Tonga

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) Hon Semisi Fakahau told guests on Thursday that the national body would address food safety in Tonga and also at the international level.

“When complete, the Pack House will be used by communities to process and pack agricultural produce for export”, a comment on the Australian High Commission Tonga Facebook page read.

Hundreds of mourners also attended his funeral service before he was escorted to his final resting place at the Manukau Memorial Garden in South Auckland.

PNG will also assist Tonga with its High Performance Center where elite sportsmanship will be prepared to represent Tonga in the Pacific Games and other international sporting events.

Prime Minister Pohiva was in Port Moresby earlier this week for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. He was accompanied by the Minister and CEO for Internal Affairs also responsible for Sports.

The main purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit to PNG was to further strengthen the economic and social cooperation between the two countries in the sports arena. 

The first cruise ship to arrive in Tonga is the Pacific Princess arriving on Thursday, February 4 followed by three ships - MS Artania on February 6, Pacific Pearl February 11 and onwards to Vava’u with the Black Watch on February 24.

Since the establishment of the Vuna wharf in 2012, the cruise market has seen developments over the past few years from an increase in frequency of visits throughout the year to welcoming three ships within a day – a gold star for Tonga’s cruise market.

Police and emergency services in Pangai, Ha’apai were at the scene to pull out a car from the sea at Foa causeway while a man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Kaniva News understands the car was hit by waves while it attempted to cross over to the other side of the causeway.

The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning centre said a Gale Warning remains inforce for Ha‘apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A Strong Wind Warning remains inforce for Vava‘u.

A Heavy Damaging Swells remains in force for all Tonga waters.

Situation:

Tropical Cyclone Victor (category 2) lies about 21 decimal 5 South, 172 decimal 1 West or approximately  305km East of ‘Eua at about 4:00am this morning and is moving West at a speed of 10km/hr.

The fund was paid to an Australian company, Boat Book in March last year for equipment earmarked for the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology (TIST). 

Radio Tonga News reports the payment was made two weeks after the invoice was received from the company. Details of the invoice were the same except for the banking details. 

The bank explained the initial payment, was made to an account in Indonesia, and the money was withdrawn from the account the day after the payment

It has South to Southeast winds of 45 kilometre per hour to 55 kilometre per hour in which it will increase to 65 kilometre per hour and gradually increased to damaging gale force winds in the next 36 to 48 hours.

On its current track, the Category Three cyclone is expected to lie about 575 kilometre East of ʻEua about 1pm this afternoon.

The investigation will be looking at evidence of working long hours for low wages and without extra pay.

There were also claims the Fijians were falsely promised getting certain jobs in the kingdom but that did not happen when they arrived there.