Family, kāinga and friends of Lisiate Kautai paid their last respects to the 16-year-old boy on Saturday 16 at Loma cemetery in Lapaha.
Police have launched an investigation after Kautai’s body was found with serious head injuries on a roadside at Lapaha on Sunday 11. He was rushed to Vaiola Hospital at about 3am but died after about six hours.
Students from Takuilau College, where Kautai was a form 5 student last year, lined up at the Sangato Mikaele Church compound yesterday where some of them carried his body into the church for his last Mass.
After the Mass about a hundred mourners marched in silence led by Takuilau College band while his body was escorted to his resting place.
Mourners standing in silence while Lisiate Kautai’s body laid to rest. Photo/ By courtesy of Fulila Tangataʻiloa
Kautai’s friends and family took to Facebook to write and commented on photos and videos taken on the funeral of their family member.
Akata Kautai Vunileva commented: “Thank you for taking pictures and videos for us to see from the other side of the world RIP dear cousin until that glorious morning”.
Peter Hind said: “a very very sad occasion for the Kautai family, for Takuilau and the Lapaha community. With love”.
After watching the video and expressing how she felt in Tongan, Katinia Taulanga Tukuafu, said: “..I just wish those who were responsible watched this video”.
Emily Vu Lelea said: “Rest sweetly in Heaven Lisiate. May justice brought upon the hands [that] shed your blood. Condolences to the family and those most closest to him”.
The nearly simultaneous occurrence of red tides and powerful volcanic eruptions in Tonga since December 2014 leaves geologists in Tonga looking for answers.
A new volcanic island with an approximate size of 2 square kilometres and 100 metres in height has been created after a powerful volcanic eruption between the Hungas sent a plume of large ash high into the sky.
The ongoing eruptions of the Ha’apai volcanoes were first reported on December 20, 2014.
Yesterday Tongan authorities released photos with captions of the island forming, showing billowing smoke steam and ash as well as rocks spewed out from a crater between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai.
Red tides
Red tides were first reported in Neiafutahi and the outer islands of Okoa and ‘Oloʻua in Vavaʻu on December 28, 2014. Tongan geologists at the time said they noticed something similar to “oil slick” floating on top of the red tides.
The red tides had struck Tongatapu and ‘Eua Island this week with reports of dead fish washed ashore as well as strong smell being sent from the scenes.
Tonga’s Ministry of Fisheries said the red tides in Vava’u were caused by a bloom of reddish-brown algae that had been grown out of control. The Ministry’s director, Dr Vailala Matoto said the algae was microscopic and it could hardly be seen by naked eyes.
He said it was normal that this type of algae released chemical compounds that give off an ocean smell at the same time sent oxygen gas into the environment.
Changing the ocean colour into red or green, red tides could happen in summer time and sometimes because of the climate changes, Dr Matoto said.
But this week some theorists related red tides in Tongatapu and ʻEua Island to the Hungas’ volcanic activity saying the gases it released changed ocean colours into red blood sea.
While New Zealand geologists and scientists were in Tonga to study the volcanic eruptions a statement from Tonga’s Ministry of Land & Natural Resources says they have yet to conclude if there was a connection between the red tides and the Hungas’ volcanic activities.
“It is unclear at this stage if there is any relationship between the eruption and a red algal bloom observed in seawaters around Tonga recently,” Geologist Taniela Kula said in the statement.
New Island:
Mr. Kula said: “A new island has been built by the eruption between the existing islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai, and is now joined to Hunga Ha’apai.”
He said the ash deposited close to the vents was large enough to build up the newborn island of “more than 1 km wide, 2km long and about 100 m high.”
“During our observations the volcano was erupting about every 5 minutes,” he said.
“Dense ash was being erupted to a height of about 400 m, accompanied by some large rocks.
“Higher we observed mostly steam, but with some ash. Above about 1000 m, the eruption plume was almost exclusively steam.
“As the ash is very wet, most is being deposited close to the vent, building up the new island,” Kula said.
In a Daily Mail report this week headlined – Fire in the South Pacific: Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano erupts to turn the sea blood red and the sky grey with ash – it says “When levels of nitrogen and phosphorus rise, which can be caused by underwater eruptions such as the one off the coast of Tonga, algae can multiply, the report says.
