Tonga

In August the King dissolved Parliament and called elections a year early because of concerns 'Akilsi Pohiva's government had acted unconstitutionally and was trying to gather power for itself.

In the lead-up to next week's vote, the government has continued with calls for cabinet members to be added to the King's Privy Council, which advises him on governance and legal matters.

But 'Aisake Eke, who is seeking re-election for a third time, said there was no need for cabinet places on the council if the Prime Minister was doing his job.

Tevita Motulalo said previous governments had talked about such measures, where people could request information deemed for the public good, but none had implemented it in the house.

Mr Motulalo said it would help bring good governance into Tongan politics, which he said was currently divisive in nature.

He said at the moment information was scarce or came via leaks and rumours.

The installation will be the first of its kind in the Pacific as a national leader takes the personal step to use solar power for their official residence.

The Tongan King will also become the world’s first monarch to use solar power, sending the message that Buckingham Palace should perhaps follow suit.

Fiji’s Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama is chairing the International Climate Change conference (COP23) which is currently being held here in Bonn, Germany.

Mr Paula Ma’u, the Head of the Tonga delegation and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of MEIDECC said Tonga supports Fiji’s Presidency and the call by Mr Bainimarama for urgency on the part of world leaders and climate change negotiators.

This is to ensure that action is taken now rather than later as Tonga and other Pacific countries continue to experience the effects of climate change.

Gaewyn Copeland didn't even watch the game from her Mt Albert home and although she knew there was a game happening she never thought she would become embroiled in the aftermath.

Copeland said she was shocked to wake up on Sunday morning and find her humble silver Holden Astra - parked outside her home well away from the game's atmosphere - spray painted with the word "Tonga" after the big game which saw fights break out in several parts of the country including South Auckland.

Tonga sealed their second win in the tournament against Samoa on Saturday night at a packed-out FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

The stadium was a sea of colours as fans showed up to sing, cheer and dance for their Pacific teams. 

Woolf says the experience was one of a kind and it proves that Pacific teams are worth the investment.

"The first step I think is putting on more games. We'd love to play Samoa every year and I know they'd love to play us every year and I'm sure the fans would love to see that as well."

With a 32-18 win over Samoa on Saturday night, Tonga made it two wins from two at the tournament and assured themselves of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time in five attempts dating back to 1995.

The victory in front of over 18,000 fans at Waikato Stadium was also just the second time Tonga have tasted victory over their Pacific neighbours in a rugby league Test match, with coach Kristian Woolf happy for his men to celebrate before re-focussing for their final pool game against New Zealand.

A commanding performance from Tonga's star forward pack laid the platform, and off the back of it they starved Samoa of the ball and took full advantage of their opposition's sloppy errors to score five tries.

A court in Hawaii court ordered the release of Dean Jay Fletcher who is alleged to have killed his Canadian wife in Vava'u.

Mr Fletcher fled Tongan authorities to American Samoa where he was arrested last October by US federal agents.

Tonga sought extradition but the US Secretary of State denied the request.

The US was worried that without a legal aid system, Mr Fletcher would not have legal representation or a fair trial.

But Tonga's acting Attorney General, 'Aminiasi Kefu, said the defendant had already hired lawyers before he fled.

The court order followed a motion to dismiss the case by the US Department of Justice regarding Dean Jay Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher fled Tongan authorities to American Samoa where he was arrested last November by federal agents.

Tonga sought extradition and in January, the Honolulu federal court ruled the Secretary of State would make the final determination.

This week a letter from US State Department showed the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, had denied Tonga's request for Mr Fletcher's extradition.