Tonga

The Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Centre said these conditions will affect the islands next week.

There is a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory for Vava’u land areas and remain inforce for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas.

Photo Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Centre 

‘If there was such plan the Ministry will hold a press conference to announce it,’Minster of Health, Saia Piukala reportedly said this morning.

Late last night Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said on Twitter” Tonga is not going into lockdown this weekend or next week. Certainly looking forward to getting back to Tonga next week and attending uike lotu.”

According to Kaniva News, It appears the rumours stemmed from a report by TBC’s Radio & Television Tonga this week which was meant to highlight their top stories of the year 2022 starting from January.

The project involved the installation of three interconnected, ground-mounted solar arrays in western Tongatapu – the country’s main island. Each has a capacity of 2.3 MWp and was built with the help of local civil, mechanical and electrical sub-contractors. It is backed by a power purchase agreement (PPA) between Sunergise New Zealand Ltd and Tonga Power Ltd.

The completion of the project was first delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and then the eruption of a submarine volcano in the Tongan archipelago that caused tsunamis.

A tsunami hit Tonga after the volcano erupted for eight minutes, throwing clouds of ash into the sky. Entire villages were wiped out by the waves.

Communications went down or were intermittent for those trying to reach loved ones.

Shock waves traversed many thousands of kilometres, were seen from space, and recorded in New Zealand some 2000km away.

Three people were killed, and medical experts said many others showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rabuka was elected Prime Minister by the Fijian Parliament and defeated former Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama by 28 votes to 27 on Saturday.

Hu'akavameiliku said in a tweet that the Tongan government looks forward to working closely with Rabuka and the Fijian Coalition government on matters of interest to both countries.

"I would like to congratulate Hon Rabuka on his election as Fijian Prime Minister and I Look forward to meeting him soon and having discussions on matters of national interest to both countries," Hon Hu'akavameiliku said.

Air New Zealand had two options when deciding on sending an engineer to assist in the stranded plane, operate a 'ghost flight' (an aircraft with no paying passengers onboard) or divert another flight heading in a similar direction. The airline decided to divert the Rarotonga-bound flight as it would cause the least disruption.

Tonga's Fuaʻamotu International Airport, located on its main island of Tongatapu, welcomed the second Boeing 787 Dreamliner to drop off essential supplies (including the engineer).

Matangi Tonga reports Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho commissioned and toured one of the new one-bedroom units, at the 'Atata Si'i site on Thursday.

Eleven months after the destructive natural disasters, the families will start moving to this land allocated by Prince Ata.

The Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni thanked the Princess and the builders who constructed the houses.

"Government has worked with partners and all stakeholders to try and provide homes for the people of 'Atata," he said.

The road toll tally for all of 2021 was six.

The latest death on the road occurred on Saturday morning near the capital Nuku'alofa.

Police said four females were on their way home when the driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to swerve and hit an electric pole.

Police later received reports from Vaiola Hospital that a 51-year-old passenger died on Sunday from her injuries, while the 41-year-old driver remains in a critical condition.

During their programme, they attended conferences, met with their American coaching counterparts, and participated in specialized workshops — all to enhance their mentorship and youth development skills.  

After more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and border closures, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption and tsunami, this trip was going to be special.

He was taking a big group of 15, including his mother, son, his two sisters and their children.

“It’s Christmas, and it’s a time for family – we’re all just looking forward to being back home together,” he said.

“Mum is really looking forward to seeing her sister who is old now, so we just want to spend as much time with her as we can.