Tonga

More than 30 participants from line ministries, private sectors and public sectors participated in a two-day consultation that was hosted and funded by the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation & Labour.

Commonwealth Secretariat’s National Trade Advisor Isaac Ndung’u has been in Tonga for the past 12 months to assist with the drafting of the framework.

“The purpose of this workshop is to consult with everyone and to validate the Draft Trade Policy Framework which has been developed over quite a period of time,” he said.

The TOP$28 million project funded by China commenced on November 18, 2015 and was proposed to have been completed by August 31.

However, construction was completed on May 17, 2017.

A statement said construction of the Comprehensive Office Building Project contract was assigned to the Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd after the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Tongan Government reached an agreement with the company through friendly consultations.

The contestants, who are aged between 19 to 23 years old come from Tonga, United States and New Zealand.

The Miss Heilala pageant is the highlight of the two-week Heilala Festival which begins on Monday, June 26.

A variety of events are scheduled with a ‘Chef of the Year’ competition opening the festivities.

Other events include Tradition and Tongan Night, Tonga’s Got Talent Quest, Cultural Dance Competition for schools, Cultural Singing Competition, Gospel services, Heilala Block Party and an International Food Festival.

Acting Superintendent of Public Health Dr.’Ofa Tukia said a 23-year-old man of Lapeka was travelling from Tongatapu with the typhoid germ.

She said, the case has connection to a case of typhoid in Niutoua.

According to the information from the young man he went to Vaiola seeking medical treatment when he had the symptoms and was given medicine for 5 days only.

“However, when we travelled to Ha’apai, we visited the hospital. He was tested and verified as an active health carrier of typhoid,” she said.

They have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to cause bodily harm.

Kaniva News reports Tapueluelu was allegedly attacked after he told the Prime Minister that he would continue to “fakahohaʻasi” (disturb) him until he changed his mind about cancelling the hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games.

The comment was made at a press conference held by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva last week.

The two have been released on bail to appear at the Magistrate Court on June 30th, according to Radio Tonga.

Another suspect was arrested last week.

Flight A330 is the biggest aircraft to ever fly in to Tonga with Minister’s & CEO’s of various companies in Tonga embarked on the first visit inside the aircraft today with few guests.

The A330 aircraft can cater for more than 200 passengers to and from Tonga as was mentioned that it’s the biggest aircraft Fiji Airway has brought to Tonga.

Passengers will have more seats and space especially with the business class with a total of 24 seats and with 249 economy class seat.

Kaniva News reports the successful applicants would be contacted directly by the New Zealand immigration.

“We will be in touch with you shortly with information on how to complete and lodge your residence application”, New Zealand Immigration said.

“If your registration number is not on these official lists, then unfortunately your number was not drawn and you are therefore not eligible to apply for New Zealand residence under the 2017 Pacific Access Category.

“We will only be contacting registrants who were selected from the ballots”.

Tonga is the second largest contributor of RSE labour with more than 1600 workers participating in the scheme in the past year.

Sefita Hao'uli said Tonga would like to continue to grow seasonal worker numbers and see the scheme expand to other sectors such as hospitality, fisheries and old age care.

But he said research needs to be done into the social and economic impacts of the scheme on the home labour market and Tongan society in general.

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English joined Tonga's Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva in Nuku'alofa for the re-opening.

RNZI reports around $US1.4 million has been committed by New Zealand to have the stadium upgraded to international standards.

Next Saturday on July 1 the 'Ikale Tahi will play their first test on home soil in more than eight years, taking on Manu Samoa.

Tonga Rugby's Fe'ao Vunipola said he was expecting a full house.

The Talitha Project is working with over 50 young women on financial literacy and creative entrepreneurship.

Director Vanessa Heleta said the Bank of the South Pacific is providing financial advice and an account and her organisation was helping the women come up with ideas on how to create wealth.

Ms Heleta said Digicel had also allowed them space in their town square which would be used to access potential customers.