AGP Executive Report

Family and Immigration: New Zealand has paused plans to deport two Tongan children and their aunt after officers failed to review key details. The children’s older sister says they were frightened and did not understand what was happening. Rugby and Community: After Tonga’s 36–0 World Cup win over Lebanon, police urged fans in New Zealand to keep vehicle parades safe and celebrations within reasonable hours, respecting local residents. Climate Resilience: Tonga’s Community Development Trust has launched a 3.5-year Pacific programme supporting mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and resilient livelihoods in seven communities. Tongan Pride on the World Stage: BYU coach Kalani Sitake brought Tongan dance moves to a major US college football broadcast, while veteran Tonga playmaker Tui Lolohea is set to extend his national appearance record at the World Cup. Culture and Identity: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s new documentary explores family tensions, heritage and belonging; funeral director Fehia Tangitau is also raising awareness of Tongan and Samoan traditions in end-of-life care.

Family in Limbo: A deportation attempt involving two Tongan children, aged 8 and 10, has been paused after Immigration New Zealand admitted officers failed to check key details before detaining their aunt. The family is now fighting to stay. World Cup Celebrations: Police are urging fans to keep Tonga and Samoa rugby league celebrations within reasonable hours and avoid dangerous driving, while recognising the pride supporters bring to their communities. Community Resilience: Tonga’s new Pacific CIRCLE programme will work with seven communities on mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and climate-resilient livelihoods. Tongan Stories: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s new documentary explores family tensions and cultural identity; meanwhile, funeral director Fehia Tangitau is helping families honour Tongan and Samoan traditions when farewelling loved ones. Sport and Opportunity: Pacific rugby league leaders say the sport is creating hope and opportunities for girls and boys, with Tonga’s World Cup success drawing growing attention from fans.

World Cup Fever: Tonga’s rise is part of a Rugby League World Cup transformed by Pasifika support. Samoa’s 78–4 win over France drew 13,000 fans, while Tongan veteran Tui Lolohea is set to extend his record as the team’s most-capped player. Pacific Pathways: Rugby league is creating opportunities for girls and boys across the region, with women’s and men’s teams bringing Pacific talent to the fore. Cultural Identity: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s documentary Like Father Like Daughter explores family tensions, heritage and belonging through her relationship with her Tongan father. Care and Tradition: Tongan and Samoan funeral director Fehia Tangitau is helping funeral professionals better understand Polynesian customs and supporting families through grief. Worker Protections: A New Zealand court ruling confirms employers cannot charge overseas recruits job fees, a safeguard with particular relevance for Tongan workers in the seasonal employment scheme.

Pacific Rugby: Rugby league is creating opportunities for girls and boys across the region as the World Cup showcases Pacific teams. Tonga veteran Tui Lolohea is still adding to his legacy, set to earn a record 23rd cap. Tongan Stories on Screen: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s new documentary explores family tensions, heritage and cultural identity. Culture and Care: Tongan and Samoan funeral director Fehia Tangitau is helping families abroad honour their traditions and urging funeral professionals to listen with care. Education: USP’s Tonga graduation celebrated 199 graduates, with Pro-Chancellor Siosiua Utoikamanu urging them to use their learning to strengthen communities. Worker Protection: A landmark New Zealand court ruling confirms employers cannot charge overseas recruits job fees, including Tongan workers recruited from abroad.

Community Safety: A Tongan man deported from Australia has been jailed for 12 years for trying to establish a Comancheros chapter in Tonga. The sentencing judge described the move as an assault on Tongan society. Tonga Rugby: Veteran Tui Lolohea is set to extend his record as Tonga’s most-capped player, with his 23rd appearance against Lebanon following Tonga’s landmark win over England. Education: Women made up most of the 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s ceremony, where Tuvalu Governor-General Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma was installed as the university’s 34th Chancellor. Culture and Identity: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s documentary Like Father Like Daughter explores family tensions and her Tongan heritage. Migrant Workers: A New Zealand court has confirmed employers cannot charge overseas recruits fees for jobs, a ruling with direct relevance for Tongans in the seasonal work scheme.

