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VAVAU LAHI RUGBY UNION TOURNAMENT FOR 2025

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‘E KAMATA E FEAUHI TOURNMENT ‘A VAVA’U ‘I HE ‘AHO 31 ‘O ME 2025 PEA KOE FINAL LEVA ‘O E FE’AUHI ‘I HE ‘AHO 1 ‘0 NOVEMA 2025

1. KO E PALE ‘ULUAKI $10000 (TAHA MANO)

2. PALE FIKA UA $6000 (ONO AFE)

3. PALE FIKA TOLU $3000 (TOLU AFE)

4. PALE TAKI 1000 KI HE TEAM KATOA NA’E KAU HE FE’AUHI 2025 KO E FINAL ‘E FAI IA HE ‘AHO 1 NOVEMA 2025 KO E LESISITA S500 KI HE TEAM KO E NGAAHI MALA’E ‘AKAPULU ‘E FAKA’AONGA’I LOLOTONGA E FE’AUHI 2025

1. MALA’E ‘AKAPULU LEIMATU’A

2. MALA’E ‘AKAPULU FANGATONGO

3. MALA’E ‘AKAPULU KELANA

4. MALA’E ‘AKAPULU HAALAUFULI

5. MALA’E ‘AKAPULU VAVA’U HIGH SCHOOL KATAKI ‘O TOTONGI HO’O MOU LESISITA KI HE OFISA KOLO ‘O NEIAFU MR VAVA LAPOTA, PE KO SIAOSI PAONGO HALOTI BAR I LEIMATU’A, PE KO KATINIA LATU KI FELETOA PE KO ‘OPETI NAEATA KI HA’ALAUFULI, PE KO TOMIFA PAEA KI PUATAUKANAVE HOTEL ‘I NEIAFU.

KA HILI A E TOURNMENT ‘I NOVEMA ‘AHO 1 2025 ‘E HOKO ATU LEVA HONO FILI ‘A E FOI TEAM TAU FAKAFONUA A VAVAU, KE NAU FOLAU ATU KE TAU MO E HAU E TEAM A HA’APAI, HOKO ATU KI HE HAU ‘I EUA, PEA TOKI TA TUKU KI HE HAU ‘I TONGATAPU. KA ‘OSI IA ‘E HOKO ATU LEVA ‘A E FOI TEAM TAU FAKAFONUA ‘A VAVA’ KE NAU HOKO ATU O TOUR KI NZ KE TAU MO E NGAAHI TEAM FAKAVAHE ‘I NUUSILA. KO E TAU 2026 HOKO ATU AI PE FE’AUHI TATAU A VAVA’U, KA ‘E HOKO ATU IA KI ‘AOSITELEIA HILI ‘A E FE’AUHI ‘AKAPULU FAKAFONUA ‘A VAVA’U ‘I HE 2026

Fakaava ‘a e Kaha’u Faka’ekonomika ‘o Tonga: Ko e Founga ‘e Lava ai ‘e he Polokalama Ponite Fakafetongi Pa’anga Fakalotofonua ‘a e Pangikē Fakalakalaka ‘o ‘Esia (ADB) ‘o Fakamalohia ‘a e Matu’uekina Faka’ekonomika

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‘I he uike ni, na’e fakahā ‘i he Fakataha Lahi Fakalakalaka Fakafonua ‘o Tonga ha fakamatala fakamanakoa mei he mataotao faka’ekonomika ‘a e Pangikē Fakalakalaka ‘o ‘Esia (ADB), ko Deepika Darshani, fekau’aki mo ha me’angāue faka’ekonomika ‘e malava ke ‘aonga lahi ki he kaha’u ‘o Tonga: ko e Māketi Ponite Fakafetongi Pa’anga Fakalotofonua (LCBMs).

Neongo ‘oku si’isi’i ‘a e ‘ilo ki ai ‘i tu’a ‘i he ngaahi kulupu faka’ekonomika, ko e LCBMs ko e makatu’unga mahu’inga ‘o e matu’uekina mo e tupulekina faka’ekonomika ‘i ‘Esia mo e Pasifiki. Pea ‘i he taimi ‘oku kumi ai ‘a Tonga ki ha ngaahi founga ke ma’u ha ngaahi ma’u’anga pa’anga tu’uloa ‘oku ‘ikai ke fakatupu ha mo’ua lahi ‘i he pa’anga muli, ‘oku taimi-totonu ‘aupito ‘a e polokalama ko ‘eni.

Ko e hā ‘a e Ngaahi Ponite Fakafetongi Pa’anga Fakalotofonua?

Ko e Ngaahi Ponite Fakafetongi Pa’anga Fakalotofonua ‘oku hangē tofu pē ko honau hingoa—ko e ngaahi ponite ‘oku tuku atu ‘i he pa’anga ‘a e fonua ‘o ‘ikai ko e pa’anga muli hangē ko e tola ‘Amelika pe Euro. Ko e faikehekehe faingofua ko ‘eni ‘oku fu’u mahu’inga ‘aupito. Ko hono tuku atu mo hono no’o ‘o e pa’anga fakalotofonua ‘oku ne malu’i ‘a e ngaahi fonua hangē ko Tonga mei he ta’etau’atāina ‘o e pa’anga, ‘a ia ko e ngaahi feliuliuaki ‘i he fetongi pa’anga ‘e malava ke fakatupu ha fu’u hiki lahi ‘i he totongi ‘o e ngaahi mo’ua. Ko e ‘ilo mahu’inga ‘eni na’e ma’u faingata’a’ia lolotonga ‘a e Faingata’a Faka’ekonomika ‘o ‘Esia ‘i he 1997-98, ‘a ia na’e fakahā ‘a e fu’u fakafalala lahi ‘a e ngaahi fonua tokolahi ki he mo’ua pa’anga muli.

Ko e Fatongia ‘o e ADB ‘i hono Fakatupulekina ‘o e LCBMs

Talu mei he kamata’anga ‘o e ta’u 2000, kuo mahu’inga ‘a e ADB ‘i hono fakatupulekina ‘o e LCBMs ‘i ‘Esia. Na’e kamata ‘i he ponite Maharaja ‘o ‘Initia pea fakalakalaka ki he ngaahi fonua hangē ko Siaina, Malēsia, ‘Initonēsia, Filipaini, mo Siōsia, kuo taki ‘e he ADB ‘a e hala ki hono fakafe’iloaki ‘o e ngaahi ponite fakafetongi pa’anga fakalotofonua mo poupou’i ‘a e ngaahi tu’utu’uni ke poupou ki ai. Ko ‘enau founga fo’ou ‘i hono ngāue’aki ‘o e “ngaahi ponite fakakaveinga”—hangē ko e ngaahi ponite tauhi ‘atakai, fefine, mo e mo’ui lelei—kuo toe fakalakalaka ange ai ‘a e ola fakasōsiale ‘o e ngaahi ‘inivesi ko ‘eni.

‘Oku mahu’inga ke fakatokanga’i, ‘oku ‘ikai ngata pē ‘i he kau ‘a e ADB ‘i he ngaahi māketi faka’ekonomika lolotonga. ‘Oku nau fakatupu kinautolu. Tatau ai pē pe ko hono tuku atu ‘o e ‘uluaki ponite tu’unga AAA ‘i he ngaahi ‘ekonomika kei fakalakalaka pe ko hono kamata’i ‘o e ngaahi ponite fakafefine ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u fo’ou, kuo hoko ‘a e ADB ko e paionia māketi mo e me’angāue fakatupu.

Ko e ‘Uhinga ‘oku Mahu’inga ai ki Tonga

Ko Tonga, hangē ko e ngaahi fonua iiki fakalakalaka (SIDS), ‘oku fehangahangai mo ha tu’unga faingata’a tu’o tolu: feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘ea, tu’u mavahe fakasiokalafi, mo e fakafalala faka’ekonomika ki he tokoni mei muli pe ngaahi pa’anga ‘oku līhau mai. Tanaki ki ai ‘a e ta’etau’atāina ‘o hono no ‘i he pa’anga muli, pea toe faingata’a ange ‘a e tu’unga faka’ekonomika.

‘Oku ‘oatu ‘e he LCBMs ha faingamālie ki Tonga ke:

  • Fakasi’isi’i e Tu’unga Fakatu’utāmaki ‘o e Pa’anga: ‘I hono tuku atu mo totongi ‘o e mo’ua ‘i he Pa’anga Tonga, ‘e lava ‘e Tonga ‘o faka’ehi’ehi mei he ngaahi feliuliuaki fakamole ‘o e pa’anga.
  • Fakalahi ‘a e ‘Inivesi Fakalotofonua: ‘Oku fakaava ‘e he LCBMs ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ‘inivesi ki he ngaahi kautaha fakalotofonua, ngaahi pa’anga penisoni, pea a’u ki he kau ‘inivesitoa fakatau fakaikiiki.
  • Tohoaki’i e Kau ‘Inivesitoa Fakavaha’apule’anga ki he Ola Lelei: Ko e ngaahi ponite fakakaveinga—tautautefito ki he ngaahi ponite mata’i ‘akau pe ponite ki he ‘ea—’e malava ke tohoaki’i ‘a e kau ‘inivesitoa muli ‘oku nau fie fakapa’anga ‘a e ngaahi ma’u’anga ivi fakafo’ou, matu’uaki ‘a e feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘ea, mo e fakalakalaka tu’uloa.
  • Fakatupulekina e Sekitoa Faka’ekonomika: Ko hono langa ha māketi ponite malohi ‘e fakalelei’i ‘a e ngaahi me’angāue faka’ekonomika fakalukufua ‘a Tonga pea ‘oatu ha ngaahi founga kehe ki he no totonu.

Ko e Me’a ‘oku Fiema’u ke Fai ‘e Tonga

Koe’uhi ke ma’u ‘e Tonga ‘a e lelei mei he me’angāue faka’ekonomika malohi ko ‘eni, ‘oku fiema’u ha ngaahi sitepu ‘e ni’ihi:

  1. Ngaahi Tu’utu’uni Fakalao: Fakamālohia e fa’unga fakalao mo e tu’utu’uni ke poupou’i ‘a hono tuku atu mo fefakatau’aki ‘o e ngaahi ponite.
  2. Langa Malohinga: Ako’i e ngaahi kautaha faka’ekonomika fakalotofonua mo e ngaahi ‘ōfisi ‘a e pule’anga ke mahino, fakalele, mo faka’ai’ai ‘a e LCBMs.
  3. Fengāue’aki mo e ADB: Hangē ko ia kuo fakahā ‘i ‘Esia, ‘oku loto fiemālie ‘a e ADB ke fengāue’aki mo e ngaahi pule’anga ke fokotu’u ‘a e ngaahi māketi ko ‘eni, ‘o ‘oatu ‘a e tokoni fakatekinikale, fale’i tu’utu’uni, pea a’u ki he ngaahi tuku atu ponite ‘i he kamata’anga.
  4. Tuku atu e Ngaahi Ponite Fakakaveinga: ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie mo’oni ki Tonga ke tuku atu ‘a e ngaahi ponite tauhi ‘atakai pe ngaahi ponite fakafefine ‘oku fekau’aki mo e fetongiaki ‘o e ‘ea, fakalakalaka ‘o e ngaahi me’angāue lalahi, mo hono fakaivia ‘o e kakai fefine.

Sio ki he Kaha’u

Fakakaukau’i ha Tonga ‘a ia ko e ngaahi poloseki ma’u’anga ivi fakafo’ou ‘oku fakapa’anga ‘i he ngaahi ponite tauhi ‘atakai ‘oku ma’u ‘e he kau ‘inivesitoa fakalotofonua. Fakakaukau’i ha māketi koloa tu’uloa fakalotofonua ‘oku faka’atā ‘a e kau pisinisi ke ma’u ‘a e koloa ‘o ‘ikai fakafalala ki he ngaahi nō fakamole mei tu’apule’anga. Fakakaukau’i ha ‘ekonomika ‘oku si’isi’i ange ‘ene fakafelāve’i ki he ngaahi fakatu’utāmaki ‘o e pa’anga muli, ‘o ‘i ai ha koloa faka’ekonomika loloto ange ke tali ‘a e ngaahi fakatamaki fakaenatula.

‘Oku ‘ikai ko e fakakaukau faka’ekonomika pē ‘eni—ko e a’usia mo’ui ia ‘o e ngaahi fonua hangē ko Mongokōlia, Kasakitani, mo Siōsia, ‘a ia ko e LCBMs ‘oku poupou’i ‘e he ADB ‘oku nau liliu ‘a e fakalakalaka fakalotofonua.

