Princess Masako of Japan and his husband Crown Prince Naruhito will attend the coronation of King Tupou VI on July 4.
While Princess Masako has health condition with adjustment disorder for 11 years, her trip was uncertain to proceed.
However, some decisions were made and she was given permission from her doctor to travel.
The royal couple would join 1,000 special guests Tonga government has invited for the Their Majesties’ King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u’s coronation.
New Zealand taxpayers have funded bankrupt business trainer Richard Peter Gee to conduct business mentoring courses in Tonga.
The New Zealand Herald said the 64-year-old Aucklander conducted his third mentoring session in Tonga last week since being made bankrupt in the High Court at Auckland.
It said Mr Gee received $29,000 for the mentoring courses in Tonga – part of an aid package for the Pacific nation funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A spokeswoman for MFAT told the paper she “had no idea Mr Gee had been bankrupted during a period he was carrying out business mentoring courses”.
“She said the money was paid to the Tonga Chamber of Commerce as part of a larger aid package and the organisation then handled contracting itself. She said Mfat believed $29,000 had been paid to Geewiz Group Professional Speakers Ltd which provided “six courses of up to five days in length” between 2013 and 2015”…Read more
The Democratic Party has rejected a call by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s son-in-law for the government to withdraw its move to ratify CEDAW.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu insisted the government change its decision to sign up to the Convention on Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Tapueluelu’s call left a recent party meeting in uproar.
In a series of references to certain CEDAW clauses published in the Prime Minister’s newspaper, Kele’a, last week, Tapueluelu made assumptions about what he believed was the chance that ratifying the convention would “push” member countries to legalise abortion and same-sex marriage.
Tapueluelu said he “earnestly begged” the party meeting to review its decision to sign CEDAW and return it for more public consultation.
He said people did not understand CEDAW.
Tapueluelu said he had worked as an editor for three newspapers for 14 years and did not understood what CEDAW was about.
He said that if he did not understood the convention, then he questioned how the public could understand it.
Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News his cabinet believed CEDAW was good for Tonga and had determined to ratify the United Nations convention based on advice from stakeholders.
Tapueluelu persuaded his followers to believe the convention was designed to push the legalisation of abortion by claiming there were new born babies found dismembered in US. It was not clear why he referred to US as the country has yet to ratify CEDAW.
Tapueluelu said if government continued on with its move to ratify the convention the motive was clear – it was not for the moral advantages of the country but it was for money.
Tapueluelu was so emotional and at times made some references to the Bible to justify his claims.
At the end of his story he quoted part of the the Lord’s Prayer that says:
“Your kingdom come
“Your will be done on earth
“As it is in heaven”.
Agree to stand and believe together as one
In its campaign for the 2010 and 2014 general elections, the Democrats issued a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that consisted of a mission and a vision for all party members to follow.
The Party announced that all its members signed the MOU before 2014 general election.
One clause in the official document said all party MPs must “stand together” and “believe” together as one.
Kaniva News could not contact Prime Minister Pohiva to obtain his opinion about his son-in-law’s stance on CEDAW.
Three members of the Party were ousted last year after Tapueluelu, the editor of Kele’a, repeatedly described them as heke (crossing the floor) and no longer loyal to the party leader Hon. Pohiva.
He ran articles in Kele’a suggesting that Party MP Dr Sitiveni Halapua was no longer loyal to Hon. Pohiva as he had introduced a new model of his own for the democratic change Pohiva had fought for for years.
Hon. Pohiva’s publicly announced that Halapua’s model was good in itself, but that it should be campaigned for outside the party, because the Democrats had their own mission to have all members of Parliament elected by the people.
Dr Halapua eventually announced that he would not stood for Parliament.
Before last year’s general election, ousted Deputy Party Leader Isileli Pulu accused Tapueluelu of interfering with the party’s candidate list and pushing Hon. Pohiva to endorse the list without the party’s endorsement.
Pulu claimed the list that Hon. Pohiva endorsed was made up by Tapueluelu and published it in Kele’a before the Party knew about it.
After a series of exchanges between Tapueluelu and Pulu with other ousted Party MPs including Sione Taione and Falisi Tupou, Hon. Pohiva announced that he has fired them from the Party and he named new candidates to replace them. Tapueluelu then replaced Pulu.
