Tonga

The Principal of Niua Fo’ou High School – ‘Enesi Vatuvei said, form 6 students sat the national exam last year and they all passed.

In form 5, 15 sat the exam and only 7 passed and in form 7, 2 passed from 4 students.

The Principal of Niuatoputapu High School – Veisinia Kilikiti said, 25 form 5 students sat the exam and only 12 passed.

Form 6 recorded 100% pass rate with 4 students sitting and passing the exam.

Form 7 recorded a 50% pass rate, with 2 passing out of 4 students.

RNZ reports the spread of mosquito borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya is a persistent problem for Pacific countries with the number of cases on the rise.

New Zealander Tom Swan completed his Masters in biological sciences at the University of Canterbury and recently returned from a Fulbright scholarship trip to the United States to research mosquitos.

He said he hoped the identification key would be used by Pacific governments to identify mosquito larvae and then educate the public.

Tongan citizens Sione Taumololo, 11, and Talita Fifita, 33, died after a bus carrying the Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band from Tonga went down a 100m bank on SH2 near Gisborne on Christmas Eve.

One of the injured passengers who was taken to Waikato Hospital died just over a week later. She was Leotisia Malakai, 55. 

Community leaders say in the weeks following the crash the band group kept performing, despite injuries and shock.

An ambulance was called to one service where the bandmaster was rushed to intensive care.

Kaniva News reports hundreds of people were at the airport to see the arrival of the plane carrying his coffin yesterday.

His casket was covered with the Tongan flag and it was welcomed by many government officials and civil servants.

His death has been widely shared on social media.

He has been described by many as “tangata fakalongolongo mo angalelei lahi” (translated: quiet and man with good conduct).

RNZ reports the investment is intended to improve food security and health as well as expanding the processing of breadfruit products for export.

The rural development NGO MORDI is party to the project and its general manager, Soane Patolo, says research has shown that 70 percent of breadfruit grown in Tonga goes to waste.

Mr Patolo says the investment from Japan will pay for new machinery to process the previously unused breadfruit into powder, paste and a popular dessert.

A spokesperson for the Tonga Ports Authority said, 10 years ago only about 8 cruise liners arrived in Tonga but in 2016 more than 20 cruise ships visited the Friendly Islands.

The schedule for this year is 21 cruise ships.

This is because Tonga is becoming more popular overseas and Vuna Wharf is more reliable now for International cruise liners.

In previous years, cruise ships hardly visited the kingdom but last December, 4 different cruise liners berthed at Vuna Wharf with more than 1000 passengers in each ship.

Kaniva News reports the fire destroyed the college’s industrial art building blocks.

The building was still standing but all contents were destroyed, an alumni said.

Firefighters arrived and battled the flames but it was too late.

Now here’s a really good reason to visit in 2017 - they’re all on a new hot list of destinations where you can be sure your trip won’t be guilt trip.

Holidaying in developing countries can often raise a complex set of questions and concerns - like, “Is tourism really helping the local people?” or “Am I damaging the environment by visiting?”

Competent Authority released the new prices with petrol increasing by 15 seniti to TOP$2.53 per litre and kerosene with the highest rise of nearly 16 seniti to TOP$1.71 per litre.

The diesel price is TOP$2.46 per litre which had an increase of 13 seniti.

The rise in prices are caused by the weakening of Tongan Pa’anga combined with an increase in International prices.

The new petroleum prices will be effective for a month until Feb 16th 2017.

‘Asipeli Palaki, 53, was receiving treatment for kidney problems at a hospital in Suva, Fiji.

Radio Tonga reports he died on Sunday, January 15.

A spokesman for the Ministry says they are arranging a special program for the arrival of his body at the airport.

The funeral cortege will be transferred to the Vaiola Mortuary and a prayer service will be conducted as is customary to such occasions.

Asipeli is survived by his wife Lotukalafi Palaki and two children.