POLICE & COURTS
POLICE & COURTS
Case collapses after ‘over the top’ police raid at Nuku’alofa restaurant
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POLICE & COURTS
US man accused in Auckland courier killing faces extradition from California
A United States national accused of travelling to New Zealand to carry out a murder before fleeing the country is ...
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POLICE & COURTS
History Made: Tongan Prison Officers Graduate in Fiji
Three Tongan prison officers have made history overseas, marking a quiet but important turning point for Tonga’s correctional system. On ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Reserve Bank Directors Cleared in Landmark Corruption Appeal
The directors of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT), including the former Governor, have successfully overturned a legal challenge brought ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Appeals Order Retrial in Sevele v Kele’a Case After “Perverse” Verdict!
The Court of Appeal has scrapped a jury’s verdict in the highly publicised defamation case brought by former Prime Minister ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Coffee and Soap Jar Theft Case Leads to Major Legal Shift, But Acquittal Stands
An unusual theft case involving a student accused of taking items ranging from a jar of coffee and a bottle ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Justice for Lata Vanisi: When Tonga’s System Failed a Widow
In the Supreme Court of Tonga on 22 October 2025, justice finally came for Mrs Lata Siale Vanisi. The court’s ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Six Defendants to Face Trial After Supreme Court Drops Five Charges in Major Drug Case
NUKUʻALOFA – 13 October 2025 The Supreme Court of Tonga has ruled that six of the nine defendants in one ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Police Called In as ACC Proves Powerless
Nuku’alofa – Tonga’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), previously criticised for its lack of investigative powers, has turned to the police for help ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tears, Regret, and Hope: Rotorua Court Hears Final Plea to Keep Tongan Husband in NZ
A Rotorua judge has urged the wife and supporters of a Tongan overstayer not to give up their fight to ...
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POLICE & COURTS
From the Skies to the Courts: Poasi Tei Sues Government Over Dismissal from Lulutai Airlines
Less than a year after his abrupt dismissal from Lulutai Airlines, former CEO Poasi Tei is suing the government, alleging ...
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POLICE & COURTS
NRBT Responds to Court Ruling, Vows to Appeal Dismissal of Strikeout Bid
Nukuʻalofa, 3 July 2025 The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has issued a public statement in response to a ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Court Dismisses Bid to Strike Out Anti-Corruption Claim Against Central Bank
Nukuʻalofa, 30 June 2025 The Supreme Court of Tonga has rejected an attempt by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga ...
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BUSINESS
Safe, Affordable Financial Services for Rural Communities and People with Disabilities
By Tu’ifua Vailena, Tonga Independent News Nukuʻalofa, – Tonga recently hosted a significant regional financial summit, welcoming central bank governors and ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tonga Moves to Grant Legal Personhood to Whales, Honouring Royal Conservation Legacy
By Melino Maka, Chair of Huelo Matamoana Trust Inc. Nukuʻalofa – Tonga is poised to make global waves in marine conservation ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Why the Lavulavu Case Is a Crucial Test of Transparency and Due Process in Tonga
Editorial – Tonga Independent News19 May 2025 The criminal case against Mr and Mrs Lavulavu — former operators of the ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Manhunt Continues for Escaped Tongan Detainee Paea Teu After Alleged Stabbing of Border Force Staff
A massive police operation has so far failed to locate 28-year-old Tongan national Paea Teu, who remains at large following a ...
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POLICE & COURTS
New Tongan Police Commissioner Hopes to Tackle Drug Crisis, Especially Methamphetamine
Tonga has appointed a new Police Commissioner, Mr Geoff Turner, following the conclusion of Commissioner Shane McLennan’s three-year term. Commissioner-Designate ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tonga Police Intensify Efforts Against Illicit Drugs with Successful Raids in Fatai and Fua’amotu
Tonga Police’s Drug Squad has ramped up its fight against illicit drugs, conducting two successful operations in Fatai and Fua’amotu ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Default Judgment Overturned in Landmark Defamation Case Against National Reserve Bank of Tonga and Journalists
In a significant legal development, the Lord Chief Justice has granted leave to set aside the default judgment previously issued ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Supreme Court Ruling: A Temporary Victory for TDB, with Broader Implications for NRBT’s Role
The Supreme Court’s recent decision in the ongoing dispute between the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) and the National Reserve Bank of ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Application for Judicial Review Refused by Supreme Court
In a significant decision delivered by the Supreme Court, an application for leave to commence judicial review proceedings was refused ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tonga Police Crack Down on Major Drug Trafficking Operation: High-Profile Arrests and International Ties Exposed
In a major drug operation, Tonga police have uncovered a large drug trafficking network involved in the importation and distribution ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Supreme Court Rules: Gratuities Given After the Fact are Legal, But Not Before
Background and ContextThe Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday has sent shockwaves through the legal and political communities, as it fundamentally ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Desperate Plea to Stay: Auckland Family’s Emotional Battle Against Deportation
An Auckland family is devastated as two beloved members face deportation by Immigration New Zealand.Loasi Latu and her husband, residents ...
