Tonga

RNZ reports on Monday, an American news agency published a release from Red Warrior Entertainment, claiming Tonga's Cabinet had formalised an agreement including a casino, more than two weeks ago.

In a statement, the government said a proposal was received in November for a development known as the Tavake Tamafua Tourism Investment Project.

The proposal included an airport hotel and shopping mall, luxury villas and a gaming resort.

The statement said Cabinet supported the project subject to legal documents, plans and due diligence.

RNZ reports the West Papua Warriors are back after making their debut last year while Australian-based teams representing the Fiji, Samoa and Cook Island communities are among the 27 confirmed entries.

American Samoa are absent this year, while Niue have entered just one team, but Fairfield Lototaha will be flying the flag for Tonga.

The Football Manager for the Cabramatta Rugby League Club, Bob Erskine, said the number of teams competing has remained steady for the past few years but international teams now make up the bulk of those taking part.

Radio Tonga reports the Ministry has noted a rise in the rate of unemployment annually, while more businesses are registered.

The survey results will help formulate a policy and determine a program to improve the employment rate in Tonga.

Some businesses in the kingdom employ people of their own nationalities which the Immigration office describes as illegal because they do not have work permits or the correct visa.

The survey started on Monday and will run through to February 23, 2017.

Kaniva News reports the Ministry was responding after complaints surfaced on social media claiming the Vavaʻu Doctor Superintendent allegedly mistreated patients.

A spokesperson for the Ministry has invited complainants to lodge their grievances against healthcare professionals or services directly with the Minister’s office, the director’s office, or with the office of the Ombudsman and Public Relations.

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The Ministry of Customs and Revenue CEO Kulu ʻAnisi Bloomfield said yesterday the licence issued was for the foreign investor to build a hotel and an “airport facility”.

The responses from government came after Kaniva News questioned the RWE license agreement and conditions.

Dr Ronald D. Pate, Chickasaw, Principal of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of Red Warrior Entertainment, LLC  reportedly said on Monday the Tongan government has issued his company with an “Exclusive National Master Gaming License”.

A Tonga Broadcasting Commission recent report said locals have reported seen a “blue light” in the sky.

7 News Australia yesterday published an image it said was taken by local resident, Joey Mataele, on New Year’s Day above his brother’s house in the village of Halaleva in Tongatapu.

Both reports could not establish the authenticity of the photo.

The young food innovators drew their inspiration from the Pacific and formed OLelei, the home of New Zealand’s best almond products.

According to the 17 year old Managing Director Matt Billington since OLelei is two-thirds Pasefika, they thought that it would be a good way to pay respects to their heritage.

“By using the word (Samoan) 'OLelei' with the rough translation to 'good' we believe this stands for all our products. Not only do they taste good but they are good for you,” Billington said. 

The Matangi Tonga reported that the purpose of the visit was to further promote co-operation between the two countries.

Both Tonga's Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Lord Tu'ivakano told the delegation that Tonga was overwhelmed with China's bilateral assistance to their country's development.

As well as ongoing aid programmes, China's assistance to Tonga includes various construction works in Nuku'alofa, the construction of St George Palace, and the preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games.

The office of the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency – FISA confirmed with Radio Tonga News this was due to the delay in offloading cargoes in Niuafo’ou because of the bad weather causing disruption in the vessel’s timetable.

Information from FISA says the vessel then had to wait for 24 hours, before passengers started boarding at Niuafo’ou, last Thursday.

The vessel then travelled to Vava’u and was supposed to stop over in Ha’apai – but due to the conditions of the passengers, they had no choice but to travel direct to Nuku’alofa.