The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has given Tonga US$1.5 million fund for the protection and enrichment of the kingdom’s rainforests and invasive species.
The main island Tongatapu has only one rainforest in Toloa and it was the priority of the GEF funding to make sure it is preserved.
About TP$30,000 had been allocated to fund Toloa Rainforest Nursery project.
Two other rainforests that benefit from this funding are Late and Mo’unga Talau.
As part of the protection efforts Tonga’s Ministry of Land, Survey and Natural Resources, through Tonga Invasive Alien Species Project (TIAS) has in place an action plan 2013 – 2020 in which it set out strategies for the project.
The plan will guide Tonga’s efforts to protect its natural heritage and people’s livelihoods from the negative impacts of invasive species, government statement says.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will construct a new stake centre in Teufaiva, Nuku’alofa, a statement from the church says.
A Latter-day Saint stake centre is headquarters for a stake, which comprises a number of congregations in a geographic location, it says.
“Construction will take approximately 60 weeks and will be completed by local contractors.
“A ground breaking ceremony will be attended by Church, community and government leaders.
The new building is the latest addition in an effort to accommodate expanding Church growth in the Kingdom of Tonga. There are approximately 30,000 Latter-day Saint congregations worldwide, 165 of which are in Tonga”.
Tonga’s Democratic Party’s ousted MPs have announced they will recognise the party’s candidate list, but will still run against official party candidates in the November election.
The Party’s Deputy Leader, MP ‘Isileli Pulu, said they arrived at the decision after a meeting in which they agreed not to draw up a rival list of party candidates.
Pulu did not name the party members who made the final decision, but Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva did not attend the meeting. He was told later about what had been agreed.
Pulu said the members had agreed they would support whichever party members won the election in November.
He said Pohiva had rejected a proposal to let candidates from both lists to campaign together and let voters pick who they wanted to vote for.
Four Party sitting MPs were dropped from the party’s list after a select committee picked a new list of candidates for the November election.
They are Dr Sitiveni Halapua for Tongatapu 3, Sione Havea Taione for Tongatapu 8, MP Semisi Tapueluelu for Tongatapu 10 and Sunia Fili for ‘Eua.
The list met with hefty criticisms from Deputy Leader ‘Isileli Pulu and MP Falisi Tupou, who said the selection was biased and influenced by
Tonga’s Democratic Party Members of Parliament outside Tonga’s Legislative Assembly after the House last session for the year 2014.
Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva and his son-in-law, Mateni Tapueluelu.
Pohiva removed Pulu and Tupou from the list without warning, claiming they were dropped because they regularly criticised him and the Party’s select committee. Pohiva told Pulu and Tupou their reaction to the list indicated they did not want to work together with him and the new team of candidates.
Pulu and Tupou went public and declared they would not support a list that had been unfairly selected. They also boycotted meetings conducted by Pohiva after he declared his endorsement of the select committee’s candidate list.
Tapueluelu, who is also the editor of Pohiva’s Kele’a newspaper, published what he said was his own list of candidates for the Tautahi, the outer islands.
Pohiva later endorsed his editor’s list without referring it to the Party prompting Pulu to publicly announce that the party had yet to select the Tautahi’s list. Pulu continued criticising Pohiva’s action, calling it ‘dirty’ and ‘fishy’.
Pohiva’s son-in-law
The Party has selected Tapueluelu to run for Tongatapu 4 against Pulu.
The decision was made last week after the Party received a report based on a survey conducted at Tongatapu 4 by a group of nine it requested from Haveluloto led by Vilisoni Tu’iniua Ngalu.
According to the survey, the interviewers asked selected constituents at Tongatapu 4 to pick who they wanted to be their MP from a proposed list of seven candidates.
The list included Similoni Tu’akalau, a current Police Magistrate and Soane Vahe, the director of Catholic Schools.
The party list now consists largely of candidates endorsed by Tapueluelu and Pohiva. Tapueluelu has been nominated to run for Tongatapu 4.
When asked what he thought about the selection of Tapueluelu to run against him Pulu said he wanted to let the people to choose who they wanted to represent them in Parliament.
Pulu was first elected to parliament in 2002 and has been returned at every election since then.
The main points
Tonga’s Democratic Party’s ousted MPs have announced they will recognise the party’s candidate list, but will still run against official party candidates in the November election.
The Party’s Deputy Leader, MP ‘Isileli Pulu, said they had agreed to support whichever party members won the election in November.
He said Pohiva had rejected a proposal to let candidates from both lists to campaign together and let voters pick who they wanted to vote for.
Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s son-in-law, Mateni Tapueluelu, has been chosen to run against Pulu in the election.
New Zealand Rugby and the Samoa Rugby Union today confirmed details around the much anticipated match which will mark the first encounter on Samoan soil between the two teams.
The Test match agreement was signed at a media conference at New Zealand Rugby House in Wellington this afternoon by New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey and Samoa Rugby Chairman, Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
The match will kick off at Apia Park at 3pm (2pm NZT).
“This will be a wonderful celebration of the rich rugby connections and proud history that bind New Zealand and Samoa,” said Brent Impey.
“We know how much rugby means to Samoans and New Zealanders so to take the All Blacks to Apia will be a huge moment for all of us.
“Importantly, we are not only honouring rugby’s Pacific heritage, we are also providing players with a meaningful Test as part of our plan to ensure the All Blacks are in the best possible shape to win in England in 2015.”
The Samoa Rugby Union welcomed confirmation of the match. Chairman Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi said:
“It will be an historic occasion to have the All Blacks play in Samoa in July 2015.
“The rugby supporters of both countries will savour a unique event in Apia as the Manu Samoa will face the number one team in the world at home. It is a match that will be watched by millions of viewers as we intend to broadcast it live to the rest of the world.
