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Tonga gov’t loses TOP$750,000 in MV Niuvakai deal, Review finds

By
Kalino Latu
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Public Enterprises Minister Piveni Piukala has demanded accountability after MV Niuvakai was sold for $60k (NZ$43,000) following its TOP$1.3m (NZ$936.500) purchase.  

The massive loss comes despite a New Zealand assessment report showing the government could have saved over NZ$500,000 on the initial purchase had proper procedures been followed.

Mr Piukala was currently overseeing a comprehensive review of all ministries, departments, and boards of directors, as the Eke government promised.  

The audit aims to assess operational conditions while investigating the origins of numerous allegations surrounding questionable transactions. 

Mr Piukala said he has recently traced the whereabouts of the MV Niuvakai and discovered that it had been advertised and purchased by a local buyer for TOP$60,000 (NZ$43,000).

The Minister also accused former government authorities who purchased the vessel of allegedly giving the king incorrect information about the ship.

Ombudsman findings

As Kaniva News reported previously, former Ombudsman ‘Aisea Taumoepeau said that in February 2014, Pacific Royale Shipping sold St Theresa to FISA for NZ$936,500 or TOP$1,379,572.19.  The vessel was then renamed the MV Niuvākai when the king launched it. 

Dunsford Marine inspected the vessel on January 21-22, 2014, and identified 17 deficiencies. MV St Theresa was found wanting in most capabilities. 

The purchase went ahead despite these findings. 

On April 5, 2017, three years after the purchase of the vessel, New Zealand Marine Brokers inspected and evaluated the MV Niuvakai as worth NZ$350,000. 

The Ombudsman said there was no evidence that the vessel was independently valued before it was purchased by FISA except for the comparative exercise made with the MV Baltic. 

Apparent loss figure

The vessel was purchased for NZ$936,500–nearly triple its assessed value of NZ$350,000, according to the New Zealand evaluation report. This initial overpayment cost taxpayers NZ$586,500.

Despite reselling the vessel for NZ$43,000, it appeared that the government ultimately lost NZ$543,500 (TOP$750,000) in public funds on this questionable transaction.

The vessel was owned by the Ramanlal brothers, who were close friends of the late King George V while he was Crown Prince and then when he became king. 

The vessel became a financial liability after it became clear there were not enough goods to export. 

The vessel was unable to lift the 20 foot (six metre) containers typically used for shipping with its deck crane and was deemed to be unprofitable on voyages lasting more than three days. 

FISA created a new company called Tonga Exports Shipping Agency Limited (TESAL) to operate the MV Niuvakai. 

FISA Former chief executive Vaka Utapola Vi told Kaniva News in 2014 that FISA only bought the former St Theresa because the price of  other ships they looked at, including one in the Caribbean, were either too high or because it would have cost too much to bring them to Tonga. 

Vi denied that FISA bought the ship to help the Ramanlals with their struggle to pay back their loan for it. 

When he was told a company in Auckland had turned down an offer to buy the ship because it would lose money on voyages lasting longer than three days, Vi said FISA had tested the ship and he had recommended it. 

Sailing test

As Kaniva News previously reported, Ngalo’afē ‘Ulupano said he was the St Theresa’s First Mate in 2014 when former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku and others from the government’s Friendly Islands Shipping Agency (FISA)  came on board to ensure the vessel was right for all the agency needs. 

‘Ulupano said he thought at the time the government would not buy the vessel because they had been allegedly struggling to get the engine to work after it repeatedly stalled before they made it to Ha’apai’s Pangai wharf. 

He said the mechanical faults forced the captain to change the ship’s schedule, which was intended to call into various ports in Ha’apai before reaching Pangai. 

He claimed a final decision was made to have the ship travel directly to Pangai because of the number of stalls they had experienced.

We contacted Hu’akavameiliku at the time for comment.

Troubled history 

At time FISA regularly updated the public, saying the MV Niuvakai’s schedules had been either delayed or cancelled due to mechanical faults. 

In 2015, about a year after its purchase, it was anchored in Vava’u for months because of a mechanical failure. 

