The Tongan church leaders’ committee in New Zealand is planning to protest alongside former Tongan army personnel in Auckland against what they believe are plans for a casino in the kingdom.
They will join a call for Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva to stop any move by his government to allow a casino to be built in Tonga.
In a strongly worded letter, the protestors have told the government it has welcomed the devil into Tonga.
But there is confusion about whether the devil really is coming to the island kingdom, with different reports saying the casino has been approved, is pending or has been rejected.
Requests for confirmation from the government have gone unanswered.
Protestors said Minister of Finance Tevita Lavemaau was reported by Radio and Television Tonga as saying the government was going back on its decision to reject an application by an American gambling company to establish a casino in Tonga.
Reports last week quoted Radio Tonga as reporting that Mr Lavemaau had said the government had only approved a development proposal, which would see hotels constructed in Tongatapu and Vava’u.
It is understood this was the second time the request by the Native American-owned casino and its Tongan partners had been rejected.
Casino and other forms of gambling are illegal in Tonga.
But Friday afternoon, RNZ quoted Radio Tonga as reporting claims by Havea Gatti, one of the directors of Tavake Tamafua, the company making the application, as saying they were near to completing the conditions required for a license.
The company claimed Mr Lavemaau had written to them saying that government supported the initiative to establish a casino and would grant an exclusive right under conditions to build in Tonga within the next two years.
He conceded regulations still needed to be changed before a license was granted.
Requests for confirmation from the Custom and Revenue Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office have gone unanswered.
During a meeting in Onehunga, Auckland, Friday afternoon members of the Tākanga ‘A e Kau Takilotu Tonga ‘o Aotearoa agreed unanimously to back the move by the Tongan Ex-Army Association in New Zealand to submit a letter to Mr Pohiva after he arrived in New Zealand on Saturday.
They agreed to support the move as a peaceful protest for the betterment of Tonga.
The letter said many Tongans in New Zealand fell into serious social and moral trouble because of gambling.
It said gamblers had lost their property, rejected religion, robbed and experienced marital problems.
“The government had welcomed a devil to stay in Tonga,” the letter said.
“This devil will destroy and consume everything in the nation, but it will never have enough.”
The church leaders formally agreed that Rev. Tevita Finau of the Methodist Church will join the group that will be allowed to meet with the prime Minister in ‘Atalanga this week.
They also agreed to formally respond and reply in support to the ex-servicemen’s letter.
Church leaders from the Bahai faith, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Free Wesleyan Church Upper Room, Tonga Methodist of New Zealand and the Tonga Advisory Council were represented at the meeting this afternoon.
The letter was presented by Patron of the Tongan Former Army in New Zealand Rev Tevita Iloa Tuʻineau, Chairman Tamale Faleafa, Deputy Chairman Feleti Fonua and Campaigner Sionetosi Kelekolio Tapueluelu.