“Typically, this causes water to turn green, but the effect also causes reds and yellows to be released.
“In particular, a bloom of dinoflagellate algae causes water to turn blood red in colour”.
Airline services from South Pacific countries to Tonga are now operating as normal while pictures supplied to Kaniva News show a new volcanic island appeared between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai.
The Hungas are two volcanoes in the Ha’apai group where ash cloud erupted and disrupted Tonga’s international and internal flights this week.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanoes are around 60km north of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa.
Its ash plume has reached heights of more than 4,500 metres into the sky.
The volcanic activities continue but eased slightly this morning.
The photos were supplied by a source at Tonga’s Ministry of MCECCE who asked not to be named. The source said officers at the Ministry estimated the new island emerged about 10 metres above sea level.
Air New Zealand did not immediately respond when we requested for comments but Fairfax Media said Air New Zealand “has put on two extra services today to accommodate affected travellers”.
“The first extra flight left Auckland this morning and the second is due to leave tonight”.
A picture shows massive eruption between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai. Photo/Ministry of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster, Management and Meteorology, Information and Communication
In March 2009, a shot-lived but powerful eruption was spotted at the same scene and it lasted for almost a week.
At the time, geologists said the eruption originated from two volcanic vents.
It was not immediately clear whether the new volcanic activities related to the 2009 event or not.
On Tuesday 13 Air New Zealand said: “Flight NZ970 operating between Auckland and Nuku‛alofa yesterday was diverted to Samoa and later returned to Auckland. As a result the return leg – flight NZ973 – from Nuku‛alofa to Auckland was also cancelled.
An additional return service was due to operate today to re-accommodate these passengers but this has unfortunately since been cancelled due to conditions in Tonga. Today’s scheduled return service NZ970 Auckland – Tonga and NZ973 Tonga – Auckland has also been cancelled.
A massive volcanic eruption in Tonga has caused flights from New Zealand and Australia and internal flights to be cancelled or diverted.
The eruption of Hunga volcano spewed large white plumes of ash high into the sky which could be seen clearly from Tongatapu this afternoon.
Tongatapu, the main island in Tonga group, is about 60km away from the scene.
The Tongan government has warned people in the surrounding islands, especially Tongatapu and Ha’apai, that ash from the eruption could cause problems with breathing, skin and eyesight.
Some Tongans travelling from Australia were stuck in Auckland after their direct flight from Sydney to Tonga was redirected to Fiji to refuel before flying on to Auckland where it has been grounded until it is safe to complete the flight to Tonga.
In Fiji Tongans had to travel backwards and forwards between Suva and Nadi after several flights were cancelled because of the eruption.
Late last month the Tongan government said it had received a report by a fishing boat at Ha’apai of volcanic activity south east of Hunga Ha’apai on the morning of December 20.
Volcanic activity has continued since then, in this week’s eruption.
Paula Moimoi Latu, who was on a flight from Australia to Tonga, said on Facebook last night: “I’m stuck in Auckland at the moment after almost landing in the Kingdom of Tonga yesterday. The flight was diverted to Samoa due to volcanic ash in the air, the aircraft refuelled and then took us back to Auckland last night. Now it seems today’s flight has been rescheduled and now cancelled! Might not get to Tonga until tomorrow!!”
Sina Taholo Kami in Fiji said in Tongan: “I boarded a bus eight hours to (Suva-Nadi-Suva) today to travel to Tonga but it was cancelled. Yes nature has taken charge!!
Yesterday she commented: “Just arrived Nadi airport. . .told the flight to Tonga…cancelled again”.
The New Zealand High Commission in Tonga has published a statement on the internet warning New Zealanders of the volcanic eruption:
“There is currently no seismic activity or tsunami threat associated with the eruption, however some international and domestic flights in Tonga have been cancelled due to the ash cloud. We recommend that New Zealanders planning to travel to Tonga check with their airline for the latest information on further flight disruptions.”
The main points
A massive volcanic eruption in Tonga has caused flights from New Zealand and Australia and internal flights to be cancelled or diverted.
The eruption of Hunga volcano spewed large white plumes of ash high into the sky which could be seen clearly from Tongatapu this afternoon.
