The Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIA), Lord Vaea, officially handed the Tongan flag to Meleane Falemaka, the flag bearer for Team Tonga, at a flag handover ceremony held in at the Ministry headquarters in Nuku’alofa. This marks a significant moment as the team prepares to depart for France this Friday to participate in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Lord Vaea expressed his pride in the team and wished them success. “We are all behind you as you compete in Paris. Go and make Tonga proud.” Meleane Falemaka, who will compete in the women’s discus throw F38 event,…
Author: Newsdesk
Tongan prop Ben Tameifuna was officially the biggest player at the Rugby World Cup in 2023 packing in at a mammoth 151kg. Due to the unavailability of halfback Sonatane Takulua, Tameifuna was bestowed the biggest responsibility of his career when he was appointed Tongan captain. Unfortunately, Tonga’s campaign wasn’t a success with heavy defeats to Ireland (59-16), Scotland (45-17) and eventual champions South Africa (49-18) but the giant tighthead developed a clear vision of the type of skipper he wants to be. “I was really young when I first played for Tonga. Nili Latu was captain at the time and…
Vanuatu is preparing to make a bold move by bidding to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Port Vila. A formal proposal is expected by the end of the year, with a high-profile government delegation set to travel to Palau to officially submit the bid. The bid, which will be decided by the Pacific Games Council, represents a significant opportunity for Vanuatu to showcase its potential as a host for this prestigious event. The government is optimistic, despite the challenges, with strong support from neighboring Melanesian countries and regional leaders. Last week in Paris, Vanuatu’s Minister of Sports, Tomker Netvunei,…
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is facing renewed turmoil as the staff union at the Laucala campus voted in favour of industrial action to remove the university’s leadership. The Association of the USP Staff (AUSPS) expressed dissatisfaction with Professor Pal Ahluwalia, an Australian academic who also serves as the USP Council president. Ilima Finiasi, an AUSPS executive, stated that staff unions across USP’s Pacific campuses share similar concerns. The unrest follows the dismissal of Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, the AUSPS president, last month. The union alleges that Dr. Osborne-Naikatini was terminated for speaking to the media about the vice-chancellor’s…
Lakapi Samoa, the governing body of Samoan rugby, is gearing up for a grand celebration as it marks its 100-year anniversary on August 25th. The milestone will be commemorated with a series of events honouring the rich history and legacy of rugby in Samoa. Lakapi Samoa’s Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai, confirmed the plans, noting the significance of this centennial celebration. “Yes, we will be having our celebration on Sunday the 25th,” Fepuleai stated. “Initially, we planned to hold it at the Mulivai Cathedral, but due to ongoing renovations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, we’ve moved…
As China pursues its independent and peaceful diplomacy to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Asia-Pacific, some US media stuck in the Cold War mentality accused China of attempting to establish a “China-centered regional order” in parallel with the US system. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday kicked off a four-day trip to Southeast Asia with a visit to Myanmar before traveling to Thailand to co-chair the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where he has also attended the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is set to embark on a series of visits to the Pacific Islands and East Asia, beginning next week. His tour, which emphasises the impacts of climate change and the importance of international cooperation, will include stops in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, and Timor-Leste. Guterres will first visit Samoa from August 21-23, where he will meet with Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa. The focus of his visit will be on the severe impacts of climate change in the country, which is among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Following his…
As a young child, Josh Tatofi thought he had an ordinary life. “I thought everyone’s dad was a rock star, and I thought everyone was playing music,” he says. His father, Tivaini Tatofi, was a founding member of local island music group Kapena. “I didn’t really know that my childhood was special until way later,” says the younger Tatofi. Likewise, he didn’t find music particularly special right away. He was about six years old when his dad would start showing him basic notes on the bass guitar. He’d also go through the motions of taking guitar and piano lessons. “I…
Tonga is set to advance its climate action efforts with the proposed Tonga Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project, aimed at improving its ability to track progress toward greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with stakeholders and partners, is working on a proposal for this initiative, which falls under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement. The CBIT project, projected to cost USD 1.3 million, is designed to span three years and address key challenges in data management, institutional arrangements, and capacity building. The initiative has been developed with support from the…
The 2024 Trade Fair, themed “Buy Tonga Made,” will take place from August 28th to 30th at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. Organised by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED), the event will showcase the best of Tongan craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. This year’s Trade Fair will coincide with the Pacific Island Leaders Forum Meeting, also held in Tonga from August 26th to 30th, providing a unique opportunity for local businesses to gain exposure to regional leaders and international visitors. The Trade Fair will feature a wide range of exhibits, highlighting products proudly made in Tonga. Visitors can…