It also became stranded on a reef in 2016. 

In March 2016 Vi was suspended and later resigned. 

Neither FISA nor the government has revealed why he was told to resign. 

Man stabbed during altercation on Auckland’s Dominion Rd

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1News Reporters

A man was hospitalised with serious injuries after being stabbed during an altercation involving two groups in Auckland’s Mt Eden yesterday.

Police at the scene of an assault on Dominion Rd.
Police at the scene of an assault on Dominion Rd. (Source: 1News)

A police spokesperson said earlier that emergency services were called to a report of several people fighting on Dominion Rd, near Lambeth Rd, shortly after 6.30pm.

In an update, Auckland City CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said police have established that a group of people had got off a bus on Dominion Rd and got into a disagreement on the roadside.

“The second group had been travelling in a vehicle and stopped to intervene when a fight broke out between them

Man injured after stabbing in Auckland’s Mt Eden

Emergency services combed the scene of the altercation on Dominion Rd, near Lambeth Rd.

Friend said during the altercation, a knife was pulled out by one of the first group, “resulting in someone from that same group suffering a stab wound”.

He was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition, and was now in a stable condition.

“The two men from the second group fled the scene on foot but did not suffer injuries.”

Friend said all parties were accounted for, and a scene examination had been completed.

No charges have been laid at this stage.

“We have received some information from the public but would like any other witnesses to come forward,” he said.

Anyone with information could contact police online, or by calling 105.

Two months in: What has the Eke Gov’t achieved since the election? 

By
Kalino Latu
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COMMENTARY -Today marks two months since Prime Minister Eke was sworn into office on January 23.  

Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke

As the new administration settles in, Kaniva News takes a closer look at the government’s progress so far, assessing its achievements against the promises made during the election campaign. 

This commentary offers a preliminary evaluation of the government’s performance, focusing on tangible outcomes and their impact on the people of Tonga.  

While it is still early in the administration’s term, this assessment aims to provide an objective perspective on whether the Eke government is delivering on its commitments. 

Transparency and Accountability Promises: 

From the very beginning, Prime Minister Eke declared that his government would prioritize the people. He emphasized transparency and accountability as the cornerstones of this commitment, pledging that he and his ministers would remain accessible to the media for questioning. PM Eke’s commitment to transparency and accountability was highlighted during his campaign, where he pledged to champion a law protecting whistle-blowers.

Fact-Checking Transparency and Accountability 

Kaniva News has fact-checked Prime Minister Eke’s commitment to transparency and accountability and found it to be working and highly effective. Since taking office, Prime Minister Eke has consistently addressed questions from Kaniva News, demonstrating a strong willingness to engage with the media.

It is understood that he has extended the same level of responsiveness to other media outlets, further reinforcing his commitment to transparency and open communication. When questions fell outside his jurisdiction, he promptly directed them to the relevant ministers and their portfolios. Additionally, his government has upheld its promise of holding weekly press conferences, which have been broadcast live online. 

However, he has yet to provide the public with an update on his whistleblower protection policy. Such a bill is understood to have to go through the parliamentary process, which is currently in recess.

These actions underscore strong leadership, fulfilling campaign promises and respecting the media’s role as a bridge between the government and the public. These measures reflect a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability, creating a platform that fosters live and active dialogue between the government and the people. The government is promoting openness and public participation by engaging with the media and enabling the public to watch these interactions live.

Review of Government Performance Promises 

Before its appointment, the Eke government pledged to review the performance of all ministries, departments, and boards of directors to assess their current status and identify areas for improvement. It also committed to addressing previous allegations and accusations against some of these entities to ensure accountability and resolution. 

Fact-Checking the Review Promises 

Kaniva News has verified the government’s progress on these promises and found them to be effectively implemented. In February, the Eke government announced the cessation of the long-standing questionable policy, allowing Cabinet Ministers to handpick members of various government boards. Instead, these positions are now open to the public, with applicants to be assessed by the Public Service Commission.  