When asked why he sacked them, Hon. Pohiva said it was because they continue to protest about the controversial party list.
The main points
The Democratic Party has rejected a call by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s son-in-law for the government to withdraw its ratification of CEDAW.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu insisted the government change its decision to sign up to the Convention on Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
His call left a recent party meeting in uproar.
Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News his cabinet believed CEDAW was good for Tonga and had determined to ratify the United Nations convention based on advice from stakeholders.
A small tornado has ripped through a small town east of Nuku’alofa this morning.
The rooftop of the Catholic church hall known as Sangata Fositina mo Langi Havea was torn up when the tornado lashed through the town of Lavengatonga at about 6am today June 15.
At least two houses and a shed were damaged
Lavengatonga’s town-officer reportedly said there were no casualties or death.
PHOTO: Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu (in the van) talking to Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and Princess Lātūfuipeka Angelika Tukuʻaho while visiting Kolomotuʻa on Friday. Photo/Paula Moimoi Lātū
The coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho is still two weeks away, but there is a sense of anticipation in the air as the kingdom prepares for what will be the largest event since King George V’s coronation in 2008.
Celebrations surrounding the coronation will officially begin on June 27, but the nation is already in a state of longolongo kātoanga, the feeling that public festivities are about to start.
Gifts have begun arriving for the Royal family and schoolchildren have performed traditional dances at the palace.
A nationwide clean-up campaign is underway and the government has announced a TP$200,000 (NZ$140,000) plan to dispose of derelict ships in Nuku’alofa’s harbour.
Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said it was important that when people from overseas arrived in Tonga for the crowning of Their Majesties that the kingdom looked clean and beautiful.
This follows a massive inland clean up in various villages in Tongatapu.
Photos obtained by Kaniva News show the clean-up operation has worked and the project has met with approval on social media.
Their Majesties visited the city of Kolomotu’a on Friday and were welcomed by Hon. Pohiva and the kainga.
Kolomotu’a is where the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa is located. It is understood that Their Majesties were invited by Namoa-‘O e-Taki Lelei group.
Princess Angelica Latufuipeka led the group in cleaning up of the city.
Lord Vaea leading his kainga to the Royal Palace in Nukuʻalofa. Photo/Melemanu Fiu Bloomfield
Fatongia/Duty
In the past couple of weeks the gates at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa have been open as gifts have been brought to present to Their Majesties.
Government ministries, certain villages and some groups have presented Tongan goods such as precious mats, ngatu, food and pigs. Some presentation were followed by group dances.
The presentation is known as fatongia, or duty, and has been mainly performed by those who are linked to Their Majesties in blood, responsibilities or ruling.
Last week the queen’s paternal village of Houma presented its fatongia to Their Majesty.
It was led by Queen Nanasipau’u’s brother, Lord Vaea.
They presented mats, ngatu and cakes followed by their traditional kailao, or war dance.
Kuini Sālote College performing for the Queen at Pangai Lahi. Photo/Sia Adams (Facebook)
Performance
On Thursday about 1000 secondary and primary school students in Tongatapu performed their traditional dances for HM Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho at Pangai Lahi.
This was another fatongia in which dances that have been practised for certain occasions are presented to either the nobles, town officers or the royals before the big day.
The performance in the grounds on the eastern side of the palace was presented by six secondary schools – ‘Apifo’ou College , Lavengamalie College, Queen Salote College, Tonga College, Tonga High School and Tupou College. Two primary schools also performed for the queen.
Invitation
The government has invited 1000 special guests, including leaders, diplomats and religious leaders from overseas to the coronation.
Thousands of Tongans overseas are also expected to join the coronation and various fundraising activities have been launched by Tongan communities in the United States, Australia and New Zealand to help fund people who want to travel to Tonga for the coronation.
Many people will also be in Tonga during the coronation for the Free Wesleyan Church’s annual conference, which will be held in Nuku’alofa from July 7 – 13.
Kaniva News understands the church is organising a choir of 1000 singers to perform an oratorio to their Majesties on Sunday, July 5, at the Centenary Chapel.
The choir will sing for an hour before the church formally announce its coronation greetings to Their Majesties.
