Tonga

The message being widely shared among Tongans warns a tax of $50 TOP on every piece of baggage for visitors to the Kingdom.

But chief executive of Tonga’s Ministry of Customs and Revenue, Kelemete Vahe, told Le'o 'o e 'Otu Felenite it is fake news and his Ministry wants to reassure travellers, no extra tax will be imposed.

Parliament approved the move on Monday.

The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, said it was crucial the Attorney General became a member of the committee with no casting vote, similar to how the Auditor General was part of the Public Accounts Committee.

He said the committee's work will now be more effective.

Normally the Attorney General is co-opted to provide legal opinion to committees if required.

Ha'apai MP Veivosa Taka said he believes parliament should stick to that routine, calling on the Attorney General.

The rich dark chocolate bar is topped with a scattering of roasted coffee beans.

A caffeine hit — more an adult treat rather than for kiddies around bedtime.

In the past, the Pacific Islands have exported commodities such as, copra, cocoa and coffee beans.

But value-added items such as chocolate and coffee gains higher returns in the market.

The partnership is a significant forward step for the two small companies by bringing together their resources into a single product with wide international appeal.

Members of the public also turned up at the airport to bid the royal couple goodbye.

Their visit had attracted a lot of attention as it was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first official trip to the island kingdom since their wedding in April this year.

For many people, especially the children this would be a story told many times over the next few days and in the years to come.

In the VIP lounge, the royal couple were presented with gifts by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Cabinet Ministers.

Their day continued at the Fa’onelua Centre where they saw firsthand traditional Tongan handicraft.

’Eiki ‘Anaukihesina Ma’afu put on the Tongan traditional necklace as soon they arrived at the house of Fa’onelua.

The royal couple also met some of Tonga’s traders and craftsmen.

They were also kind enough to wear a faka-Ha’apai ta’ovala which is a Tongan traditional attire from the island of Ha’apai.

After private talks with Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and his Cabinet, the royal couple were welcomed to an exhibition of Tongan youth projects and handicrafts.

They were also given a ta'ovala, a woven mat wrapped around the waist, which signifies Tongan respect to the higher ranks.

The couple, who arrived in Tonga from Fiji on Thursday, joined Princess Angelika and Prince Ata, King Tupou VI's son and daughter, at the Fa'onelua Centre, which showcased products including traditional mats and "tapa" cloth, carvings, bracelets made from whale bone and wood.

The Magistrate's Court office said on Tuesday that the two accused, who are yet to be named, were charged together with the former ministers.

The two and 'Akosita Lavulavu will next appear in court on Friday.

Matangi Tonga reported that 'Etuate Lavulavu's case is adjourned until 3 December.

The Lavulavu couple is charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretences, after irregularities in an audit of the 'Unuaki 'o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

Tonga Ministry of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding that covers the quarantine certification of food taken into New Zealand.

Head of Biosecurity New Zealand Roger Smith said the agreement meant Tongan passengers would bypass long queues in quarantine when they landed in New Zealand.

He said Tonga posed a low biosecurity risk to New Zealand.

The Ministry’s CEO, Dr. Viliami Manu, said the MOU showed Biosecurity New Zealand trusted Tongan quarantine officers to carry out the certification process.

Lord Tu'ilakepa and Tevita Lavema'au moved that the house send 'Akilisi Pohiva for an assessment, and that a report on his health be sent back to parliament.

They also pushed for their no-confidence motion against Mr Pohiva to be heard yesterday, parliament's final sitting day.

The Speaker did not respond to the requests.

The opposition - which largely consists of nobles - has repeatedly tried to have Mr Pohiva ousted, despite him voters returning him to power last year with an increased majority.

The 40-year-old victim from ‘Ēsia was rushed to hospital from outside a bar and restaurant in Nuku’alofa in 23 August.

He died on Friday last week.

According to Police, the suspect was arrested in Tongatapu last week.

Kaniva News reports the suspect was charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

The suspect remains in Police custody to appear in court on Monday, 8 October.

The names of the victim and the accused have not been released.