NZ told to get off the fence over Tonga

Tonga's leading democracy campaigner, Akilisi Pohiva, has called on New Zealand to stop sitting on the fence after an MPs' inquiry avoided direct criticism of the troubled kingdom.

Mr Pohiva, a veteran MP who gave evidence to the foreign affairs select committee inquiry, told the Herald that New Zealand needed to take a moral stand and speak out about problems in Tonga.

The committee has released its report as a civil servants' strike over pay in Tonga enters its third week.

High school students and healthcare and education workers are reported to have joined the strike, the fourth this year.

The decision by New Zealand's foreign affairs committee to avoid a spat with Tonga was not unexpected despite continuing concerns about corruption, both within the Government and the royal family, and the lack of democracy there.

Instead, adopting a cautious diplomatic tone, the committee has noted there are troubles but stepped back from any real dabbling in Tonga's internal affairs.

"We consider that the impetus for any change must come from within Tonga; it is not New Zealand's role to force change on Tonga," the report says.

"It is a sovereign country and changes to meet the aspirations of the Tongan community must be instigated by the Tongan people themselves."

The committee ruled out tying development aid to democratic reforms.

Progressive MP Matt Robson, who lobbied for the review, yesterday said the issuing of the report - no matter how watered down - was better than doing nothing.

"The New Zealand Government can either continue to turn a blind eye to the lack of democracy or the feathering of the nests of a few, but it is now on record that Tonga has problems. It has economic problems, it has social problems. It won't move forward until it gets democracy."

The inquiry began last year and had as its official terms of reference a review of aid, military and trade relationships.

Mr Pohiva, who told the committee last year that individual acts of violence could not be ruled out as campaigners sought greater democracy, said he would not support New Zealand interfering directly in Tonga's Government.

But it was time Australia and New Zealand spoke openly about the problems facing Tonga.

"They could say something; make a moral stand. There is great injustice."

The report says the inquiry was established in part because of concerns within the Tongan community about democratic reform, and amid issues such as reduced press freedoms and the economic and political rule of Tonga by a small elite.

It made 17 recommendations, centred on improving Tonga's trading capacity and market access.

Recommendations

NZ Aid should help to strengthen customs procedures in Tonga to prevent corruption.

NZ Aid should increase its own reporting to ensure aid is beneficial.

Public sector reform in Tonga could be helped by New Zealand.

The Government supports Tonga's Government to facilitate democratic change.

That could be achieved by co-operation in the judiciary, public service and legislative assembly.

Ensure better co-operation to meet immigration quota targets.

That NZ and Tonga foster contacts between judges of the two countries.

Agencies here should seek out increased trade opportunities for Tonga.