Their Majesties vehicle in one of the roads in Kolomotuʻa covered with ngatu. Photo/Paula Moimoi Lātū
The main points
With only two weeks to go before the coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho, there is an air of anticipation and excitement in Tonga.
Gifts have been delivered to the palace, schoolchildren have performed traditional dances and the government has organised a massive clean-up campaign.
The government has invited 1000 special guests, including leaders, diplomats and religious leaders from overseas to the coronation.
Tongan communities in the United States, Australia and New Zealand have launched fund raising drives to help people who want to travel to Tonga for the coronation.
The Tongan government has announced the coronation of Their Majeties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho will be marked with a public holiday on Tuesday, July 7.
“This special decision is a one-off, and it is part of honouring and celebrating the majestic ceremony of the formal investiture of Tonga’s reigning monarch, His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u” a statement from the Prime Minister’s office says.
The official program for the coronation commences on Saturday 27 June and ends on Monday, July 6.
The Tongan government has received about TOP$55.4 million grant from the Government of Japan to help udgrade and extend Faua wharf.
The grant was received yesterday after Tonga’s Port of Authority revealed last year a plan to extend the wharf starting this year.
The proposed plan involves expanding the wharf’s waterfront operational areas by 250 m from the wharf’s current locations which can cover up to sea areas opposite Takaunove cemetery at Vuna Rd.
The extension plan is expected to be completed by 2018.
Only two ships at the size of MV ‘Otu Anga’ofa can berth at Faua at present but the extension when completed will allow up to 10 ships to dock at the port.
A statement from government today says the new wharf will also cater for inter-island sea transportation with boarding areas specially constructed for the elderly and disabled people.
“The Passenger Terminal Building’s roof top will have an independent solar system to commence Tonga’s step towards facilities that are more energy efficient with a greater degree of energy security, and more importantly an environmentally friendly source of energy”.
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva extended his gratitude to His Excellency, Mr Yukio Numata, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, and the Government of Japan, the “heartfelt appreciation” of the Tongan Government and the people of Tonga with the grant. He therefore expressed his well wishes for the “bilateral relation between Japan and Tonga to continue growing in strength”.
PHOTO: Left – Lord Maʻafu Tonga’s Minister of Land and Survey, R – Lord Fakafanua Tonga’s Former Speaker of the House
Lord Fakafanua has written to Tonga’s Minister of Land and Survey, Lord Maʻafu, asking him to reconsider the government’s decision to distribute the land at the village of Pātanga to its settlers.
The land at Pātangata was redistributed earlier this year so electricity could be connected to the village.
According to a report in Tālanga newspaper this week, Lord Fakafanua believes the estate is his.
However, Lord Maʻafu said the government stood by its decision and that Pātangata was a government estate.
Lord Fakafanua, the noble of Maʻofanga estate, said he believed Pātanga village was one of his estates because of the outcome of a series of Land Court cases brought by his grandfather.
Tālanga has since denied stories in other Tongan news outlets that Lord Fakafanua had taken legal action against the government.
The newspaper said the noble only wrote to the Minister of Land and Survey, claiming the estate was his and asking the government to review its decision.
It has been claimed that Pātangata, which is also popularly known as Tukutonga, was joined to another block of land called Finepani.
The lands were claimed by Fakafanua Kisione Lēlea, Lord Fakafanua’s great grandfather but was rejected in a Land Court Case in 1924 according to Kakalu-‘O-Tonga newspaper.
Fakafanua Lēlea divided Finepani into two and gave the lands to two of his heralds, Sōsefo Kātoa and Kēlepi Veʻehala, Tālanga reported.
Kātoa and Veʻehala registered the lands with the Ministry of Land and Survey in December 1928 and January 1929.
Tukutonga was leased by Lord Fakafanua’s grandfather to an American citizen named Drucker with the approval of the cabinet – decision number 1041- on January 1, 1971.
However, in 1972 the cabinet changed its decision and declared that Tukutonga was part of the government’s estates.
Fakafanua took the government to court in 1975 and won his case before Chief Justice H.S.Roberts.
However, his victory in the Land Court Case – number 13 of 1975 – was appealed by the government which took it to the Privy Council.
Kakalu-‘O-Tonga quoted Lord Ma’afu as saying the government won in its appeal.
Fakafanua then began another legal action, but the case stalled and has not been pursued since then.
