Residents of Kotu, Ha’apai can look forward to a brighter future as testing of the island’s new solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid has been a success. The mini-grid project, led by the Tongan Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Information (MEIDECC) Energy Department, is expected to be commissioned on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024. The project began late last year. This development project marks a major upgrade for Kotu homes, which previously had limited access to electricity for only a certain number of hours per day. But the new solar PV mini-grid will now provide clean and reliable electricity 24…
Author: Newsdesk
Tonga Power Limited (TPL) announced a collaboration with Northpower, a New Zealand electricity distribution company, to improve Tonga’s electricity infrastructure, with an investment of around $3.8 million pa’anga. Following assessments in 2023 and 2024, critical network improvements were identified. Key projects include rectifying defects to stabilise power supply, replacing and upgrading network components, particularly in the Nuku’alofa central business district, and developing a long-term sustainability plan. The infrastructure upgrades, costing $2.6M NZD, will begin in mid-October, with completion expected within 8-10 weeks. TPL customers will have to wait for the promises of this upgrade while continuing to expect yet another…
Australia’s new High Commissioner to Tonga, Brek Batley, stressed the strong and enduring relationship between the Australia and Tonga in his recent media statement. In a radio interview this morning, Batley said Australia is increasing its efforts to be “a flexible & responsive partner” to Tonga. Highlighting Australia’s commitment to Tonga’s economic recovery, Batley outlined key initiatives including budget support, the construction of a new Parliament House, and renewable energy projects aimed at boosting resilience and economic opportunities. He said about $15 million is allocated toward renewable energy projects. Batley also emphasised the importance of climate resilience, security cooperation, and…
One of the Australian government’s biggest diplomatic efforts to develop closer relations with the Pacific started Monday this week with the opening of the Pacific Engagement Visa. The visa allows 3,000 Pacific Islanders to permanently settle in Australia every year and it’s got many across the region excited, but there are concerns by some that it won’t be a level playing field. Most Pacific countries will take part in the new scheme, with only Samoa, Kiribati and Marshall Islands opting out. Every participating Pacific country has a yearly quota: Fiji has three hundred while Papua New Guinea has more than…
There are concerns in Tonga whether a housing development planned to provide accommodation for people attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Forum in August will be completed in time. Work to clear the land at Popua, which is adjacent to the historic Sia Heu Lupe site, has been underway through May. The government hopes to erect 100 prefabricated houses at the site to provide additional accommodation for those attending the summit. They will be allocated to the elderly after the event. “The site preparation, now into its third week, will continue until the end of May, before construction begins…
A former ABC Pacific presenter has been remembered as an ‘artist, orator, song woman and storyteller’. Seini Fale’aka Taumoepeau passed away ‘very suddenly’ aged 48 last week, according to her family. The Tongan-Australian, who also performed under the stage name SistaNative, hosted Pacific Mornings on ABC Radio Australia. A social media post by ABC Pacific said Ms Taumoepeau ‘paved the way for this team of Pacific people to be represented in ABC media programs’. ‘Seini will remembered and celebrated as a dedicated artist, orator, song woman and storyteller who spent over 30 years advocating for Pasifika communities and their representation in…
The Heilala Festival will kick off in the last week of June, running for two weeks under the theme “My Kingdom, My Pride, Ko hoku Tonga, Ko hoku laukau’anga” to honor the official birthday of King Tupou VI, who will turn 65 on July 4. The festivities start June 24 with an industry competition for the best floral arrangement and a cultural floorshow competition. The festival will feature a variety of events showcasing local talent and culture. Key events include:June 24: Best Floral Arrangement and Heilala Cultural Floorshow Competition.June 25: Chef of the Year and Tonga’s Got Talent.June 26: Bartender…
In preparation for PIF Leaders Meeting in Tonga We are publishing here an analysis made by RNZ Pacific Senior Journalist Don Wiseman on the appointment of PIF’s new boss, followed by another article written from Rarotonga at the PIF meeting in November 2023. Analysis – The question being asked around the Pacific is how the region’s leaders could agree to Nauru’s Baron Waqa becoming the new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum. This is a high-level diplomatic post and the former Nauru president has proven to be a controversial figure. The secretary general’s role is typically filled by someone…
Today is a public holiday to commemorate Emancipation Day which marks the historic abolition of serfdom in Tonga by King Siaosi Tupou I in 1862 as part of his transformative 1862 Code of Laws. Emancipation Day symbolises a significant turning point in Tonga’s history when commoners were liberated from the virtual ownership by chiefs. King Tupou I’s decree, articulated in his 1862 Code of Laws, stated: “All chiefs and people are to all intents and purposes set at liberty from serfdom, and all vassalage, from the institution of this law; and it shall not be lawful for any chief or…
Tonga’s newly appointed anti corruption commissioner, James Christopher LaHatte, appointed by King Tupou VI as Tonga’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner to start in July said that the biggest challenge he’ll face is differentiating cultural norms from corruption. LaHatte, a New Zealand barrister and mediator, when speaking to Radio NZI, emphasised the need to understand Tongan culture, particularly practices such as gift-giving, which is culturally correct but may be viewed as corrupt elsewhere. “So gift giving, for example, I’m aware is a big part of Tongan culture,” he said. “There’s going to be a line sometimes between what is appropriate and culturally…