Community Safety: A Tongan man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for establishing a Comancheros gang chapter, which the judge called an assault on Tongan society. Rugby League: Veteran Tui Lolohea is set to extend his record with a 23rd cap for Tonga against Lebanon, adding another chapter to his long career in the red jersey. Workers’ Rights: A New Zealand court has ruled that employers cannot charge overseas recruits job fees, even when payments are made abroad — a key protection for Tongan workers, including those in the seasonal employment scheme. Culture & Identity: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s new documentary explores family tensions, her Tongan heritage and the search for cultural identity. Health & Wellbeing: A regional project will train nurses and community champions in Tonga’s Hihifo district to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support. Education: Women were among the leading recipients at USP Tonga’s graduation, where 199 students received qualifications.

Pacific Development: ADB’s 2026–2030 plan includes Tonga, promising more flexible investment in climate resilience, infrastructure and essential services suited to island communities. Tongan Workers: A landmark New Zealand court ruling confirms overseas workers cannot be charged recruitment fees for New Zealand jobs, strengthening protections for Tongans in the seasonal work scheme. Culture on Screen: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s documentary Like Father Like Daughter explores family tensions, Tongan heritage and cultural identity at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Education: Women made up the majority of 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s graduation ceremony, where graduates were urged to use their skills to serve Pacific communities. Community Wellbeing: An upcoming mission in Hihifo will train nurses and community champions to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support. Rugby League: Tonga’s 30–12 win over England—their first ever—sent a powerful message at the World Cup and put the team in control of its group.

Tongan Identity: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s documentary Like Father Like Daughter explores family tensions, heritage and cultural belonging. Youth & Education: Kiwi-Tongan leader Louise Amelia Murphy says family support and early guidance can help Pasifika young people overcome language and education barriers. Workers’ Rights: A New Zealand court ruling confirms overseas workers cannot be charged recruitment fees for jobs there—a protection with direct relevance to Tongan seasonal workers. Community Wellbeing: A new mission in Tonga will train Hihifo nurses and community champions to recognise mental health needs and connect people with support. Pacific Leadership: USP’s Tonga graduation celebrated 199 graduates, with women making up most of the class. Sport & Heritage: Tonga’s 30–12 win over England marked its first victory over the rugby league powerhouse and a major moment for Mate Ma’a Tonga. Tonga also mourns singer ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose death is a loss to the country’s musical heritage.

Pasifika Education: Tongan youth leader Louise Amelia Murphy says language and cultural barriers should not limit young people’s ambitions, urging families and communities to support learners. Tongan Stories on Screen: Tongan American filmmaker Jacqueline Olivé’s documentary Like Father Like Daughter explores family tensions, Tongan heritage and cultural identity. Worker Protections: A New Zealand Employment Court ruling confirms overseas workers cannot be charged recruitment fees for New Zealand jobs—a significant safeguard for Tongans in the seasonal worker scheme. USP Graduation: Women made up nearly three-quarters of 199 graduates at the Tonga campus ceremony, where Tuvalu Governor-General Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma was installed as USP’s 34th Chancellor. Community Wellbeing: A regional project will train nurses and community champions in Tonga’s Hihifo district to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support. Sport and Heritage: Mate Ma’a Tonga’s historic 30–12 Rugby League World Cup win over England marks the team’s first victory over the side; Tonga also mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose work helped preserve the nation’s musical tradition.

Education: USP Tonga’s graduation celebrated 199 students, 145 of them women, and installed Tuvalu Governor-General Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma as the university’s 34th Chancellor. Pro-Chancellor Siosiua Utoikamanu urged graduates to use their education to create opportunities for others. Mental Health: The Ngalu Fānifo project is preparing training in Hihifo for nurses and community champions, strengthening culturally grounded support for families. Rugby League: Mate Ma’a Tonga made history with a 30–12 victory over England—the team’s first-ever win over the league powerhouse—while the rugby league community also marked 40 years of the national programme. Tongan Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose work helped carry the country’s musical traditions across generations. Faith and Culture: In Liverpool, young Tongan children shared song, dance and prayer through a ministry created to pass on both their faith and culture.