Some flights were diverted to Samoa and Fiji for refuelling, before being sent to Auckland.
New Zealanders planning to travel to Tonga have been warned to check on the latest information on the situation before travelling.
Tonga’s new Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has promised to slash costs in his inaugural speech.
Speaking in the kingdom’s capital of Nuku’alofa last Friday, the Prime Minister pinpointed areas like spending on government vehicles and overseas travel as key areas where money could be saved.
“It must be done with sympathy, it must be started from our tāputa (using the only thing we can afford) and it has to start right from us,” the Prime Minister said.
Pōhiva said costs must be strictly monitored as they contributed hugely to the amount of tax payers’ money the government spent.
He said department heads and senior officials used government vehicles on important tasks, but some civil servants also used them for private matters and they would have to pay for such use.
Overseas travel by government ministers would only be allowed for urgent business, the Prime Minister said.
His statement on budget cuts comes after years of campaigning in opposition for wise management of the kingdom’s finances.
He said if Tonga’s budget was managed properly, the economy could become stable. This would lead to vigorous economic growth and mean less reliance on overseas donors.
The veteran democratic politician became the first commoner to be elected Prime Minister when he assumed the title on December 29.
He had announced that if he was elected he would cut all unnecessary costs and make big reductions in expenses. He said those leading the country must be ready to make sacrifices to ensure the policy succeeded.
The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa, who was also the guest of honour, all cabinet ministers and head of departments and hundreds of public servants.
Lead by example
Pōhiva, whose Kele’a newspaper has regularly reported that he pays back part of his Parliamentary salary, said he would lead the country by example and would commit to performing his duty as Prime Minister with great personal sacrifice.
He did not say exactly what his personal commitment would be, but he and his cabinet ministers have already set the tone.
When he was appointed by the King on December 31, 2014 Pōhiva arrived at the Royal Palace in Nukuʻaofa in his private car and not the luxurious Prime Ministerial vehicle he was entitled to use.
In the afternoon Pōhiva summoned a cabinet meeting to formalise the list of the new ministers before it was taken to the king.
Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and Hon. Semisi Fakahau were spotted walking to the cabinet house in Nukuʻalofa without using their ministerial vehicles.
History
In the past Kele’a regularly published pictures of government vehicles spotted driven by the wives or relatives of ministers or heads of departments after normal government working hours and said such behaviour must be stopped.
In 2010, after Tonga’s first democratic elections, Pōhiva told the New Zealand Herald: “Misuse of Government vehicles is common. Travelling overseas on trivial things is another. Travelling on first class is terrible.”
Former government members argued that ministers and department heads were entitled to use the government vehicles whenever they wanted, but Pōhiva always insisted this was not right as the vehicles and all related expenses were being paid by the Tongan taxpayers.
There have been a number of reports of government officials claiming their overseas travelling costs – which include a first class air ticket – and then downgrading it to economy and keeping the balance.
Pōhiva said former government policies had allowed abuses of expenses by government officials to occur.
Such policies would come to an end during his four years in office.
In January 2013 a report published by Transparency International says “Corruption is still a major problem in Tonga but the government has taken significant steps forward in recent years to fight corruption and improve the country’s governance, making it move up the ladder of “clean” countries”.
“Political corruption and nepotism are prominent issues in Tonga which are rooted in the country’s political and demographic structure, strong sense of kinship, and late democratic awakening”, says the report.
The main points
Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, has promised to slash costs in his inaugural speech.
Speaking in the kingdom’s capital of Nuku’alofa last Friday, the Prime Minister pinpointed areas like spending on government vehicles and overseas travel as key areas where money could be saved.
Pōhiva’s statement on budget cuts comes after years of campaigning in opposition for wise management of the kingdom’s finances.
He said if Tonga’s budget was managed properly, the economy could become stable. This would lead to vigorous economic growth and mean less reliance on overseas donors.
The New Zealand-Tongan shotput golden girl Valerie Adams has been formally appointed as Lord Vaea’s herald with the name Tongitupe-ʻO e-Funga Taua.
The appointment is the highest honour given to commoners in Tongan culture.
Adams will be greeted with her heraldic title whenever she attends any formal occasion in the Tongan community.
