already deteriorated, transforming their former political alliance in support of democracy into outright antagonism—with Sevele now viewed as an adversary by democracy advocates.
The king’s democratic endorsement—intended to enable a smooth transition—faced immediate backlash, particularly from Lord Sevele, whose public remarks openly discouraged and dissatisfied democratic reformers.
Following the 2006 devastation of Nuku’alofa’s CBD, democracy advocate Dr Sitiveni Halapua, argued Sevele’s deliberate stalling of the reforms, which were first set to be implemented earlier than 2010, had provoked the explosive unrest.
This aligned with Sevele’s 2009 RNZ Pacific statement, just one year ahead of the power transition, opposing full relinquishment of royal powers.
Sevele vs Constitutional and Electoral Commission
Former Tongan Attorney General John Cauchi previously told Kaniva News that the kingdom’s fundamental political problems stem from its constitution.
Cauchi argued that the government’s efforts to amend laws and revise the constitution shortly after the Pursglove report was released would be unnecessary had the kingdom’s democratic reforms originally followed the recommendations of the Constitutional and Electoral Commission (CEC), chaired by former Chief Justice Gordon Ward.
The CEC was established to gather public input on the desired form of a democratic constitution, present its findings to Parliament, and oversee the 2010 constitutional and electoral reforms.
Cauchi’s comment revealed how Sevele’s unwillingness to support King George V’s relinquishment of his executive powers to the people became not just a matter of public debate but would later be enshrined in a constitution that could jeopardise the democratic transition.
Even before the CEC’s final report was submitted, the Commissioners were concerned that they would be ignored and that Lord Sevele’s government would proceed independently.
The CEC’s recommendations were not adopted, and Lord Sevele’s government proceeded with its own submission, which led to the controversial 2010 constitution.
Recommendations
The main recommendations of the 2009 Constitutional and Electoral Commission were:
That the King and Privy Council should no longer be part of the Executive Government and
the Executive Government should be the Cabinet answerable to the Legislative Assembly .
Government was to be a Constitutional Monarchy rather than a Constitutional Government.
The Government of this Kingdom was to be divided into three bodies: Cabinet, the Legislative Assembly and the judiciary.
The Monarch would appoint as Prime Minister the elected member of the Assembly recommended by the Assembly under a selection procedure provided in the Constitution and the Monarch would appoint as Ministers those individuals nominated by the Prime Minister.
The Privy Council, of which Cabinet used to be part, would be an advisory body.
Cabinet was now limited to the Prime Minister and 11 Ministers nominated by him.
There would be no unelected ministers or cabinet members.
The Parliamentary term should be three years. The Commission observed that “the longer the term, the less effective will be the power of voters” to control an ineffective or poor government.
The right of every representative to introduce a Bill should be enshrined in the Constitution.
There should be provision to secure sufficient time for proper consideration of all Bills of public interest by the members of the general public.
All members of the public, including the media, should have full access to the Journal of the proceedings of the Assembly and to all the records of the public meetings of the Assembly.
Explainer – The Eke government’s newly passed Bill—handing full control of Foreign Affairs back to the monarchy—threatens to unravel Tonga’s fragile democratic progress.
The Late King George V announced the relinquishment of his executive powers in 2010, declaring the constitution should be kept alive with changes to suit Tonga’s progress. The late monarch’s historic compromise paved the way for democratic reforms—a legacy now challenged by the Eke government’s recent rollback of parliamentary authority. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald)
This move directly undermines the 2010 reforms that sought to transfer executive power from the palace to Parliament, a hard-won compromise championed by the late King George V himself.
By restoring royal authority over a key ministry, the legislation risks reviving the very “mistakes” the king once warned against: a retreat from accountable governance toward unchecked monarchy.
During a 2010 ABC News interview, King George V revealed that his nobles had strongly opposed the reforms, arguing Tonga might have prospered better under its previous absolute monarchy when the king held complete executive control.
The king countered this view by stating, “You can’t expect to keep repeating the same mistakes and expect a different result because that would be totally unreasonable.”
