Tonga

Police said the white Toyota Wish Car C37740 was found with the parts already dismantled.

Its various parts were located and seized by Police on Monday, from two different houses, one at Vainī and the other at Holonga.

An official from the Ministry of Infrastructure has confirmed the engine number to be that of the stolen car.

The car was allegedly stolen from outside the ANZ Bank when the driver stepped out to use the ATM.

Magistrate Salesi Mafi has ordered that the suspect be kept in Police remand until Monday, 20 February 2023.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fekita 'Utoikamanu led the Tongan team at the roundtable discussion and the team included the Minister for Internal Affairs, Lord Vaea, Tiofilusi Tiueti - Minister of Finance and Dr Viliami Latu - Minister of Trade and Economic Development.

While welcoming Secretary General Puna, 'Utoikamanu said the meeting was timely and critical for both Tonga and the region.

She said Tonga was committed to its regional commitments and was happy to be in discussion on issues of importance for the country and the region.

The first raid was on the evening of Thursday, 9 February 2023 at a residence at Malapo where two male persons, aged 31 and 36 were arrested together with 3.06 grams of methamphetamine, one .22 rifle with a magazine containing ten . 22 live bullets, cash TOP$478.50, and drug utensils.

The second and third raids were made at Hala’ovave on Friday, 10 February 2023, with the second made at a residence while the third was effected on the Sūnia ‘Akaveka Road.

Three ships have already visited in January and February bringing thousands of passengers and crew.

The Ministry of Tourism confirmed that Europa 2 will be arriving in Nuku’alofa on Saturday, 18 February.

The cruise ship is expected to bring over 500 passengers and crew for a day's visit.

“March sees more cruise ships arriving and more listings through to December.”

“Five cruise ships visited Tonga for the latter part of last year, after Tonga fully re-opened its international borders, sea/air effective 27 September, 2022.”

The powerful undersea volcano erupted on January 15, 2022 triggering a violent tsunami which caused widespread damage to the main island of Tongatapu while wiping out smaller, neighbouring islands leaving them uninhabitable.

Tagata Pasifika reports Uatekini Folau and his family were forced to leave their home on ‘Atatā, one of the outer islands near the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano.

“We lost our home and at the moment, even though we are starting over again, we are happy that my family and I are alive,” Uatekini says.  

This is following the retirement of the current Ombudsman, 'Aisea Taumoepeau, who will be retiring on 18 February.

She will be serving her new position for four-months, effective on 18 February.

The former Minister of Justice took her oath in parliament on 9 February.

 ‘Alisi was the first woman Solicitor General and Attorney General of Tonga, first woman Cabinet Minister and a former Justice Minister.

The break was due to the Covid-19 and the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano and subsequent tsunamis.

A statement said this year’s theme will be 'Recovering from Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai'.

Ministry of Agriculture’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Viliami Manu said, “It will showcase the hard work of farmers, fishermen tradesmen and local businesses, and also recognize and award them for their hard work and resilience of overcoming what has been a tough couple years, after the natural disasters.”

At a media conference, Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni announced Australia would provide technical and financial support for the airline.

Hu'akavameiliku also rebutted media criticism of Lulutai management.

He said management acted quickly when finding out the aircraft was in a state of disrepair.

"When the report came out, it was something we need to address on the plane, it was sent to the manufacturer, and they said the next day to ground the plane, we ground the plane.

During his visit, McDonald had the honour to meet with key partners including Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, Samiu Vaipulu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice, Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Tourism, Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance, and Lord Speaker, Lord Fakafanua.

Australia will provide financial assurances for Lulutai to partner with Fiji Airways to operate up to seven flights a week between Vava’u and Tongatapu during the month of February.

The Australian Government plans to continue these arrangements for this critical connectivity until

at least 30 June 2023, while Lulutai’s fleet undergoes maintenance.

Last week Australia and Tonga worked quickly on a similar arrangement which enabled the restoration of flights between Tongatapu and Vava’u on 30 January.