Regionalism debate becoming contentious
As Fiji threatens not to attend the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting in PNG and Australia postpones a planned summit of leaders, Kalafi Moala probes the regionalism debate.
More from Kalafi Moala
This author has written 34 articles
Keeping an eye on the elites
Kalafi Moala examines the mix of traditional and emerging elites who shape our societies. He argues that emerging elitism takes advantage of the existing traditional socio-cultural structures to keep the majority of the populace in strict adherence to the status quo.
The pro-democracy movement rises again
'Akilisi Pohiva is the first commoner to become Tonga's Prime Minister. Kalafi Moala argues that Pohiva's election is of historical significance at this juncture of Tonga’s march into a full democracy as he holds hope for a new Tonga - a small nation that must change in every sphere of development.
Tonga’s new constitution is the worst in the Commonwealth
Tonga’s judicial reform has proven to be flawed, unworkable and autocratic in structure. It should serve as a caution to other Pacific nations who are going through their own reform activities, particularly in relation to the Judiciary, writes Kalafi Moala.
Exchanging Minerva for the Lau Islands – a geopolitical joke
Nobody seriously proposed that Tonga give up Minerva Reef in exchange for Fiji's Lau islands. It was a political joke, culturally and appropriately funny, especially when his remarks were directed at a Fijian reporter who lives in Tonga, writes Kalafi Moala.
The Chinese are here to stay
A new mindset needs to be introduced into the ongoing conversations about China and the Chinese in Oceania. Pacific governments need to carve out their own ‘China policy’ based on a new mindset, free of the traditional development biases, writes Kalafi Moala.