Let the Tongan people decide their own future, ‘Ulukalala replies to NZ [1]
Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 11:00. Updated on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 - 14:23.
From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.
By Pesi Fonua
Tonga’s Prime Minister announced on February 14 that there was a serious turn in Tonga’s relationship with New Zealand in the wake of unsubstantiated accusations made by New Zealand’s foreign ministry.
The Prime Minister Prince ‘Ulukālala Lavaka Ata believed that a New Zealand Ministerial attack which ridiculed the Tongan government and Tonga’s Royal family was an attempt to influence Tonga’s March General Election, and “to take the moral high ground, to say they are holier than us, and to dictate to other countries what New Zealand wants”.
Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata was responding to the accusations at a press conference he called in Nuku‘alofa:
HRH Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata: This morning I called the Acting New Zealand High Commissioner in to see me in my office. I wanted clarification on the New Zealand government’s views on what has been said in the Press in New Zealand and overseas. (See page 17).
I was reassured that what the Minister, Mr Goff was quoted as saying was accurate, and that was the New Zealand government’s views, but not necessarily what Mr Robson said.
I think it is a rather serious turn in our relationship with New Zealand, which has been one of our partners in the past.
This is because of the ridicule, not only of the government of Tonga but also of the Royal Family, and raises some questions as to the attempt by some governments to influence Tonga’s election by increasing these negative reports about Tonga in the Press.
What is happening internally in Tonga should remain subject to Tongan laws and the Constitution. We have our own Constitution, and New Zealand has its own Constitution. Although there are other countries, like New Zealand who would like Tonga to become more like them, I think that is a matter for the law and the Tongan people to decide, but not to be dictated to by other foreign governments.
Is Tonga going to take any action against New Zealand because of what has been said?
I think we have taken an action by trying to clarify what they said. I would just like to say that in the past it has always been the policy to discuss these things with the other aid partners, and we have always done this every year when it is due for review. So that is something that is up to New Zealand what they want to do. As you know we have New Zealand consultants at the moment to review the civil service, that is something that New Zealand is helping us with.
New Zealand contributes quite a lot, yes, but don’t be under any illusion that they do this for our good. For example, the dumping of mutton flaps, not good for human consumption in New Zealand, not even fit for their pets. They dump it in the Tongan market, and it is hardly very healthy for us to eat. But we are looking at these things and we are trying to promote a healthier diet for the Tongan people.
New Zealand is a member of the Pacific Forum. The kind of comments that came from the New Zealand Foreign Service, are they against any working relationship policy between Forum countries?
In the past it was easier because there was a lot of interaction between South Pacific Island countries, including Australia and New Zealand. I think now there is new leadership not only in New Zealand and Australia but also in Pacific Island countries, there is a high turn over of leaders with less chance of getting to know each other, and understanding not only each others’ policies but other leaders as human beings. I was told when Winston
Churchill was asked to define a gentleman, he said that, “a gentleman is someone who does not insult you, intentionally”. But I think the Tongan government has shown a lot of understanding, but perhaps it is time to speak up…we are just as sensitive as any other people, any other government.
Is this serious enough to shave the relationship between the two countries?
I think that is another stage, this is just the beginning, but depending on what their reactions are. But at the moment I doubt there is going to be a shaving of relationships. I firmly believe in engagement. I don’t think New Zealand is going to move away from Tonga and nor are we going to move away from them, we are stuck here and geography is something that we can’t change.
We have a very long relationship with them, we have a link with them in education and trade, and they are one of our big trade partners. We have a military relationship with them, which goes back a long way. We have many interests in common. But obviously there will be diversions in certain policies and interests, commercial or otherwise between States.
You mentioned before that one of the reasons for these statements from New Zealand was to have an influence on the outcome of the Tongan election?
That is one of the reasons.
Are there any other reasons?
It is just another way of them trying to take the moral high ground, to say that they are holier than us; to dictate to other countries what they want.
What has angered the New Zealand government? Is it similar to the pressure a few years ago when the former Soviet Union approached Tonga to set up a fishing port here? New Zealand was not happy about it, but then after Tonga turned down the Russian offer, New Zealand welcomed the Russians to establish a fishing port in New Zealand?
The former Soviet Union offered to extend Tonga’s Fua‘amotu International Airport in return for allowing them to establish a fishing post here.
[There is] Our recent gain of sovereignty over our air space, but that does not fit in, because we have given the air service contract to a New Zealand company.
What will be the next step in trying to find a solution to this impasse?
Engagement and talking, and depending on what New Zealand is going to do. They are the ones who talk about cutting aid to Tonga, and they have the right to do that.
So who is going to make the next move?
I think the ball is in their court.
Matt Robson said that corruption is endemic in Tonga? Is there an example?
No, they did not give any details. I would like to know so that we can take some action on that.
Are they going to give you any details?
I would encourage them to give me details, just like how I would encourage Mr Pohiva to give us details of where these $350 million dollars are. New Zealand damaged their relationship with Fiji quite a lot by making these types of comments. It took a lot of effort on their part to rectify that.