This policy has been widely criticized for contributing to the failures of several public enterprises. Critics argue that Cabinet ministers often selected board members based on personal friendships and close relationships, rather than their ability to contribute effectively to the goals and purposes of those boards. This practice has raised concerns about mismanagement and a lack of accountability within key government entities.  

Additionally, the government revoked a previous decision by the former administration that allowed automatic extensions for board members of public enterprises, with this policy officially ending on March 15. An ongoing review is currently being conducted for several government entities, including the controversial Lulutai Airlines. As part of this process, the government terminated the employment of Lulutai’s CEO and appointed an interim CEO to assist with the review.  

These actions demonstrate strong leadership and a genuine commitment to reforming long-standing issues, such as the practice of Cabinet-appointed board members. They also underscore the administration’s commitment to addressing issues within key public enterprises and ensuring accountability.

The Eke government delivers on its promises and fosters inclusivity by addressing outdated policies. Through these reforms, the administration creates opportunities for individuals with better qualifications and talents to contribute meaningfully to public services.  

Next installment

While the Eke government’s fulfillment of these two promises has been fact-checked and deemed successful, earning it a reputation as an effective and capable administration, there are areas of weakness that warrant discussion. Specifically, the government’s approach to transparency and accountability through media engagement could be improved. Kaniva News believes there is a more sustainable and impactful way to implement this policy, ensuring its long-term benefits. 

As this column is part of an ongoing series to evaluate the government’s performance, we will explore this issue in greater detail in our next installment. 

Matron accuses PSC of manipulating PMS scores for nurse performance 

By
Kalino Latu
-

A senor health officer has urged the government to acknowledge the dedication of local nurses in Tonga, who have chosen to remain in the country despite opportunities for higher pay overseas.  

Vaiola Hospital Matron Sr ‘Akesa Uili Halatanu was speaking during the national development summit held in Nuku’alofa last week.  

She said that when she submitted the nurses’ assessment results, evaluated through the Performance Management System (PMS), the Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected them and advised her to alter the scores. 

She said that this decision was detrimental to the nurses. 

She provided an example to illustrate her submission to the PSC. 

She said that approximately 200 nurses were assessed, and after reaching an agreement with all departments within the Ministry to award 100 nurses a score of 5, the PSC allegedly instructed her to revise the scores.  

The PSC recommended, according to Halatanu’s given example, that only seven nurses should receive a score of five, 10 should receive a score of three, and the remaining nurses should be given a score of 1.5. 

Halatanu described how this placed her in a difficult position, as she was left unsure of how to determine which of the 100 nurses should receive the top score of 5. 

She supported a separate motion to review the PMS, emphasising the need for fair and transparent evaluation processes. 

She also opposed a motion proposed by a former PSC commissioner during the meeting, which suggested hiring nurses from the Philippines to support Tonga’s health services. 

She emphasised that the government should prioritise local nurses and recognize their dedication and contributions to the nation’s health services.

The PSC could not be reached for comment.

One dead in single-vehicle crash on Vava’u’s Fungamisi village road

By
Kaniva Staff
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One person has died following a serious crash in Fungamisi last night.

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota reported the single-vehicle crash on Fungamisi road shortly before 12am this morning

“Sadly, it is clear that a person has died,” he said.

Lapota said this was the second death of the year in Neiafu.

Comments on Facebook claimed that the road in question is notorious for crashes, with many urging drivers to exercise caution when using it.

Others took the opportunity to pay tribute to the deceased.

Boxing legend George Foreman, Two-time World Heavyweight Champion, passes away at 76

By
Kaniva Staff
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“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. Who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.”

At 25, Foreman faced Muhammad Ali in 1974 in one of the most memorable boxing matches ever, coined “The Rumble In The Jungle”, in Zaire. Ali shocked Foreman, winning by eighth round TKO.

Foreman retired in 1977 and became an ordained minister before moving into several successful product endorsements.

According to the BBC, Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949, and raised along with six siblings by a single mother in the segregated American South.

He dropped out of school and turned to street robberies before eventually finding his outlet in the ring.

