Tonga

Some 59,000 people have registered to vote in the general election, including on the supplementary roll.

There are 86 candidates contesting the 17 People's Representatives seats in parliament. Nine nobles representatives will also be elected.

Toa Samoa have made three changes for Friday night's match against Australia in Darwin, with captain Frank Pritchard and halfback Ben Roberts back for their clash with the defending champions, while lock Leeson Ah Mau also returns to the back row.

Pritchard and Roberts did not play in Saturday's 14-14 draw against Scotland, which earned Samoa a spot in the knockout rounds despite failing to win a game during the group stage.

Margret Wilson QC, chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to Tonga's National Parliamentary Elections this year made the plea after being elected to lead the COG.

In a statement Ms Wilson said their task as observers is to consider all factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process as a whole.

"Accordingly, we are charged with observing and evaluating the pre-election period, the poll, the count and the declaration of the results," Ms Wilson said.

The elections were called a year earlier than scheduled after the King dissolved Parliament in August, due to concerns about the conduct of the government.

Lord Vaea hopes to be re-elected into one of the nine seats set aside and voted for by the 33 hereditary nobles and five life peers.

RNZI reports the remaining 17 seats are popularly elected.

Vaea, who Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva once referred to as the unofficial 'Leader of the Opposition', said whoever made it into the house needs to make sure legislative action occurs rather than just talk.

It is the first time the Kiwis have ever lost to Tonga and the defectors form the Kiwis team got the last laugh, with an historic win.

But it wasn't Jason Taumalolo who was the big difference, rather David Fusitu'a who scored three tries as Tonga went on a rampant second half run.

New Zealand will now play Fiji in Wellington next week and if they win that are on target to play Australia in the semifinals in Brisbane.

 Tonga will play Lebanon and then likely face England in Auckland.

The global conference on climate change is being chaired by Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, but Tonga's delegation will not include a cabinet minister.

Siaosi Sovaleni headed the ministry responsible for the environment and climate change until he was sacked days after Parliament was dissolved in August.

The election was subsequently brought forward a year to next week.

Mr Sovaleni said an unfortunate by-product is the lack of ministerial presence at COP 23.

Having played at Waikato Stadium last Saturday, where they beat Samoa 32-18, Tonga have remained in Hamilton all week as they prepare to play New Zealand at the same venue, allowing for an ideal build up for the match which will decide who tops Pool B.

PIC Deputy Director Takehiro Kurosaki detailed recent trends in the tourism scenario in the Pacific Island countries with a particular focus on Tonga. Tonga Tourism Ministry officials Melesungu Pule and Simata-e-laa Palu, who worked as interns at PIC at the time, made the presentation on Tonga and the opportunities for tourism in the country.

The formal proceedings were followed by a traditional spread of Tongan delicacies including Lo’i Feke made with octopus and coconut milk, which the guests greatly enjoyed.

The broadcast journalist Katalina Tohi is among 15 women standing in the election next Thursday.

Over the past few years, women's groups have lobbied for temporary seats to be set aside for women in an effort to boost their representation rates.

There was only one female MP in the 26 seat parliament last term and only eight in total since 1951.

Those looking for greater representation suggest women need to be confident in voting for their own.

But Mrs Tohi said she wanted to be elected for being the best candidate available.

Isi Pulu was a founding member of the party that the interim Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva leads.

Mr Pulu, who was first elected in 2002 but missed out in the 2014 election after falling out with Mr Pohiva , said he wants to bring greater accountability to parliament.

He said the democratically-led government had lost its way, leaving people still striving for better living standards.

Despite this, Mr Pulu said he does not harbour any bad feelings over his split with Mr Pohiva, who he believes may be receiving bad advice.