Tonga

There has long been criticism that countries such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga do not face enough tier-one opposition outside of World Cups every four years and that this diminishes their chances of performing at their best in the global showpiece, where they have nevertheless made a significant contribution over the years.

This is something officials have tried to address in the new global calendar unveiled by World Rugby last week, but that doesn't kick in until 2020.

Families and friends of the 16 children diagnosed with autism in the Kingdom, will be the honoured guests at the prayer service organized exclusively for them and will be attended by the loyal supporters of Autism Tonga.

Autism Tonga says many people are now aware of autism but few understand what it means to live with autism, and that lack of understanding hampers the inclusion of these children into society. 

The project includes educating students about the benefits of eating a variety of fruit and vegetables to help them establish life-long healthy eating habits.

The project has four different stages to accomplish within 10 primary schools this year.

Activities include the preparation and implementation of vegetable gardens in each school, cooking classes, and competitions to take place towards the end of this year.

Tonga Police allege that inexperience in driving might have been a contributing factor to the crash.

Tonganow online reports the incident occurred just after 2:00am.

The driver, a male, has been charged with reckless driving and driving without a licence.

Bloomfield said it was time to stop relying on solutions from economic textbooks.

As Kaniva News reported last month, the government announced that from now on budgets would be set according to a policy of aligning expenditure with GDP ratios.

“This problem has been raised from time to time and people are sick of it,” Bloomfield said.

He said economic policy was the cause of the civil servants’ strike in 2005.

Budget allocation should reflect activities and solution to stop these problems.

The participants will be able to obtain skills training and express themselves through their creativity.

This will assist the young women in developing skills and giving them a basis to earn financial means which ties in with the Project’s aim to encourage women, girls and young youths to develop their own economic independence, pursue further skill development and ultimately contribute to Tonga’s economy. 

Talitha Project provides young Tongan women and girls an opportunity to have a voice and make informed choices relating to their lifestyle and future. 

A total of 10 teams have registered for this competition including teams from the following organizations; 
1. Bank of the South Pacific 
2. ANZ Bank
3. Ministry of Justice
4. National Reserve Bank of Tonga 
5. Tonga Power Limited
6. Wobblies (AUS High com and volunteers)
7. Ministry of Education (Vuna Road office, staff)
8. Tonga Communications Corporation
9. MBF Bank
10. Tonga Development Bank

Games are held every Wednesday evening starting at 5pm at the BSP court.

In December legislative changes were made to transform 'Aisea Taumoepeau from the Commissioner for Public Relations into the country's first Ombudsman.

Under the law Mr Taumoepeau can investigate government administration, either triggered by public complaint or by his own decision.

RNZ reports this month his office was officially launched along with a website.

Mr Taumoepeau said the new digital platform would allow people to lay complaints.

He said in the past his office was not allowed to divulge information regarding their investigations and complaints.

Petelō told the Prime Minister: “We are not your enemy.”

The Prime Minister told her to move on from that but Petelo responded instantly: “I need to state it clearly.”

The Prime Minister talked again, but Petelō interrupted and told him “we are the scapegoat” and said the TBC did not hold an ill feeling towards him.

Kaniva News reports Petelō told the Prime Minister the TBC did not want to report anything bad about him.

Last week, a middle school teacher was charged with assault over the beating of a student who was later hospitalised for his injuries.

RNZ reports the teacher also reportedly threatened to beat the 11-year-old's parents if he reported the incident.

Corporal punishment is illegal in Tonga, but the crisis centre's team leader, Lesila Lokotui To'ia, said it was often used by both parents and teachers.

Ms To'ia said it was not a positive form of discipline and the centre has been working to educate people.