Faka’osi

‘I he taimi ‘oku palani ai ‘e Tonga ‘a hono hala ki ha kaha’u ‘oku toe matu’uekina, kau kotoa, mo tu’uloa ange, ‘oku totonu ke fakalaulauloto matu’aki fakamātoato ki he fakaafe ‘a e ADB ke kau atu ki he nētiueka ‘oku tupu ‘o e ngaahi fonua ‘oku nau ngāue’aki ‘a e Ngaahi Māketi Ponite Fakafetongi Pa’anga Fakalotofonua. ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e faingamālie. ‘Oku ‘atā ‘a e tokoni. ‘Oku tatali ‘a e kaha’u ke fakapa’anga—fakalotofonua.

Fai ‘e Melino Maka

Tu’unga Faka’ekonomika ‘o Tonga: Lipooti ‘a e Pangikē Pule ki Fēpueli 2025

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Na’e ma’u ‘e he ‘ekonomika ‘o Tonga ha hiki lolotonga e taimi Kilisimasi ‘o e 2024, ‘a ia na’e lahi ai e ngāue ‘a e ngaahi pisinisi pea mo e tafe mai ‘a e tokoni fakapa’anga mei he ngaahi fāmili ‘i tu’apule’anga — ka ‘oku kei ‘i ai pē ‘a e ngaahi faingata’a fakamamani lahi mo fakalotofonua ‘oku ne ‘omai ha fakakaukau kehekehe ki he kaha’u ‘i he’etau hū atu ki he 2025.

Na’e Fakafiefia’i ‘e he Taimi Kilisimasi ‘a e Ngaahi Ngāue Faka’ekonomika Fakalotofonua

Na’e fakafiefia ‘a e sekitoa ngāue ‘i Tisema 2024, ‘a ia na’e tokoni ai ‘a e ngaahi mali, ngaahi fakataha fakafāmili, mo e kau folau ‘eve’eva ke hiki hake ‘a e fakamole ‘i he ngaahi nofo’anga, falekoloa, mo e fefononga’aki. Na’e tupu vave ‘a e ngaahi totongi folau ‘aki ‘a e meimei 30%, pea na’e hiki foki mo e lēsisita ‘o e ngaahi me’alele mo e ngāue’aki ‘o e ‘uhila tupu mei he ngaahi fakataha fakakolo mo e ngaahi ‘api fo’ou kuo ‘osi langa.

Na’e hiki vave ‘a e pa’anga hū mai mei tu’apule’anga – ‘a e pa’anga ‘oku līhau mai ‘e he kakai Tonga ‘i muli – ‘o a’u hake ki he $50 miliona ‘i Tisema, ko e hiki ‘aki ‘a e 16% mei he māhina kimu’a. Na’e tokoni ‘a e ngaahi totongi ko ‘eni ki he ngaahi fāmili ke nau matatali ‘a e tupu ‘o e totongi mo’ui pea mo poupou ki he ngaahi fakamole he taimi mālōlō.

‘Oku Fehangahangai ‘a e Sekitoa Ngāue’anga mo e Ngaahi Faingata’a ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Totongi Mā’olunga

Me’apango, na’e ‘ikai ke a’u atu ‘a e vēkeveke ki he ngaahi koloa hū atu ki tu’apule’anga mei he ngoue’anga ‘o Tonga. Na’e holo ‘a e ngaahi uta ngoue ‘aki ‘a e 10%, ‘o makatu’unga lahi ia ‘i he holo ‘o e hū atu ‘o e ngaahi tēnisi mo e manioke. Na’e uesia ‘a e kau ngoue ‘e he ‘ea kovi mo e totongi mā’olunga ange ‘o e ngoue, pea na’e lahi ange ‘a e ngaahi ngoue na’e nofo ‘i Tonga ke feau ‘a e fiema’u fakalotofonua.

Ka ‘i he tafa’aki ‘e taha, na’e toe lelei ange ‘a e hū atu ‘o e ngaahi koloa mei tahi tupu mei he toe foki mai ‘a e hū atu ‘o e ‘atu, pea na’e hiki hake ‘a e hū atu ‘o e ngaahi koloa mei he ‘akuāliume ‘aki ‘a e laka hake ‘i he 500%, ‘o ne ‘omai ha ki’i hiki si’i ki he sekitoa toutai.

Ngaahi Ngāue Fo’ou

Na’e hiki hake ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ngāue ‘i Sānuali 2025, ‘aki ‘a e ngaahi lakanga ‘atā ‘e 81 na’e tu’uaki – meimei liunga tolu ‘i he māhina kimu’a. Na’e lahi taha ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ngāue mei he sekitoa fakapule’anga, tautautefito ki he fakakau mai ‘o e kau polisi fo’ou, pea pehē foki ki he ngaahi hotele, falekai, mo e ngaahi ngāue pisinisi.

Neongo ‘a e kamata’anga mālohi ‘o e ta’u, ‘oku kei si’isi’i ange ‘a e ngaahi lakanga ‘atā ‘i he taimi ko ‘eni ‘o e ta’u ‘i hono fakahoa ki he ta’u kuo ‘osi.

‘Oku Kei Tupu ‘a e Ngaahi Totongi, ka ‘Oku Kei Ma’ulalo ‘i he Ngaahi Tu’unga Ma’olunga ‘o e 2023

Na’e ki’i hiki hake ‘a e tupu ‘o e totongi koloa ‘i Tonga – ‘a e hiki fakalukufua ‘i he ngaahi totongi – ki he 1.2% ‘i Tisema 2024. ‘Oku kei ma’ulalo ange ‘eni ‘i he peseti 6.7% mei he ta’u ‘e taha kuo ‘osi ka ‘oku ne fakahā mai ‘oku toe hiki hake ‘a e ngaahi totongi, tautautefito ki he me’akai mo e lolo.

Na’e hiki lahi ‘a e totongi ‘o e vakapuna tupu mei he fiema’u fefolau’aki he taimi mālōlō, ‘o ne hiki hake ‘a e ngaahi totongi ‘o e koloa hū mai. Ka neongo ia, na’e tokoni ‘a e ma’ama’a ange ‘o e me’akai fakalotofonua mo e ‘uhila ke holoki ‘a e ngaahi mafasia.

‘Oku ‘amanaki ‘a e Pangikē Pule ‘e māmālie ‘a e hiki ‘a e tupu ‘o e totongi koloa ‘i he ngaahi māhina ka hoko mai ka ‘e kei lava pē ‘o pule’i. ‘E ala liliu si’i ‘a e ngaahi fika ‘i he ngaahi lipooti he kaha’u tupu mei hano vakai’i ‘o e founga ‘oku fika’i ‘aki ‘a e tupu ‘o e totongi koloa.

‘Oku Holo ‘a e Pa’anga Tonga – Tukukehe ‘a e Fua ki he Tola ‘Amelika

‘I Sānuali 2025, na’e mole ‘a e mahu’inga ‘o e pa’anga ‘a Tonga ‘i hono fakahoa ki he konga lahi ‘o e ngaahi fonua fefakatau’aki, ‘a ia na’e fakatupu ai ha totongi mā’olunga ange ‘a e koloa hū mai. Ka neongo ia, na’e mālohi ange ‘a e Pa’anga ‘i he ta’u kuo ‘osi, tautautefito ki he ngaahi pa’anga hange ko e Euro mo e ‘Iene Siapani, ‘o tokoni ke tu’uma’u ‘a e totongi ‘o e ni’ihi ‘o e koloa hū mai.

‘Oku Holo ‘a e Pa’anga Talifaki ‘i Tu’apule’anga – Ka ‘Oku Kei Mālohi

Na’e holo ‘a e pa’anga talifaki ‘i tu’apule’anga ‘a Tonga ki he $878 miliona ‘i Sānuali, ‘o makatu’unga lahi ia mei he lahi ange ‘o e pa’anga na’e fakamole ki he koloa hū mai. Ka ‘oku kei fe’unga ‘a e pa’anga talifaki ke ne feau ‘a e māhina ‘e 10 ‘o e hū mai ‘o e koloa, ‘a ia ‘oku ma’olunga ange ia ‘i he si’isi’i taha fakamamani lahi ko e māhina ‘e 7.5.

Lahi Ange ‘a e Ngaahi Nō, Lahi Ange ‘a e Ngaahi Fakahū Pa’anga – ‘Oku Kei Malohi ‘a e Ngaahi Pangikē

Na’e faka’osi ‘e he ngaahi pangikē Tonga ‘a e 2024 ‘i ha tu’unga ma’olunga, ‘a ia na’e a’u ai ‘a e ngaahi nō ki ha lekooti ko e $589.8 miliona – hiki hake ‘aki ‘a e laka hake ‘i he 10% ‘i he ta’u. Na’e lahi ange ‘a e nō ‘a e kakai ki he ngaahi ‘api mo e ngaahi me’alele, pea na’e ma’u ‘e he ngaahi pisinisi ‘a e nō ki he ngaahi ngāue, ngāue fakatupu koloa, mo e takimamata.

Na’e tupu foki mo e ngaahi fakahū pa’anga ‘o meimei a’u ki he $1 piliona, ‘o makatu’unga ia mei he mālohi ange ‘o e ngaahi fakahū pa’anga mei he ngaahi pisinisi, pule’anga, mo e ngaahi pa’anga mālōlō.

‘Oku Ki’i Holo ‘a e Totongi Tupu

Na’e ki’i ma’ama’a ange ‘a e nō ‘i Tisema, ‘a ia na’e holoki ‘e he ngaahi pangikē ‘a e totongi tupu ki he ngaahi nō fale, me’alele, mo e pisinisi. ‘I he taimi tatau, na’e holo foki mo e totongi tupu ‘o e ngaahi fakahū pa’anga. Na’e ki’i holoki ‘a e vāhē ‘i he vaha’a ‘o e totongi ‘oku hilifaki ‘e he ngaahi pangikē ki he ngaahi nō mo e totongi ki he ngaahi fakahū pa’anga (ko e vāhē ‘i he totongi tupu) ki he 6.13%.

Vakai Ki he Kaha’u: ‘Oku Fiema’u ‘e he Tupu ha Teke

Neongo e hiki he taimi Kilisimasi, ka ‘oku kei vaivai ‘a e makatu’unga ‘o e ‘ekonomika – ‘a e ngoue mo e ngāue fakatupu koloa. ‘Oku pehe ‘e he Pangikē Pule ‘oku fiema’u ‘e Tonga ke fakaava ‘a e tupu ‘o e ngaahi koloa fakalotofonua mo poupou’i ‘a e ‘inivesi mei he sekitoa taautaha ke langa ha kaha’u malohi ange.

‘Oku toe fakaonopōni foki ‘e he Pangikē Pule ‘a ‘ene founga pule’i ‘o e ‘ekonomika, ngāue fakataha mo e ngaahi hoa ngāue fakpule’anga ke veteki ‘a e tupu ‘o e totongi koloa mo holoki ‘a e totongi mo’ui.

‘Oku ‘amanaki ‘e kei mālohi ‘a e pa’anga talifaki ‘i tu’apule’anga ‘i he taimi ni, ka ‘oku kei ‘i ai pē ‘a e ngaahi mafasia mei he hiki ‘o e koloa hū mai mo e totongi fakafoki ‘o e ngaahi mo’ua. ‘I he taimi tatau, ‘oku kei tu’u mālohi ‘a e sekitoa fakapa’anga, pea ‘oku fe’unga ‘a e pa’anga mo e koloa ngāue ‘a e ngaahi pangikē ke poupou’i ‘a e ngaahi nō lahi ange ‘i he 2025.

Fakamatala Faka’osi

Na’e ma’u ‘e he ‘ekonomika ‘o Tonga ha hiki fakamonū mei he ngaahi fakamole he Kilisimasi mo e tokoni mei tu’apule’anga, ka ‘oku kei ‘i ai pē ‘a e ngaahi pole loloto ‘i he ngoue, hū atu ki tu’apule’anga, mo e tupu ‘o e totongi koloa. ‘Oku lolotonga siofi ofi ‘e he Pangikē Pule — mo fakaonopōni ‘a ‘ene ngaahi founga ngāue — ke poupou’i ‘a e tu’unga malu, tupu, mo e mo’ui ma’ama’a ma’a e kakai Tonga kotoa.

Tonga’s Roads Are Killing Us – Will Our Leaders Choose Rocks or Sand? Potholes in Tongatapu that costs the country more than just money

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Every morning, Tongan mothers brace themselves. Not just for another day of work, but for the gauntlet of craters, dust, and flood-washed rubble that passes for roads on Tongatapu. Last week, my neighbour’s truck axle snapped in a pothole disguised as a puddle. His children missed school for days while he scavenged for parts. This isn’t just inconvenience—it’s a national emergency. As elections loom, Tonga faces a stark choice: Will we keep patching our roads with coral dust, like fools building on sand? Or will we finally invest in resilience, laying foundations as solid as rock?

