From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.

It was success at last for Koliniasi Afuha’amango (72), the newly elected Vava’u People’s Representative to the Tongan Legislative Assembly, taking over from William Harris, the Vava’u No. One People’s Representative who died last year.

Koli is entering the House after a long association with Tongan politics. “I have been a candidate for every election during the past 24 years. There were eight parliamentary elections, and two by-elections for Vava’u. So even though I was not a Member of Parliament, but I was deeply involved in Tongan politics during those years.”

Koli said he was offering nothing new. “It is the same message that I started with 24 years ago. I stand for the people to participate more in the decision-making process of government. There is nothing new about it, Tuku’aho did it, and so did Tupou I. The present king, I feel has too much veto power, but I am definitely not trying to overthrow the Monarchy—as some are telling the people,” he said.