Corrosive ash residue from the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption is destroying Tongatapu’s new High Voltage network, in what Tonga Power Ltd. said is an unprecedented crisis that will cost around $20 million pa’anga to fix. Recent power outages around the Nuku’alofa area were caused by damage to the High Voltage Aerial Bundled Cabling (HVABC) from solidified abrasive ash substances. “The problem is a first of its kind”, said project manager Andrew Kautoke at a press conference on 13 October at Matatoa to explain the crisis. The low voltage cable is also damaged, adding to the problem with the HVABC. Tonga…
Author: Newsdesk
The Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host the Tonga hub of the PRIF Week 2023 virtual conference on October 16, 2023, at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre at 11:00am. The hub will bring together private sector representatives, government ministries, and civil society to discuss the importance of gender and inclusion in delivering and planning quality infrastructure. “We are excited to host the Tonga hub of the PRIF Week 2023 virtual conference,” said Sam Vea, President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “This is an important opportunity for Tonga to join the Pacific region in discussing the meaning…
“When my mom was cleaning out her house over 23 years ago to sell it, I wasn’t very sympathetic over her attachments to things. I would go over on weekends to help her, and we would go through things…things for a yard sale, things to donate, things to throw away. I would usually get upset over how long it was taking her to decide. For instance, we were going through kitchen cabinets, and she spent 20 minutes looking at a black iron kettle with a lid. Finally I said, “Mom, at this rate it is going to take us another…
The Prime Minister of Tonga, in a stirring address to the United Nations General Assembly, emphasized the urgent need for global solidarity and action in the face of a multitude of pressing challenges. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku began his speech by congratulating the President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly and expressing gratitude to the outgoing president for his stewardship. He wholeheartedly supported the session’s vision of “Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability.” Highlighting the theme of “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity,” he underscored the critical importance of trust as the foundation of international cooperation. Without trust, the…
Tapu mo Lord Ve’ehala. Tapu mo Toafolau mo Tafuamasi mo ha’a matapule. Tapu mo e Fahefa kotoa pe. ‘Oku ou kole ke fakahoko atu e ki’i fakamatala ni. Na’e fakanofo au ki he hingoa matapule “Faileha” hili e pekia e ki’i motu’a na’a ku tupu ai he 2016. Kuo u fakafoki e hingoa “Faileha”. Pea ‘oku ‘asi atu ‘i lalo ni e makatu’unga. Na’a mau lele atu mo ’emau Faifekau SUTT, Fa’aki Kafa, Sekelitali e Talasiti, Vaihoi Masila, Setuata Lahi, Teviat Veamoi, mo e Tokoni Setuata, Siaosi Mafile’o ki Laumanuhina kemau talanoa ‘a kainga mo Lord Ve’ehala ki he lisi…
Many Tongans are leading in various capacities across the Pacific, including at the helm of many of the Pacific’s Regional Organisations. This was evident in the Forum Secretariat Conference Room in Suva this week during the Forum Foreign Minister’s Meeting, where it was difficult to miss the many Tongan faces among the participants. The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga was pleased to see this exceptional group of Tongans, and commended them for their leadership and contributions to the Pacific region.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, participated in Roundtable 2 of the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development on September 20, 2023. The roundtable was on the topic of “Scaling up affordable and accessible international public financing for sustainable development and ensuring efficiency.” Given Tonga’s vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change and other external shocks, Minister ‘Utoikamanu emphasized the need to scale up affordable and accessible international public financing for sustainable development and ensure efficiency. She recommended specific actions, such as increasing the volume of international public financing available to small island…
The Kingdom of Tonga co-hosted a Climate Mobility Summit on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held under the theme “Harnessing Climate Mobility for Adaption and Resilience”. The event was organized by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility. The summit featured a moderated dialogue among leaders on ways to advance people-centered climate action that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, thereby harnessing climate mobility to protect livelihoods, sustain peace, preserve social cohesion, and prevent loss and damage. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, delivered one of the keynote remarks where…
A 56-year-old man from Ma’ufanga has been arrested by police for illegally importing firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition from the United States of America. The man was arrested on September 11, 2023 after Customs intercepted a consignment of illegally imported firearms, concealed in a personal consignment shipped to him from the United States. The items intercepted included nine 22 caliber-rifles, three rifle scopes, nine magazines, two pump action shotguns, one Taurus pistol, and approximately 4159 pieces of ammunition. The shipment was targeted and put through the Customs x-ray pallet scanner, which indicated the presence of the concealed goods that were…
Pacific Island Leaders, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, and Hon. Surangel S. Whipps Jr, President of Palau, joined Dr. Andrew Steer, CEO and President of Bezos Earth Fund as Co-Chairs of the High-Level Leaders’ Meeting to Unlock Blue Pacific Prosperity on the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations General Debate. The Meeting aimed to strengthen active engagement with new investors and existing partners who have expressed positive interest in investing in the Pacific, meet with interested investors to collectively determine the next course of action, and solidify investor confidence in the region by conveying unity and…