The Folly of Coral Dust: A Death Trap for Vehicles and Economies

Let’s talk numbers. The World Bank warns that poor roads slash vehicle lifespans by 40–50% in developing nations. In Tonga, where most families rely on aging imported cars, this is catastrophic. A Toyota Hilux built to last 15 years crumples in 7. Why?

  • Potholes are suspension killers: Each jolt strains shocks, axles, and engines. Mechanics in Nukuʻalofa whisper that 60% of their work stems from road damage.
  • Floods breed rust: Saltwater pools in craters, eating through undercarriages. A 2022 study found Tonga’s coastal vehicles rust 3x faster than global averages.
  • Dust chokes engines: Coral particles infiltrate air filters, grinding down pistons.

This isn’t just about cars—it’s a stealth tax on every Tongan. Vehicle repairs drain household budgets. Farmers pay more to transport taro. Tourism operators fear cracked rental car windshields will scare off visitors. We’re losing money, one pothole at a time.

But the economic toll runs deeper. The World Bank estimates that poor roads inflate transport costs by 25–40% for Pacific Island businesses. For Tonga’s fishing industry—a lifeline for outer islands—delays caused by road damage mean spoiled catches and lost income. A single stalled truck on the road to Queen Sālote Wharf can disrupt exports for days, shrinking profits in a sector that contributes 10% of Tonga’s GDP.

Dust, Lungs, and Market Stalls: The Silent Health Crisis

Close your eyes. Imagine biting into a mango at Talamahu Market, only to taste grit. That’s coral dust—fine as powder, toxic as poison.

  • Respiratory carnage: PM2.5 particles from roads inflame lungs, worsening Tonga’s noncommunicable disease crisis. A 2023 Ministry of Health report linked 30% of childhood asthma cases to road dust. In villages like Kolovai, clinics report spikes in bronchitis during dry seasons. “We’re treating toddlers with inhalers,” says nurse ‘Ana Moala. “It’s not normal.”
  • Food contamination: Dust coats produce with silica and bacteria. Vendors wipe fruit endlessly, but tourists still joke about “Tongan seasoning.” A 2021 FAO study found that roadside crops in Tongatapu had 12% lower nutritional value due to particulate contamination.
  • Economic erosion: Dust repels customers. “Sales drop 20% in dry season,” laments a bakery owner near Kolomotu’a.

We’re literally breathing our infrastructure failure.

The Wise Man’s Road: Lessons from Japan – and Jesus

Remember the Sunday School hymn? “The wise man built his house upon the rock… and the rains came down, but the house stood firm.” Japan’s airport highway proves this isn’t just theology—it’s engineering. Built on stable bases with proper drainage and asphalt, it’s survived cyclones and floods.

But why haven’t we replicated this?
For decades, Tonga’s road policy has prioritized cheapness over longevity. Coral rock—easy to mine and politically expedient—is shovelled into potholes as a quick fix. But like the hymn’s “foolish man,” we ignore the foundation. Coral dissolves under rain, lacks load-bearing strength, and erodes into toxic dust.

Here’s the blueprint for change:

  1. Ditch coral shortcuts: Test soil stability, elevate roads above flood levels, and use durable materials like crushed volcanic rock (imported if necessary) or recycled plastics. Yes, it costs 3x more upfront—but lasts 20x longer.
  2. Tap climate cash: The Green Climate Fund just approved $500 million for Pacific resilience. Tonga must demand its share, partnering with Japan or New Zealand to access expertise.
  3. Phase out dust: Spray roads with cheap, organic binders (used in Samoa) or plant vetiver grass barriers. Fiji’s “Dust-Free Villages” program reduced respiratory cases by 40% in 18 months—a model Tonga could adopt.

Elections 2025: Will Candidates Build Legacies or Liabilities?

Politicians love ribbon-cutting ceremonies for patched potholes. But this election, voters must ask: Where’s the money for REAL roads?

The Budget Myth:
Candidates claim “no funds” until the 2025–26 budget. This is a lie.

  • Redirect existing funds: The 2023–24 infrastructure budget allocated $15 million for “road maintenance.” Even 10% of that could asphalt 1 km using sustainable methods.
  • Leverage loans: The Asian Development Bank offers concessional loans to Pacific nations at 0.5% interest. A $20 million loan could rebuild 15 km of critical roads.
  • Public-private partnerships: Tourism operators would gladly co-fund roads linking resorts to airports.

Demand Accountability:

  • To Candidates: Publish soil-test maps. Commit to tendering contracts only after engineers certify base layers. Ban coral-dumping without drainage plans.
  • To Voters: Reject empty promises. Ask: “Will you sign a contract to asphalt Ma’ufanga Road by 2026?”

The Cost of Inaction: A Future Washed Away

Imagine Tonga in 2030 if we stay the course:

  • Tourism collapse: Visitors fleeing cracked windshields and dust-choked resorts.
  • A generation of sick children: Asthma rates doubling, straining hospitals.
  • Economic stagnation: Farmers trapped in poverty, unable to afford vehicle repairs to reach markets.

Now imagine the alternative: Roads elevated above floods, lined with coconut palms that trap dust. Trucks carrying taro and vanilla to ports without breaking axles. Children biking to school on pavement, not coral gravel.

The Bottom Line:
Tonga can’t afford more sandcastles. Every paʻanga wasted on coral dust is stolen from our children’s future. This election, let’s demand roads built on rock—so when the rains come (and they will), our cars, lungs, and economy won’t wash away.

The foolish man’s road ends in ruin. The wise man’s road? That’s the path to a thriving Tonga.

By Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News

Ko e Ngaahi Hala ‘o Tonga ‘oku nau Tamate’i Kitautolu – ‘E Fili nai ‘a ‘etau Kau Taki ‘a e Maka pe ko e ‘Oneʻone?

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Ko e ngaahi luo ‘i he hala ‘i Tongatapu ‘oku ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i he fu’u fakamole lahi ki he fonua

‘I he ‘aho kotoa pē, ko e ngaahi fa’ē Tonga ‘oku nau mateuteu. ‘Ikai ngata pē ki ha ‘aho ngāue foʻou, ka ki he feinga ke nau kātekina ‘a e ngaahi luoluo, efu, mo e veve ‘oku tafe ‘i he taimi ‘uha ‘a ia ko e tu’unga fakamamahi ia ‘o e ngaahi hala ‘i Tongatapu. ‘I he uike kuo ‘osi, na’e mafesi ‘a e ‘akiseli ‘o e loli ‘a hoku kaungāʻapi ‘i ha luoluo naʻe fakapuliki ‘aki ha vai tuʻu. Na’e nounou ‘a e ‘alu ‘a ‘ene fānau ki he ako ‘i ha ngaahi ‘aho lahi lolotonga ‘ene fekumi ki ha ngaahi kongokonga. ‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha faingata’a’ia pē ‘eni—ka ko ha fakatamaki fakafonua. ‘I he ofi mai ‘a e fili, ‘oku fehangahangai ‘a Tonga mo ha fili tu’u pau: Te tau kei palasitā pē ‘a ‘etau ngaahi hala ‘aki ‘a e efu feo, ‘o hangē ha kau vale ‘oku nau langa ‘i ha ‘oneʻone? Pe te tau ‘inivesi ‘i he tu’unga malohi, ‘o fokotu’u ha ngaahi makatu’unga ‘oku mālohi ‘o hangē ko e maka?

Ko e Vale ‘o e Efu Feo: Ko ha Tauhele Mate ki he ngaahi Me’alele mo e ‘Ekonomika

Tau talanoa ki he ngaahi fika. ‘Oku fakatokanga ‘a e Pangikē ‘a Māmani ‘oku holo ‘aki e 40–50% ‘a e mo’ui ‘o e ngaahi me’alele tupu mei he kovi ‘o e ngaahi hala ‘i he ngaahi fonua ‘oku kei fakalakalaka. ‘I Tonga, ‘a ia ‘oku fakafalala ‘a e ngaahi fāmili tokolahi ki he ngaahi me’alele motu’a ‘oku hū mai, ko ha fakatamaki ‘eni. Ko ha Toyota Hilux ‘oku fa’u ke ne mo’ui ‘i ha ta’u ‘e 15 ‘oku ne maumau ‘i he ta’u pē ‘e 7. Ko e hā hono ‘uhinga? • Ko e ngaahi luoluo ‘i he hala ‘oku nau tamate’i ‘a e me’alele: ‘Oku fakatupu ‘e he ngaahi tā kotoa pē ‘a e ngaahi mafasia ki he ngaahi me’alele, ‘akiseli, pea mo e ‘enjini. Ko e kau fai fakalelei me’alele ‘i Nuku’alofa ‘oku nau fanafana mai ko e peseti ‘e 60 ‘o ‘enau ngāue ‘oku tupu mei he maumau ‘o e hala. • ‘Oku fakatupu ‘ume ‘e he ngaahi tāfea: ‘Oku tānaki ‘a e vai tahi ‘i he ngaahi luoluo, ‘o ne kai ‘a e konga ki lalo ‘o e me’alele. Ko ha fekumi ‘i he 2022 na’e ‘ilo ai ko e ngaahi me’alele ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u ‘i he matātahi ‘i Tonga ‘oku vave ‘aki e tu’o 3 ‘enau ‘ume’i ‘o fakatatau ki he tokolahi ‘o māmani. • ‘Oku tāmate’i ‘e he efu ‘a e ‘enjini: ‘Oku hū ‘a e ngaahi kongokonga feo ki he ngaahi me’a tātā’i ‘ea, ‘o ne fakamolū ‘a e ‘enjini. ‘Oku ‘ikai ko e me’a pē ‘eni ki he me’alele—ko ha tukuhau fakapulipuli ia ki he Tonga kotoa pē. ‘Oku mole ‘a e pa’anga ‘a e ngaahi ‘api ‘i he fakalelei mo e monomono ‘o e me’alele. ‘Oku totongi lahi ange ‘e he kau ngoue ke fetuku ‘enau talo. ‘Oku manavahē ‘a e kau ngāue ‘i he sekitoa takimamata na’a fakailifia’i ‘a e kau folau mai ‘e he ngaahi sio’ata maumau ‘o e ngaahi me’alele. ‘Oku tau mole ‘a e pa’anga, ‘i ha luoluo ‘e taha ‘i he taimi ‘e taha.

Ka ko e fakamole faka’ekonomika ‘oku fuoloa ange. ‘Oku fakafuofua ‘e he Pangikē ‘a Māmani ko e ngaahi hala kovi ‘oku nau fakalahi ‘a e fakamole ki he fetuku ‘o e koloa ‘aki e 25–40% ma’ae ngaahi pisinisi ‘i he ngaahi fonua ‘o e Pasifiki. Ki he sekitoa toutai ‘i Tonga—’a ia ko ha me’a mahu’inga ma’ae ngaahi motu tu’u mama’o—ko e ngaahi toloi ‘oku hoko tupu mei he maumau ‘o e hala ‘oku ‘uhinga ia ki he maumau’i ‘o e ika pea mo e mole ‘a e pa’anga. Ko ha loli ‘e taha ‘oku tu’u ‘i he hala ki he Uafu ‘o Kuini Sālote ‘e lava ke ne fakafe’atungia’i ‘a e ngaahi koloa ‘oku hu atu ki tu’apule’anga ‘i ha ngaahi ‘aho lahi, ‘o ne fakasi’isi’i e tupu ‘i ha sekitoa ‘oku ne tokoni ‘aki e 10% ki he GDP ‘a Tonga.