She was appointed to the title in Tonga on January 2 while attending a double celebrations in her mother’s village, Houma. Houma is Lord Vaea’s estate.
Tongan women are rarely given heraldic names because the position is mainly associated with male activities like the kava ceremony at which heralds may be required to spend a lot of time drinking kava.
They may also be required to stay at places where the occasions take place to receive visitors.
Women usually can perform minor roles of heralds such as formally presenting gifts on special occasions but they never formally appointed heraldic names. At this stage they can only use the names of appointed heralds in their villages or clans.
Although her new title means Adams now has obligations to fulfil if she is at functions where Lord Vaea is present, her appointment was apparently made to express Lord Vaea’s appreciation for her great sporting achievements.
Lord Vaea is chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee and brother-in-law and second cousin of King Tupou VI. He has served as a Master of the Royal Household and as palace archivist.
The roles
When a person is given a heraldic title, their duties include sitting down in front of the chief when he is giving an audience. The herald’s chief duty is to speak to the people attending the audience on behalf of the chief.
On occasions like funerals or weddings, heralds must stay in a separate small building (palepale) with men who drink kava. The herald’s job is to formally receive visitors, thank them on behalf of the family and tell them about the programme and what they are expected to do.
Adams’ appointment involved being presented to the chief in a kava ceremony at which she drank a coconut shell cup of kava. From now on she will be referred to at formal occasions within the Tongan communities as Tongitupe-ʻO e-Funga Taua and not Valerie Adams.
If Adams attends formal Tongan occasions in New Zealand or abroad the heralds or organisers of the events will honour her by calling out her name and say: “Tapu mo Tongitupe – ‘O e – Funga – Taua,” which means “Saying Adams is a taboo and I ask to be excused from speaking while she is here with us in case I say things that might not please her.”
Adams tweeted to say she had completed her first kava ceremony in Houma with Lord Vaea: “An amazing honour. Got a new name: Tongi Tupe oe Fungataua”.
Adams was crowned World Champion in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. She was the World Indoor Champion in 2008, 2012 and again in 2014. She also has 13 National titles to date.
Tongitupe – ‘O e – Funga-Taua
Adams’ title is a combination of two poetical terms. Tongi Tupe comes from lafo, a game mostly played by chiefs and their heralds or for the chiefs to watch. The words refer to a situation when a thrower throws their tupe (a disc made from coconut shell) against the opponent’s disc, moving it further within the lafo mat and giving the thrower extra points. Poetically this can only be referred to a person with huge achievement.
Funga Taua refers to the top of the tower, a poetical reference that sometimes refers to something incomprehensible or higher than the king or queen.
The late Queen Salote composed a lullaby for her eldest grandchild, the Late King George V, when he was born in 1948. The first and second line said: “Ke fakatulou mo e taua, Kau feia ‘a e fakana’ana’a.”
This was translated by Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau as “My deference be to the Tower, While I compose this song.”
The reference in the first line to the Taua can be interpreted as meaning the Queen lowered herself even though she held the highest social and political position in Tonga, and sent her respect to the tower so she can compose the song. Poetically she may have used taua as a metaphor which stands for how she felt about the song as something that was composed for something of great importance – her first grandson, who became king of Tonga.
The main points
The New Zealand-Tongan shotput golden girl Valerie Adams has been formally appointed as Lord Vaea’s herald, with the name Tongitupe-ʻO e-Funga Taua.
The appointment is the highest honour given to commoners in Tongan culture.
Adams will be greeted with her heraldic title whenever she attends any formal occasion in the Tongan community.
Lord Vaea is chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee and brother-in-law of King Tupou VI. He has served as a Master of the Royal Household and as palace archivist.
Ulu Tuʻipulotu, 26, who is of Tongan descent and weighs 337kg, is said to be Australia’s heaviest man.
In a desperate bid to save his life Mr Tuʻipulotu has vowed to slim down by losing 15 kilos over a period of one month.
He suffered with weight problems and his doctors have warned that he will die if he cannot lose weight, according to the Daily Mail.
Tuʻipulotu has attempted diets, such as Lite ‘N’ Easy packaged food plans. He’s tried Optifast, a milkshake weight loss plan, as well as going to the gym but nothing has worked so far, the paper says
He is living with his Tongan family in Quaker’s Hill and he has gone public with his weight loss struggle after signing up to a two-year sponsored psychological and physiological program ran by a Sydney hypnotherapist.
Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s family and supporters in Auckland gathered in Mangere last Saturday for an emotional and joyous celebration of his election.
Speeches and talk on the day were a mixture of good memories, thankfulness and honour for a man who grew up in poverty and rose to the top job in the country.
The family members remembered how they struggled to pay for the Prime Minister’s study at Tupou College in the 1960s.
They recalled how they reacted to his lawsuit that led to the late King Taufaʻāhau Tupou IV summoning Parliament in 1991 to amend Tonga’s constitution to legalise the sale of Tongan passports.
One of Pōhiva’s nieces remembered how her father, a first cousin of ‘Akilisi, contributed to the future premier’s high school fees from income from his village shop.
She recalled that at the time, goods from retail shops in Tonga were usually exchanged for copra coconuts. The shop owner would then turn the coconut into copra which he would sell them to the Tonga Copra Board in exchange for cash.
Dr Fotu Fisiʻiahi, a lecturer at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus, congratulated the family for organising such a wonderful occasion to celebrate ‘Akilisi’s premiership.
Family and supporters of Mr. ʻPōhiva in Auckland celebrating his victory. Front row L-R in the middle were Samuela Pōhiva and Ula.
Dr Fisi’iahi said he believed this was the best government Tonga had ever had. Apart from the support for Pōhiva’s political beliefs over many years, the cabinet ministers were highly educated and had a lot of experience in government matters.
The Prime Minister’s nephew Samuela remembered when Pōhiva was sacked from public service in 1985 and his visit to Auckland in 1986.
Speaking to Kaniva News, Samuela recalled how he was shocked when ‘Akilisi told him he was coming to New Zealand to meet his lawyer because he wanted to sue the king and the government of Tonga in matters related to the selling of Tongan passports.
“I was really panicked and repeatedly asked ‘Akilisi whether he was serious about it or not,” Samuela said.
Samuela, who shares the Prime Minister’s first name, said he quickly contacted his cousins in Auckland and told them about ‘Akilisi’s plan.
There were mixed reactions to the news.
“One of my cousins turned up and jokingly told ‘Akilisi to be careful otherwise the family would all be arrested and imprisoned for what he was doing,” Samuela said.
But the future Prime Minister told them there was nothing to fear as the lawsuit was done according to Tonga’s laws and constitution and it was for the benefit of the people of Tonga.
“We are the Lotava family and we should all shout for joy and be jubilant that one of us has been elected to become Tonga’s Prime Minister,” Samuela told the gathering.
Lōtava was one of ‘Akilisi’s great grandparent. The family holds a family reunion in Auckland once a year.
Samuela recalled how ‘Akilisi struggled financially when he was sacked from the public service because of his political views. He said he and some family in Auckland collected money and sent it to ‘Akilisi’s wife Neo while he stayed with them in Auckland after his dismissal.
‘Akilisi had a strong connection with his family and supporters in New Zealand and he has regularly visited Auckland since the 1980s.
His long-time legal counsel Dr Rodney Harrison is in Auckland. His Keleʻa newspaper is registered as a company in New Zealand and is printed in Auckland.
Pohiva’s niece told the gathering that when Pōhiva arrived in Auckland to meet his lawyer about the passport case he asked for help dropping off a bag containing documents to his lawyer.
“I was in fear when I found out that what we had in the bag were documents to help in a trial that involved the king and the government, but today I stand in front of you trying to hold back my tears as ‘Akilisi stood for the people’s rights,” she said, while wiping her tears.
The family’s fear when they heard about Pōhiva’s plan to sue the king and the government in 1980s was one of the main reasons he became popular with the majority of Tongans.
His action was rare because Tongan culture demanded that commoners must not challenge the king publicly because his body was taboo. Those who did so would receive from the king’s supporters strong words like fieme’a (snobbish) and ngututamulea (a poetical word meant to describe someone who speaks against the king as a dumb person).
Samuela’s eldest daughter Sita said in her speech that the family should continue to support Pohiva in whatever way fits the situation.
She said they had helped the Prime Minister for many decades and they should stand by him while in his premiership.