From Reform To Reversal
Tonga’s 2010 democratic reforms emerged from years of systemic corruption and abuse of power within the monarchy. The movement gained urgency following multiple high-profile scandals:
The passport sale debacle: Over 8,000 passports illegally sold to foreigners, with US$92 million in proceeds disappearing from U.S. bank accounts. Following legal action against the unlawful sales of the passports, the king amended the constitution to retroactively legitimise the practice. The sales let hundreds of Chinese legally immigrate to Tonga, where they now dominate and control many local businesses.
Royal Tongan Airlines’ collapse: The national carrier failed during King Tupou VI’s tenure as Prime Minister, costing taxpayers about $30 millions.
Princess Pilolevu’s controversies: Including the unlawful transfer of a $90 million Chinese grant and involvement in Tongasat’s satellite slot allocations.
Mismanaged Chinese loans: A $120 million post-riot reconstruction loan from China was mishandled during the Sevele government.
These incidents—along with countless opaque, royally controlled projects—left Tongans demanding accountability through democratic reform. Yet no one was ever held accountable.
Pro-democracy reformers always maintained that royal involvement in governance creates an accountability vacuum – the king answers to no one for his use of public funds.
Prior to the Eke Bill’s passage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated outside normal oversight structures—unlike the twenty ministries under the Public Service Commission.
This exemption allowed its chief executive to avoid the performance reviews required of other executives, creating systemic inequities.
The Eke Bill—passed without public consultation—follows years of clashes between the Palace and government over control of Foreign Affairs.
The late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva refused to bow to pressure from King Tupou VI regarding control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pōhiva maintained that such authority constitutionally belonged solely to the elected government.
Several years later, Prime Minister Huʻakavameiliku’s legal dispute with King Tupou VI’s private secretary over the operation of the Ministry resulted in the monarch revoking confidence in both Defence Minister Hu’akavameiliku and former Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu.
Democracy Eroded By Decree
The His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service Bill 2025, passed on August 5, dissolves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and replaces it with His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services, placing all diplomatic, consular, and immigration powers under direct royal oversight.
The legislation empowers His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services to create its governing Board, along with provisions for administration, overseas appointments, regulations, and transition protocols.
Critics warn this move dismantles a cornerstone of Tonga’s hard-won democracy, reversing the very reforms King George V once called a “natural development” for the nation.
Tonga’s fragile democracy—more than a decade in the making—was the result of a combination of King George V’s political vision, the advocacy of the country’s leading scholars that can be traced back to 1970s proposal to Cabinet by former Deputy Prime Minister Langikavaliku, and the efforts of church leaders, spearheaded by Tonga’s Defender of Democracy title holder and former Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
“You can’t expect to keep repeating the same mistakes and expect a different result,” King George V cautioned his peers in the nobility who resisted democracy. Today, as the monarchy reclaims control over critical state functions, many fear his warning has gone unheeded—and that Tonga’s fragile democracy may be entering its most precarious chapter yet.
But why did King George V relinquish his executive authority while retaining ceremonial and traditional royal prerogatives?
To answer this, Kaniva News reproduces the monarch’s own words from a pivotal 2010 interview with ABC’s Bruce Hill, conducted as Tonga prepared for democratic reforms.
In this unedited transcript, King George V explains his historic decision—and his vision for a modern Tongan monarchy.
A Monarch’s Democratic Vision
An interview in November 2010 between King George V and ABC broadcaster Bruce Hill about the king’s commitment to transitioning Tonga to democracy is reproduced verbatim below.
His Majesty King George V (HMKGV):
I think it’s the natural development of the original 19th century constitution. It’s an attempt to take the principles of that Constitution and apply them in 21st century idiom, which of course has to be democracy.
Bruce Hill (ABC Broadcaster):
Is it something you particularly support?
HMKGV:
Yes. Yes. I have always wanted to do this for the country, and it’s a very practical idea in that our political life has to travel at the same speed and same level as the development of our economic life.
