New Zealand supporters of the Tongan political party, PTOA, say the Tonga Advisory Council is trying to drag them through the mud.
Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa. Photo: Tonga government
On Wednesday, the chair of the Council announced he'd asked New Zealand police to investigate social media threats to kill the Tongan prime minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa and former MP Etuate Lavulavu.
Melino Maka said he approached police after he had been contacted by upset members of Auckland's Tongan community.
Mr Maka alleged there had been bitter criticism and threats on social media from members of the PTOA party in New Zealand.
PTOA is the democratic party that had been led by former prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva until his death in September.
Chair of NZ's Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka Photo: tonganz.net
It lost power when Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa won the subsequent election.
However, the Kaniva website reports the person allegedly behind the media posts is not in the party, while it quotes other online users saying the comments were made in jest.
It also quotes a spokesman for PTOA, Sione 'Eniketi Taufa, questioning the right of Mr Maka to speak on behalf of Tongans in New Zealand.