Tonga

"Talanoa: Four Pacific Plays" is the latest work from New Zealand-based Little Island Press.

RNZI reports the plays explore different aspects of Pacific people navigating New Zealand society as well as life back in the islands.

Olivia Taouma of Little Island Press also worked as a Pacific programmer for Auckland Council.

She said she helped co-ordinate a series of workshops at libraries to help Pacific writers publish and access a wider audience.

The 'Ikale Tahi will take on Wales in the first match, after the game was moved from Nuku'alofa, before the All Blacks host Manu Samoa in their only test before facing the British and Irish Lions.

Samoa and Fiji played to a sell-out crowd at Eden Park during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, while the local Tongan community came out in force to support the 'Ikale Tahi during that event.

Tongan coach Toutai Kefu was confident both teams would be well represented in the stands.

Lord Vaea hopes a royal petition will convince the government to change its mind despite its declaration this week that its decision to withdraw from hosting the games was final.

Lord Vaea said the ability of countries like Fiji and Samoa to host top sporting events was more advanced than Tonga's and the recent Super Rugby fixtures provided evidence of that.

Crusaders and former New Zealand Under 20s halfback Leon Fukofuka is poised to make his test debut against Wales, as part of the 'Pasifika Challenge' double header at Eden Park next Friday.

Former Australian sevens representative 'Atieli Pakalani has also been included after missing last year's Northern Tour through injury, while Auckland-based Kiti Taimani is another new face to the outside back ranks.

The prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has told a meeting with the Pacific Games Council that he is adhering to his announcement last month to pull out of hosting the event.

RNZI reports Vaea said Mr Pohiva never gave the council a chance to offer its assistance and alterative options.

He said now a petition involving the sporting community, school principals and members of the general public will be presented to the king next week.

Council President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue met with the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva, and two of his ministers on Tuesday, in a last ditch attempt to try and change their minds.

But the Prime Minister said the cabinet's decision was final and they government wished to focus its resources on other more important areas of economic development.

Andrew Minogue said the Games Council met with a lawyer in Nuku'alofa this week and if there was no change in stance from the government by the end of June, they will begin proceedings to seek damages through the court.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres swore in Ms Utoikamanu as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The Tongan diplomat is one of three officials sworn in on June 7.

The duo met with the prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, and two of his ministers on Monday only to be told the controversial decision announced last month was final.

Mr Pohiva told them his government wanted to focus its resources on more important areas of economic development and that sport was not an urgent priority for them.

This comes despite indications that Tonga was able to meet the costs while the Council had indicated it was ready and able to help out.

Tapueluelu pledged to carry out his legislative duty and responsibilities with integrity and righteousness.

He also pledged to obey his Majesty King Tupou VI, the King of Tonga and also to abide by the Constitution of Tonga.

Tapueluelu was originally elected into the Legislative Assembly of Tonga as a People Representative of Tongatapu 4 Constituency.

He was appointed to the Police and Fire Services Ministerial Post following the sacking of the former Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Eke in March this year.

It is four times more deadly to marine animal life than all other forms of marine debris combined, according to Pacific island leaders.

At the UN Ocean Conference in New York, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, an alliance of partners committed to tackling this challenge, was showcased with a special event led by the Kingdoms of Tonga and Belgium, in association with the World Animal Protection Society.

The Global Ghost Gear Initiative was founded in 2015 as the first initiative dedicated solely to driving solutions to the problem of ghost gear on a global scale.