Tonga’s World Cup Moment: Mate Ma’a Tonga made history with a 30–12 win over England, their first victory over the rugby league powerhouse. The result caps four decades of community effort celebrated by the team’s 40th anniversary. Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of the 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s latest ceremony, earning qualifications across fields including education, law, business and engineering. Community Wellbeing: A new Ngalu Fānifo mission will train nurses and community champions in Hihifo to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support, using culturally grounded approaches. Musical Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose performances helped preserve the country’s beloved hiva kakala tradition. Faith and Culture: In Sydney, Tongan families marked their Catholic community’s 50th jubilee with a children’s ministry blending faith, Tongan-language learning and cultural connection.

Mental Health in Tonga: The Ngalu Fānifo project will train nurses and community champions in Hihifo to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support. Climate Storytelling: Solomon Islands’ award-winning data visualisation, Ripple, traces six major cyclones that affected Tonga and other Pacific nations from 2015 to 2024. Rugby Milestone: Mate Ma’a Tonga beat England 30–12 for their first-ever win over the rugby league powerhouse, a landmark moment for the team and its supporters. Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s latest ceremony. Musical Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose performances helped carry the country’s hiva kakala tradition across generations. Young Voices: Tongan student Soni Moala won a speech competition with a moving call for understanding of his two younger brothers with autism.

Community Wellbeing: A new Ngalu Fānifo mission will train nurses and community champions in Hihifo to recognise mental health concerns and connect families with support, building on trusted local knowledge. Rugby Milestone: Tonga’s 30–12 win over England is its first-ever victory over the rugby league powerhouse, a landmark for a team shaped by decades of community effort. Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of 199 USP Tonga graduates, who received qualifications across fields including education, law, agriculture and engineering. Cultural Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose performances helped preserve the country’s musical tradition. Women’s Health: A Pacific health advocate is urging bowel cancer screening from age 35 for Māori and Pacific people, saying earlier testing could save lives. Tongan Culture Abroad: Children in Sydney’s Little Saints Ministry are learning Catholic faith and Tongan culture through Sunday sessions in Tongan and English. Environmental Work: Friends of Tonga won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for community-led projects, including rainwater cisterns that have expanded water access across the kingdom.

Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s ceremony, with 145 women receiving qualifications. Rugby League: Tonga’s 30–12 defeat of England was its first-ever win over the side, a landmark result that puts Mate Ma’a Tonga firmly in the World Cup spotlight. The team’s 40-year milestone also honours the community effort behind its rise. Culture: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose performances helped preserve the country’s musical heritage. Identity and Rights: Tongan survivor Filipo Katavake-McGrath has described being subjected to conversion practices as a child, as debate continues in New Zealand over the law banning them. Travel: The US Embassy in Suva warns Tongan applicants that travelling to the United States primarily to give birth and secure citizenship for a child is not permitted under visitor visa rules.

Rugby League: Tonga made history with a 30–12 win over England at the World Cup, their first victory over the European side. The triumph follows Mate Ma’a Tonga’s celebration of 40 years of rugby league, built on decades of community effort. Tongan players’ representative Felise Kaufusi is also pushing for fairer World Cup pay, after learning other nations’ players receive far less than Australia’s. Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of 199 graduates at USP Tonga’s latest ceremony, earning qualifications across fields including education, law, agriculture and engineering. Cultural Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, whose performances helped carry the country’s hiva kakala tradition across generations. Identity and Faith: Tongan survivor Filipo Katavake-McGrath has spoken about conversion practices he endured as a child, describing the clash between church teachings and his understanding of fakaleiti. Community: Friends of Tonga received a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental work, including rainwater cisterns and community-led climate resilience projects.

Rugby League: Tonga made history with a 30-12 win over England at the World Cup, their first victory over the European powerhouse. Haumole Olakau’atu scored twice as Tonga’s defence held firm under pressure. Education: Women made up nearly three-quarters of USP Tonga’s 199 graduates, with 145 women receiving qualifications across fields including law, education and engineering. Cultural Heritage: Tonga mourns singer and ukulele player ʻElenoa Bloomfield, who died aged 84. Her performances helped preserve the country’s hiva kakala musical tradition. Community: Mate Ma’a Tonga marked 40 years of rugby league, celebrating the administrators, players and supporters whose efforts helped build the sport’s success. Identity and Faith: Tongan survivor Filipo Katavake-McGrath has spoken about childhood conversion practices and the clash between church teachings and his understanding of fakaleiti identity. Environment: Friends of Tonga has won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for its community-led work, including rainwater cisterns and climate resilience projects.