B Hill:
Is Tonga ready for this kind of more representative system, do you think?
HMKGV:
I believe so because for the past 150 years we have had very democratic institutions, mainly the Churches, like the Christian Churches in Western Europe, even during the middle ages. These are probably the only truly democratic institutions which have existed in the country. For example, Church affairs are discussed freely by the members who elect the officials, and Bishops and Presidents and it’s the one of the institutions in Tonga where a person of relatively humble beginnings can rise to positions of great power and influence by his own talents without autocratic patronage.
B Hill:
What happens to your role as Monarch under the new system? Are your powers diminished or decreased or be simply changed?
HMKGV:
Officially, the sovereign’s power remains unchanged because under our Monarchy we have a unity of power as opposed to a separation of power. The difference in the future is that I shall not be able to exercise any of my power, at will. All the Sovereign’s powers must be exercised solely on the advice of the Prime Minister in most things, and in judicial matters, it’s the Law Lords who advise on the exercise of power. In that case I suppose, we are different from other nominal monarchies which retained their trappings of monarchies but actually govern themselves as republics.
B Hill:
Historically Kings have resisted diminution of their powers. Why do you think this is the way to go?
HMKGV:
Well, like others of my generation my education has generally been a liberal –European education and I feel sure that without a European education …er with a solely Tongan education, I don’t believe I would have been able to make these changes.
B Hill:
The events of 2006 when a Pro-Democracy rally got out of hand and there was rioting and burning and looting and much of the Central Business District of Nuku’alofa was destroyed. What role did that event play in getting this kind of political change? Did it speed things up or were these changes going to happen now anyway?
HMKGV:
There were changes …I think the changes would have happened anyway. But what the riots did for me … it vindicated my belief in the ‘systems’ approach to change …which was compartmentalising each stage of the revolution, and putting each stage under the charge or tutelage of different groups in society and government.
B Hill:
After seeing the destruction of what’s called 16/11 did you feel under more pressure to move towards this change?
HMKGV:
I didn’t feel under pressure from below. But the pressure I felt was the pressure not to change which was exerted on me from my own class of society.
B Hill:
What form did that pressure take?
HMKGV:
People expressed to me their views … my fellow Nobility expressed to me their views, that perhaps Tonga was far better off as it was before under the old system. Well I had a simple answer to that … and that was, you can’t expect to keep repeating the same mistakes and expect a different result because that would be totally unreasonable.
B Hill:
Tonga is a very traditional kind of a system and the role of the monarchy is very important in society. Will this political change mean a change in relationship between you and the Tongan people?
HMKGV:
I don’t believe so. The relationship between the Monarchy in Tonga and the people is one of blood … and indeed with the Nobility as well. In that every Tongan … there is a Tongan phrase that literally means, “Every Tongan has a road to the Palace”, which means that if you go back far enough in your ancestry you can find that you are related to this Nobleman or that one or even to the King. In the past the basis for this relationship has been one relative speaking to another… that’s how they felt about it.
B Hill:
Is this new system ideal as it is or do you think there might be more change further down the road?
HMKGV:
Well what we have done is we have given it our best shot and said, this is the model we have come up with … that’s the present government and I. But I hope that in the future if the government or the parliament, find that what we’ve put up or what we’ve proposed is inadequate in any way that they will feel free to make the necessary adjustments …you know…. It’s not an unchangeable thing. I think our constitution should be kept alive with minor changes and adjustments to suit life … as the country progresses.
You can follow this link to listen to the interview
United States — A second explosive video of Tongans brawling in a sacred space has gone viral just days after footage of lawmakers fighting in Tonga’s Parliament shocked the world.
Fists Fly in God’s House: Tongan Church Fight Follows Parliament Brawl, Exposing Cultural Crisis
The latest incident, captured during a church service in the U.S., shows a woman violently attacking another congregant as worshippers struggle to separate them, with punches thrown and profanity echoing through the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
Swearing can be heard throughout the video, contrasting starkly with the normally reverent atmosphere of a church gathering.
