‘Akilisi Pōhiva was already well known in Tonga when, in 1987, he was elected to the Fale Alea. His monthly radio programme Matalafo Laukai or Voices of Concern had ensured that. It was first broadcast in March 1981, giving voice to the infant democracy movement. Much of the movement was based around faikava. Pōhiva saw value in a radio programme on A3Z Radio Tonga. With Bishop Finau and Free Wesleyan Church president Sione ‘Amanaki Havea on the programme, Pōhiva produced what he had hoped was an acceptable Tongan political, social and economic discussion. Havea and Finau worried about the potential to cause discontent, but felt Matalafo Laukai could provide the public with the right to know what was going on. They used metaphors to avoid causing any offence. Broadcast twice a month, its format and issues proved popular.
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