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POLICE & COURTS
High Court of New Zealand Rules in Favour of Tonga National Rugby League in Landmark Trademark Infringement Case
Auckland, New Zealand — May 29, 2024In a landmark decision, the High Court of New Zealand has ruled in favor ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Five Tonnes of Meth found in two houses – Fiji
Fiji is currently facing a significant challenge with methamphetamine use, affecting various segments of society, including villages, schools, and even ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Two men arrested for theft from Tongan church in South Auckland
Police report that on the night of March 13, the United Church of Tonga in Auckland’s Papakura district was burglarized. ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Three Convicted for Cannabis Possession in Popua Raid
Heneli Manuofetoa, ‘Aisea Havea, and Kaniteli Guttenbeil have been found guilty of possessing cannabis confiscated in Popua. Manuofetoa has been ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tautea ngaue popula fa’ee ki he kaiha’a $144,660.00 mei he Luna’eva
Kuo tautea ngaue popula ‘e Fakamaau Lahi CJ Cooper ‘a e fa’ee ko Fokikovi Lauaki ki he ma’u ha pa’anga ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Police Officers Sentenced to Prison for Brutal Assault on Defenceless Man
Two police officers, Taliai Tapueluelu and Penitiketo Latu, have been sentenced to prison for a brutal assault on a defenceless ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tautea ngaue popula ongo ‘ofisa Polisi ki he taa fakalavea ha ‘ofisa sotia ‘i Vava’u
Kuo tu’utu’uni ‘a e ‘Eiki Fakamaau Lahi le’ole’o Petunia Tupou ‘i he Falaite uike kuo’osi, ke ngaue popula ‘a e ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Police Raid Leads to Arrest of Nine Individuals for Drug Offences in Tongatapu
In a concerted effort to combat the illegal drug trade, Tonga’s drug squad conducted a series of raids last week ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Strengthening Ties: A Unified Approach Against Crime
In a significant stride towards bolstering the rule of law and ensuring societal peace, Tonga’s key criminal justice institutions, the ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Supreme Court Rules Against Injunction in Judicial Review of Vote of No Confidence
The Supreme Court of Tonga has issued a ruling denying an injunction in the ongoing judicial review proceeding against the ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Puke he kau Polisi mo Vilisoni Tauelangi ki he kaunga hia teuaki fakapoo
Kuo tuku mai he kau Polisi ha ongoongo tukuatu ‘i he pongipongi ho’ata ‘o e ‘aho ni ha fakamatala, kuo ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tu’utu’uni Fakamaaau Polisi ke kei tauhi pe ‘Asiata hili ‘ene fuofua haa he Fakamaau’anga
Kuo tuku mai he Potungaue Polisi ‘a e fakamatala tukuatu, ki he tu’utu’uni ‘a e Fakamaau’anga Polisi he ‘aho Monite ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Tonga Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Man in Connection with Serious Crime
In a significant development, Tonga Police apprehended a 54-year-old man from Ha’ateiho at approximately 5 p.m. yesterday, shedding light on ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Toloi haa kau talavou he Fakamaau’anga tukuaki’i ki he pekia ha talavou ‘e taha.
Ko e taha ‘o e kaveinga talanga’i ‘i he mitia fakasosiale ‘i he faka’osinga ‘o e uike, ko hono tuku ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Pekia Paula Naitoko te’eki ke mahino hono makatu’unga
Ko e ongoongo fakamamahi ki he famili pea mo e pule mo e kau ngaue ‘o e ‘api ko Tolitoli ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Supreme Court Case Reveals Deep-Seated Governmental Misunderstanding of Rules and Procedures
Toakase Panisia Palelei’s victory against the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the Supreme Court has brought to light the weakness ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Public Health Inspector Convicted for Forgery.
A recent incident has cast a shadow of misconduct over the Ministry of Health as a Public Health Inspector Grade ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Ngaue popula matapule ki he taa fakalavea lahi mo e faitaa’i fakalielia hono kaume’a ‘o pousi he facebook.
Kuo tautea ngaue popula ‘e he ‘Eiki Fakamaau Lahi ‘a e matapule mei Vava’u (ka ‘oku ‘ikai fakahaa ‘a e ...
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POLICE & COURTS
Jail time for possessive Vava‘u ‘revenge porn’ case abusing cheating girlfriend
A 32-year-old Vavau man has been sentenced to jail after being convicted of sexual abuse of a 24-year-old girlfriend/mistress, including ...
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