Some worshippers attempted to de-escalate the situation, while others stood by in shock.
Social Media Reacts
The video has since spread rapidly online, sparking outrage and debate.
Many viewers expressed dismay over the disrespect shown in a house of worship, while others questioned what led to the altercation.
“This is not the kind of example we should be setting, especially in front of our children and elders,” wrote one Tongan community leader on Facebook.
“Whatever the disagreement was, it should have been resolved with words, not violence.”
While the identities of those involved have not been officially confirmed, members of the Tongan diaspora are urging church leadership to address the incident.
Some are demanding accountability, including possible disciplinary action, to prevent future disruptions.
“The church is supposed to be a place of peace and forgiveness,” said a longtime member of the congregation who wished to remain anonymous.
“We need to reflect on how this happened and how we can heal from it.”
As of now, no official statement has been released by the church’s administration regarding the fight or whether any disciplinary measures will be taken.
However, sources indicate that internal discussions are underway.
“This isn’t just about one fight—it’s about how we handle disagreements as a community,” said a Tongan youth advocate.
“We need to find better ways to communicate before things escalate like this again.”
Tonga’s Parliamentary Brawl
The church brawl comes just days after Tonga’s Parliament saw its own sacred space of democracy violated when two senior leaders – including Police Minister Paula Piveni Piukala – came to blows during a session.
The Legislative Assembly suspended both Piukala and Lord Tu’ilakepa after their physical altercation brought debate to a halt, marking one of the most disgraceful moments in recent parliamentary history.
AUCKLAND, NZ – Amid growing concerns over dawn raids and deportations targeting the Tongan community, a Tongan immigration consultant has successfully secured permanent residency for an overstaying family—offering a glimmer of hope for others in similar situations.
(L – R) Koli Vanisi (Director of Pacific Immigration Consultancy & Services Limited, Pauli, Lute and Linda Ongo’ivaha. Photo/Supplied
The case involved a Tongan family who had overstayed their visas, making their immigration status extremely difficult to regularise.
However, Koli Vanisi, director of Pacific Immigration Consultancy & Services Limited, fought their case against Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and won, securing them a permanent residence permit.
This victory comes just hours after a Tongan father was arrested by immigration officers this week, sparking fear and frustration within the community.
Vanisi is now urging overstayers not to lose hope, insisting that even complex cases can be resolved with the right legal approach.
No Case Is Too Hard
Linda Ongoivaha,57, and her two children, Pauli, 19, and Lute Mafi ,17, arrived in New Zealand from Tonga on May 3, 2008, on a visitor visa, Vānisi told Kaniva News.
The mother made multiple attempts through lawyers and licensed immigration advisers to secure legal residency in the country, but none were successful.
Vanisi worked on this case, resulting in a ruling (Order) by the New Zealand Immigration Protection Tribunal on August 4, 2025, granting Linda and her two children a Resident Visa, according to Immigration documents seen by Kaniva News.
Immigration New Zealand finalised the tribunal’s decision on August 5, 2025.
“There are people who believe no consultant or lawyer can help them because they think their case is too complex,” Vanisi said.
“But I invite them to come and talk to me—let’s see what can be done.”
Vanisi, who has years of experience in immigration law, says he has regularly battled INZ in tribunals over tough cases—and won.
His latest success with the Tongan family proves that even long-term overstayers may still have pathways to legal status.
A Call to Action for the Tongan Community
With increasing reports of early-morning immigration arrests, many Pacific families live in fear of deportation.
Vanisi’s message is clear: “Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
“If you’re worried about your status, come and see me,” he said.
“We can assess your situation and fight for your right to stay.”
Vanisi is no stranger to the community, as we have regularly reported on his immigration successes—helping Tongans who overstayed their visas finally secure permanent residency.
We have covered his previous wins in tribunal and Immigration NZ cases, including securing residency for Tongans who overstayed for up to 30 years.
Even in cases where Tongans had only been in New Zealand for just over two years and faced medical issues, Vanisi successfully secured their visa approvals.
