This paper explores the tensions played out between social groups in the Kingdom of Tonga and its overseas settlements, in relation to the democratisation of the homeland state.  Ethnographic detail pays attention to how the nobility – Tonga’s landed gentry – are responding to criticism that traditional leadership needs to politically reform.

The House thanks God that the king is still in good health, and the Monarch is still in control of the affairs of the country. We thank god for the assistance to Tonga

An opinion piece by Dr Brown Pulu

The Kingdom of Tonga was quick off the mark sponsoring deep sea mining companies for exploration licenses to the International Seabed Authority.  On the 11-15 March 2013 a regional workshop on deep sea minerals facilitated by the Secretariat for the Pacific Community was held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.  Fifteen Pacific Island states attended.  It was focused on state law and regulations, and enforcing compliances for safe mining and liability for seabed damage on the mining companies.  Tonga’s bill reading for a deep sea minerals act was scheduled for parliament in August 2013, but in the meantime, the state permitted companies to explore without the legislative framework.  In contrast to Melanesian states, the Kingdom of Tonga and deep sea minerals had not awoken an organised anti-mining movement from civil society and the general public.  Why was that?  And did this mean that Tonga’s experiences in a frontier commercial industry might travel a different course of development?

Acknowledging the work of the late Tongan professors, Futa Helu and Epeli Hau'ofa, this is the first in a series of four articles.Teena Brown Pulu revisits Helu's criticism of development in Tonga by framing interview conversations with Sefita Hao'uli, Kalafi Moala and Melino Maka in a Hau'ofastyled narrative that draws on satire and tongue-in-cheek prodding as a form of criticism. This is Tongan storytelling with a critical edge which will leave the reader much clearer about the convoluted circumstances and unpredictable politics driving development and democracy in the Kingdom of Tonga. Prelude to the textWhat on earth has moa'uli, literally translated as black chicken, got to do with Tongan relationship management? English language references to the millennium development