Tonga will march as the 187th country in the Parade of Nations at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. The parade will showcase athletes arriving on boats along the Seine River, a first for the Summer Games. Greece leads the procession, honouring its historical connection to the Olympics, while France, as the host nation, will close the event. The parade order includes 203 participating nations, excluding athletes from Russia and Belarus due to the war in Ukraine. “This parade marks a celebration of global unity and athletic achievement,” said an Olympic official. The Opening Ceremony is set for July 27…
Author: Newsdesk
Staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF) in Tongatapu went through training last week to address agricultural and forestry challenges by training in advanced data tools in order to better manage limited data capacity and invasive plant threats, ensuring a more resilient agricultural sector. The Pacific Community (SPC)’s Tonga Capacity Building in the Use of Open-Source Tools Project, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, facilitated this training. The training focused on using the KoBo Toolbox and QGIS tools for data dashboard development and drone-based land cover mapping. “This initiative is crucial for sustainable…
Lightspeed Fiji, the authorised reseller of Starlink’s satellite broadband internet, has been overwhelmed with demand, pre-selling 60 percent of its initial 600 units. Director Richard Broadbridge expressed enthusiasm about the interest from businesses and individuals. “This demand has given Starlink a lot of confidence to operate in Fiji. We are very happy to help our rural communities and businesses with a reliable service. There is no doubt that there is a need for reliable service in rural areas, particularly where there is no coverage of any provider at all.” Lightspeed Fiji’s alignment with the government’s goal to bridge the internet…
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a $22.66 million grant for Tonga’s Coastal Resilience Project, with an additional $1.2 million from the government and $63,000 from the UN Development Program (UNDP). This initiative aims to enhance the long-term resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in Tonga against climate change. The project is led by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and supported by UNDP. “There is an urgent need to build resilience of coastal communities in Tonga to the adverse impacts of climate change, including sea level…
Air Taxi experienced its second plane crash of the year yesterday, as a flight from TAFEA Province to Port Vila crash-landed at Montmartre Plantation. Five people, including the pilot, were on board. Tragically, one of the survivors, who was badly injured, succumbed to his injuries this morning. An eyewitness and first responder, who spoke to the Vanuatu Daily Post, described the chaotic scene. “I was at home when the students yelled about the plane crash, and we could smell the aftermath. This was around 3:30 pm,” he said. The plane initially attempted to land on a crowded football field but…
Lulutai Airlines has leased a SAAB 340B aircraft from Air Chathams for three months to boost its domestic inter-island service. The 34-seat aircraft arrived in Tonga yesterday and will begin operations this week under Lulutai’s Air Operating Certificate. This move comes as Tonga’s national carrier anticipates increased passenger demand during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August and the whale-watching season from July to October. “We are thrilled to announce this strategic expansion of our fleet,” said Poasi Tei, CEO of Lulutai Airlines. “By adding Air Chathams’ aircraft to our network, we are well-positioned to accommodate the significant rise…
A China-aid medical team arrived in Tonga today, ready to begin a one-year medical aid mission at Vaiola Hospital. The team consists of six doctors specialising in orthopedics, anesthesiology, gynecology, pathology, psychiatry, and ultrasound. The doctors will start their work immediately, providing much-needed medical expertise and support to the local healthcare system and to improve health outcomes for the local community.
Mr. Lyu, Mayor of Dongguan People’s Government, paid a courtesy call today on HRH Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita, Patron of the Tonga China Friendship Association (TCFA), and Hon. Dr. Pita Taufatofua, Governor of Ha’apai. During his visit, he gifted USD $10,000 and 400 bags of biscuits to TCFA and the Ha’apai Islands. Dongguan City and Ha’apai Islands have a Sister City arrangement, and TCFA has a long-term partnership with Guangdong Province, where Dongguan is a major city. This visit aims to strengthen the Sister City relationship, fostering active cooperation for the benefit of the people of Ha’apai and Dongguan.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, will visit New Zealand and attend a seminar at the University of Auckland on Wednesday, July 17, at the Fale Pasifika. Dr. Piukala, the first Tongan and Pacific person appointed to this role, will discuss his vision for the region. Associate Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga expressed the university’s excitement, saying, “It is indeed a great honour for the University to host the Regional Director, especially given his brief visit.” Dr. Piukala, a Tongan surgeon and former Minister of Health, has championed initiatives on chronic diseases,…
The Tonga Women in ICT (TWICT) will host Tonga’s first ever Youth ICT Symposium on August 9th with the theme “Bridging the Divide and Empowering Youth through Digital Skills, Innovation, and Digital Entrepreneurship.” A diverse group of speakers from the government, private sector, and young innovators are expected to be sharing their insights and inspirations for the young people participating at the event. The symposium, focusing on information communication technologies, aims to provide hands-on activities, networking opportunities, and motivational talks for young people. The event is coordinated by TWICT and sponsored by the Australian Government and UNDP.