Tonga’s sunny shores are a dream destination for many, but for local businesses, it’s a scary scene of empty chairs and idle equipment. Thousands of Tongans are flocking to Australia and New Zealand under seasonal worker schemes, lured by higher wages and better opportunities. This exodus, while positive for individual Tongan workers, is creating a critical labour shortage, crippling the Tongan economy. The allure of the schemes is undeniable. Working in fruit farms and meatpacking plants, Tongans can earn significantly more than what’s on offer domestically. This injects much-needed cash into Tongan households, but it comes at a cost. Local…
Author: Siosifa Pomana
The Tonga Tala continued their reign over the Pacific Netball Series, securing a dominant 72-58 victory over the Fiji Pearls in the grand final to secure their fourth consecutive championship title this afternoon at the Nissan Arena in Queensland Australia. The Tongan team proved too strong for their opponents throughout the match. Uneeq Palavi led the Tala offense with a remarkable performance, scoring an impressive 63 goals from 66 attempts, boasting an incredible 96% shooting accuracy. Her precision was a major factor in securing the win. On the defensive end, Valu Toutaiolepo was exceptional. Her strong defensive play earned her…
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca recently acknowledged in court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine can cause very rare but potentially fatal side effects, including blood clots and low blood platelet counts. This admission follows a class-action lawsuit filed in the UK alleging the vaccine caused deaths and serious injuries in roughly 50 individuals. The lawsuit seeks £100 million in damages. The company confirmed that their vaccine, “in very rare cases, can cause TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome),” according to court documents obtained by The Telegraph in February this year. But, they added that the exact cause of this reaction remains unclear. This…
Recent riots in New Caledonia shines on a simmering discontent among young people in the Pacific as they face a harsh reality of high unemployment rates which pose a significant threat to stability and prosperity in the region. The trigger for the recent unrest in New Caledonia was a new law that would expand the local electorate. The indigenous Kanak population fears this enfranchisement will empower pro-government groups, potentially diminishing their political influence. However, the roots of the discontent run much deeper, stemming from a complex web of economic and social challenges. A major issue is the lack of opportunities…
A recent survey of 1002 Tongans who were 18 years and over from all the island groups by the Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI) revealed important insights into Tongan attitudes towards international influence and security. The survey was funded by the Australian government and modeled on the Lowy Institute Poll. The survey highlighted a significant concern among Tongans about external influences, particularly from China. About 90% of respondents expressed worry over China’s impact on their political processes. This concern stems from Tonga’s switch in diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1998, which brought substantial Chinese loans for infrastructure projects but…
The Tongan government launched its first apprenticeship program today designed to tackle youth unemployment and the growing demand for skilled workers. The initiative, led by the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, focuses on the culinary profession, with the potential to expand to other sectors in the future. The Minister for the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu, who was chief guest at the event, said that this pilot program addresses the critical need to bridge the gap between employers, educational institutions, and young people. The program seeks to improve communication…
The Government has given the green light to local network operators to start working on 5G technology. This move, led by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) is a big leap towards better telecommunications in Tonga. The two major local networks, Tonga Communications Corporation and Digicel, can now start designing and testing the new 5G network, which is expected to bring faster and more reliable internet and phone connections. The allocated spectrum, focusing on bands n41 and n78 of the 5G NR bands, promises to revolutionise connectivity and enhance digital experiences. This…
Tonga Power Limited can’t rule out that last week’s widespread blackout in Tongatapu will stop as it blames the outages on a generator controller. Tonga Power customers were outraged at the disruptions they had to endure last week apparently due to a problem with the integration of CoMaps controllers with the diesel gensets. The CoMaps controllers which are designed to manage power generation from various sources including wind, solar, and diesel, failed to adapt to different weather conditions like rainy, sunny, and cloudy days and so caused the system to power out. Tonga Power said in a media release that…
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) convened in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from November 6 to 10, 2023, with a call for collective support and partnerships to ensure the success of the region’s strategic policy document, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Heads of State, Government, and Territories, including Tonga, participated in discussions revolving around the theme “Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Pacific Way: Promote, Partner, Prosper.” The Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, part of the Tonga delegation led by the Ministry of Trade & Economic Development (MTED), was represented by Siosifa Pomana attending on behalf…
The Tonga National Business Conference is set to make a significant impact on the Kingdom’s business landscape as it kicked off today with the theme “Together We Can.” The four-day conference, running from October 17 to 20, hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and in collaboration with the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, brings together leaders, experts, and stakeholders to chart a course towards a brighter economic future. Mr. Sam Vea, the President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, welcomed the participants, reinforcing the idea that progress in the Tongan business sector can only…