Tonga

Tonga most dependent in Pacific on remittances

In recent World Bank data shows remittances made up nearly 33 percent of Tonga's GDP in 2015.

This ranked it fourth in the world in terms of reliance on remittances.

18 percent of Samoa's GDP comes from remittances and 14 percent for the Marshall Islands.

Radio Tonga reports that about 12,000 Tongans are now working under Australia's Seasonal Worker Program and New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme.

     

Tonga wins Maya Declaration Award 2016

Radio Tonga reports the Maya Declaration has seen a strong growth in institutional commitments and a sharp increase in quantified targets.

It was presented to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Tonga – Dr. Ngongo Kioa during Alliance for Financial Inclusion Global Policy Forum in Fiji.

Information from the National Reserve Bank of Tonga states, Governor Dr. Kioa will be sharing Tonga’s experience in developing of its national financial inclusion strategy which has been greatly assisted by its membership in the AFI.

King Tupou VI spotted by surprised shopper in Pukekohe

Kaniva News reports photos uploaded to Facebook showed the king apparently checking out some goods in a shop.

One of the photos showed he was standing by the counter of a shop and was apparently talking to a shop keeper.

Kaniva News understands the 57 year-old monarch was in Auckland last week on his way to Singapore with his wife, Queen Nanasipau’u.

Reports on social media said a Tongan woman called Loumoli was shopping at one of the stores in the suburb when she was surprised to see the king.

Tongan Politics Analysis 1: Royal Visit to Singapore Should “Kick-start” Action in Parliament

That His Majesty is not sitting around waiting for Legislators to take their own sweet time to start acting on His visionary challenges to the Legislative Assembly’s 2016 opening day in May:

(1) To improve the country’s health and healthcare;

(2) improve the education system; (3) improve the economy.

Similar challenges made by the late Taufa‘āhau Tupou IV, and Siaosi Tupou V, but Parliament seemed to have no clue what Their Majesties were talking about. They fell upon deaf ears.

Te Tau Lava tournament held in 'Eua

The best teams on the day were:

Under 18- Malia Fatima 
Senior A- Niu'eiki 
Senior B- Pangai

The games were competitive but the focus of the tournament was on living healthy lifestyles, active communities and the empowerment of women and girls.

The tournament marked the beginning of a year of coaching, training and development of netball on the island.

     

Concerns in Tonga over hike in food items

Speaking to Radio Tonga News, Folauhola Tuaimei'api of Lavengatonga and Heevaha Kavana of Fo'ui say they were hoping fish would become cheap because chicken meat remains expensive. 

Kavana is asking government to decrease the tax on chicken because it’s the only meat ordinary families can afford. 

Folauhola Tuaimei'api said government earlier announced that tinned fish will become cheap but it’s now the same price or more expensive than chicken. 

Tonga's national head count on November 30

Winston Fainga'anuku of Tonga's Statistic's Department says the national head count is important for government's strategic plan.

Radio & TV Tonga News reports the Statistics Office is currently preparing for the national census on 30 November. 

For the first time, officials will use tablets to record information gathered. Census will be conducted by officers of the Statistic's Department and teachers throughout the island kingdom.

Tonga's population was more than 100,000 in the last census in 2011. 

Attackers of US Peace Corps Director to Tonga named, denied bail

Kaniva News reports Hemaloto Makafilia, 23, and Sailosi Lau’i, 21, were denied bail after they appeared before the Nuku’alofa Magistrate court this week.

Makafilia of Sopu is charged with grievous bodily harm while Lau’i of Hala’ovave is charged with abetment to grievous bodily harm.

The director, who has not been named, was jogging along a footpath behind one of the residences at the waterfront when a man attacked her on Saturday, July 16.

     

Photos of Japan’s coastline and its people, exhibited in Nuku‘alofa

The exhibition will be held at the Visitor’s Information Centre’s lawn, Tonga Tourism Authority Office, Vuna Road.

The Exhibition of almost 100 photographs is organized by the Japan Professional Photographers Society and the Japan Foundation, endeavour to capture Japan’s archipelago and to visually present Japan’s people and their maritime culture. Photographs capturing people’s everyday lives and sites of historic importance from the coastlines of Japan will be exhibited including some images from the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, 2011.

Tonga wants more rural work visas in Australia

Tongan Minister for Internal Affairs, Sosefo Fe’ao Vakata, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation today that more than 1000 applicants hoped to find work placement in Australia under the country’s Pacific Harvest Scheme.

“There is some work [back in Tonga], but not as good an income as what they get in Australia,” the Minister said.

And the Minister said he hoped the scheme would help solve the kingdom’s unemployment problem by creating opportunities for school leavers.