Lord Maʻafu reportedly said the government would stand by its decision on the distribution of Pātangata and Lord Fakafanua was free to take any legal action against government.
He said only a court decision could change the government’s decision.
The main points
Lord Fakafanua has written to Tonga’s Minister of Land and Survey, Lord Mā’afu, asking him to reconsider the government’s decision to distribute the land at the village of Patanga to its settlers.
The land at Patangata was redistributed earlier this year so electricity could be connected to the village.
According to a report in Talanga newspaper this week, Lord Fakafanua believes the estate is his.
However, Lord Ma’afu said the government stood by its decision and that Patangata was a government estate.
A driver accused of smashing his vehicle into the fence of the Royal Palace and fleeing the scene in Nuku’alofa has been charged with reckless driving
Police arrested 30-year-old Seleti Mafi of Sopu Monday 8 and is awaiting trial at the Magistrate Court.
According to Police Communication Officer Telesia Adams the accused after fleeing the scene arrived at the Central Police station and falsely filed a complaint claiming his van was stolen.
However a witness told Police he saw Mafi leaving the van after it crashed into the Palace’s fence. The witness’s report led to the victim’s arrest.
It was not clear whether the accused received further charges on his false report or not.
The price of chicken, tinned fish and other imported food is down and the airport departure tax has gone up in Tonga’s new budget.
The government hopes the results will be longer lives for Tongans and new sports facilities for the South Pacific Games that will be used by the kingdom’s young sportsmen and women for years to come.
In announcing the budget, Finance Minister Dr Eke said the government had made the national diet a priority in an attempt to increase the kingdom’s life expectancy from an average 65 – 69 years to 70 – 75.
He said the government understood people were free to choose what food they ate, but it was the government’s responsibility to make sure people had access to healthier, cheaper, food.
Under the new budget the price of imported chicken would be reduced to only 17.5 percent increase and tinned fish would be 12.5 percent cheaper.
Dr Eke said an inquiry had found that the price of chicken had risen by 51 percent, while the retail price of tinned fish had increased by 33 percent.
He described the finding as “shocking.”
Price rises include an increase in the airport departure tax and foreign exchange charges, which will go towards the cost of preparing for the South Pacific Games in 2019.
Customs and Revenue Minister Tevita Lavemaau said Tonga had one of the lowest airport departure taxes in the South Pacific.
The government has increased the airport departure tax from TP$65 to TP$165. This is expected to bring in TP$5.5 million a year to help with new facilities and buildings to be constructed for the Games.
Hon. Lavemaau said the facilities funded by the increased airport tax would be used after the Games by Tonga’s young sportsmen and women.
New charges will be imposed on foreign exchange, from which the government expects to collect TP$2 million a year to help fund preparations for the Games
Tonga’s budget for the 2015-16 financial year will be almost TP$500 million.
The new budget has risen by TP$26.9 million from last year to TP$329,707,700.
The total amount in the budget will rise to TP$496,324,600 when an estimated TP$166,614, 900 of overseas donor funds is received.
The biggest beneficiaries in the budget are the government’s central agencies, which will receive more than TP$99 million and social services, which will receive just over TP$94 million.
The 2015-16 budget has been allocated into seven main sectors.
Constitution which includes Palace Office, Parliament, Auditorʻs Office and Public Relation Commission has an allocation of TP$13,096,500.
Foreign Affairs and His Majesty’s Armed Forces – TP$18,043,200.
Central Agencies – TP$99,925,400.
Law and Order – TP$25,092,800.
Social services which includes Health, Education and Internal Affairs – TP$ 94,632,500.
Trade, Tourism, Agriculture and Fisheries – TP$20,353,900.
Infrastructure, Land and Survey, Environment and Energy – TP$58,565,100.
The main points
The price of chicken and tinned fish is down and the airport departure tax has gone up in Tonga’s new budget.
The government hopes the results will be longer lives for Tongans and new sports facilities for the South Pacific Games that will be used by the kingdom’s young sportsmen and women for years to come.
The budget for the next financial year will be almost TP$500 million when overseas donor money is included.
The biggest beneficiaries in the budget are the government’s central agencies, which will receive more than TP$99 million and social services, which will receive just over TP$94 million.
