Kalino Latu

14 hours ago | kanivatonga.co.nz | Kalino Latu

Tonga will observe toumoloto ‘o e fuka’, a traditional practice of lowering flags to half-mast as a sign of respect, on Saturday, April 26, in honour of the late Pope Francis. The Cabinet confirmed the national tribute during a media briefing yesterday, reflecting the Kingdom’s deep reverence for the departed pontiff.

1 day ago | kanivatonga.co.nz | Kalino Latu

Minister of Public Enterprises, Piveni Piukala, has expressed growing frustration over the lack of transparency surrounding the construction of approximately 60 prefabricated houses built for last year’s Pacific Islands Forum. Officials have yet to provide a detailed report on the project’s costs, contractors, and future use. It follows the Auditor General’s report last week, which stated he found no receipts or records of how the $60 million Covid fund was spent.

1 day ago | kanivatonga.co.nz | Kalino Latu

Commentary – The former Prime Minister’s insistence that no COVID-19 funds are missing, despite the Auditor-General’s finding of no receipts or records for $60 million in expenditures, is a deeply flawed argument that raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in governance. At its core, this claim appears to be an attempt to deflect responsibility rather than address the glaring failure to document how taxpayer money was spent during a national crisis.

1 day ago | kanivatonga.co.nz | Kalino Latu

The late Pope is being remembered for his groundbreaking efforts to promote cultural diversity within the Catholic Church, including the historic appointment of the first Cardinal from Tonga in the Pacific.  For centuries, the highest positions in the Church, including the College of Cardinals, were dominated by European clergy—a tradition that began to shift under his leadership.  Dr Felise Tāvō, a Tongan scholar and former priest, reflected on the significance of the late Pontiff’s legacy.

3 days ago | kanivatonga.co.nz | Kalino Latu

A violent confrontation erupted in a local restaurant, apparently in Tonga, and spilled onto the streets after a furious man attacked another, accusing him of having an affair with his wife. The chaotic scene was captured in two separate viral videos, sparking widespread discussion online. The first clip shows a man suddenly punching another patron inside what appears to be a restaurant. A woman can be seen trying to intervene as the aggressor continues his assault.