Efu, Māfimafi, pea mo e ngaahi Tu’unga Māketi: Ko e Palopalema Fakatupu Mo’ui Lelei Fakalongolongo

Tapuni ho mata. Fakakaukau ki ha’o kai ha mango ‘i he Māketi Talamahu, ka ko e me’a ‘oku ke ongo’i ko e ‘one’one. Ko e efu feo ia—’oku iiki ‘o hangē ko e pauta, fakatupu kona ‘o hangē ko e kona. • Fakatupu mahaki māfimafi: Ko e ngaahi kongokonga PM2.5 mei he hala ‘oku ne fakafaingata’a’ia’i ‘a e māfimafi, ‘o fakalalahi e palopalema ‘o e ngaahi mahaki ‘ikai pipihi ‘i Tonga. Ko ha līpooti ‘a e Potungāue Mo’ui ‘i he 2023 na’e hā mai ai ko e peseti ‘e 30 ‘o e mahaki mahē ‘i he fānau na’e fekau’aki ia mo e efu ‘o e hala. ‘I he ngaahi kolo hangē ko Kolovai, ‘oku līpooti mai ‘e he ngaahi kiliniki ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e tupu fakatu’upakē ‘o e mahaki palookiti lolotonga ‘a e ngaahi fa’ahita’u mōmoa. “‘Oku mau faito’o ‘a e fānau nofo tangutu ‘aki e me’a mānava,” ko e lea ia ‘a Neesi ‘Ana Moala. “‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha tu’unga anga maheni.” • Uli’i ‘o e me’atokoni: Ko e efu ‘oku ne ‘ufi’ufi ‘a e ngaahi vesitapolo ‘aki ‘a e silica mo e siemu. ‘Oku holoholo ‘e he kau fakatau koloa ‘a e ngaahi fua’i’akau ta’e tuku, ka ‘oku kei manukia pe ‘e he kau folau mai ‘o pehē ko e “teuteu’i faka-Tonga”. Ko ha fekumi ‘a e FAO ‘i he 2021 na’e ‘ilo ai ko e ngaahi ngoue ‘i he tafa’aki hala ‘i Tongatapu na’e ma’ulalo ‘aki e 12% ‘a e me’a mahu’inga faka-me’atokoni tupu mei he uli’i ‘aki e kongokonga iiki. • Mole faka’ekonomika: ‘Oku fakata’e’aonga’i ‘e he efu ‘a e kau fakatau. “‘Oku holo ‘a e fakatau ‘aki e 20% lolotonga ‘a e fa’ahita’u mōmoa,” ko e lāunga ia ‘a ha taha ma’u fale tapatapa ofi ki Kolomotu’a. ‘Oku tau mānava ‘a e holo mo e maumau ‘o ‘etau hala mo e ngaahi ngāue lalahi.

Ko e Hala ‘o e Tangata Poto: Ngaahi Lēsoni mei Siapani – pea mo Sīsū

‘Oku ke manatu ki he himi ‘a e Lautohi Faka-Sāpate? “‘Ko e tangata poto na’a ne langa hono fale ‘i he funga maka… pea tō mai ‘a e ‘uha, ka na’e tu’u ma’u pē ‘a e fale.” Ko e hala ‘o e mala’e vakapuna ‘i Siapani ‘oku ne fakamo’oni ‘oku ‘ikai ko e ako fakalotu pē ‘eni—ka ko e ako ‘enisinia. Na’e langa ia ‘i ha makatu’unga ‘oku tu’u ma’u pea mo ha fakatafenga vai totonu mo e konitālite, pea kuo ne matu’uaki ‘a e ngaahi afā mo e tāfea.

Ka ko e hā ‘oku te’eki ai ke tau fai ha me’a tatau? ‘I ha ngaahi ta’u lahi, ko e tu’utu’uni fekau’aki mo e hala ‘i Tonga kuo ne fakamu’omu’a ‘a e ma’ama’a ‘o e fakamole kae ‘ikai ko e tu’uloa. Ko e maka feo—’oku faingofua hono ‘ave mai pea mo faingofua ki he kau politikale—’oku takatakaifonua pē ia ki he ngaahi luoluo ke fai ha fakalelei fakatatali. Ka ‘o hangē ko e “tangata vale” ‘i he himi, ‘oku tau fakama’ama’a’i ‘a e makatu’unga. Ko e feo ‘oku mōlia ‘i he ‘uha, ‘oku ‘ikai mālohi fe’unga, pea ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi kongokonga iiki ‘oku hoko ko e efu kona.

Ko e palani ki he liliu:

  1. Tukuange ‘a e fakafe’atungia’i ‘aki ‘a e feo: Sivi’i e tu’unga ‘o e kelekele, hiki’i hake ‘a e hala ke mā’olunga ange ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u tāfea, pea ngāue’aki ‘a e ngaahi nāunau tu’uloa hangē ko e maka vela momosi (hu mai mei tu’apule’anga kapau ‘e fiema’u) pe ko e ngaahi pelesitiki ‘oku toe ngāue’aki. ‘Io, ‘oku fakamole lahi ‘aki e tu’o 3 kimu’a—ka ‘oku tu’uloa ‘aki e tu’o 20 pe lahi ange.
  2. Kole tokoni ki he feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘ea: Ko e Pa’anga ‘a e ‘Ea Matā ‘oku toki tali ‘a e $500 miliona ma’ae matu’uekina ‘o e Pasifiki. Kuo pau ke kole ‘e Tonga ‘a hono vahe, ‘o ngāue fakataha mo Siapani pe Nu’usila ke ma’u ‘a e taukei.
  3. To’o māmālie ‘a e efu: Lomi ‘a e ngaahi hala ‘aki ha me’a fakapaipa ‘oku ma’ama’a, mei he me’a mo’ui (na’e ngāue’aki ‘i Sāmoa) pe to ha ‘akau vetiver ke hoko ko ha tānaki. Ko e polokalama “Kolo Ta’e-Efu” ‘i Fisi na’e ne fakasi’isi’i ‘a e ngaahi mahaki māfimafi ‘aki e 40% ‘i ha māhina ‘e 18—ko ha fa’ifa’itaki’anga ‘e lava ‘e Tonga ‘o ngāue’aki.

Fili 2025: ‘E Langa nai ‘e he Kau Fokotu’u Me’a ha ngaahi Me’a ‘e Tukufalehiva pe Ha ngaahi Me’a ‘e Fakamo’ui?

‘Oku manako ‘a e kau politikale he ngaahi kātoanga fakaava ma’ae ngaahi luoluo kuo palasitā. Ka ‘i he fili ko ‘eni, kuo pau ke ‘eke ‘e he kau fili: Ko e fē ‘a e pa’anga ma’ae ngaahi hala MO’ONI?

Ko e Lau ‘Ikai Mo’oni ki he Patiseti: ‘Oku pehē ‘e he kau fokotu’u me’a “‘oku ‘ikai ha pa’anga” kae’oua kuo a’u ki he patiseti 2025–26. Ko ha loi ‘eni. • Liliu ‘a e ngaahi pa’anga ‘oku ‘i ai: Ko e patiseti ki he ngaahi ngāue lalahi ‘i he 2023–24 na’e ne vahe’i ‘a e $15 miliona ki he “tauhi ‘o e hala.” Neongo kapau ko e 10% pē ‘o ia ‘e lava ‘o ne konitālite’i ‘a e 1 km ‘o ngāue’aki ‘a e ngaahi founga tu’uloa. • Ngāue’aki ‘a e nō: ‘Oku ‘oatu ‘e he Pangikē Fakalakalaka ‘a ‘Esia ‘a e ngaahi nō ma’ama’a ki he ngaahi fonua ‘o e Pasifiki ‘i he totongi tupu ‘oku ma’ama’a ko e 0.5%. Ko ha nō ‘e $20 miliona ‘e lava ke ne toe langa ‘a e 15 km ‘o e ngaahi hala mahu’inga. • Ngāue fevahevahe’aki ‘a e Pule’anga mo e Sekitoa Taautaha: Ko e kau pule ‘i he sekitoa takimamata te nau fiefia ke nau tokoni faka-pa’anga ki he ngaahi hala ‘oku ne fakafehokotaki ‘a e ngaahi feitu’u ‘oku nofo ai ‘a e kau folau mai ki he ngaahi mala’e vakapuna.

Fiema’u e ‘Eke’i: • Ki he Kau Fokotu’u Me’a: Pulusi ‘a e ngaahi mape ki he sivi kelekele. Tukupā ke ‘oatu ‘a e ngaahi aleapau hili pē hono fakamo’oni ‘e he kau ‘enisinia ‘a e ngaahi makatu’unga. Ta’ofi ‘a e pōmilō ‘aki e feo ta’e ‘i ai ha ngaahi palani fakatafenga vai. • Ki he Kau Fili: Fakafepaki’i ‘a e ngaahi tala’ofa faka-laumālie. Fehu’i: “Te ke fakamo’oni nai ki ha aleapau ke konitālite ‘a e Hala Ma’ufanga kimu’a ‘i he 2026?”

Ko e Fakamole ‘o e Ta’e-Ngāue: Ko ha Kaha’u ‘oku Tāfia Atu

Fakakaukauloto ki Tonga ‘i he 2030 kapau te tau kei hokohoko atu pē ‘i he ‘ulungaanga lolotonga: • Holo ‘a e sekitoa takimamata: Ko e kau folau mai ‘oku nau hola mei he ngaahi sio’ata maumau mo e ngaahi feitu’u ‘oku nofo ai ‘a e kau folau mai ‘a ia ‘oku fonu ‘i he efu. • Ko ha to’utangata ‘o e fānau puke: Ko e tu’o ua ‘o e ngaahi meimei mahē, ‘o ne fakatupu fakakina ma’ae ngaahi falemahaki. • Tuka ‘a e ‘ekonomika: Ko e kau ngoue ‘oku nau nofo ‘i he masiva, ‘o ‘ikai malava ke totongi ‘a e ngaahi monomono ‘o e ngaahi me’alele ke a’u ki he ngaahi māketi.

Fakakaukauloto ‘a e fakakaukau kehe: Ko e ngaahi hala ‘oku hiki’i ke mā’olunga ange ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u ‘oku tāfea, ‘oku tupu ai ‘a e ngaahi niu ‘oku nau puke ‘a e efu. Ko e ngaahi loli ‘oku nau fetuku ‘a e talo mo e vanilla ki he ngaahi uafu ‘o ‘ikai maumau ‘a e ‘akiseli. Ko e fānau ‘oku nau heka pasikala ki he ‘apiako ‘i he hala konitālite, kae ‘ikai ‘i he feo.

Ko e Me’a Mahu’inga Taha:

He’ikai lava ‘e Tonga ‘o toe fakamole ki ha ngaahi fale ‘one’one. Ko e pa’anga kotoa pē ‘oku maumau’i ‘i he efu feo ‘oku kaiha’asi mei he kaha’u ‘o ‘etau fānau. ‘I he fili ko ‘eni, tau fiema’u mu’a ha ngaahi hala ‘oku langa ‘i he maka—ke ‘i he taimi ‘e tō mai ai ‘a e ‘uha (pea ‘e hoko mo’oni ia), he’ikai tāfia atu ‘a ‘etau ngaahi me’alele, māfimafi, mo e ‘ekonomika.

Ko e hala ‘o e tangata vale ‘oku ngata ‘i he maumau. Ko e hala ‘o e tangata poto? Ko e hala ia ki ha Tonga ‘oku tuputupu’a.

Fa’u ‘e Melino Maka Ongoongo Tau’atāina ‘a Tonga

Statement on the Closure of UTRI and Incarceration of the Lavulavus: A Call for Justice and Due Process

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1. Closure of UTRI and Incarceration of the Lavulavus

The government’s reliance on the Auditor’s Report to:

  • Permanently shut down the Unuaki-o-Tonga Royal Institute (UTRI),
  • Prosecute and imprison its founders, ‘Etuate and ‘Akosita Lavulavu, and
  • Dismantle their reputations across public, political, and educational spheres,

represents a grave overreach of executive power. The actions taken against the Lavulavus went far beyond enforcing grant policy compliance — they signalled a systemic attempt to destroy their lives, silence their contributions, and erase an institution that had opened doors for Tonga’s most disadvantaged youth.

At the heart of this is a fundamental question:

Was this about protecting public funds — or was it about punishing people?

This opinion piece invites readers, lawmakers, and advocates of justice to reconsider the narrative that has been built around UTRI’s operations and the Lavulavus’ leadership. UTRI was not merely a private institution; it was, for many, the only accessible educational lifeline.

2. Violation of Natural Justice and Right to a Fair Process

The process leading to UTRI’s closure and the Lavulavus’ incarceration raises serious legal and ethical concerns. If the Auditor’s Report:

  • Did not allow adequate time or process for UTRI to respond with documentation,
  • Dismissed legally permissible in-kind tuition arrangements under Sections 18 and 19 of the Education Act, and
  • Made sweeping conclusions without proper investigation, verification, or community consultation,

then the report should never have been used as a basis for criminal prosecution or institutional collapse.

Such actions are in direct conflict with:

  • Section 10 of the Tongan Constitution, which guarantees protection against arbitrary punishment,
  • Principles of due process and procedural fairness, and
  • The public’s right to balanced and unbiased governance.

Instead of correcting potential administrative flaws through collaboration or mediation, the government acted with haste and severity, demonstrating a lack of proportionality. Justice must be both firm and fair — in this case, it has been firm, but unjustly so.

