Tonga

Students of Folaha GPS, Longoteme GPS, Beulah Primary Schoolin Vaini and Peteli College in Pea will be responsible for planting the seedlings and looking after them.

The Forestry team will do follow up visits to ensure that the new plants are growing healthy and well.

This is part of the campaign to help keep the environment green and healthy, especially within the different school compounds.

The plant seedlings were distributed by a visiting team from R2R, Ministry of Education and Forestry department.

EIA Officer Kosilio Faka’osi was on site again yesterday to carry out the testing with staff of TOA Construction, who are working on the Japan Government funded project.

Results showed that no sediments have leaked into the seas in and around the wharf area, with the sealed cotton enclosure providing sufficient protection at the moment.

The new wharf is expected to be completed at the end of the year with the opening scheduled for early next year.

Elder Cardon is a member of the Seventy and a counsellor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Tukuafu is an Area Seventy in the Church, and resides in Tonga.

Cardinal Mafi is the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Tonga, and the first Cardinal from the island nation.

During their meeting on Monday 5 June, the leaders discussed ways Catholics and Latter-day Saints are helping Tongan individuals, families and communities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Nuku’alofa yesterday, Pohiva said Tonga will first conduct a readiness assessment of its trading with Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island Countries to ensure proper measures are put in place to determine Tonga’s readiness.

“Secondly, the anticipated impact that such an agreement will have on our economies. Thirdly, the signing of the agreement is only the beginning of this important trade journey. Government will still have to confirm details about Labour Mobility and Development Assistance.”

Kaniva News reports the teenagers threatened a shopkeeper with a machete on June 10, 2017.  

Police believe the suspects fled with around $300 pa’anga after they entered the Chinese shop at around 11:40pm.

A Police search and investigation team found the teenagers on Monday, June 12.

They had been charged with armed robbery.

Prime Minister English is leading a delegation to the Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga on its 2017 Pacific Mission. Choosing Tonga a part of this year’s Pacific Mission reflects the close ties that New Zealand places on its relationship with Tonga.

The last Head of Government visit was made by then Prime Minister John Key in 2014.

The fights will operate on Mondays and Friday from Fagali'i Airport to Tongatapu.

The flights from Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa will operate on Sundays and Thursdays local time.

RNZi reports the flights come less than a year since Talofa started operations.

In a statement the airline's CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter said Talofa Airways was now ready to provide the much needed direct air services between Tonga and the two Samoas.

He said it was his hope to expand the service to Niue, Wallis & Futuna and other neighbouring islands.

This is consistent with arrangements made under the Pacific Island Chief of Police in terms of training opportunities,

Fiji Village reports the two are Woman Constable Fuka Mouga of the Tonga Police and Woman Constable Nepa Papalii of the Samoa Police Services.

While welcoming the two to the Fiji Police Force, Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said that Fiji is always eager to help its Pacific island neighbours.

Last month, 'Akilisi Pohiva pulled out of hosting the 2019 event, initially citing financial reasons but then saying his government had other priorities.

He remained steadfast in his stance even when the regional Pacific Games Council met with him to allay his concerns.

Now MPs Lord Nuku and Vili Hingano have tabled a parliamentary motion in the hope Mr Pohiva will change his mind, according to a report by RNZI.

Mr Hingano said it was also tabled for the government to explain its stance and give valid reasons.

Tongan businesses, workers` organizations and civil society organisations submitted a petition to the Prime Minister’s Office last Thursday afternoon requesting the deferment claiming the current text is detrimental to Tonga for several reasons.