According to the Herald on Sunday the Police opposed the granting of bail because of concerns Mr Taione would reoffend and that according to the anti-terrorist Police Threat Assesment Unit his safety was at risk. The Threat Assesment Unit handle threats to foreign dignatories. A 1999 Ministry of Justice Report says the Threat Assesment Unit takes part in the:

'Collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of intelligence on activist groups and potential threat nationally and internationally. Management of dossiers on activist groups and persons

He told Herald on Sunday reporters that supporters of the Tongan King were patrolling the streets around the King's residence just minutes after his fence crash. Two of Mr Taione's supporters said that they saw men in a late model car with guns which parked behind the crowd who had come to cheer the protest on. Mr Taione's partner claims one of the men in the car said "I'm going to shoot you".


Last year there was a huge strike by public service workers in Tonga. Passionate solidarity protests were held outside the King's Epsom home. Recently there have been large marches for democracy and against Tonga joining the WTO.