Justice is not served by skipping steps. It is served by hearing both sides, acknowledging cultural and legal realities, and ensuring proportionate consequences.

3. The Education Act and Legal Flexibility for Private Institutions

Sections 18, 19, and 20 of the Education Act clearly grant registered private institutions the legal autonomy to set their own fee structures. This includes allowing for non-monetary forms of payment such as in-kind contributions or community service arrangements. UTRI, as a registered institution, legally accepted these alternatives — often as a lifeline for students from low-income or rural families who otherwise could not afford formal tuition.

The audit report, however, failed to acknowledge or assess these culturally and legally valid practices. By equating the absence of cash receipts with fraud, the report overlooked the genuine educational value delivered and the long-standing Tongan tradition of mutual support and flexible resource sharing.

Furthermore, the Auditor General appeared to audit UTRI as if it were a government institution. This mischaracterization ignores the core function of UTRI as a private provider operating under laws designed to accommodate the economic realities of its student base. The majority of UTRI students came from low-income families, and the institution’s fee structure reflected that. Fees could be paid not only in cash, but also through in-kind contributions or labour. In some cases, students helped with cleaning, gardening, or administrative duties, and these hours were deducted from their tuition balance.

This approach is not unique to Tonga. For example, Brigham Young University (BYU) in Hawaii has adopted similar systems, allowing students who are unable to afford tuition to work on campus in exchange for their education and accommodations. Such flexible payment models are recognized internationally as legitimate, especially when aimed at increasing access to education for the financially disadvantaged.

4. Professional Misconduct and Bias in the Audit Process

There is credible concern that the Auditor’s support team conducted their investigation in a manner that lacked cultural competence, objectivity, and adherence to professional standards. Witness testimonies, student records, and in-kind payment ledgers were either dismissed or ignored. Moreover, anecdotal accounts from students and community members were reportedly not considered.

This raises a critical issue: if the audit team had preconceptions or was under external pressure, their findings could have been shaped not by evidence, but by bias. When professional duty is compromised in this way, it undermines the credibility of the entire accountability framework.

5. Reputational Damage and the Need for Restorative Justice

Beyond the legal consequences, the impact of the government’s actions has been devastating for the Lavulavus personally and professionally. Their reputations have been destroyed in the public eye, and their contributions to education and community development have been dismissed without fair evaluation.

Meanwhile, the closure of UTRI has displaced hundreds of students — many of whom were benefiting from a second chance at education. Their future was abruptly and unjustly interrupted.

6. Broader Governance and Equity Concerns

This case has revealed a much deeper flaw in Tonga’s current approach to regulating private educational institutions. While accountability is essential, it must not come at the expense of fairness, proportionality, or cultural understanding. If this precedent remains unchallenged, other private institutions — especially those serving the poor — may become hesitant to innovate, adapt, or even operate for fear of arbitrary state retaliation.

There must be a distinction between financial mismanagement that results from intentional wrongdoing, and challenges faced by institutions trying to serve underserved communities with limited resources. The absence of that nuance has had damaging consequences in this case.

We respectfully call for:

  • An independent investigation into the audit process and the motivations behind the actions taken against UTRI and its leadership,
  • A reconsideration of the criminal convictions if due process was not followed,
  • A review of legal provisions governing educational audits to ensure cultural and legal alignment with the Education Act,
  • And a pathway toward restorative justice for those affected — including the many students who lost access to education as a result.

Fakamatala ki he Tapuni ‘o e UTRI mo e Fakahū Pilīsone ‘o e ongo Lavulavu: Ko ha Ui ki he Fakamaau Totonu mo e Founga Totonu

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1. Tapuni ‘o e UTRI mo e Fakahū Pilīsone ‘o e ongo Lavulavu

Ko e falala ‘a e pule’anga ki he Lipooti ‘a e ‘Otita ke:

• Tapuni tu’uloa ‘a e ‘Unuaki-o-Tonga Royal Institute (UTRI),

• Fakamaau’i mo fakahū pilīsone ‘a hono ongo fokotu’u, ‘Etuate mo ‘Akosita Lavulavu, pea

• Holoki ‘a hona ongo ongoongo ‘i he ngaahi tafa’aki fakapule’anga, fakapolitikale, mo e fakaako, ‘oku ne fakafofonga’i ha fu’u hulu lahi ‘o e mafai pule. Ko e ngaahi ngāue na’e fakahoko fakafepaki ki he ongo Lavulavu na’e ‘alu ‘o ma’olunga ange ‘i hono fakamalohi’i ‘a e faipau ki he tu’utu’uni ‘o e tokoni fakapa’anga — na’a nau fakailonga’i ha feinga fakapolokalama ke faka’auha ‘ena mo’ui, fakalongomate’i ‘ena ngaahi tokoni, pea tāmate’i ha ako’anga na’a ne fakaava ‘a e ngaahi matapā ma’a e to’utupu faingata’a’ia taha ‘o Tonga.

‘I he uho ‘o e me’á ni ko ha fehu’i tefito: Na’e fekau’aki nai eni mo hono malu’i ‘o e ngaahi pa’anga fakapule’anga — pe na’e fekau’aki ia mo hono tautea’i ‘o e kakai?

Ko e tohi fakakaukau ko eni ‘oku ne fakaafe’i ‘a e kau laukonga, kau fa’u lao, mo e kau taukave’i ‘o e fakamaau totonu ke toe fakakaukau’i ‘a e talanoa kuo langa ‘o fekau’aki mo e ngaahi ngāue ‘a e UTRI mo e taki ‘a e ongo Lavulavu. Na’e ‘ikai ko ha ako’anga taautaha noa pe ‘a e UTRI; ko e me’a pe ia na’e ala a’u ki ai ‘a e tokolahi, ko e afo mo’ui fakaako pe ia.

2. Maumau’i ‘o e Fakamaau Totonu Fakanatula mo e Totonu ki ha Founga Totonu

Ko e founga na’e taki ki he tapuni ‘o e UTRI mo e fakahū pilīsone ‘o e ongo Lavulavu ‘oku ne fakatupu ha ngaahi hoha’a fakalao mo fakae’ulungaanga mahu’inga. Kapau ko e Lipooti ‘a e ‘Otita:

• Na’e ‘ikai tuku ha taimi fe’unga pe founga ke tali ‘aki ‘e he UTRI ‘aki ha ngaahi tohi,

• Fakasi’isi’i ‘a e ngaahi alea totongi ako ‘i he koloa na’e fakangofua fakalao ‘i he Kupu 18 mo e 19 ‘o e Lao Fakaako, pea

• Fa’u ha ngaahi fakama’opo’opo lahi ta’e’i ai ha fakatotolo fe’unga, fakapapau’i, pe fealea’aki mo e kakai, pea na’e ‘ikai totonu ke ngaue’aki ‘a e lipooti ko e makatu’unga ‘o ha hopo fakatotolo fakaihia pe ko ha holo ‘o e ako’anga.

Ko e ngaahi ngāue pehe ‘oku nau fepaki hangatonu mo e:

• Kupu 10 ‘o e Konisitutone ‘o Tonga, ‘a ia ‘oku ne fakapapau’i ‘a e malu’i mei he tautea noa’ia,

• Ngaahi tefito’i mo’oni ‘o e founga totonu mo e fakamaau totonu faka-founga, pea

• Totonu ‘a e kakai ki ha pule’i ‘oku palanisi mo ta’efilifilimanako.

‘O ‘ikai ke toe fakatonutonu ‘a e ngaahi ta’emaau faka-pule ‘i he ngāue fakataha pe fakalelei’i, na’e ngāue vave mo fefeka ‘a e pule’anga, ‘o ne fakaha ha ta’efe’unga. Kuo pau ke fefeka mo totonu ‘a e fakamaau — ‘i he me’a ko eni, kuo fefeka, ka ‘oku ta’etotonu.

‘Oku ‘ikai fakahoko ‘a e fakamaau totonu ‘i he hopo atu ‘i he ngaahi sitepu. ‘Oku fakahoko ia ‘i he fanongo ki he ongo fa’ahi, fakamo’oni’i ‘a e ngaahi mo’oni fakafonua mo fakalao, pea fakapapau’i ‘a e ngaahi nunua ‘oku fe’unga.

3. Ko e Lao Fakaako mo e Faka’ata’atā Fakalao ma’a e Ngaahi Ako’anga Taautaha

Ko e Kupu 18, 19, mo e 20 ‘o e Lao Fakaako ‘oku nau foaki mahino ‘a e tau’ataina fakalao ki he ngaahi ako’anga taautaha kuo lesisita ke nau fokotu’u ‘enau ngaahi fa’unga totongi pe ‘anautolu. ‘Oku kau heni hono fakangofua ‘o e ngaahi founga totongi ‘ikai-pa’anga hange ko e ngaahi tokoni ‘i he koloa pe ko e ngaahi alea ‘o e ngāue fakakolo. Ko e UTRI, ‘i he’ene hoko ko ha ako’anga kuo lesisita, na’a ne tali fakalao ‘a e ngaahi founga kehe ko eni — fa’a hoko ko ha afo mo’ui ma’a e fanau ako mei he ngaahi famili ma’ulalo ha’anau pa’anga hu mai pe mei he ngaahi feitu’u fakakoló ‘a ia na’e ‘ikai ke nau lava ‘o totongi ‘a e totongi ako angamaheni.

Ka neongo ia, na’e ‘ikai ke fakamo’oni’i pe sivi’i ‘e he lipooti ‘otita ‘a e ngaahi founga fakalao mo fakafonua totonu ko eni. ‘I hono fakatatau ‘a e ta’e’i ai ha ngaahi tohi fakamo’oni totongi pa’anga mo e kākā, ko e lipooti na’e ‘ikai ke ne tokanga’i ‘a e mahu’inga mo’oni fakaako na’e ‘oatu pea mo e tukufakaholo Tonga fuoloa ‘o e fetokoni’aki mo e vahevahe koloa faka’ata’atā.

‘Ikai ngata ai, na’e hā ngalingali ‘a e ‘Otita Lahi ‘o ne ‘otita’i ‘a e UTRI ‘o hange ha ako’anga fakapule’anga. Ko e fakamahino hala ko eni ‘oku ne ta’etokanga’i ‘a e fatongia tefito ‘o e UTRI ‘i he’ene hoko ko ha ‘oatu sevesi taautaha ‘oku ngāue ‘i he ngaahi lao na’e fa’u ke ne fakafe’unga ‘a e ngaahi me’a faka’ekonomika ‘o ‘ene fanau ako. Ko e tokolahi ‘o e fanau ako ‘i he UTRI na’a nau ha’u mei he ngaahi famili ma’ulalo ha’anau pa’anga hu mai, pea ko e fa’unga totongi ‘a e ako’anga na’e fakahaa’i ia. Na’e lava ke totongi ‘a e ngaahi totongi ‘o ‘ikai ko e pa’anga pe, ka ‘i he ngaahi tokoni koloa pe ngāue. ‘I he ngaahi me’a ‘e ni’ihi, na’e tokoni ‘a e fanau ako ‘i hono faka’ata’atā, ngoue, pe ngaahi ngāue fakapule’i, pea ko e ngaahi houa ko ia na’e to’o ia mei he’enau palanisi totongi ako.

‘Oku ‘ikai makehe ‘a e founga ko eni ki Tonga. Hangē ko eni, kuo tali ‘e he ‘Univesiti Brigham Young (BYU) ‘i Hawaii ‘a e ngaahi fa’unga tatau, ‘o fakangofua ‘a e fanau ako ‘oku ‘ikai ke nau lava ‘o totongi ‘a e totongi ako ke nau ngāue ‘i he kemipasi ko e fetongi ‘o ‘enau ako mo e nofo’anga. Ko e ngaahi fa’unga totongi faka’ata’atā pehe ‘oku nau fakamo’oni’i fakamamani lahi ‘a e fakalao, tautautefito ‘i he’ene taumu’a ke fakalahi ‘a e hu ki he ako ma’a kinautolu ‘oku faingata’a’ia fakapa’anga.

4. Ta’e’ulungaanga Fakapolofesinale mo e Filifilimanako ‘i he Founga ‘Otita

‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e hoha’a falala’anga ko e timi tokoni ‘a e ‘Otita na’a nau fakahoko ‘a ‘enau fakatotolo ‘i ha founga na’e ‘ikai ke poto fakafonua, ta’efilifilimanako, pea mo fakahoko ‘a e ngaahi tu’unga fakapolofesinale. Ko e ngaahi fakamo’oni fakamo’oni, lekooti ‘a e fanau ako, mo e ngaahi tohi totongi ‘i he koloa na’e fakasi’isi’i pe ta’etokanga’i. ‘Ikai ko ia pe, ko e ngaahi fakamatala ‘o e fanau ako mo e kau memipa ‘o e kolo na’e pehe na’e ‘ikai ke fakakaukau’i.

