Tonga

CEO of Internal Affairs 'Ana Bing Fonua said the young men were accused of consuming alcohol, causing violence and not being able to fulfil their assigned tasks. 

Radio Tonga reports the young men, from Tofoa, were warned and counselled about their behaviour.

However, one of the returning fruit pickers denied the allegations accusing their supervisor of spreading false information. 

The Town officer of Tofoa, 'Usaia Fifita said the behaviour of the group has ruined the reputation of Tofoa and its people.

Police say the deceased went on a regular long-line fishing trip with another man from Ha’atafu around 6am on Saturday.

Kaniva News reports three hours later, when they were on their way back to the land, a huge wave hit the boat.

Police says the deceased jumped into the water and he was swept away by waves.

His body was later brought to shore by the waves.

Nukunuku Police were called in to the scene and transported the deceased’s body to Vaiola Hospital.

According to a report from the doctor, the 46-year old man died from drowning.

Crimes included arson, armed robbery and attempted rape.

Edwards assured the Chinese the police would work around the clock to put an end to such incidents.

Eighteen years later, there has been some improvement, but Tongan police are still working to bring crimes against the Chinese community under control.

Now Tongan police are conducting a survey of the Chinese community in Tongatapu and the outer islands to identify crime and safety problems.

The visiting Interplast team comprises specialists from Australia and New Zealand and will be in the Kingdom from February 16 to 23.

The coordinator of the Interplast team, Thomas Loporto said preparations for the visit are well underway.

“Over 80 patients are identified to be reviewed by our team which is an impressive number. This means that it will be a very busy program which is excellent,” Loporto said.

The team is aiming to consult at least 70 cases and carry out 35 procedures involving plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand organised for the German cruise ship Albatros to change course at 5am Saturday morning, after the fishing vessel crew set off an emergency rescue beacon 400 kilometres west south west of Tonga.

The ship diverted 300 kilometres to help the distressed 11.5 metre fishing vessel. RCCNZ also requested an RNZAF P3 Orion to fly from Whenuapai to the position that the beacon was transmitting from.

Kaniva Pacific reports the House chief clerk Gloria Pole'o confirmed the move in a letter to MPs on Thursday.

It said the motion was submitted together with supporting documents.

The announcement did not say who submitted the no confidence motion.

The motion will be put to the Parliamentary Privileges Standing Committee for a review today before it will be distributed to all MPs and a date for the motion will be announced.

The 38-year-old father Halapua has had a football career spanning back to the ‘90s and is glad to be able to pass on his knowledge to his son during their Veitongo FC matches.

“It’s a blessing for us,” he said.

“I know my son still has a lot to learn, controlling the ball and knowing the right time to attack it, and I’m glad I’m there with him,” Falepapalangi senior said.

Acting Director of Tonga’s MET office, Moleni Tu’uholoaki says the temperature of this particular body of warm water is from 30-31 degrees Celsius.

Radio Tonga reports this warm water is also known as the line of maximum sea surface temperature.

It is currently lying across the Niuas to the island of Niue.

Most islands can feel this warm temperature due to the direction of the wind which moves from the north to the south.

Moleni said the body of warm water is lying from the Northern side of Australia, Fiji and to the two Niuas.

The team comprising of specialists from Australia and New Zealand will be in Tonga from 16 to 23 February 2017.

The medical team will conduct a consultation clinic on Thursday February 16th at 1:30 pm in the Outpatient's clinic at the Vaiola Hospital.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery will be performed at the Vaiola Hospital from 16 - 22 February 2017 (excluding the weekend).

Patients with common skin diseases or cosmetic conditions will not be eligible for this consultation.

She also recently competed in the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Junior and Senior Beach Volleyball at the East Pierin Ahuriri, Napier, on January 28.

Mataele-Katoa regularly competes in indoor volleyball and netball, and is known for her tall stature and exceptional skills on the court that she considers to be a gift from God.

Hailing from Flaxmere, Hastings, she was raised in a very religious Tongan household where she grew up attending church with her parents Malia and Siaosi.