FROM OUR ARCHIVES: The saying today in Tonga that some people can get away with million dollar day-light robberies, while others may be sent to jail for stealing the neighbour’s chicken, is very true if you look at what has been happening during the past few months. The March parliamentary election has stretched some people’s imaginations to the limit so that they do things that an ordinary bible-carrying, big ta'ovala wearing Tongan would not do, which is simply cheating in order to get a few votes. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
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Results for politics
Friday 18 March 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Now that the historical 2005 parliamentary general election is over, the next question is who will gain the Grace and Favour of the Royal Family to become Cabinet Ministers? Four ministers are to be selected this year from the new Nobles' and People's Representatives. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
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Friday 18 February 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As we are getting closer to Tonga's 2005 Parliamentary General Election on March 17 the idea of political change is still the popular campaign issue, and it is clearer now that we are looking at three different proposals, or models of government. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 6 January 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There is an urgent need for Tonga to take a decisive action in 2005 on how to move forward with its economic and political reform programs. Editor's comment by Pesi Fonua.
Thursday 30 December 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Generations from now, Tongans will repeat those sentiments, over and over again, as they commemorate 10 November 2004, as the date when HM King Taufaha'au Tupou IV, gave his people the ultimate gift - a role in the selection of some of his Cabinet Ministers, and thus acknowledging that they have an integral role to play in the democratic governance of the Kingdom of Tonga. By Lopeti Senituli
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Monday 13 December 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When the world, and Tonga, commemorated Human Rights Day on December 10, the USA, the world's only Super Power, in leading its war against terrorism declared that weak and authoritarian states are a threat to the United States. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Tuesday 23 November 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Proposals for votes for 18 year olds, for the establishment of a Department of Youth, and for a National Youth Policy, were among seven proposals made by the 2004 session of the Tonga Youth Parliament that ended on November 19. The 2004 session of the Tonga Youth Parliament ended on November 19 with seven proposals including a resolution proposing that Government establish a separate Department for Youth.
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Friday 12 November 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On November 10 King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and his Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, made a historical decision to appoint four new Cabinet Ministers from the 18 members of parliament who will be elected in the General Election in February 2005. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.
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Tuesday 30 December 2003
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Reaching out to Tongan women to explain their rights, and to help eliminate discrimination against them, is the aim of a newly formed women’s working group. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.
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Friday 24 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Disregarding strong public protests and the opposition of People's Representatives, the Tongan Government pushed through a bill for Constitutional change on October 16. The changes, which have yet to be signed into law by the king, will allow government to control freedom of speech. The 16 members who voted in favour of the controversial Bill were: Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, James Cecil Cocker, William Clive Edwards, Dr Masasso T. Paunga, Dr Viliami Ta'u Tangi, Fielakepa, Siosiua Tupou 'Utoikamanu, 'Aisea Havea Taumoepeau, Paula Sunia Bloomfield, Tuita, Malupo, 'Akau'ola, Fohe, Nuku, Havea Tu'iha'angana, and Tu'i'afitu.
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Thursday 2 October 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The controversy over the proposal by government to amend Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution, giving government the right to make laws to control Freedom of Speech and the media, is dividing the country. Government is not going to win respect by changing the laws, simply because it has been losing its court cases against its critics. We are at the cross roads, in an unfamiliar Twilight Zone. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua (From our Archives 2003).
Wednesday 3 September 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although public reaction is heating up to a Tonga government move to control Freedom of Speech by changing Clause 7 of the island kingdom's 127 year old Constitution, few people yet realise the enormous and serious implications of what that change might mean. Objections so far have been based on the glaring illegality of the change, but there is more to it than that. By Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 1 August 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Development should be regarded as a synthesis of many good things that can be found in all cultures not just in western culture, believes Tonga's 'Okusitino Mahina. by Linny Folau.
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Tuesday 30 January 2001
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
While there were apparently equal job opportunities for women in Tonga, women still remained under-represented at the highest levels of government.
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Saturday 26 September 1998
Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
With regards, to our declining economy, and the proposals that have been put forward for a recovery package, it appears that it will take a major crisis to turn these proposals into actions, because they are all tied up in a phenomena known in Tonga as, “fu‘u lahi ‘a e politiki”, or “too much politicking”. By Pesi Fonua. From Magazine Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 3, October 1998.
