Tonga

Semisi Sika is reported to have instructed the DJ to play loud music to drown out the controversial speech of Kalo Funganitao, the outgoing Miss Heilala.

Miss Funganitao condemned pageant officials for tormenting and bullying her during her reign and claimed she had been cheated, lied to, backstabbed and messed around.

The law student from Auckland University is considered to have dealt the pageant the strongest condemnation ever in its 40-year history.

"Enough is enough" Kalo, as she is commonly known, yelled over the music.

The various of equipment was handed over by the Head of the United Front Work Department of CPC Dongguan Committee, Chen Zhiwei to the Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga and Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Semisi Sika at St. George Palace.

Mr. Zhiwei also presented a cheque of ¥ 2 million to the Minister of Fisheries, Semisi Tauelangi Fakahau to finance the building of new fishing boats.

CEO for Health Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola, eloquently expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the Government of Tonga to the Dongguan City for their generous donations.

Twenty-five young women are vying for the title.

On Thursday, the contestants participated in the float parade through central Nuku’alofa.

Staff from four government ministries, the Reigning Miss Heilala Kalo Funganitao, and the Miss Pacific Islands Leashina Kariha joined the parade.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer the contestants.   

The Miss Heilala programme started on Monday, July 1 with the Formal Interview at Fa’onelua Convention Centre followed by the Miss Heilala Tau’olunga Competition on Tuesday, July 2.

 Five packs of methamphetamine, drugs paraphernalia, live bullets and cash were recovered from two different locations in ongoing drug operation.

On Monday evening, officers from the Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce arrested five men and two women from a residence in Kolomotu’a.

The officers seized four packs of methamphetamine, drugs paraphernalia, cash and 17 live bullets.

The seven arrested range from the age of 22 to 48 from Kolomotu’a, Kolofo’ou, Tokomololo and Havelu.

The Free Wesleyan Church conference ended with the ordination of 31 new ministers and the announcement that its 2020 conference will be held on the island of 'Eua.

But what could have been a very controversial issue was avoided and has been set aside for further work to be done by the President's office and a definitive position to be presented next year.

On Monday night the former principal of Tongan High and academic Reverend Dr Geoffrey Cummins presented the lecture.

The remainder of the week will feature marches, traditional dance and music competitions, games and sporting activities, as well as prayer meetings and choir singing.

The popular Heilala beauty pageant, featuring 25 contestants, the most in its history is also taking place during the week.

The Heilala Festival that accompanies the King's birthday each year is one of the iconic features in the Tongan calendar year.

This time is normally referred to as the festival season as three major celebrations occur during this time - the annual conferences of Tonga's biggest Protestant churches; the King's birthday celebrations, and the Heilala Festival.

Three major celebrations occur during this time - the annual conferences of Tonga's biggest Protestant churches; the King's birthday celebrations, followed by the Heilala Festival.

It is not only the coolest time of the year, but also the months with less rain.

The CEO of Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Paula Ma’u launched the training programme that will strengthen the skills of local government and NGO managers to better monitor and evaluate activities associated with the second Joint National Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Management (JNAP2).

Mesui Tufui and Fisilau Tapaevalu have been on trial at the High Court at Auckland charged with murdering Abraham Tu'uheava and attempting to murder his wife Yolanda. 

On Friday, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding both defendants guilty. 

In April 2018, Abraham Tu'uheava was lured to Greenwood Rd in Māngere, south Auckland for a potential drug deal, the court heard during the trial.

There, he was shot at least seven times and died within minutes. It was a "miracle" his wife survived after she was shot multiple times in the head, the court was told.

The Ombudsman, 'Aisea Taumoepeau, in a media conference in Nuku'alofa this week reported findings based on its own investigations into a series of allegations raised by the Kele'a.

Only one out of the six stories published by the newspaper was found to be valid.

This concerned the purchase in 2014 of the ship MV St Theresa, that was renamed MV Niuvakai, from privately owned Royal Pacific Shipping.