POLITICS

Amid a flurry of festivities, including the annual Heilala Festival, Tonga High School Diamond Jubilee, and Pasifika Medical Association’s 80th conference, the Kingdom of Tonga is experiencing pivotal political changes. The Tongatapu 10 by-election has cast a spotlight on the political landscape, revealing both surprising and worrying trends that could shape the future of the […]

In August 2021, New Zealand made history when its government formally apologized for the infamous ‘Dawn Raids’ of the 1970s. These raids, predominantly targeted at the Pacific community, saw immigration officials invade homes in the early hours of the morning, waking families and detaining those who were suspected of overstaying their visas. The Dawn Raids

With the Tongatapu 10 by-elections fast approaching, the need for voters to understand each candidate’s vision, policies, and commitments is more critical than ever. Recently, we had the unique opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with one of the notable candidates, Daniel K. Fale. He provided detailed answers to our questions, offering a clear outlook

In parliamentary democracies, the Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) stands as a crucial tool for ensuring government accountability and responsiveness. This mechanism allows the legislative branch to express its lack of faith in the Prime Minister or ruling government, potentially triggering a reconstitution of the executive branch. The Kingdom of Tonga, which transitioned to a

On June 20th, 2023, the Tonga Parliament witnessed a fiery discussion following the presentation of the 2023-2024 budget by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, earlier on June 14th. The budget, titled “Partnership for greater resilience and sustainability to restore inclusive growth,” was not received unanimously and sparked sharp exchanges among the parliament members,

The Independent has reliably learned that members of the New Zealand Parliament of Tongan heritage approached the Tongan Consulate with a proposal. The proposal intended to request the New Zealand Government to provide military honour guards and an aircraft to transport the cortege of the late Her Serene Highness Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. However, the Tongan

With profound respect and deep sadness, we commemorate the life and legacy of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu. On Sunday, the 28th of May, she passed away peacefully in Auckland, surrounded by loving members of the royal family. A true beacon of dedication and service, her memory leaves an indelible mark on our hearts

A vigil for the royal funeral of the late Princess Mele Siuilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili will be held at Morrison Funeral Director’s Home in Henderson, Auckland starting 7pm tonight (31st May.) This will be a final wake with friends, family and the Pacific Island, Maori, and New Zealand community before embarking on the final journey to

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga joins in mourning following the sad news of the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. The Princess, a trailblazer in Tongan politics and a prominent figure, passed away on May 28, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand. Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu was the eldest daughter of Prince Fatafehi

Why has it taken over 12 months for Parliament to act? Mr. Panuve, the Chairman of Tonga Power, told Tonga Independent. “It is great news from Parliament that we can openly discuss the ongoing concerns regarding the status of Tonga Power. I’m just waiting for someone from the committee to contact me to begin discussions,”