Tonga

Carmel Sepuloni and Jenny Salesa are among four ministers of Pacific island descent announced on Wednesday.

Bernadette Pereira said that meant double cause for celebration.

"This is the first time in the history of the parliament here in Aotearoa-New Zealand that four of our own Pacific men and women have been recognised for their contribution in terms of the work that they do and now they are actual ministers."

Ms Sepuloni is Minister for Social Development and Disability Issues and Jenny Salesa is Minister for Building and Construction and Ethnic Communities.

Immigration New Zealand will not accept the Certificates of Identity (COIs) without the holders being able to provide other forms of identification.

New Zealand requires either a New Zealand driver’s license or an expired Tongan passport as supporting identity documents.

Groups such as Recognised Seasonal Employee visa applicants who had planned to travel to New Zealand will need to get supporting letters from the RSE office in Tonga.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting on 18 October.

“The public should note that during this Christmas vacation period, the Government essential services will continue to operate such as Police, Health and Customs and Border Control services.”

“These Ministries will make their own specific announcements on operating hours in the coming weeks, “said the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Tiueti.

Mate Ma'a Tonga have been the talk of the last few weeks, since Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita opted to switch allegiance from New Zealand and Australia at the 11th hour, and were quickly joined by the likes of Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukieaho and David Fusitu'a.

Head coach Kristian Woolf said their preparations have been helped by the fact the players all know each other, have played together previously and know his expectations of them.

A National Dialogue on Democracy starts in Nuku'alofa tomorrow as the country prepares to go to the polls on November the 16th.

This comes after King Tupou VI dissolved the parliament and effectively sacked prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Everyone's been invited to take part in the dialogue which aims to take stock of the democratic reforms brought in under a new constitution in 2010.

Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the theme emphasizes the critical role of high-quality official statistical information in analysis and informed policy decision-making in support of sustainable development.

It also reflects the importance of sustainable national statistical capacity to produce reliable and timely statistics and indicators measuring a country’s progress.

All eyes were on forwards Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, both playing their first match for Tonga since turning their backs on New Zealand and Australia, but the duo only played the first 20 minutes of the match.

Officiated by His Majesty, King Tupou VI, the commissioning marked a new milestone in private sector investment in the development of renewable energy generation in Tonga.

The project is the first large scale Independent Power Producer facility to be installed in the Kingdom.

Reputations will mean nothing tonight in a trial game against Italy at what will be a typically greasy Callendar Park.

Woolf said the match would be crucial to deciding just how he will split hairs to find the best 17 for the October 29 opener with Scotland.

“The trial will be very important for a few spots in particular and these teams generally tend to pick themselves and blokes bobble up and perform, whether it be at training or a trial game,” he said. “There’s always an opportunity to put yourself ahead of someone else.

Radio Tonga said the local government requested the funding from New Zealand.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Sarah Walsh, said the funding would go towards the printing of the electoral roll and ballot papers, public awareness, travel and training for election officials and the venue hire for polling stations.

The Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki, said they were finalising paperwork to be distributed to the outer islands next week.

Voting is due to take place on November 16.