Tonga

Brownlee was presented baked food and Tongan gifts at a ceremony held at ʻAlakifonua yesterday.

Kaniva News reports he held discussions about security and policing issues with the Minister of Police, Mateni Tapueluelu.

“The Ministers spoke openly about the working relationship between the two countries”.

Brownlee also met with Tongan Minister for Defence Lord Ma’afu and Chief of Defence Brigadier Fielakepa to discuss the long-standing and strong relationship between the New Zealand and Tongan Defence Forces.

The cyclone is moving past the northernmost islands of Tonga before reaching northeastern Fiji tomorrow.

Tonga's National Emergency Management Office director Leveni 'Aho said emergency services are on standby in the Niuas, where up to 700 people are living.

He said while there were no reports of damage as yet, locals were preparing for tonight when the storm will be at its closest.

At 7am today, category 1 Tropical Cyclone Ella was located near latitude 15.0 South, longitude 173.7 West or about 105km north of Niuatoputapu or 215km East-northeast of Niuafo’ou.

The system is moving West-Northwest at about 4 knots (8km/hr).

According to the latest forecast, TC Ella is expected to lie about 195km West-northwest of Niuatoputapu or 40km North-northeast of Niuafo’ou at 78pm today.

A gale warning and a flash flood has been issued for the Niuas land areas.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Tonga.

RNZI reports the visit is the first by a New Zealand foreign minister since 2015.

Mr Brownlee said he would be discussing New Zealand's assistance to Tonga, including energy, policing, justice and education.

He said he would also meet business leaders and visit New Zealand-funded renewable energy projects in the country.

For one Tongan, that is exactly what she has been doing for almost two decades.

Ikanamoe Ma'u proudly calls herself a heavy kava drinker.

"I can drink kava all night and drink more cups than men," she says proudly.

Now living in Aotearoa, it was a pleasant surprise to notice a shift in female kava consumption on a recent trip back to Tonga, she said.

"I went home and was surprised to see a lot of young females as kava consumers and they do drink the kava."

'Akilisi Pohiva and members of the Games Organising Committee visited the new site last week.

The government had originally proposed building a new 18-hole course, despite the CEO of the Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, saying the current nine-hole course in 'Atele was suitable for the Games.

The Prime Minister said the two parties have now come to an agreement.

"We discussed that with the organising committee that no upgrade (to 18 holes will take place)," he said.

"They have performed the people that organise the sport that nine holes is ok."

Sovaleni has also expressed his concerns over lack of support for Tonga’s move to make sure the hazardous chemical is controlled when it comes to the island countries.

Kaniva News reports experts from overseas removed the chemical from some government buildings in Tonga since 2016 after it was discovered some building materials used for the construction of hospitals and schools in Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u contained asbestos.

In February this year Ngu hospital was the last to have its asbestos building materials removed.

The Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Anisi Bloomfield says they have requested TP$2 million from the 2017/18 budget to support the project.

Bloomfield and Head of the Business Support and Facilitation Division, Tevita Lautaha, led a Tongan delegation which struck a deal to export food, fish and handicrafts direct to New Zealand suppliers.

As reported by Kaniva News last month, Tonga would export crops including taro, yams, manioke, kape, taro and pele leaves.

Eight men between the ages of 16 – 42 from Fanga, Matahau, Fo’ui and Sopu have been arrested.

Search warrants were issued for five locations in Fou’i and one in Matahau where 3,222 cannabis plants, more than 20,000 cannabis seeds and 6 cannabis pot plants were seized.

Two firearms (.22 rifles), ammunition, cash and electronic devices were also seized during the operation.

Acting Police Commissioner, Viliama Unga Fa’oa says Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs where thereby preventing the harm this illegal activity causes.

The Pacific Test match will be the second of three blockbusters on Saturday with Tonga naming a strong line-up that includes former New Zealand winger Manu Vatuvei and Bulldogs fullback Will Hopoate for the first time.

Fiji also features plenty of NRL talent with Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu making his international debut alongside Panthers centre Waqa Blake, while Wests Tigers utility back Kevin Naiqama will captain the side and start in the No.1 jersey.