“I also challenge other Tier One Nations to come and play the Manu Samoa at home.”
The All Blacks will travel to Samoa with the support of the team’s airline partner Air New Zealand.
“We’re excited to be on board supporting the country’s favourite team as they take on Samoa in one of the most popular Pacific Island destinations that Air New Zealand operates to,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Christopher Luxon.
“To celebrate the historic game the airline and All Blacks Tours will also offer tour packages including the opportunity for fans to travel with the team to Apia.”
Impey said the Test would build on the strong support New Zealand Rugby had given Pacific rugby over many decades.
“We have been sending national teams to the islands since the 1930s. The Maori All Blacks have visited 13 times and played 65 matches. We also provide a variety of support to island nations through our work with the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions.
“We hope this Test match will excite fans, inspire young Samoan players and further raise the profile of rugby across the Pacific Islands.”
All Blacks welcome Test
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “2015 is a massive year for us and this historic Test is an ideal way for us to begin our preparations for the Investec Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup 2015 in earnest.
“Many players in our team have strong ties to Samoa so this Test will be a great occasion for all of us. It will only enhance the links between our two countries.
“There is also a lot of respect for Manu Samoa and playing them at home will make this a great challenge – one we will all look forward to.”
IRB promises support for historic match
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The IRB is delighted that for the first time New Zealand will play a full international match in Samoa next year. It will be an historic day for the game in both those countries and an exciting occasion for every rugby fan in Samoa who will get to see their team host the famous All Blacks.
“The IRB is excited to be involved and as part of our ongoing support of Pacific Island rugby, we will be assisting with operations and financial support to the Samoan Rugby Union through our high-performance investment programme to deliver the fixture.”
Broadcast details will be confirmed at a later date.
Official travel packages from All Blacks Tours are now available at www.allblackstours.com
Dr Lesieli Pelesikoti Tongati’o, of Palmerston North received the Insignia of a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to education and the Pacific community.
She was one of more than 40 recipients whose achievements were celebrated at investiture ceremonies at the Government House in Wellington today.
The event was hosted by The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae.
Siosifa Taupeamuhu of Kīhei, who was reported missing last week, has since been located, according to Maui Police. Further details were not available.
Original story on Sept 9:
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 30-year-old Tongan man his wife reported he has been missing since September 4.
Siosifa Taupeamuhu of Kīhei was described by police as standing 6-feet 2-inches tall, weighing 300 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Siosifa Taupeamuhu
“ Police made regular checks following the report, but say there is no further information available on Taupeamuhu’s whereabouts”, Maui Police Lieutenant William Juan was quoted by Maui Now as saying.
Police say Taupeamuhu, who is married to Vika, is not known to be utilizing any vehicles.
Anyone with information is asked to call Maui Police at 244-6400
Tongan- Immigrant New Zealand resident Penisimani (Benjamin) Tu’ipulotu won the professional men’s open bodybuilding contest Friday 5 at Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku’alofa.
He was crowned with the competition’s title, Mr Tonga.
Professional bodybuilding is becoming more popular in the kingdom and in last year it was announced that Telesia Fau’onuku was the first Tongan woman to participate in the 20th South Pacific Bodybuliding Championships which was held in Tonga.
Tongan contestants topped the South Pacific Bodybuilding competition’s medal tally.
The schoolboy rugby sensation dubbed “the Tongan Thor” quashed some speculation about his future when he revealed he will leave at the end of this school year term and play rugby for Australia.
The 18-year-old Taniela Tupou refused to sign a loyalty agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union last weekend.
The agreement will allow him to be eligible for its Schoolboys team, after initially being blocked because he only carried a Tongan passport, The New Zealand Herald reported.
”If I signed it I wouldn’t be able to go to Australia,” he said.
The Tongan born 135kg prop told Herald he wanted to unite with his brother and sister who live in Australia.
As is the case with New Zealand selection for New Zealand National Rugby players, players must hold a New Zealand passport or a resident visa.
He told Herald how he was being treated after New Zealand rugby authorities found out he was not eligible to play for New Zealand national teams.
“They said that ‘if you’re not on a New Zealand passport and you’ve been here for four years, you can play for the team’,” Tupou said.
“But I’ve been here for four years and they said I can’t play for the New Zealand A team. It’s not fair. Maybe I’m not good enough to stay here.
“But that’s one of my goals this year — to play for the New Zealand A team. If I can play with them, then maybe I’ll change my mind from going to Australia. If I have the chance to play for the All Blacks, I’ll take it.”
Tonga’s Port of Authority will extend Faua harbour at the western side of Kuini Salote wharf starting next year.
The proposed plan involves expanding the wharf’s watrfront operations areas by 250 m from the wharf’s current locations which can cover sea areas up to Takaunove cemetery at Vuna rd.
The TP$60 million extension plan will be funded by the Japanese government and it is expected to be completed by 2018.
It will put Tonga in a better position to handle new services and the growing trend to more frequent visits from larger ships.
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, Mosese Lavemai, Ports of Authority General Manager told Radio Tonga.
Tongan Legislative Assembly of Tonga’s parliamentary term 2010-2014 will be officially closed next Thursday during a soft closing ceremony in Nuku‘alofa.
Reports from the Palace Office, it is His Majesty’s pleasure for a Commission of three Nobles to officially close the 2014 session of the Legislative Assembly.
Names of Nobles are yet to be confirmed.
The soft closing ceremony will not involve the usual fanfare of a State closing including school marching and parade.
Arrival of MPs will start at 10am before the arrival of the three Nobles to deliver the closing speech.
One of the nobles will deliver a closing speech from the throne on behalf of his Majesty King Tupou VI.
The closing of Parliament is to allow time for candidates to run for the next general election in November.