‘Oku ne fokotu’u ai ha palopalema mahu’inga: kapau na’e ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi fakakaukau ‘a e timi ‘otita kimu’a pe na’a nau ma’u leva mei tu’a, ko ‘enau ngaahi ‘ilo ‘e ala fokotu’u ia ‘o ‘ikai ‘i he fakamo’oni, ka ‘i he filifilimanako. ‘I he maumau’i ‘o e fatongia fakapolofesinale ‘i he founga ko eni, ‘oku ne holoki ‘a e falala’anga ‘o e fa’unga ‘atamaaki kakato.

5. Maumau ‘o e Ongoongo Lelei mo e Fiema’u ‘o e Fakamaau Fakafoki

‘O Mavahe mei he ngaahi nunua fakalao, ko e uesia ‘o e ngaahi ngāue ‘a e pule’anga kuo fakamamahi ki he ongo Lavulavu fakafo’ituitui mo fakapolofesinale. Kuo faka’auha ‘a hona ongo ongoongo ‘i he fofonga ‘o e kakai, pea ko ‘ena ngaahi tokoni ki he ako mo e fakalakalaka fakakolo kuo fakasi’isi’i ta’e’i ai ha sivi’i totonu.

‘I he vaha’a taimi ni, ko e tapuni ‘o e UTRI kuo ne fakahee’i ‘a e laungeau ‘o e fanau ako — ko e tokolahi ‘o kinautolu na’a nau ma’u lelei mei he faingamalie ua ki he ako. Ko honau kaha’u na’e fakafokifā mo ta’etotonu ‘a hono fakatafe’akinautolu.

6. Ngaahi Hoha’a Loloto Ange ‘i he Pule mo e Tatau

Kuo fakaha ‘e he me’a ni ha faka’afu’afu loloto ange ‘i he founga lolotonga ‘a Tonga ki hono pule’i ‘o e ngaahi ako’anga taautaha. Neongo ‘oku mahu’inga ‘a e ‘atamai’i, kuo pau ke ‘oua na’a hoko ia ‘i he mole ‘o e totonu, fe’unga, pe mahino fakafonua. Kapau ‘e tu’u tu’uma’u ‘a e tu’unga ko eni ‘o ‘ikai pole’i, ko e ngaahi ako’anga taautaha kehe — tautautefito ki he ngaahi ako’anga ‘oku nau tokoni’i ‘a e masiva — ‘e nau ala ta’efiemalie ke fakafo’ou, fe’unga, pe ngāue ‘i he manavahē ‘i ha tali fakafoki noa’ia ‘a e pule’anga.

Kuo pau ke ‘i ai ‘a e fakafaikehekehe ‘i he va ‘o e ta’emaau fakapa’anga ‘oku tupu mei he fehalaaki ‘uhinga, mo e ngaahi pole ‘oku fehangahangai mo e ngaahi ako’anga ‘oku nau feinga ke tokoni’i ‘a e ngaahi kolo ‘oku ta’etokoniekina ‘aki ‘a e ngaahi ma’u’anga tokoni fakangatangata. Ko e ta’e’i ai ‘a e fakakaukau fiemalie ko ia kuo ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi nunua fakamamahi ‘i he me’a ko eni.

‘Oku mau tangi ‘i he faka’apa’apa ke:

• Fakahoko ha fakatotolo tau’ataina ki he founga ‘otita mo e ngaahi ‘uhinga ‘i mui ‘i he ngaahi ngāue na’e fakahoko ki he UTRI mo hono kau taki,

• Toe fakakaukau’i ‘a e ngaahi fakamaau’i fakaihia kapau na’e ‘ikai muimui’i ‘a e founga totonu,

• Vakai’i ‘a e ngaahi tu’utu’uni fakalao ‘oku pule’i ‘a e ngaahi ‘otita fakaako ke fakapapau’i ‘a e fakahoa fakafonua mo fakalao mo e Lao Fakaako,

• Pea mo ha hala ki he fakamaau fakafoki ma’anautolu kuo uesia — ‘o kau ai ‘a e fanau ako tokolahi na’a nau mole ‘a e hu ki he ako ko e tupu’anga.

Fakakaukau: Ko e Me’a ‘a Lavulavu – Ko e Va’inga ki he Tangata, ‘Ikai ko e Pulu?

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‘I he me’a ni ‘a ia kuo ne ma’u e ‘ulu’i ongoongo mo e tokanga fakapolitikale ‘i he ngaahi ta’u lahi, ‘oku totonu ke ‘ilo’i ‘e he kakai ‘a e mo’oni — ‘o ‘ikai ko e ‘ulu’i ongoongo pe. Ko e hopo fakatotolo ki he Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu mo ‘Etuate Lavulavu ‘oku lahi hono ui ko e “kākā”, ko ha fo’i lea ‘oku ne fakafofonga’i ‘a e kākā mo e taumu’a faihia. Ka ko e mo’oni, ‘oku ‘ikai ko e tu’utu’uni fakalao ia ‘oku na fehangahangai mo ia, pea ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha fakafofonga totonu ia ‘o e me’a kuo hoko.

‘I he uho ‘o e me’a ni ‘oku ‘i ai ha ako’anga taautaha, ko e ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute Inc. (UTRI), kuo lesisita mo e Potungaue Ako pea mo e Poate Fakafonua ki he Ngaahi Tu’unga Fakaako mo hono Fakapapau’i ‘o Tonga (TNQAB). Ko e ako’anga ni na’e ma’u ‘a e tokoni fakapa’anga TVET, ‘o hange ko e tokolahi ‘o e ngaahi ako’anga kehe ‘i he fonua — pea ko e ako’anga ni, ‘o ‘ikai ko e ongo Lavulavu fakafo’ituitui, na’a ne pule’i ‘a e ngaahi pa’anga ko ia.

Ka neongo ia, ko e ongo Lavulavu, ‘o ‘ikai ko e ako’anga, ‘oku tukuaki’i. Ko e hā hono ‘uhinga?

Ko e hā ‘a e Ngaahi Tukuaki’i Mo’oni? Fakatatau ki he fakamatala kamata ‘a e Kalauni, ‘oku tukuaki’i ‘a e ongo Lavulavu ‘i he Kupu 164 ‘o e Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia ‘a Tonga, ‘a ia ‘oku fekau’aki tonu mo e “ma’u pa’anga ‘i he founga kākā”.

Ke fakahalaia’i ‘i he Kupu 164, kuo pau ke fakamo’oni’i ‘e he tafa’aki fakamaau: Ko e tukuaki’i (Akosita mo ‘Etuate) Na’a na ngaue’aki ha ngaahi founga kākā Na’a na ‘ilo’i ko e kākā ‘a e founga ko ia Pea na ma’u ai ha pa’anga

Ka ko e palopalema ‘eni: na’e ‘ikai totongi ‘a e pa’anga ki he ongo Lavulavu fakafo’ituitui. Na’e totongi ia ki he ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute Inc., ko ha sino kuo lesisita fakalao, ‘a ia ‘oku fatongia’aki hono ‘oatu ‘a e ngaahi sevesi fakaako mo fakangaue’i ‘a e kau ngaue. Ko e ngaahi tokoni fakapa’anga na’e poupou ki he ngaahi fakamole, vahenga, mo e ngaahi naunau fakaako — ‘o hange ko ia ‘oku tu’utu’uni ‘e he ngaahi fakahinohino ‘a e Kapineti.

Kapau na’e ‘i ai ha fakakikihi fekau’aki mo e tu’unga ke ma’u ai ‘a e tokoni pe ko e ngaahi founga fakangaue, ko e sino totonu ke fakatotolo’i pe ke tautea ko e Potungaue Ako, ‘o ‘ikai ko e Fakamaau’anga Lahi. Kapau na’e ‘i ai ha totongi lahi, na’e mei lava ‘o fakalelei’i ‘a e me’a ni ‘i he founga sivile pe fakafoki, ‘o ‘ikai ko e hopo fakatotolo fakaihia.

‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha me’a fakalao fakatekinikale noa eni. ‘Oku ne ala ki he uho ‘o e fakamaau totonu: ‘E lava nai ke tukuaki’i ha taha fakafo’ituitui koe’uhi ko e ngaahi ngaue ‘a ha sino fakalao?

Ko ha ‘Apiako, ‘o ‘ikai ko ha Kākā Ko e lahi ‘o e hopo — mo e talanoa ‘a e kakai — kuo tafoki ‘o fekau’aki mo e founga na’e totongi ai ‘a e totongi ako. Na’e pehe ‘e he timi ‘otita na’e fakangofua ‘e he UTRI ke ngaue’aki ‘e he fanau ako ‘a e ngaahi founga totongi ‘ikai-pa’anga, ‘o kau ai ‘a e fetongi koloa (hange ko e ngoue pe ngaahi sevesi), pea ko e ni’ihi ‘o e fanau ako na’e ‘ikai ke nau tu’unga fe’unga fakatatau ki he ngaahi founga ko eni.

Ka tau mahino: Ko e UTRI ko ha ako’anga taautaha. ‘Oku ‘ikai ke ne ha’isia ke tali ‘a e pa’anga noa pe, pea ko e ngaahi founga totongi ‘ikai-anga-maheni ko ha founga angamaheni mo fakapotopoto ‘i he Pasifiki, ‘o tautautefito ki hono fakapapau’i ‘a e hu ki he ako ma’a e ngaahi famili ma’ulalo ‘enau pa’anga hu mai.

Na’e lele ‘a e mitia mo e talanoa ko e ‘ikai ke totongi ‘e he fanau ako pea na’e hiki hala’i kinautolu. Ka neongo ia, na’e falala lahi ‘a e ‘otita ki he ngaahi faka’eke’eke ta’efakamo’oni pea mo e ngaahi fakamatala ua mei he kāinga ‘o e fanau ako, na’e tanaki ‘i he ngaahi ta’u kimui ange — ko e ngaahi fakamo’oni talanoa ‘ata’atā na’e pehe ‘e he Fakamaau’anga Tangi ‘oku ‘ikai ala tali kimu’a pea toki fakangofua mai ia ‘i he me’a fakalao makehe lolotonga ‘a e Voir Dire.

Pea ‘oku kei hala pe ha fakamo’oni na’e ‘asi ‘o fakaha ko e ongo Lavulavu fakafo’ituitui na’a na ma’u ha lelei mei he ngaahi pa’anga. Ko hono mo’oni, na’e fakamahino ‘e he’ena taukave: na’e ‘i ai ‘ena ngaahi pisinisi kehe na’e tokoni ki he’ena pa’anga hu mai, ‘o kau ai ‘a e ngoue, kava, ngaahi keli maka, mo e aleapau.

Ko e ‘Ata Lahi Ange: Ngaahi Totongi Lahi mo e Tu’unga Kehekehe Ko e me’a fakamamahi ange ko e ngaahi totongi lahi mo e ngaahi hala fika na’e hoko ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako lahi. Ko e ni’ihi na’a nau ma’u ‘a e ngaahi tokoni fakapa’anga lahi ange ‘i he UTRI, ka na’e ‘ikai fakamaau’i ha taha ‘o ‘enau kau pule.

Ko e fehu’i leva: Ko e hā na’e fakataumu’a ai ki he ongo Lavulavu?

Kapau na’e tokanga’i tatau ‘a e ngaahi ‘apiako kotoa, pea ko e ngaahi faikehekehe kotoa na’e fakamaau’i ‘i he Kupu 164, ne mei fonu ‘a e ngaahi fakamaau’anga. Ka ‘oku ‘ikai. Ko e ongo Lavulavu pe ‘oku tu’u toko ua ai.

‘Oku ne fakahaa’i ai ‘oku ‘ikai fekau’aki eni mo e fakamaau totonu — ‘oku fekau’aki ia mo e va’inga ki he tangata, ‘o ‘ikai ko e pulu.

Kuo Pau ke Fakatonutonu ‘e he Mitia ‘a e Lekooti Ke mahino: na’e ‘ikai tukuaki’i ‘a e ongo Lavulavu ki he “kākā” ‘i he ‘uhinga angamaheni pe tuli ongoongo. ‘Oku tukuaki’i kinaua ‘i ha tu’utu’uni fakalao ‘e taha — Kupu 164 ‘o e Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia, ‘a ia ‘oku fiema’u ai ha kākaa’i ‘oku ‘uhinga ki ai ke ma’u ha lelei fakafo’ituitui.

