I have heard from various sources how our beloved King enjoys good humors and play jokes on his friends. At this stage of his life, I was thinking he is busy meditating and preparing to meet his Maker. Boy was I wrong! Our beloved king is still active being a jokester. - Tama Foa
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Results for politics
Friday 10 February 2006
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Moss Beach-California, USA
The various political reform committees are leaping forward with courage and while their intentions and energy are perfectly aligned, we are faced with such a seismic moment in this strange chaos where follies are blended with all sorts of crimes. -Mele Payne Lynch
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Wednesday 7 December 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
It's official. Marching is the new national hobby. If the strolling-down-main-street variety can pull off three big ones in one day, marching is well ahead of soccer, netball, volleyball and you can hold on to your marbles! Cricket is so passe and rugby didn't do itself any favours by limping home with a sorry looking record against Italy and France last week. - Sefita Hao'uli
Wednesday 7 December 2005
USA
Tonga's system of government is good, but the system by itself is insufficient to bring about continued order, prosperity, and progress. What is needed is a common foundation of a moral and cultural absolute to 'undergird' our political system. - Malini V. Tukutau
Monday 5 December 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
Can I for the time being park the discussion on the alleged shortcomings of today's reformists for now and ask if my learned friend is able to put the current regime under the same scrutiny? - Sefita Hao'uli
Saturday 3 December 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
What is going to happen in Tonga on December 5, 2005? The date has been earmarked by constitutional reformers as a deadline for government to make an immediate response to their demands for people to have the right to choose all members of parliament. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 2 December 2005
Australia
It is Democrazier than I thought. Although my mention of King George Tupou I was for a different purpose, it is great that Hao'uli has taken us through the missionary position or version of Taufa'ahau's history and thus we come to our first point of disagreement. - Inoke Fotu Huakau
Thursday 17 November 2005
USA
I read about other's urgency to change the kingdom before the new king is crowned. Whether it is sooner or later, it will be the day history will judge us by how well we take care of the kingdom during our watch. Long term peace is never an accident. - TamaFoa
Thursday 17 November 2005
UK
The success of the Strike will go down in History for all of Tonga to be proud of. A combined effort from all Ministries and non-civil servants was impressive. To stay focused and to halt a nation and bring the Government to their knees was decisive and clinical. - William Mariner
Friday 28 October 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
It is heartening to read articles that make really good sense! When I read the numerous exchanges, I wonder if we ever take time to really think about what is going on, what needs to be done, and how to go about it. This country of ours is unique in this world because of many reasons. Amongst those is the fact that we have an absolute monarchy, the only surviving one throughout the Pacific. We have an honor system that is exercised in our families, extended families, villages, islands, and collectively as a people. The ideals that Tonga was built on were the work of past kings, chiefs, of warriors, of people who were known for their courage and leadership. - M. Latu
Thursday 20 October 2005
USA
I give credit to Mr. Laki Niu and others for their call for change in the constitution. These proposals are indeed commendable but I beg to differ from Mr. Niu's approach. I have not seen his total proposal, but based on the little information I have, I believe a monster is in the making. - Tamafoa
Tuesday 27 September 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Following the success of the Public Servants strike, and the people's first taste of political power, Minority rule, which has been the tradition in Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy, is coming under great pressure to change to be in line with the aspirations of Tongans today for a more democratic form of government. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
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Thursday 15 September 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
I am really tired of reading about Tonga and her problems, especially because of the politics that's involved. Hearing about Tonga is like listening to a very needy relative, as much as you love them; you still get tired of listening to them and wish for a little while that they would go away. - Mele Latu
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Friday 2 September 2005
New Zealand
The Prime Minister of Tonga has been quoted so many times in Parliament, claiming that people are being incited to riot. Are they? Or, is it the case of people finally getting up to do what is right for Tonga: to demand a change in the way their future is constantly being determined by a handful, whose interests are far from that of making a better life for "ordinary" Tongans? - Finehika Vavatau
Friday 26 August 2005
London, UK
Let me refresh what was inevitable in the start of my letters. The shift now, from this strike has gone to a road where history has taught many nations, that were once ruled by powerful monarchs. Those soverign nations are now super powered nations. The lesson in the past with these nations are simple: Without the people, you do not have a government! and once you have lost the respect of the people, you do not have a nation. What you have; is a nation that wants change. - William Mariner
Friday 26 August 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The PSA should accept the government's current wage offer for many reasons. - Sifa Citizen
Monday 20 June 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The People's Representatives' Private Bill to amend the Consumption Tax will be a crunching issue before the House, which should start debate on it soon, possibly before the end of the month, meanwhile, members debating the Budget said CT was badly timed and was imposed on a struggling economy. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 7, Monday June 13, 2005. From the House, by Pesi Fonua
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Wednesday 1 June 2005
1 comment
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga government's official response to the public uproar over the high cost of electricity and salaries of the top executives of Shoreline Power appears to be insincere and doubtful. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Tuesday 31 May 2005
Texas, USA
I am deeply concerned over what I read and what I see on the internet. I am in a wheel chair due to my health. I am only thirty nine years old and at one time in my life I had no hope. I was angry at the world and at people, my story may sound familiar too you, and you may have grown tried of hearing it. But three wonderful Tongan men taught me to have hope, they reached out to a stranger and showed that true friendship knows no color, it knows no religion, it can be between the young and the old, the sick and those who have health. It is one of our world's greatest gifts and it is the one of the base ingredients for hope. - Larry Norton
Wednesday 25 May 2005
Suva, Fiji
So where is Tonga heading? In fact Tonga is quite a unique case. The country has very little natural resources to speak of, except its people whose remittances sustain the economy.
Because the Tongans are very attached to their homeland and are proud of their heritage and identity, so in some sense they are being held economic hostage by the rulers, as the only tangible influence they can exert is to withhold sending money home. But that only punishes their loved ones.
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