No reason was offered by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku today over why he had resigned his defence portfolio. He said his conversation with King Tupou VI on the matter was “private”. However, at a media conference this afternoon, following the announcement that Cabinet Minister Fekita 'Utoikamanu had also resigned her Foreign Affairs and Tourism portfolios, he revealed that his former Minister of Foreign Affairs is being sued by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (the Lord Privy Seal).
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Results for Politics
Thursday 4 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wednesday 27 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Privy council will meet with King Tupou VI in Vava'u, tomorrow, Thursday 28 March. Members of the Privy Council are gathering in Neiafu today, ahead of the meeting.
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Monday 25 March 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister's Office today has not addressed a rumour, circulated on social media at the weekend, that the Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku had resigned as Minister of His Majesty's Armed Forces, and likewise, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism.
Friday 8 March 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and members of the Cabinet sought an audience with King Tupou VI at the remote island of Niuafo'ou, yesterday, 7 March, following weeks of uncertainty after the King withdrew his confidence and consent to the appointment of two cabinet ministers, Minister of His Majesty's Armed Forces Hon, Hu'akavameiliku, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu.
Wednesday 7 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Following Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku’s decision to retain his Foreign Minister this week, after King Tupou VI in Privy Council withdrew his consent to her appointment, some unanswered questions have been raised about how much power the Monarchy actually possesses over the Kingdom’s foreign policy decisions.
Tuesday 6 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Cabinet is refuting an order by King Tupou VI to revoke the appointments of three Ministerial portfolios. Cabinet told the King yesterday that the two Ministers concerned would continue in their roles as Ministers of His Majesty's Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Tonga's Prime Minister is in New Zealand undergoing medical treatment.
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Monday 5 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
News today, that King Tupou VI has initiated steps to remove the portfolios from two government ministers, has raised more questions than answers. In the firing line are the Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu.
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Wednesday 15 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Parliament passed the 2022-2023 annual budget yesterday June 14. Totalling $764.7 million Pa'anga, it is the Kingdom’s largest ever annual budget.
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Friday 13 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Government will respect the decisions of the courts on electoral petitions, the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, stated today after the Supreme Court voided the election of his Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Poasi Tei this morning. The PM made his statement after the May 16 date set by the Speaker for unseating members, in line with the court decisions, was deferred today “until further notice”.
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Thursday 11 November 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There are now 73 remaining, out of the initial 75 candidates registered in Tonga’s General Election scheduled for November 18. One man died, while the other withdrew his candidacy, both from Tongatapu 2 constituency.
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Thursday 22 July 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Limited “public hearings” organised by a Parliamentary Standing Committee will be held today and tomorrow at undisclosed locations for registered attendees to talk about a new “Tonga Sports and Recreation Bill 2021”. The bill proposes an Act that, critics argue, will give government new powers to direct activities of independent national sports associations, and give politicians more control over how funding for sports is used.
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Friday 9 July 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A close relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Tonga People’s Party, led by Prime Minister Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa, was revealed at a reception to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China, at the Chinese Embassy last night, 8 July. By Pesi Fonua
Monday 14 December 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Minister of Justice and Deputy PM, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia, resigned from Cabinet on Friday, 11 December, according to a reliable government source. The resignation comes during a political leadership upheaval, with a letter to parliament last week for a Vote of No Confidence against the Prime Minister.
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Saturday 25 April 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The resistance of the late Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva to the ideas of formalizing his party and establishing a succession plan, has led to a falling apart of the Paati Temokalati ‘Otumotu Anga‘ofa (PATOA), and the closing of a chapter in Tonga's Democratic Reform process. By Pesi Fonua.
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Sunday 27 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Former Prime Minister, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi is optimistic that Tonga’s political reform program can proceed, following the change of government on 27 September. “Let's make the reform work,” he said.
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Saturday 31 August 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's ailing Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva (78) has a paramount concern: the succession of his leadership. He now faces opposition to the government he has headed since the elections of November 2014. There is rivalry and turmoil. He feels challenged. The reform is not what he imagined. He warns of clashes. Matangi Tonga Editor, Pesi Fonua talks to the Prime Minister about why, nine years after the reform, the PM remains at odds with the new system that parliament voted for in 2009.
Tuesday 9 April 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An urgent bill pushed by Cabinet last month – the National Spatial Planning And Management (Amendment) Bill 2019 – aims to replace the King’s authority in appointing the ‘Planning Tribunal’ which adjudicates appeals filed by applicants against decisions made by the National Spatial Planning Authority, a body that assesses and approves draft plans of land/development projects.
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Wednesday 27 March 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva today expressed relief that King Tupou VI did not dissolve the Tonga Legislative Assembly and call for new elections again, as requested by Petitioners. “I totally support His Majesty in Council’s decision,” he stated.
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Monday 25 February 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s tense and conflicting politics were exposed when three petitions were presented to the HM King Tupou VI on 18 February, with a call to not only dissolve parliament, but also to establish a Royal Commission to investigate alleged wrong doings by government; and to appoint a caretaker government. Last week the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, responded by calling the petitions “trouble making”.
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Monday 18 February 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three Petitions with over 10,000 signatures calling for King Tupou VI to dissolve the Tongan Parliament and establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Pohiva government, were presented to the Palace Office in Nuku'alofa this afternoon, 18 February. By Pesi Fonua
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