Evidence over nine months to the end of February 2024 shows a declining demand for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme seasonal workers — those who used to be under the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), now absorbed into the PALM scheme as short-term PALM workers. Figure 1 shows the monthly numbers of short-term PALM workers in agriculture and of all PALM workers in agriculture, between 30 June 2023 and 29 February 2024. (Now, under PALM, workers can be hired in agriculture on a multi-year, non-seasonal basis.) The graph shows a decline of 10.2 per cent in short-term workers and 10.4…
Author: Newsdesk
A Tongan business man has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment at the Auckland District Court on 23 charges relating to defrauding the revenue of customs in the shipment of loose leaf tobacco into the country from Tonga. Over a period of 21 months, Mosese Vakapuna, aged 60, smuggled more than 6000 kilograms of what is known as “Tongan Tobacco” into Auckland to be sold and distributed from his store in Auckland. New Zealand Customs busted Mr. Vakapuna, and charged him for smuggling and six tonnes of tobacco, and evading more than $10 million in taxes. Customs investigations manager Dominic…
It is a great pleasure for me to serve as the ninth Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Tonga, which is known as the “Island of Friendship and Love”. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life who have long been caring about and supporting the development of China-Tonga relationship. And on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, I want to take this opportunity to extend my cordial greetings and best wishes to the Royal Family, the Government, the Legislative…
Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku says the people of Tonga wants to see more results and action for the Pacific in 2050. Speaking at the formal launch of the 53rd PIFLM theme, logo, and dates in Tonga, today, with the Crown Prince, HRH Tupouto’a ‘UIukalala leading the launch as guest of honour, PM Hu’akavameiliku said the focus theme “Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now”, reflects the desire to see impacts flow from all the visioning and planning around development. “As a part of resilience-building, I am also committed to ensuring that the 2024 Forum Leaders Meeting is focused on results. With…
A team of six Chinese police officers arrived in Tonga this week to assist with preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders’ meeting in August. Dispatched by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the delegation from Shandong Province will focus on bolstering Tongan police capabilities for the event. “The main discussions are on how Chinese police can help Tonga host the PIF leaders’ meeting,” said Tongan Police Commissioner Shane McLennan. Their assistance includes training in motorcade operations and potentially providing resources like vehicles and motorcycles. While Tonga welcomes the additional support, China’s involvement has sparked concerns from regional…
Prime Minister Saosi Sovaleni told Parliament yesterday that it is a milestone for Tonga to have its first Anti-Corruption Commissioner appointed for a five year contract effective from July 1st. The new Commissioner is James Christopher LaHatte, an experienced lawyer from New Zealand. The appointment has been approved by the King. The Prime Minister said it has been more than 10 years since the approval for an Anti-Corruption Commission to be established in Tonga, but only now the Government has been able to set it up. The delay has been a funding issue. The Anti-Corruption Commission is understood to be…
Kuo ma’u ‘a e Fili Si’i ki Vava’u 14 ‘e Dr. Mo’ale ‘Otunuku ‘o Longomapu, ‘aki ‘a e fo’i fili ‘e 709. Ko e fakahā ‘eni mei he ‘Ofisi Faifili ‘i Tonga ni. Ko e fili foki ‘eni ‘a e sea ke fetongi ‘a Dr. Saia Piukala ‘a ia kuo hiki ia ke hoko ko e fakafofonga Pasifiki ki he WHO. Ko e vahenga ‘o Vava’u 14 ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e ngaahi kolo ‘2 23: ko Pangaimotu, ‘Utulei, ‘Utungake, Talihau, Taoa, Vaimalo, Tefitisi, Tu’anuku, Longomapu, Taunga, Kapa, ‘Otea, Falevai, Matamaka, Nuapapu, Lape, ‘Ovaka, Hunga, Holeva, Koloa, Olo’ua, Ofu,…
The involvement in the government by King Tupou VI is a return to the “dark ages” for the Kingdom, a long time campaigner for democracy in Tonga says. The King last month withdrew his support for the Ministers holding two portfolios. Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has reportedly stepped down from his defence portfolio, with Foreign Affairs Minister Fekita ‘Utoikamanu reportedly doing the same. Sources in Nuku’alofa have told RNZ Pacific the decision to resign comes following a meeting between Hu’akavameiliku and a Cabinet team held with King Tupou VI earlier this month. Kalafi Moala said the King’s decision…
A public petition in Tonga calls for investigation to the fact that after two years since the volcanic eruption and tsunami damaging whole villages in Nomuka and Fonoi Islands, homes supposed to be rebuilt are unfinished and building materials abandoned. The unfinished houses were intended for people who were homeless by the January 2022 eruption and tsunami. The government planned to build 66 houses in the two directly affected islands in Ha’apai. But it is alleged the construction workers left because they claim they have not been paid. A few days after the devastating eruption and tsunami, the World Bank…
The Remembering Epeli Hau’ofa His Life and Legacy book is a tribute to one of the Pacific’s most renowned writers, Epeli Hau’ofa and his literary work that has influenced most of the Pacific and shaped the global perception of the region as a large ocean state. The detail of this new book and addition to Pacific literature can be found here.