Getty Images George Foreman (left) and Muhammad Ali boxing at Zaire Stade in the Rumble in the Jungle, 30 October 1974.
George Foreman (left) and Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle

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Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, aged 19, before turning pro and winning 37 consecutive matches.

He beat previously undefeated reigning champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1973 knocking him down six times in the first two rounds.

His 1974 Rumble in the Jungle against Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remains one of the most famous boxing matches ever.

Ali, the older man, was the underdog after he was stripped of his crown seven years earlier for refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam War.

Foreman said later: “I said I was going to go out there and kill him and people said, ‘Please, don’t say you’re going to kill Muhammad.’

“So I said, ‘OK, I’ll just beat him down to the ground.’ That’s how easy I thought the fight would be.”

But the wily Ali used a tactic that later became known as “rope-a-dope”, which wore out Foreman, causing him to throw out hundreds of punches before Ali unloaded on him in the eighth round and scored a knockout.

After a second professional loss, Foreman retired in 1977 and became an ordained minister at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas, which he founded and built.

“We began meeting informally at various homes in Houston, and before long, the crowds became too large for most houses to accommodate,” Foreman said on his website about preaching.

“Eventually, we bought a piece of land and an old, dilapidated building on the north-east side of Houston.”

Foreman came out of retirement in 1987 to raise money for a youth centre he founded. He won 24 matches before losing to Evander Holyfield after 12 rounds in 1991.

In 1994, Foreman knocked out undefeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest ever heavyweight champion at age 45.

He became ad pitchman for his George Foreman Grill, which millions have purchased since it hit the market in 1994, thanks in part to his memorable catchphrase, the “Lean Mean Grilling Machine”.

Foreman was married five times. He has a dozen children. Five of his sons are named George.

He explained on his website that he named them after himself so they “they would always have something in common”.

“I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together,” he explained. “And if one goes down, we all go down together!'”

Chinese construction companies face scrutiny in Vanuatu following devastating earthquake

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By ABC

Chinese construction companies are copping criticism in Vanuatu in the wake of the massive earthquake that devastated the capital Port Vila last December.

Several Chinese-built buildings, including the near-new Presidential Palace, are among those badly damaged by the magnitude 7.3 quake.

Structural engineer Cyrille Mainguy’s assessed the widespread damage at the Chinese-built Malapoa College, which is set to be demolished.

“They’re mainly building concrete frames, so columns and beam structure, and there’s no reinforcement into the block work in some of the buildings,” he said.

“But I think we must not only blame China, we must blame Vanuatu.”

The Chinese Embassy says the damage to the college, Presidential Palace and other buildings was ‘inevitable’ and ‘cosmetic’ given the scale of the earthquake.

It also says Chinese projects were built in accordance with local building codes.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat says the building code will be reviewed.

Calls to expedite coroner’s office amid serious allegations against Health Ministry following unexpected deaths 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Ministry of Health is facing scrutiny after an allegation arose regarding a mother’s death attributed to their negligence. 

Viliami Takau

The revelation was raised during the national development summit currently underway in Nuku‘alofa.  

Viliami Takau, the Tourism chief executive, told the Minister of Health during the summit that they would not be able to bring back his wife to life.  

He said a legal action has been launched, apparently, against the Ministry.  

He claimed his wife died unexpectedly due to the Ministry’s alleged actions. The legal action was taken to hold the Ministry accountable and ensure such incidents are not repeated, he said.

Takau, visibly emotional and speaking through tears just a few meters away from the Minister of Health, shared that after his wife’s death, he took his son to the hospital for medical treatment after two of his son’s fingers had been severed. He claimed that while the doctor recommended surgery, he ultimately decided against it. 

He eventually took his son to New Zealand, where a doctor advised against the surgery, warning that it could damage the nerves.   

“The advice here was different from the advice in New Zealand,” he alleged, speaking in Tongan. 

Takau also mentioned that he was aware of plans to establish a coroner’s office. 

He urged the Minister to accelerate the project, emphasizing that families deserve to know the causes of their loved ones’ deaths. 

