Tonga

It was the Free Wesleyan Church hymn 398 in which the lyrics were apparently written by late Dr James Egan Moulton in 1890s.

Kaniva News reports the hymn, known as “ʻOiau he ʻOfa ʻa e ʻOtua”, was sung during the memorial service.

It is now performed in two different tunes, one of which was composed by Samuel Stanley (1767 – 1822), while Arthur Henry Mann (1850 – 1930) composed the other version.

The first line of the hymn tells listeners, in Tongan, about the great love God has given to all human beings.

The Legislative Assembly concluded after 'Akilisi Pohiva's response to the motion was read today.

RNZ reports Parliament will reconvene on Monday morning to deliberate on the motion and reply before votes are cast.

Standing orders state the vote must take place within five working days after the day the motion was tabled in the House.

The motion was tabled on February 20.

Some MPs were concerned the motion would lapse today but the Speaker has confirmed the end of business Monday is the deadline for a vote.

During his visit to the Kingdom of Tonga early this month, the ambassador paid a courtesy call to three line Ministries of the Government of Tonga including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Tourism.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sione Finau Moala-Mafi welcomed His Excellency to the Ministry to discuss tourism related issues.

Ambassador Camargo is based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Photo: Deputy Secretary Sione Moala-Mafi (left) and Ambassador Paulo Cesar DE Camargo.

The 90 year old Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho died on Sunday after travelling to Auckland for health reasons.

Her body was transferred from the Auckland mortuary to ‘Atalanga in Epsom yesterday (Thursday) morning. 

Upon the arrival of the royal cortege, the President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga – Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio who is also the Royal Chaplain led the prayer service.

In attendance were HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Princess Latufuipeka and members of the Free Wesleyan Church in New Zealand.

The letter, dated January 9, claims to have been written by 'Akilisi Pohiva to the 'Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China.'

RNZ reports it stated that "religion and its institutions" were halting Tonga's progress and preventing it from transitioning into a democracy.

It went on to speak of creating a confidential plan to secularise the country and eventually remove all power from the monarchy.

The Prime Minister's Office has vehemently denied the letter was penned by Mr Pohiva and the Chinese Embassy has questioned its veracity.

This week, for only the second time in history, such a motion was tabled in parliament claiming that 'Akilisi Pohiva was unfit to be Prime Minister.

Royal Oceania Institute Director of Research, Tevita Motulalo, said the first motion was tabled in June 2012 but dragged on until October, almost crippling the government through the level of uncertainty it brought.

However, Mr Motulalo said the mechanism had been streamlined and parliamentarians have adapted to the process better so these proceedings could take less than a week.

He said the public was also adapting.

Akilisi Pohiva is accused of nepotism for hiring his son as his assistant and of putting people into high ranking government positions without due process.

RNZ reports Mr Pohiva is also under fire for trying to remove the Attorney General and the CEO of the Pacific Games Organising Committee.

And he is criticised for wasting money, defending a former Cabinet Minister who was found guilty of bribery charges and for damaging relations between Tonga and Indonesia with comments supporting West Papuan independence.

The date was written by Lord Tu’ilakepa when he signed as part of the 10 signatories required by the law to submit the Vote of No Confidence motion.

Kaniva News reports the noble wrote the date and it could be interpreted as it was either 31.09.2017 or 31.07.2017.

The Minister of Police spotted the numerical blunder and told the House the motion would be unlawful if they would not correct it.

The Speaker told MPs to correct the mistake and let the Lord Tu’ilakepa put his initial on it.

The Queen Mother died in Auckland at 10:15 pm on Sunday, 19 February after an illness.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala made the announcement Tuesday afternoon in a radio broadcast in Tonga.

He said the Queen Mother will be taken to the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace when her body will arrive in the kingdom.

Kaniva News reports she would be laid to rest at the Mala’ekula Royal Tombs on Wednesday morning, March 1, the Crown Prince said.

The family will observe a ten day period of mourning in her honor and glorification.

The motion was tabled in parliament on Monday by Lord Tu'iha'angana, one of seven Nobles' Representatives who signed it.

Three People's Representatives also put their name to the motion, former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu, Vili Hingano and Fe'ao Vakata who Mr Pohiva sacked for misconduct last year.