A new power generator worth over $1 million Tongan pa’anga was donated by the Australian government and commissioned by the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Rachel Moore, this week. The Tonga Power Ltd stated the project was a partnership between Tonga Power and the Australian Government for Tonga’s energy development. The generator donation comes at a time when Tongatapu, the main island has been experiencing several power outages a week in the past 2 month. Even as late as last week, residents of Tongatapu complained of more than 5 power outages during the week, some lasting over two hours, with…
Author: Newsdesk
In a recent statement to RNZ Pacific, Tonga’s Police Commissioner, Shane McLennan, said they continue to lead the fight against illicit drugs in Tonga together with partners in the region. McLennan stressed the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders, including border security and law enforcement agencies, to address the drug problem not only in Tonga but also across the Pacific. This week Tēvita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi, 39, and his sister ‘Ana Longolongo Kolokihakaufisi, 37, were arrested and charged in connection with the seizure of 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at over TOP$15 million (US$6 million). McLennan said the arrest of the…
A senior bank official at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and his sister have been charged after being caught with 15 kilograms methamphetamine over the weekend. Tēvita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi, a senior official at the NRBT aged 39, along with his sister, ‘Ana Longolongo Kolokihakaufisi, aged 37, faced charges on Monday at the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa after they were arrested at their home. Police seized 5.657kg of meth at their family residence at Kolofo’ou on Saturday and a further 9.927kg from Tēvita’s office at the NRBT on Sunday. The street value of the seized illicit drugs is estimated…
The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the region’s premier political body, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) today (Mon 05 February 2024) inked a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), that formalises collaboration and partnership between the two organisations. PINA Vice President, Mr. Robert Iroga represented the PINA President, Mr. Kora Nou, who wasn’t able to attend the signing in Suva. Mr. Iroga signed the MOU with the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, His Excellency Henry Puna at the Forum Secretariat headquarters in Suva. The signing also coincided with the celebrations to mark the fourth year of the Teieniwa…
One of the most experienced health official in Tonga, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola has been appointed by King Tupou VI as the new Minister of Health. Dr. ‘Akau’ola replaces outgoing minister, Dr. Saia Piukala, who has been appointed the WHO regional Director for Western Pacific. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku nominated Dr. ‘Akau’ola to take up the health portfolio in his Cabinet, effective from 27 January 2024. Dr. ‘Akau’ola is not new to the Ministry of Health and the Government service as he had 37 years of working experience in Government at the Ministry of Health. He was first appointed to the public…
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala former Minister of Health for Tonga was sworn in on Tuesday last week as the new Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Western Pacific. Dr. Piukala was sworn in at the WHO Executive Board meeting at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the first Pacific Islander to become Regional Director. In his speech, Dr. Piukala reflected upon his life story and where he came from. “I find it such a blessing that I was once a barefoot boy running around beaches of my small island, and now I stand among public health…
In the universe there is only one Earth, the shared home of humanity. Unfortunately, this planet on which we rely for our subsistence is facing immense and unprecedented crises, both known and unknown, both foreseeable and unforeseeable. Whether human civilization can survive these has become an existential issue that must be squarely faced. “Where is humanity headed?” More and more people have come to the realization that rather than amassing material wealth, the most pressing task is to find a guiding beacon for the sustainable development of human civilization, because we all care about our future. Recently, the Central Conference…
On 11th January, Mr. Ruan Dewen, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy attended the Talafo’ou fishing boat handover ceremony in Tongatapu 10 Constituency. Hon. Lanumata, Member of Parliament for Tongatapu 10 Constituency, Hon. Lauaki, Talafo’ou Estate Holder and other officers attended the ceremony. Hon. Lauaki, on behalf of the Talafou’ou community, expressed sincere gratitude to Chinese embassy for our generous assistance. Mr. Ruan stated that the Chinese Embassy is glad to help the Tongan people to make a better living and hoped the fishing boat would be helpful to promote the sustainable development of Talafo’ou community. Source: Embassy of the…
The New Zealand government has accepted Tongan students who pass the Tonga Form Seven National Examination to enroll directly into its education system, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has confirmed. Speaking at a press conference in Nuku’alofa on 5 January, Hu’akavameiliku said that it was great news and something that local students should take to heart and work on. He said Auckland University previously offered enrollment to Tongan students who pass the Form 7 examination. That has now been accepted by the New Zealand government, he said, adding it is the result of discussions held over the last 24…
A powerful earthquake struck central Japan on Monday, killing at least six people, destroying buildings, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground. The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 triggered waves of about 1 metre along Japan’s west coast and neighbouring South Korea. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially issued a major tsunami warning – its first since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck north-east Japan killing nearly 20,000 people – for Ishikawa prefecture. It later downgraded that and eventually cut it to…