Takau understood that many people had the same experience he had.

He also urged the government to prohibit doctors from operating private clinics and ensure they work exclusively at the main hospital to guarantee a consistent standard of care for the people.

National Development Summit

The consultation at the Fa‘onelua Convention Center is currently underway allowing members of the public to evaluate the nation’s development progress under the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 and create strategies for 2026-2036.  

It is open to the public under the theme “A Resilient Tonga through Transformative Action: Safeguarding Our Heritage.”

Participants shared their experiences with government services and policies during the summit.

‘Akilisi’s daughter echoes his father’s democratic ambitions at Tonga’s national development summit  

By
Kalino Latu
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As Tonga’s people gathered for its first national development summit in Nuku’alofa this week, Akilisi Pōhiva’s daughter, Teisa Cokanasiga, stressed the importance of discussing the country’s political structure as a priority.  

Teisa Pōhiva Cakonisiga

The consultation brought together over 200 representatives at the Fa‘onelua Convention Center to evaluate the nation’s development progress under the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 and create strategies for 2026-2036.  

The fakataha fakafonua (national summit) is open to the public under the theme “A Resilient Tonga through Transformative Action: Safeguarding Our Heritage.”

Cokanasiga told the meeting that Tonga could continue pursuing its development plans; however, at some point, these efforts would stall due to constitutional limitations—an argument advocated by her father.  

The late Akilisi Pōhiva, a longtime democratic activist, was instrumental in Tonga’s transition to democracy and served as one of the country’s democratically elected Prime Ministers before he died in 2019.  

He argued that economic development would be ineffective unless Tonga operates as a democracy, allowing the executive branch to function under the parliament and all members of parliament to be elected by the people.

Cokanasiga, a lawyer by profession, stated at the summit that while discussions on good governance at the grassroots level seem feasible, they often encounter challenges when addressed at the elite level.

She cited former Prime Minister Hu‘akavameiliku as an example. He resigned as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces after receiving a letter from the king expressing a loss of confidence in his duties. Cokanasiga highlighted that Hu‘akavameiliku stepped down without clarity on the king’s reasons, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in governance.   

At the meeting, Cokanasiga spoke directly to Prime Minister Eke and suggested that it was about time the government reviewed the political reforms.   

“The structure of the government is brought to life (“fakamānava’i”) and sustained by the constitution, which serves as its foundation and guiding framework”, Mrs Cokanisiga said in Tongan. 

She mentioned the Constitutional Lawyer’s review, which stated deficiencies in the 2010 constitution and democratic reforms.  

According to the Peter Pursglove report, which was endorsed by the Tu’ivakanō government in 2014: 

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. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Cokanisiga has made an essential point that the government should take heed of. The government needs to implement Mr Pursglove’s report, as he has identified significant shortfalls in our constitution. Ignoring these issues means we are wasting time and money on a summit to create economic plans that will struggle to succeed under an inadequate constitution.

The most notable examples are the last two governments. One created policies that allocated $400 million to road construction projects. Unfortunately, many roads were damaged and became unbeneficial for the country. There were accusations of corruption and nepotism surrounding this project.

The Hu’akavameiliku government, on the other hand, insisted on investing nearly $40 million, according to the Minister of Public Enterprises, in the national airlines, fully aware that it was unlikely to be a profitable venture for the government. The weak political system and our flawed constitution create loopholes allowing such disasters. And it will continue to occur until we fix the constitution.

Police wrestle with suspect on the road near Tonga National University  

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police officers faced difficulties handcuffing a man during his arrest in Tongatapu this morning.  

Police wrestle with a man in an attempted arrest.

The incident, which lasted several minutes, ended with the man being subdued and taken into custody 

The man and a few officers fell onto the road during the struggle.  

The incident was captured on camera.  

The video shows what appears to be one officer pushing the man to the ground while others hold him down. 

Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the video. 

A bystander recorded the incident on video, clearly capturing the events as they unfolded. 

The incident occurred near Tonga National University, and the man was allegedly intoxicated, the bystander told Kaniva News.

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