The call for Tongans to be sensible and to select parliamentary representatives who will use their money wisely, is a message that we have heard repeatedly since the first election under our new system of government that was introduced in 2010. Campaigning is underway for the upcoming General Election on November 18, 2021, which will be the fourth General Election under our so-called “More Democratic System of Government”. But most interestingly, after 11 years, we find ourselves still living in Disneyland, with politicians promoting many different interpretations of the system of government and encouraging everyone to go along for the ride. By Pesi Fonua
You are here
Results for Editorials
Sunday 26 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thursday 13 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Isn't it unusual that there has not been a sitting of Parliament to welcome in a change of government, formed under a new Prime Minister in October last year? - Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.
Friday 24 January 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Next year, on 4 January 2021, it will be a decade since Tonga's Democratisation Reform initiative was launched, on what turned out to be an inauspicious date. Although the reform was launched nine years ago, Tonga remains deeply uncertain on a number of issues that are fundamental to cementing the reform, such as the political structure and the economic system that we, as a nation, want to put into place to drive forward our Democratization Reform. By Pesi Fonua
Tuesday 31 December 2019
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As 2019 comes to a close, there is hope for a better year in 2020. There is also hope in the long term for a better future for the Kingdom of Tonga, a heavily indebted and aid dependent nation, struggling with an NCD crisis, poverty and an illicit drugs problem - not to mention the impending threat from climate change. Most of Tonga’s future workforce and leaders will be the output of the education system that exists now, an education system that appears to be flawed and broken. By Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Monday 21 May 2018
2 comments
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The composition of Tonga's Cabinet and Parliament remains in the most disordered state we have witnessed since the nation embarked on a democratic reform process in 2010. While uncertainties remain in the forefront, the big task ahead for cabinet and parliament is the National Annual Budget to be passed before 1 July. For historical reasons, this year it's no ordinary budget.
Premium content
Tuesday 3 April 2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Editor would like to clarify a statement in our article entitled "PM’s Cabinet incomplete". The statement was contained in a report of a Press Conference with the Prime Minister on March 23. We audio-recorded the press conference.
Friday 10 November 2017
3 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
What kind of government would Tongans like to have working for them following the 16 November election? It's evident that the new government, to be formed by the end of this year, has an enormous challenge ahead, because our elected leaders need to rescue Tonga from a “free-fall” situation that we have found ourselves in, after seven years under a reformed system that has not met the public's expectations. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
Sunday 29 October 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The outcome of Tonga's November 16 General Election could be a game changer for the slow-moving democratic parliamentary reform that was begun in 2010. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
Premium content
Monday 16 October 2017
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With Tonga only weeks away from a snap General Election, the Tonga government is taking full control of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, in a move that has annihilated its right to function as an honest Public Broadcaster. Its two most senior journalists have been ordered out of the newsroom and into a corner. By Pesi Fonua
Sunday 3 September 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The dissolution of the Tongan Parliament by HM King Tupou VI on August 24 is a wake up call for Tongans to return their focus to Tonga's modern democratisation process. Since a move to speed up the democratic reform process was initiated in 2010, social and political progress has faltered in an increasingly unsettled and disruptive political environment. By Pesi Fonua
Premium content
Friday 10 March 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI) in power, Tonga has to restructure its political system. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Friday 13 January 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The inaugural declaration by the UN General Assembly for 2017 as the first International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a great incentive for Tonga and a time for some serious reflection on why we are failing to build a more sustainable tourism industry - one that can prosper and create more jobs. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
Premium content
Friday 4 November 2016
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
What has happened to the Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva and his government? It's a question that many people have been asking after the Tongan Parliament ended its 2016 session on Thursday, 27 October.
Premium content
Thursday 31 December 2015
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A year after Tonga’s second democratically elected government came into power at the end of December 2014, Tongan politics is stuck in the doldrums. The repetition by PM Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva that his government has the will to "take action" guided by the high moral principles of "good leadership, rule of law - justice for all and the fair distribution of national wealth," so far, are just hot air. The difference between what has been said and what has happened, speaks for itself. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Thursday 22 October 2015
3 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga government’s foreign relations, its education system and its stance on the rule of law are issues that have suddenly confronted the public with mass confusion during the past few days. The authorities must now clarify where we stand or risk further loss of credibility. Editor’s Comment by Pesi Fonua
Friday 28 August 2015
2 comments
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When the Prime Minister told the House this week that the Reserve Bank should tell the commercial banks to reduce their interest rates and to reduce their profit to not more than $2 million pa’anga per annum - one wonders if the Prime Minister had discussed the issue with his Minister of Finance? Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Tuesday 10 March 2015
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
“How is the new government?” It's a question that most Tongans and people interested in the region are asking these days. Editor’s Comment by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Wednesday 12 November 2014
4 comments
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongan voters will be put on the spot on November 27 to elect a new government that could save the country from its current economic downward spiral, and to start a recovery process that will restore the trust and confidence of the people in the system of government that was implemented in 2010. Until we fully understand how our system works, and why it doesn't work, we will continue to struggle. Editor's comment, by Pesi Fonua
Premium content
Friday 17 January 2014
1 comment
Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Eleven months from now, in November 2014 Tongans will go to the polls to elect new members of parliament. As Tongans are preparing to pick their teams to find solutions to Tonga's many problems, it is important to look at some of the immediate challenges that are confronting Tonga’s More-Democratically-Elected Government (MDE). Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,
Monday 14 October 2013
1 comment
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga needs leadership to develop its economy - leadership with a vision to free itself from relying on aid donors to prop-up its struggling economy. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
Premium content
