The Prime Minister congratulated Tala and the Tonga 7s on their recent victories. Tala claimed the PacificAUS Sports Netball Series championship by defeating Malawi 54-41 at the Gold Coast in Australia, while Tonga 7s secured a spot in the HSBC Sevens Series playoffs in London by beating Germany 33-26 in the semifinals of the World Sevens Challenger Series in Capetown, South Africa. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the players’ and team officials’ hard work and dedication, particularly given the difficulties they faced due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Tala team will now prepare for the World Cup in South Africa…
Author: Newsdesk
The Kingdom of Tonga, situated on the Pacific tectonic plate known as the Ring of Fire, faces a significant risk from climate change. As the third most at-risk country for natural hazards and sea level rise according to the 2021 World Risk Report, Tonga was severely impacted by a volcanic eruption in January 2022 that triggered tsunami waves up to 15 meters high, resulting in the destruction of entire villages. However, the people of Tonga are resilient and are working with the €12 million EU funded Intra-ACP GCCA+ Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) program, in partnership…
The Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league team is set to compete in their first test series in England later this year, marking their first clash since the iconic match in Auckland during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. England Rugby League has confirmed that three tests will be held in St Helens on October 22, Huddersfield on October 28, and Leeds on November 4. The two teams last faced off in the semifinals of the 2017 World Cup, which saw over 30,000 passionate Tongan supporters pack Mt Smart Stadium as England emerged victorious 20-18, despite Tonga’s valiant comeback attempt. Tonga’s…
The Media Association of Tonga (MAT) led the service at the Centennial Methodist Church at Saione on Sunday, 30th of April, 2023. The sermon was conducted by Rev. Tevita Ngungutau Tapueluelu, Manager and Editor of the Tohi Fanongonongo. The hymns were read by Taina Kami Enoka of the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS); Katalina Uili Tohi of Broadcom FM, and Teisa Pohiva of Kele’a Voice. The Psalm was ready by Kalafi Moala, MAT President. Bible readings were read by Latu Patolo of Taumu’a Lelei; Soane Patita Fifita of ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa Radio & Livestream; and Anau Taufa of the Australian High…
After six days of exciting competition in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 came to a climax at Markötter Stadium on Sunday afternoon with South Africa women and Tonga men being crowned overall tournament champions. The Tonga men were crowned aggregate Challenger Series champions to qualify for four-team play-off at HSBC London Sevens in May despite Belgium winning second event in a thrilling tournament finale. Although Tonga suffered defeat to Belgium in second event final but they won the aggregate World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 title and qualify to play in four-team play-off at the…
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon Hu’akavameiliku, officially opened the Pacific Community’s (SPC) new Polynesia Regional Office (PRO) at the O.G Sanft Building yesterday. The PRO is set to provide a central hub of support for the people and communities in the SPC Polynesian Member Countries, with a focus on strengthening cooperation with members and partners across Polynesia. In his keynote address, Hon Hu’akavameiliku noted that Tonga joined SPC in 1983, and the opening of the new office is a significant milestone, celebrating Tonga’s 40th anniversary in the organization. He emphasized that the presence of SPC on the ground will…
Tonga has won the first leg in the Sevens Rugby series held in South Africa. The Tonga Sevens team beat out Germany in the final, 26 – 14, to take the Cup, in a competition they dominated. Tonga beat Italy 29-7 in the quarter finals, and then went on to beat Hong Kong 33-0 in the semifinals before the final match against Germany. Sione Tupou is the Captain of the team, with Tevita Tu’ifua as Coach, and Malika Liutai as Manager.
Growth in Tonga’s economy is projected to reach 2.5% in 2023 expanding further to 3.2% in 2024, according to the latest edition of the Asian Development Bank’s economic report presented in Nuku’alofa on Thursday 13 April. ADB Public Sector Economist, James Webb said, like its South Pacific neighbours, Tonga has faced an immensely difficult past three-years, not just because of the global pandemic but also from the impact of hurricanes and last year’s tsunami. The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023 noted that eased mobility restrictions and revived public investment will likely drive gross domestic product growth this year and…
A 21-year-old man accused of stabbing a paramedic to death in a McDonald’s car park in south-western Sydney is in hospital with serious mental health issues, his lawyer says. Jordan Fineanganofo did not appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday morning because he was undergoing a psychiatric assessment after being charged with the murder of 29-year-old paramedic Steven Tougher. Fineanganofo’s family were not in court during the brief court hearing. His lawyer Javid Faiz did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused. Fineanganofo is of Tongan heritage. Speaking after court, Faiz, from Sydney Criminal Law Specialists, said his…
The Prime Minister, Honourable Hu’akavameiliku, launched ‘Tonga’s Labour Mobility Supply Management Strategy’ at the Ancient Tonga in Fangaloto yesterday, 13 April, 2023. “Labour mobility presents a viable development opportunity for Tonga. It provides employment opportunities for workers, thus reducing local unemployment and underemployment, and remittances received from workers directly contributes to poverty alleviation and improved standards of living,” he said. He said evidence has shown that a sizable volume of remittances and skills acquired from labour mobility can have macroeconomic growth impacts in the country. For Tonga, the resilience of overseas remittances was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to…