Tonga

A Police spokesperson said since November last year they have arrested and charged 11 people with various offences in relation to passport forgery.

The accused included Tongan and Chinese nationals who have pending trials in Nuku'alofa.

In November last year, four Tongan nationals were charged with forgery, receiving bribery, regarding a complaint over a passport application that allegedly used a forged birth certificate. Some of the accused were employees of the Ministry of Justice.

And Solomon Islander John Maefiti has been appointed its new Executive Officer.

The relocation follows a decision by PITIA’s executive board in November 2015.

The day-to-day business of PITIA is undertaken by the Secretariat with oversight by a Board of Directors which consists of a senior industry representatives from its member associations and chaired by Frank Wickham, General Manager of National Fisheries Developments Ltd (NFD), Solomon Islands.

The PITIA office is hosted by NFD and located in the Panatina Plaza in Honiara.

Details surrounding the death of the 67-year-old were not immediately available to Kaniva News.

However a relative who did not want to be identified has confirmed that Rev Tupou passed on Saturday.

The non-profit group Ethical Traveler has named The Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu in its annual list.

The list is based on a survey which assesses the performance of developing nations in the areas of Social Welfare, Human Rights and Environmental Protection.

The games will be played simultaneously at 2pm local time at two different venues.

Tonga vs. New Zealand is being held at Takitumu School in Matavera and Samoa vs. New Caledonia at the CIFA Academy.

Tonga face a monumental task in order to qualify for the next round, needing to either beat defending champions New Zealand, or at the very least keep a low losing margin and hope New Caledonia lose their clash with Samoa.

And Pohiva has revealed that Tonga needs about K500 million (US$165.7 million) to host the next Pacific Games in 2019.

Tonga’s annual budget is about K650 million (US$215.4 million)and with a population of about 120,000, they can only do little to support themselves.

The Tonga PM is in Port Moresby to follow up on a pledge by his PNG counterpart last year to help fund Tonga’s preparation of the Games.

Sports and Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko met the visiting prime minister and his delegation who arrived on a commercial flight.

Prime Minister of Tonga Akilishi Pohiva arrived today in Port Moresby to discuss the preparations of the games with the big brother, PNG.

 Pohiva admitted that the commitment was made  by the previous government and  it was not his dealings but he would honour it and make it happen.

In a brief media conference at the Jacksons International press room after his arrival, Pohiva said his delegation is here for bilateral talks with the PNG government on what will be the next step in terms of the games preparations.

This included food, toiletries and other gifts that were distributed to patients.

Sports and Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko welcomed Pohiva and his delegation at the Jackson international airport. 

In a brief conference with the media, Pohiva explained that his trip was to see and learn how PNG government built the Pacific Games facilities and hosted the successful Games last year. 

Pohiva will be meeting Prime Minister Peter O'Neill tomorrow. 

The Prime Minister and his delegation will leave for Tonga on Tuesday. 

He was accompanied by his Internal Affairs Minister Feaomoeata Vakata and other officials.

This was revealed at a media conference on Friday.

NRBT Governor Ngongo Kioa made the comments in Nuku’alofa, following a meeting with Cabinet.

The forecast augurs well for Tonga, as the country slowly recovers.