Many Tongans, including some in the media, do not fully understand the purpose and the objectives of National Committee for Political Reform (NCPR).

The fact that many people are still muddled over the NCPR objectives is the major finding so far by the NCPR, who are halfway through a national Talanoa Program.

At a Press Conference on Thursday, April 27, the deputy chairman of NPCR, Dr Sitiveni Halapua answered critics who charge that the committee should restrict their Talanoa only to political issues and not meddle with social and economical issues.

He stressed that the purpose and the objectives of the committee was to receive and consider submissions, hold consultations, and facilitate talanoa relating to political and constitutional reforms and to recommend legislation, "and other changes with a view to building national unity and promoting the social and economic advancement of the people of Tonga."

Critics

Prince Tu'ipelehake the chairman of the committee, which was established by parliament last year and has been endorsed by government and financed by Australia and New Zealand, pleaded with critics give his committee a chance. He vehemently denied allegations that they had a hidden political agenda.

With regards to the issue of committee membership, Prince Tu'ipelehake said that 'Akilisi Pohiva had been moved to an alternative member status and Fineasi Funaki had been promoted from being an alternative member to an active member.

Since February the NPCR has been conducting their Talanoa throughout the outer islands, of Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the outer islands of Tongatapu, - 'Eueiki and 'Atata.

Prince Tu'ipelehake said they would start their Talanoa program in Tongatapu during the first week of May, then they will move on to New Zealand, Australia and the USA during June. He expected that the committee would present their report and recommendation in August, and then to parliament soon after.