Tonga

The Ha'apai group was hit hard by Cyclone Ian in 2014, killing one, injuring dozens and leaving thousands homeless.

RNZI reports the reconstruction effort has been beset by delays, miscommunication, quality concerns and land issues, with 75 homes still needing to be rebuilt.

Ha'apai Governor Mo'ale Finau said he welcomes the investigation as he had heard rumours of funds being misappropriated in the past.

Mr Finau said two government ministries in particular needed to provide information.

The first free class from 4pm-6pm will conducted by the chef of Ambassador Yukio Numata on Monday at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel.

The purpose of the event is to introduce Japanese food culture to the Kingdom.

The chef will use only the ingredients which are available to purchase in Tonga so that everyone can enjoy the healthy Japanese food at home.

Sushi rolls are one of Japan’s popular food which can be served as an appetizer or a main dish, has also grown popular and is the most preferred dish requested at Japan-related events in the Kingdom of Tonga.

According to the central bank, this followed a stronger growth of 3.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent for 2014/15 and 2015/16 respectively as indicated at the Statistics Department’s official estimate.

The projected growth for 2016/17 was mainly driven by anticipated growths in construction, utilities, fisheries and mining and quarry.

Several events scheduled for 2016/17 supported the growth in tourism and trade sectors.

At its meeting yesterday, the Reserve Bank’s board of directors approved to release its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for February 2017.

New Caledonia's newspaper said the operation was launched a week ago when a navy vessel was sent out in a joint mission with police and customs officials.

The report of Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes gave no details of where the yacht was caught but it said it happened several days ago and four people were detained.

The navy vessel, Le Vendémiaire, returned to its Noumea base this morning, with dozens of masked military men guarding the offloading of the drugs which have been moved to an undisclosed destination for destruction.

The 50-year-old from Kolofo'ou was charged with offences including false declaration, forgery, knowingly dealing with forged documents and bribery.

The last 12 months of his jail sentence has been suspended.

RNZI reports the case involved collusion with government workers and others to forge documents in support of an application for a Tongan passport for a foreign national.

A passport taskforce was set up nearly two years ago and has made 32 arrests over passport scams.

Thirteen people have pleaded guilty and 19 are awaiting trial.

After finishing bottom of their group in their debut last year, a fresh-faced Samoa team has rallied all the experience they can for this year’s campaign with hopes to improve on home soil.

Argentinian FFA B Licence coach Guillermo Schiltenwolf has been appointed to guide the squad from the sideline, and some key recruits have recently joined the camp in Samoa as they prepare for redemption.

Separate groups of men and women perform, sometimes in spectacular groups of several hundred at a time, with intricate hand gestures, bobbing feather head pieces in unison.

Hawaii Public Radio reports some of Tonga’s finest will be in Honolulu this week for the Asia Pacific Dance Festival.

Kotoni Siale is a punake, a teacher of Tongan dance.

His wife, Paia Siale, sings and designed the costumes for their group, which was organized specifically for this festival by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u.

Chief Inspector Meleane Taueli's comments came after it was revealed nine officers had been suspended over the past year.

RNZI reports over the past five years 12 officers have been sacked for misconduct and five have been convicted of criminal offences.

Ms Taueli says there are currently 16 criminal investigations underway within the force and 38 inquiries into disciplinary matters.

She said her unit was working hard to improve discipline in the force.

A total of 191 soroban students from six Government Primary Schools competed with each other in the three judging categories; written examination, oral examination, and flash examination.

Faleloa Government Primary School came in second place and Fotua Government Primary School came in third.

Top students in the written examination from Ha’apai will travel to Nuku’alofa to compete in the National Soroban Competition in March next year.

‘’I feel really proud to wear the Tongan jersey, it also comes with a lot of pride to represent Tonga.’’

Úhila, who is living in Auckland and attending St. Cuthbert’s College, just turned out for Tonga at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship and next month will make her second appearance for the Tonga U-16 national team at the OFC U-16 Championship in Samoa.

The 15-year-old made her international debut at last year’s OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in the Cook Islands and said the excitement of playing for Tonga still hasn’t worn off.