Author: Siosifa Pomana

The third annual Tonga National Business Conference started yesterday at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The two-day event, titled “Empowering Local Innovation, Driving Sustainable Growth,” brings together business leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities in Tonga’s economic landscape. In his keynote address, Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, identified key obstacles to innovation, including limited financial resources, a shortage of skilled labour, and restricted access to technology and finance. He pledged government support for private…

Tonga is unprepared for the increasing number of deportees arriving from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, says Rev. Semisi Kava, Chaplain for the Tonga Prison Service, warning that the lack of government commitment is fueling social and criminal issues. “We are expecting 151 deportees from America anytime now, but the reality is, we are not prepared,” Rev. Kava said in an interview with Talanoa ‘o Tonga. “We are struggling with the deportees we already have, and there is no proper system in place to handle them when they arrive.” Tonga’s latest deportation wave is being driven in part…

Tonga is grappling with a worsening methamphetamine crisis fueled by transnational criminal networks and local collaborators. Recent arrests indicate the growing sophistication of the illicit trade, which has devastating social and economic impacts. Described as a “methamphetamine superhighway,” Tonga faces significant vulnerabilities due to its geographic position. Criminal networks, including outlaw motorcycle gangs like the Comancheros, exploit its borders and maritime routes to smuggle drugs, often via yachts and small vessels. From 2018 through mid-2024, authorities seized over 97 kilograms of methamphetamine, with more than half confiscated in the past two years. From over 100 drug-related arrests by police over…

Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) are increasingly establishing a foothold in Pacific Island nations, including Tonga, contributing to a surge in drug-related crime according to a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The UNODC report, “Transnational Organized Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges and Impact”, identifies Tonga as one of several Pacific islands where OMCGs are expanding their operations. The country has become a key transit point for drug trafficking, with drugs frequently moved through Tonga to other Pacific nations such as Fiji. Methamphetamine, in particular, has become a significant issue in Tonga, with the…

Following deliberations in parliament on Monday where the MP for Tongatapu Constituency No.10 asked for clarification from government, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku told parliament on Tuesday that Chinese workers, involved in a government wind farm project at the village of Lapaha, had apologized for working last Sunday, Kapelieli Lanumata, MP for Tongatapu Constituency No.10, raised the issue during parliament deliberations on Monday, questioning the government on why the Chinese workers were allowed to operate in his constituency on Sunday. MP Lanumata told parliament that he visited a construction site on Sunday to confirm what he had heard. He said that the…

The Tonga National Visual Impairment Association (TNVIA) celebrated its 10th anniversary today, October 15, coinciding with White Cane Awareness Day. The event, themed “Empowering Vision Beyond Sight: A Decade of Inclusion, Independence, and Progress”, was inspired by the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we live by faith, not sight.” Guest of Honour, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga Erin Gleeson, praised TNVIA’s decade of work in advocating for the visually impaired. TNVIA Chairman, Mr. Ofeina Leka, emphasized the importance of education for the visually impaired. “A priority issue is education, getting as many of the visually impaired through formal…

Speaking at a roundtable during the pre-summit of the 7th Pacific Media Summit in Niue, Kalafi Moala urged journalists to uphold ethical standards, especially in the age of social media, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in mainstream media. “Social media allows people to post inaccurate information without consequences, but mainstream media must be different,” he said. Moala highlighted that fact-checking has become critical, especially when sourcing information from social platforms. He added, “Journalists must commit 100% to the truth to filter out the impacts of social media.” Moala also pointed out that journalists today face criticism and vilification on social…

Approximately 100 Tongans living in Niue, working across various sectors such as health, education, tourism, construction, and government, hosted a warm reception for Tongan media representatives on Wednesday, 26th September, at the Niue Golf Club. The president of the Tongan community in Niue, Sitani Vea, a high school teacher at Niue High School for over 10 years, welcomed the visitors. He shared that many Tongans have integrated into Niue’s workforce and culture while maintaining close ties with Tonga. The reception, held as part of the 7th Pacific Islands News Association Media Summit, featured entertainment performed by children of the Tongan…

Veteran regional and Tongan media professional Kalafi Moala has been elected as the new President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), replacing Kora Nou of Papua New Guinea during the PINA General Conference and Annual General Meeting held today at the Okioki Mai in Tamakautonga, Niue. Moala, founder and director of the new online news media Talanoa ‘o Tonga, secured the presidency after a secret ballot vote, defeating Nou 22 votes to 14. The election saw Kalafi Moala and Leilani Reklai, nominated by Stanley Simpson of the Fijian Media Association, running for the president and vice president positions. Moala…

The 7th PINA Media Summit officially closed last night in Niue at Talo’s Restaurant in Alofi, marking a successful week of discussions and collaboration amongst the 90 media representatives from the region that gathered on the island Rock of the Polynesia. Niue’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to foster unity and exchange ideas across the Pacific. Hon. Tagelagi shared his hopes that participants would leave with valuable insights from the event. “This Summit has been an excellent platform for learning and strengthening our regional bonds,” he said. The newly elected PINA President Kalafi Moala echoed…