Ka kuo tu’o lahi hono ngaue’aki ‘e he mitia ‘a e fo’i lea “kākā” ‘o ‘ikai ha makatu’unga fakalao, ‘o ne fakahala’i ‘a e kakai pea maumau’i ai ‘a e ngaahi ongoongo. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha lau ‘i he pepa tukuaki’i ‘oku ne tukuaki’i kinaua ‘i he kaiha’a. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha fakamo’oni kuo ne fakamo’oni’i ha koloaia’i fakafo’ituitui. Pea ‘oku ‘ikai ha tu’utu’uni kuo ne ‘ilo ha ‘uhinga kovi ‘i tu’a mei he veiveiua fakapotopoto.

‘Oku mahu’inga ia — tautautefito ‘i he taimi ‘e lava ke fakamamahi tatau ai ‘a e fakamaau’anga ‘o e fakakaukau ‘a e kakai mo e fakamaau’anga ‘o e lao.

Ko e Hā Mo’oni ‘Oku Fakamaau’i? ‘I he faka’osinga, ‘oku ‘ikai fekau’aki noa pe ‘a e me’a ni mo e ngaahi tokoni TVET pe ko e ngaahi lipooti ‘otita. ‘Oku fekau’aki ia mo e founga hono ngaue’aki ‘o e mafai — pea fakafepaki kia hai.

‘Oku fekau’aki ia mo e fehu’i pe ko ha taha ‘i he mo’ui fakapule’anga — tautautefito ki ha taha ‘oku ne pole’i ke lea tau’ataina pe pole’i ‘a e ngaahi ma’u mafai fakapolitikale kuo fokotu’u — ‘e ‘i ai ha’ane ‘amanaki ki ha hopo totonu, ngaue tatau, mo ha vakai’i palanisi.

Koe’uhi kapau ‘e lava ke fakamaau’i ‘a e kau ‘ofisa fakapule’anga makatu’unga ‘i he ngaahi fakakikihi tu’utu’uni, ngaahi me’a ta’efetaui’aki ‘i he ‘otita, pe talanoa ‘ata’atā, ka ‘oku tuku ‘a e ni’ihi kehe ‘o ta’eala’i, ‘oku ‘ikai ke tau toe ma’u leva ha sistemi fakamaau totonu. ‘Oku tau ma’u ha me’angaue fakapolitikale.

Pea ‘oku totonu ke ne fakahoko’i ‘a e hoha’a ‘a e Tonga kotoa — ‘o ‘ikai ko e ongo Lavulavu pe.

Tuku ke kui ‘a e fakamaau totonu, ka ‘ikai ke filifili. Kapau ‘oku fekau’aki mo’oni ‘a e me’a ni mo e lelei fakalukufua, pea tuku leva ke ‘otita’i ‘a e ngaahi ako’anga kotoa, vakai’i ‘a e ngaahi me’a ta’efetaui’aki kotoa, pea ke ngaue’i tatau ‘a e kakai kotoa pe ‘i he lao.

Kae’oua ke a’u ki ai, kuo pau ke tau ‘eke ‘a e fehu’i faingata’a: Ko e fakamaau totonu eni — pe ko e politikale pe?

Na’e fa’u ‘e Melino Maka

Opinion: Lavulavu Case – Playing the Man, Not the Ball?

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In the case that has captured headlines and political attention for years, the public deserves the truth — not just the headline. The criminal prosecution of Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu and ‘Etuate Lavulavu is being widely referred to as “fraud,” a word that evokes deceit and criminal intent. But that’s not the legal charge they face, nor is it an accurate reflection of what has happened.

At the heart of this case is a private educational institution, ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute Inc. (UTRI), registered with the Ministry of Education and Tonga National Qualifications and Accreditation Board (TNQAB). It is this institution that received TVET grant funds, like many others across the country — and it is this institution, not the Lavulavus personally, that administered those funds.

Yet, the Lavulavus, not the institution, stand accused. Why?

What Are the Actual Charges?

According to the Crown’s opening submissions, the Lavulavus are charged under Section 164 of Tonga’s Criminal Offences Act, specifically for “obtaining money by false pretences.”

To convict under Section 164, the prosecution must prove:

The defendants (Akosita and Etuate)

By false pretence

Knew the pretence was false

And obtained money as a result

But here’s the problem: the funds were not paid to the Lavulavus as individuals. They were paid to Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute Inc., a legally registered entity, responsible for delivering education services and employing staff. The grants supported operations, salaries, and school materials — as stipulated by Cabinet guidelines.

If there was a dispute over eligibility or administrative procedures, the appropriate body to investigate or sanction should have been the Ministry of Education, not the Supreme Court. If there was overpayment, the matter could have been resolved via civil process or recovery, not criminal prosecution.

This isn’t just a legal technicality. It goes to the very core of justice: Can you charge an individual for the actions of a legal entity?

A School, Not a Scam

Much of the case — and the public narrative — has been twisted around how tuition was paid. The audit team claimed UTRI allowed students to use non-cash forms of payment, including commodity exchange (like root crops or services), and that some students were not eligible based on these methods.

But let’s be clear: UTRI is a private institution. It is not bound to accept only cash, and non-traditional payment methods are a common and practical approach across the Pacific, especially to ensure access to education for low-income families.

The media ran with a narrative that students didn’t pay and were falsely listed. Yet the audit relied heavily on unsigned and second-hand interviews with students’ relatives, gathered years after the fact — hearsay evidence that the Court of Appeal ruled inadmissible before being controversially allowed back in under legal exception during the Voir Dire.

And still, no evidence was produced showing that the Lavulavus personally benefited from the funds. In fact, their defense made it clear: they had other businesses that sustained their income, including farming, kava plantations, quarrying, and contracting.

The Bigger Picture: Overpayments and Double Standards

Even more disturbing is that overpayments and miscalculations occurred in many schools. Some received larger grants than UTRI, yet none of their administrators were prosecuted.

The question becomes: Why were the Lavulavus targeted?

If all schools were treated equally, and all discrepancies were prosecuted under Section 164, the courtrooms would be overflowing. But they’re not. The Lavulavus stand alone.

That suggests this isn’t about justice — it’s about playing the man, not the ball.

Media Must Correct the Record

To be clear: the Lavulavus were not charged with “fraud” in the generic or sensational sense. They are charged under a single legal provision — Section 164 of the Criminal Offences Act, which requires intentional deception for personal gain.

Yet media have repeatedly used the term “fraud” without legal basis, misleading the public and damaging reputations. No charge sheet accuses them of theft. No evidence has proven personal enrichment. And no ruling has found malicious intent beyond reasonable doubt.

That matters — especially when the court of public opinion can be as harsh as the court of law.

What’s Really on Trial?

Ultimately, this case is not just about TVET grants or audit reports. It’s about how power is used — and against whom.

It’s about whether a person in public life — especially one who dares to speak independently or challenge established political orders — can expect a fair trial, equal treatment, and balanced scrutiny.

Because if public officials can be prosecuted based on policy disputes, audit inconsistencies, or hearsay, while others are left untouched, then we no longer have a justice system. We have a political tool.

And that should worry every Tongan — not just the Lavulavus.

Let justice be blind, but not selectively so. If this case is truly about public interest, then let all institutions be audited, all discrepancies reviewed, and all persons treated equally under the law.

Until then, we must ask the hard question: Is this justice — or just politics?

By Melino Maka

Fakamatala Fakapule’anga: Ko ha Palopalema ‘o e Faitotonu ‘i he ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Otita Lahi

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‘Otita Lahi Sefita Tangi vs ongo Lavulavu

‘I ha sosaieti fakatemokalati, ko e ngaahi sino fakapule’anga ‘oku mālohi pe ia ‘o fakatatau ki he falala ‘a e kakai ki he’enau angatonu, ‘ata’atā, mo e faitotonu. Ko e me’a ‘o e lipooti ‘otita ‘o e 2016 ‘i he ‘Unuaki o Tonga Royal Institute (UTRI), na’e fakahoko ‘e he ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Otita Lahi (OAG), ‘oku ne fokotu’u ‘a e ngaahi fehu’i tefito fekau’aki mo e falala’anga ‘o e ‘ofisi ko ia, ‘ene muimui ki he founga totonu, pea mo e fe’unga ke ne fakahoko ‘a hono taumu’a ‘i hono pukepuke ‘a e ‘atamai’i ‘i he Pule’anga ‘o Tonga.

Ko ‘Etuate Lavulavu, ko e Talekita ‘o e UTRI, na’a ne tohi ha tohi lāunga fakamafai ki he ‘Otita Lahi Sefita Tangi hili hono tuku atu ‘o e lipooti ‘otita. ‘I he tohi ko ia, na’e fokotu’u ai ‘e Lavulavu ha ngaahi hoha’a fakaikiiki, mahu’inga fekau’aki mo e ta’e’ulungaanga fakafounga, ngaue’aki hala ‘o e lao, ‘ikai ha fetu’utaki totonu, pea mo e ala kau mai ‘a e kaunga fakapolitikale. ‘O a’u mai ki he ‘aho ni, kuo ‘ikai ke tali ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi.

Maumau’i ‘a e Fakalongolongo

‘I he ngaahi ta’u ‘e hongofulu lahi ‘i Tonga, ko e ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Otita Lahi kuo ‘ulungaanga’aki hono faka’apa’apa’i ta’e’i ai ha fehu’i. Ko ‘ene ngaahi lipooti na’e tali ia ‘o hange ha kosipeli, tātāitaha ‘a hono pole’i, pea ‘ikai ‘aupito ha fakatotolo. Ko e ngaahi ‘ilo ‘a e ‘Otita Lahi na’e lau ia ko e faka’osi, tatau ai pe pe na’e kakato, angatonu, pe tonu. Ko e tukufakaholo ko eni kuo ne fakatupu ha ‘ulungaanga fakatu’utāmaki ‘o e ta’ala’i mo e ta’e’atamai’i, ‘a ia ko e fakalongolongo fakasino ‘oku ngāue hala’i ia ko e mālohi.

Ko e tohi ‘a Lavulavu na’a ne maumau’i ‘a e tukufakaholo ko ia. ‘I he’ene fetu’utaki loto-to’a mo faka’ilonga’i, na’a ne fakahā ai ko e founga ‘otita na’e ta’emaau mei he kamata’anga. Ko e tukuaki’i fakamamahi taha? Ko e Potungaue Ako mo e Ako Ngaue (MOET) — ko e sino fakapule’anga na’e ‘i ai ‘a e aleapau fakalao mo e UTRI ki hono tufaki ‘o e ngaahi pa’anga TVET — na’e ‘ikai ‘aupito ke ne ‘ilo ki he ‘otita. Na’e ‘ikai ha ngaahi lāunga na’e fakahū ‘e he MOET. Na’e ‘ikai ha kole fakamafai ki ha vakai’i ‘otita na’e fakahū. Pea neongo ia, na’e kamata leva ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi ha fakatotolo kakato, ‘o makatu’unga lahi ‘i ha Tu’utu’uni Kapineti (CD No. 637) ‘a ia na’e ‘ikai ‘aupito ke vahevahe mo e UTRI pea na’e ‘ikai ‘aupito ke ‘uhinga ke hoko ia ko e makatu’unga ‘o hono ‘otita’i ‘o e ‘Initisitute.

‘E anga fefe hano kamata ha ‘otita ta’e’i ai ha fakaha pe kau mai ‘a e sino ‘oku fatongia’aki ‘a e ngaahi pa’anga ‘oku fakatotolo’i? Kapau na’e ‘ikai ko e MOET ‘a e tukuaki’i, ko hai leva? Ko e hā ‘a e hala ‘o e ngaahi tohi? Ko e ngaahi fehu’i eni kuo ‘ikai lava ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi ‘o tali. Pea ko e fakalongolongo ‘oku ‘ikai ko e ta’epolofesinale pē—ko e maumau loloto ki he falala ‘a e kakai.

Ta’emaau Fakafounga

Na’e fakamatala’i ‘e Lavulavu ha ngaahi tonounou tefito: • Na’e ‘ikai ha fanongonongo kimu’a na’e ‘oatu ki he UTRI kimu’a ‘i hono puke ‘o e ngaahi lekooti. • Na’e ‘ikai ke fakamo’oni ha Memo ‘o e Aleapau (MoU) ke ne pule’i ‘a e fakangatangata mo e ‘ulungaanga ‘o e ‘otita. • Na’e to’o ‘a e ngaahi lekooti ta’e’i ai ha ngofua tohi pea pehe na’e ‘ikai fakafoki. • Na’e faka’eke’eke ‘a e fanau ako, pea ko ‘enau ngaahi fakamo’oni pehe na’e ngaue’aki ‘o mavahe mei he ‘uhinga, ta’e’i ai ha fakapapau’i. • Ko e lipooti ‘otita na’e ‘ikai ke ne fakahā ‘a e aleapau fakamafai ‘i he vaha’a ‘o e MOET mo e UTRI, ‘a ia na’e totonu ke hoko ko e fa’unga tataki.

