Hon Tu’i’onetoa has come under fire after his government was accused of designing the tendering process for its multi-million roading project so the contracts would be given to three of his friends.
All the tenders have been awarded to companies with links of varying strength to the government, a conflict of interest that would raise red flags in Australia and New Zealand.
Hon Tu’i’onetoa won the vote of 13 noble and Cabinet legislators. Nine MPs from the PTOA Party voted against the Prime Minister.
Hon Tu’i’onetoa, the second commoner elected in September 2019 to lead the country since 2010 political reforms, has been prime minister for just over a year now.
Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.
Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.
