Tongan MP

Mr Pohiva, the eldest son of the late prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, narrowly won the by-election for his father's former Tongatapu One constituency.

Sioasi Pohiva defeated scientist Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua by just 16 votes.

The win was an assurance that people still wanted to see a more democratic Parliament and more political reform, he said.

Mr Pohiva wanted to see the power of the nobility reduced, but he did not necessarily want their seats in Parliament to go.

He said there were several options available.

The re-elected member for Vavau 16, Akosita Lavulavu, said there had been an increase in Chinese nationals purchasing land from Tongans in rural areas for the purposes of growing kava.

She said in some cases landowners on Vavau are being offered $US50,000 up-front for ten year leases of their land.

"Kava is one of the main sources of income for our people, especially the very grassroots people this is where we make our money."

RNZ reports 'Akosita Lavulavu was responding to a question about the public criticism of the lack of progress in Tonga's mostly commoner government, the kingdom's first since democratic reforms in 2008.

Mrs Lavulavu said the government is only halfway through its term and still has time to achieve its policy goals.