Tonga

RNZ reports last week the Tonga National Reserve Bank revoked the licence of the bank which is a partnership between Chinese shareholders and Princess Pilolevu Tuita.

Matangi Tonga reports the commercial bank's general manager Mishka Tu'ifua said it will urgently take legal action against the Reserve Bank over the cancellation because proper procedures hadn't been followed.

According to the website, Mishka Tu'ifua said the Reserve Bank had reactivated a termination notice that it issued in January last year which was subsequently cancelled.

RNZ reports China gifted the MA-60 plane to Tonga in 2012, and New Zealand responded by halting tourism aid funding and discouraging tourists to fly on the plane, which was used for domestic flights.

New Zealand has argued the plane was never properly certified, a point Tongan authorities disagreed on, saying China had guaranteed the type certification.

'Akilisi Pohiva says Tonga doesn't have the technical know-how, but New Zealand and China could easily work together to solve the problem.

This came to light when engineer Consultant Mr Finau Hufanga from the Department of Communication under the Ministry of MEIDECC conducted his annual visit to Ha’apai last month with a colleague.

The visit was aimed to renew, inspect and register radio equipment operated in Ha’apai.

Engineer Consultant Mr Finau Hufanga identified some of the challenges faced while in Ha’apai.

“We couldn’t cover all the islands of Ha’apai due to lack of fuels for the boat we used and the visit was limited also due to time frame.”

RNZ reports although it appears 'Akilisi Pohiva has the numbers to survive the motion, brought by Lord Vaea, the Prime Minister said he didn't think he could achieve much more in the upcoming second half of his historic term.

Mr Pohiva has faced renewed criticism for his handling of the economy and the education portfolios, as well as buckling to pressure from the churches to enforce a ban on Sunday trading.

He said he planned to retire in 2018 at the end of the current term, and he was looking for young leaders to continue his reforms.

Pohiva and former Prime Minister Lord Fred Sevele have been in conflict for several months, with Mr Pohiva apparently determined to remove his long-time political rival from his role as the Games' chief executive.

That matter is currently before the courts, while there is a suggestion now that as long as Lord Sevele remains in post, and Mr Pohiva remains in power, funding for the Games will be frozen.                       

According to RNZ, the Tongan police said they arrested 137 people mostly in the capital Nuku'alofa after Operation Safe Streets was launched on Friday.

The Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said the operation was an effort to prevent crime and protect the public.

The police said the operation would run over the next several weeks and concentrate on Nuku'alofa, and throughout Tongatapu, where alcohol-fuelled crime is a problem.

Those arrested were to appear in the Magistrate Court tomorrow.

There are numerous examples in Oceania where the sudden arrival of rats and other species saw a rapid decline in the indigenous flora and fauna and numerous extinctions.

The boost comes out of an initiative from the kingdom's honorary consul in Sydney.

Earlier this year Louise Waterhouse celebrated her 60th birthday but in lieu of gifts she asked her party guests, including members of the Tongan royal family, to donate to the Olympic team instead.

RNZ reports 'Akilisi Pohiva met his counterpart, John Key, at Government House in Auckland and spoke about the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme, assistance with battling non-communicable diseases and collaboration on tackling drug trafficking.

The Tongan leader admitted his country was struggling to rein in corruption - and a particular concern was the sale of passports.

"There has been a continued sales of Tongan passports, and this is a very serious, serious case and our government is working very hard. That is an indication of corruption," he said.

'Akilisi Pohiva said he agrees the ban, which came in earlier this month, was affecting small business owners but it simply enforces a law that has been breached for 30 years.

RNZ reports the ban restricts Sunday trading to restaurants in hotels and other commercial accommodation establishments.