Ko e me’a fakamamahi ange, ko e Lao Fakamaau’i Fakapule’anga ‘o Tonga ‘oku fiema’u ke ‘oatu ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi ha fanongonongo ki ha sino kuo ‘otita’i kapau ‘oku ‘i ai ha fakamatala ‘oku hala pe ta’emahino. ‘Oku fakahā ‘e he UTRI na’e ‘ikai ke hoko eni. Ka ke fetongi’aki, ko ha lipooti fakamala’ia na’e tuku atu ta’e’i ai ha faingamalie ki he ako’anga ke vakai’i pe tali ki he ngaahi ‘ilo.

‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha ta’emaau pe ‘o e ngaahi tu’unga fakapolofesinale. Ko ha maumau tefito eni ‘o e fakamaau fakafounga pea mo ha maumau’i ‘o e ngaahi tefito’i mo’oni ‘o e lao fakanatula.

Lao Ngaue’aki Hala mo e Ngaahi Ta’anga Fakapolitikale

‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e hoha’a ‘oku tupu ke lahi ange ko e ‘Otita Lahi mahalo na’a ne ngaue’aki ‘a e fa’unga lao hala ke ne fakatonuhia’i ‘a e ‘otita. Kapau na’e fakatefito ‘a e fakatotolo ‘i ha Tu’utu’uni Kapineti ‘a ia na’e ‘ikai ke ne ha’i ‘a e UTRI hangatonu pe na’e ‘ikai ‘aupito ke fetu’utaki fakamafai kiate kinautolu, pea ‘oku fehu’ia leva ‘a e tu’unga fakalao ‘o e ‘otita.

‘Oku ngali pehē ‘e Lavulavu ko ha ‘otita fakalao totonu na’e mei fakahoko makatu’unga ‘i he MoU ‘i he vaha’a ‘o e UTRI mo e MOET, ‘a ia na’a ne fakaikiiki ‘a e ngaahi fatongia, ‘amanaki, mo e pule’i fakapa’anga ‘o e ngaahi tokoni TVET. Hopo atu ‘i he aleapau fakalao ko eni mo hono fa’u ‘o ha makatu’unga kehe ki he ‘otita ‘oku, ‘i he lelei taha, petepete; ‘i he kovi taha, ta’efakalao.

Fakatatau ki he hisitōlia fakapolitikale mo e ‘iloa ‘o Lavulavu, ‘oku ‘ikai faingata’a ke sio ‘a e ‘uhinga ‘oku ne tui ai ko e ‘otita na’e fakatupu fakapolitikale. ‘Oku ne fakahā ko e ‘otita na’e fa’u ‘e ha kakai ‘oku kei mālohi ‘i he politikale ‘i he ‘aho ni, ‘o ‘uhinga ke fakamole’i ia mo e ako’anga ‘oku ne taki’i.

Ko ha tukuaki’i malohi eni, ka ‘oku ‘ikai lava ‘o tāpuni noa. ‘Oku fiema’u ‘e he ‘ata’atā ke fakatotolo ‘a e ngaahi tukuaki’i pehe ‘i he ‘ata’atā, ‘ikai fakasi’isi’i.

Ko e Totongi Ma’olunga ‘o e Fakalongolongo

Pea ko e hā ‘oku te’eki tali ai ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi?

‘Oku pehē ‘e he ni’ihi ‘i loto koe’uhi he ‘oku tui ‘a e ‘ofisi ko ‘ene ngaue ‘oku lea ‘aki pe ‘e ia. ‘Oku pehē ‘e he ni’ihi ko ha founga ia ke faka’ehi’ehi mei hono fakatupu ha fetau’aki lahi ange. Ka ‘oku ‘ikai tali ha ‘uhinga.

Ko e fakalongolongo ‘i he ‘ao ‘o e ngaahi tukuaki’i falala’anga ‘oku ‘ikai ko e faka-polofesinale; ko e ilifia. ‘Oku ne ‘auhia ‘a e falala ‘a e kakai pea ne fokotu’u ha ngaahi fehu’i lahi ange fekau’aki mo e faitotonu ‘o e ‘otita. Pea ‘i he’ene ‘ikai ke tali, kuo fakangofua ‘e he ‘Otita Lahi ke ngingila ‘a e mahino ‘o e filifilimanako mo e ta’epoto ki he tui ‘a e kakai.

Ko e ta’efinemalie ‘a e ‘Otita Lahi ke ne fehangahangai mo fakafepaki’i ‘a e ngaahi fakaanga ‘oku matu’aki palopalema. Ko ha ‘ofisi fakapule’anga eni ‘oku ne ngaue’aki ha mafai lahi, ka ‘oku hā ‘oku ‘ikai ke ne lava ‘o malu’i ‘ene ngaahi ngaue ‘i he taimi ‘oku pole’i ai. Kapau ‘oku falala ‘a e OAG ‘i he’ene ngaahi founga mo e ngaahi fakama’opo’opo, ko e hā ‘oku ‘ikai ke ne fakamatala mo fakamahino? Ko e ta’efiemalie ke kau mai ‘oku ne fakatupu ‘a e mahalo kovi pea ne holoki ‘a e mafai fakae’ulungaanga ‘o e sino.

‘Oku ‘ikai ko e me’a eni ‘oku fekau’aki pē mo e UTRI. ‘Oku fekau’aki eni mo e anga ‘o ‘etau pukepuke ‘atamai’i ‘a e ngaahi sino fakapule’anga ‘i Tonga. ‘Oku fekau’aki ia mo e pe ‘oku tau fu’u atamai fe’unga ke tau fehangahangai mo e ngaahi mo’oni ta’efiemālie pea kole ha lelei ange mei kinautolu ‘i he mafai.

Kuo Pau ke Kau Mai ‘a e Pule’anga

Ko e ngaahi pule’anga hokohoko ‘o Tonga kuo nau ta’efiemalie ke kau mai ‘i he ngaahi fakakikihi pehe, ‘o manavahē ki he ngaahi tukuaki’i ‘o e kau mai fakapolitikale. Ka ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e faikehekehe ‘i he vaha’a ‘o e kau mai mo e vakai fatongia.

Ko e fatongia ia ‘o e pule’anga ke fakapapau’i ko e kau le’o fakapule’anga hange ko e ‘Otita Lahi ‘oku nau ngaue ‘i loto ‘i he ngaahi fakangatangata fakalao mo fakae’ulungaanga. ‘I he taimi ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e fakamo’oni ‘o e ta’e’ulungaanga lahi pe hala ‘a e founga, kuo pau ke ‘oua ‘e fakalongolongo ‘a e pule’anga. ‘Oku tatau pe eni ki he fakamaau’anga.

Ko e manavahē ki he kau mai ‘i he ngaahi sino tau’ataina kuo hoko ia ko ha ta’ofi ki he liliu. Ka ko e vakai’i ‘oku ‘ikai ko e kau mai—ko e tauhi. ‘O hange pe ko e ngaue’a e pule’anga kapau ko ha ‘apiako, falemahaki, pe potungaue na’e ‘ikai lava ‘o fakahoko hono ngaahi fatongia, kuo pau ke ne fai ‘a e me’a tatau ‘i he taimi ‘oku tōnounou ai ‘a e ‘ofisi ‘o e ‘Otita Lahi.

Na’a tau vakai ki he tatali’anga sino ko eni lolotonga ‘a e faingata’a ‘o e Ashika, ‘a ia ko e ngaahi kupu ‘o e pule’anga na’e ‘ikai ke nau ngaue kae’oua leva kuo tōmui. ‘Oku ‘ikai lava ‘o toe hoko ia. Ko e ‘ulungaanga ‘o e “tatali pea vakai” kuo pau ke fetongi’aki ha ‘ulungaanga ‘o e ‘atamai’i mo e kau mai ‘i he taimi totonu.

Fakamaau’anga mo e Kau Fale’i Fakalao Kuo Pau ke Nau Laka Atu

Ko e me’a ni ‘oku ne toe ‘eke foki ‘a e fatongia ‘o e fakamaau’anga mo e kau fakafofonga fakalao ‘i loto ‘i he ngaue fakapule’anga. Kapau na’e ngaue kimu’a ‘a e kau loea ‘oku kau atu ‘i he founga ke fehu’i ‘a e fakalao mo e founga ‘o e ‘otita, mahalo na’e mei fakalelei’i vave ange ‘a e me’a—’o fakahaofi ‘a e taimi, pa’anga, mo e fakamā fakapule’anga.

Kuo pau ke faka’ehi’ehi ‘a e fakamaau’anga mei he ‘ahi’ahi ke fakatoloi ‘a e fakamaau’i ‘i he falekakato’i hono malu’i ‘o e fofonga ‘o e sino. Ko e fakamaau’i fakatoloi ko e fakamaau’i ta’ofi—pea kapau ‘oku fakangofua ‘e he ngaahi fakamaau’anga ‘a e ngaahi founga ta’emaau ke nau fakahoko ta’e’i ai ha pole, ‘oku nau kau atu ‘i hono ‘auhia ‘o e falala ‘a e kakai.

Ko ha Ui ki he Loto-to’a Fakasino

Kuo taimi ke tupu hake ‘a Tonga pea fehangahangai mo e tu’unga ko eni ‘aki ‘a e atamai mo e mafai. ‘Oku tau fiema’u:

  1. Ha fakatotolo tau’ataina ki he founga na’e kamata’i, fakahoko, mo fakakakato ‘aki ‘a e ‘otita.
  2. Fakamahino mei he ‘Otita Lahi ‘a e makatu’unga fakalao ‘o e lipooti.
  3. Ko e vakai ‘a e Fale Alea ‘i he Komiti ‘o e Ngaahi ‘Akauni Fakapule’anga.
  4. Ko e fakapapau fakapule’anga ‘e ‘ikai toe hoko ‘a e ngaahi tōnounou fakafounga pehe.
  5. Ko e ngaahi fakalelei fakalao ke fiema’u ‘a e ngaahi fealea’aki kimu’a ‘i he ‘otita, MoU kuo fakamo’oni, mo e ngaahi hala lāunga mahino kimu’a pea hoko atu ‘a e ngaahi ‘otita.

‘Oku ‘ikai fekau’aki eni mo e politikale. ‘Oku fekau’aki eni mo hono malu’i ‘o e faitotonu ‘o ‘etau ngaahi sino pea mo hono fakafoki ‘o e tui ‘a e kakai ‘i he pule. ‘Oku fekau’aki ia mo hono fakapapau’i ‘oku ‘ikai ha sino ‘oku ma’olunga hake ‘i he vakai’i—’o ‘ikai ngata ‘i he ‘Otita Lahi.

Fakama’opo’opo: Ko e Mo’oni pe Te Ne Lava ‘o Fakamo’ui

‘I hono ‘ikai tali, ‘aki ‘a e toitoi ‘i he fakalongolongo, pea ‘aki hono fakangofua ‘a e ngaahi founga fakalao ke nau toho ‘i he ‘amanaki ke “fakahaofi ‘o e fofonga,” ‘oku ‘ikai ke tau tokoni’i ‘a e fakamaau totonu. ‘Oku tau uesia ‘a Tonga.

Ko e me’a ‘a Lavulavu-UTRI kuo ne fakahā mai ‘a e ngaahi mo’oni ta’efiemalie fekau’aki mo e anga ‘o e ngaue ‘a ‘etau ngaahi sisitemi — pe ‘ikai ngaue. Ka ko e fakahā ko ia ‘oku ‘ikai ko e palopalema. Ko e fakatu’utāmaki mo’oni ‘oku ‘i he me’a te tau fai hokó. Te tau holomui nai ki he ilifia mo e fakalongolongo, pe te tau fehangahangai mo e momeniti ko eni ‘aki ‘a e loto-to’a?

Ko e tali te ne fokotu’u ‘a e kaha’u ‘o e ‘ata’atā mo e pule ‘i hotau Pule’anga.

Ma’a Tonga, kuo taimi ke laka ki mu’a, ‘o ‘ikai ke kuku. Koe’uhi ko e mo’oni pe te ne lava ‘o fakamo’ui. Pea ko e fakamaau totonu pe te ne lava ‘o langa ha pule’anga malohi ange.

Na’e fa’u ‘e Melino Maka