Tonga's Nationality Act to change

Dual Citizenship - Yes! - Polikalepo Tuaileva and Family

This is a very welcoming outcome! The outcry and the persistence of our campaigns in the past few years has certainly made the difference.

With gratitude to HRH Prince Regent, Hon Prime Minister and all members

of the Privy Council for listening to our voices - Fakafeta'i e 'Ofa, Malo 'Aupito!

“We can now, once again, call Tonga - HOME!”

May God continue to give you the strength, good health, and the compassion to continue to be selfless in your service to His people of Tonga.

'Ofa Atu fau mo e Hufaki
Polikalepo Tuaileva & Famili

Dual Citizenship - Fuai‘api Sime Hauser
You put joy in my heart and a smile on my face knowing that my kids will be one day recognized in writing that they're Tongans. My prayers goes out to the Decision Makers in Tonga and all supporters of dual citizenships. Good News!

'Ofa atu

Fuai'api Sime Hauser, USA

Changing Regent - TamaFoa, USA
Feeling the exuberance in the air regarding the Dual Citizenship Act, I am among the very few that are very confused from this good news. This confusion has nothing to do with the Act but it is mostly due to my ignorance of several Royal hierarchical protocols. My observation got my two brain cells excited about this Prince Regent and Princess Regent thingy.

The Supreme Court…’s recent ruling that empowered the Regent…’s status got me thinking about a few things. The Constitution is specific in this requirement for a Prince Regent. …“The King can appoint a Prince Regent to administer the affairs of the kingdom in his absence……Article 43…”. My question is, …“How does the Princess Regent fit in this structure?…” Nowhere in the Article is mentioned a Princess Regent can be in coexistence with the Prince Regent.

Last week, HRH Princess Regent Pilolevu was at Vava…’u exercising her Regent duties. However, on the following day (23 June 06), the PM announced the Dual Citizenship Act that was prompted by HRH Prince Regent Tupouto…’a. My concern is, …“Will the real Regent, please stand up!…”

Also, New Zealand…’s concern regarding its labor shortages is a challenge to be explored. I am sure it will be beneficial to those who will accept the opportunity, but it is causing me dizziness. New Zealand wants field workers to pick their fruits and vegetables as is the case in Pukekohe and places like it. Like most developed countries, their citizens are not standing in the employment line for those jobs despite the fact the wage starts at $15.00 an hour. Because of that, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has indicated he is open to considering temporary work schemes for Pacific people. Is this all what we are good for, manual labor in the sun working with dirt?

If there is a lack of vision in the kingdom, it is in the educational opportunities afforded to the citizens. Why hasn…’t the Government seek assistance in the form of foreign aid to establish a first rate technical training center and an apprenticeship program in the kingdom. Instead of exploiting our raw muscle strength, why not a little bit of our brain to go with it. With these skills in abundance, they can be used as bargaining tool for overseas employment. Just in case we…’ve forgotten, we have arrived in the Technology Age. Seriously, we have! If our labor force is trained to meet New Zealand…’s and Australia…’s standards in highly demanded skills like personal computer repair, computer aided design, pneumatics and advance hydraulics and environmental technology, etc, their wages will be comparable or in most cases pay more than vegetable picking. The best part is, more revenues in the form of remittance will increase. A win-win situation for everyone!

To the farmers of Pukekohe, we will pick your vegetables for now. However, next time, will you let us know when you need to design a computer driven irrigation system or how to properly dispose of your hazardous materials? That is what we do best. We don…’t do sanitation engineering anymore. This reminds me when my son proudly wore his t-shirt with the popular logo …“Tongan Power…” stenciled in the back of his shirt. I asked him, …“Do you know what Tongan Power means?…” Without hesitation, with a smile he said, …“Tangata Tonga ko e Tangata Ivi Lahi…”. He was sorely disappointed when I corrected him. I told him, the Tongan Power logo means, Tangata ivi…’i vale…”. Doh!!! But how long are we willing to tolerate mediocrity?
TamaFoa

Thank you for dual citizenship - Longolongo‘aevalu
With great happiness to be known as Tongan again! Thank you to the Privy Council, HRH Prince Tupouto'a, Honourable Prime Minister and all decision makers for allowing our heart to return to our beautiful Island Kingdom of Tonga. Dual Citizenship will no doubt bring happiness to all Tongans overseas.

Malo mo e hufaki - Longolongo‘aevalu