Pōhiva’s first cousin Ula was emotional as he recalled the hardship he endured and working hard to help pay ‘Akilisi’s school fees when he went to Tupou College.
“Today is a joyous day to us all Lōtava family,” he said.
“I am so proud that Akilisi became Prime Minister while I am alive today to witness it.”
Samuela, who is in Tonga to join his uncle for his official appointment by the king, said he would ask the Prime Minister when he could fly to Auckland to meet with the family for a private gathering.
The main points
Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s family and supporters in Auckland gathered in Mangere last Saturday for an emotional and joyous celebration of his election.
Speeches and talk on the day were a mixture of good memories, thankfulness and honour for a man who grew up in poverty and rose to the top job in the country.
Pōhiva’s first cousin ‘Ula said he was proud he had lived to see him become Prime Minister.
Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi, a lecturer at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus, said he believed Pohiva’s government was the best government Tonga had ever had.
A 43-year-old man from Navutoka will appear at Mu‘a district court on Monday 12 after he was arrested and charged over the death of his wife.
Police have yet to release the identity of the accused and the victim but they alleged the husband scalded his sleeping wife. She was then rushed to hospital by relatives where she died shortly after arrival.
Tonga has suspended its national airline’s permit to operate a Jetstream 32 after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Fua’amotu airport today.
Tonga’s Minister for Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu said he was notified this morning the aircraft had been required to make an emergency landing due to engine failure.
The cause of the incident has yet to be confirmed but the minister said one of the aircraft’s double engine failed to operate. An investigation was underway he added.
For precautionary measure, when the engine failure was known just after the plane left Vava’u this morning January 7 the two New Zealand pilots, Simon Peter J. Butler and Athol Aaron M. Isaac along with 19 passengers on board endured more than two hours flight bypassing the Ha’apai airport and headed straight to Tongatapu.
The incident was the third within 12 months after the airline’s B-65 Queenair crash landed at ‘Eua’s Kaufana Airport in April 2014. None of the seven passengers or the pilot were injured.
On Thursday last week January 2 the Real Tonga’s Chinese-made Harbin Y12’s brakes failed to operate while taxiing causing it to slide off the runway. The plane was scheduled to depart for ‘Eua.
New Zealand -Tongan Olympic shot-put champion Valerie Adams boarded the plane after she attended a double celebration at her mother’s hometown in Tongatapu. .
A caption of a photo she posted after the incident read: “…the Real Tonga Airlines on their way to ‘Eua only to find out the breaks [sic] don’t work as the plane started to slide off the runway…thank goodness everyone was safe and no one got hurt.
Adams also wrote on her Instagram account and said: “Back in Tonga cause [sic] problems with brakes haha so waiting on eta for our flight zzzzz.”
Hon. Lavulavu said he spoke with the aviation CEO and also Tevita Palu, CEO of the Real Tonga Airline after the incident and they agreed to ground the plane.
He said full report of the incident must be submitted to him by the airline before further decision can be made.
In 2012, the New Zealand government warned New Zealand tourists they would be flying at their own risk in Tonga because Real Tonga was using an MA60 aircraft, which did not meet New Zealand air safety standards. The MA60 has been involved in a number of incidents in different parts of the world.
New Zealand’s Foreign Affair Minister Murray McCully withheld a large grant meant to help the kingdom’s tourism industry to pressure the Tongan government into taking action over the MA60.
ICAO
In September last year Kaniva News published a confidential letter Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō sent to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on July 15, 2014 in response to two Mandatory Information Requests concerning the certification of the MA60.
In the letter the then Prime Minister promised to revise Tonga’s civil aviation rules and regulations within 60-90 days and committed the kingdom to meeting New Zealand aviation standards.
Lord Tuʻivakanō undertook to review certain areas in Tonga’s aviation system like the Air Operator Certificates, Foreign Air Operator Certificates, Maintenance Organisation Certificates, Aerodrome Operator Certificates, Airworthiness Certificates, Aircraft Certificate of Registration and Type Acceptable Certificates.
The letter was apparently written to please the ICAO after it was reported the international body was not satisfied with how the Tongan government treated its demand to review its aviation system following the arrival of the controversial aircraft in 2012.
