An earthquake with magnitude 5.3 occurred near Nukuʻalofa, Tonga this morning November 28, 2014at 15:05:48.00 , U.S. Geological Survey says.
No tsunami warning or damages reported.
The centre of the earthquake located at 11 miles (18 km) west of Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 195 miles (314 km) SSW of Neiafu, Tonga; 1701 miles (2738 km) WSW of Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Nine nobles were elected by only 33 nobles under the Tongan constitution while nine Democratic Party and eight independents were elected  by 40,727 as Tonga’s election results were officially announced last night.
Two independent MPs who became ministers in the former government of Lord TuʻivakanŠwere returned into Parliament by their constituents.
MP SÅsefo FeÊ»aomoeata VakatÄ, Former Minister for Sports and Youth and was the candidate for the Niua 17 was re-elected while Former Deputy Prime Minister SÄmiu Kiuta Vaipulu from VavaÊ»u 15 retained his seat.
The Democratic Party won only nine seats compared to 11 seats it won in 2010 which it was eventually increased into 12 after the independent MP ‘Aisake Eke declared he would join the Party.
The Party needs to get four independents so that they can have the power to run a democratic government for 2015 – 2018.
Incumbent MP VakatÄ and MP Vaipulu’s re-election into Parliament means the nobility now has 11 elected candidates as Tonga braces for the election of who will become Tonga’s next Prime Minister. The nobles need the support of three more candidates from the independents so they can form the government.
The former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakanÅ has been re-elected by the 33 members of the nobility.
A government that can be possibly formed by nine members of the nobility included two re-elected independent candidates is as follows:
A government that can be possibly formed by nine Democratic Party elected candidates is as follows:
The independents elected candidates will decide which party they will join to form Tonga’s next elected government are:
In 2010 the nine noble candidates elected into Parliament needed the support of four elected candidates from the independents so they can form the government. The Democrats only needed the support of one more candidates from among the independent MPs to form the government.
However PÅhiva maintained that his party should only stick to the party members as enticing the independents to join the Party in return for rewards means those independents would put the rewards first before the people who voted for the Party.
As a result, the nobles, who automatically hold nine parliamentary seats under the Tongan constitution, stole the show and offered five independent MPs ministerial posts including the post of deputy prime minister. This gave them the numbers they needed to form the government.
The big question now for the Democrats is: Is the Party ready to take another race to Premiership that requires Leader Ê»Akilisi PÅhiva to give a good deal for the independent elected candidates so that they can rise to power or not?
If PÅhiva and his Party would not bow their heads to the independents a minority elected government by nobles will definitely lead Tonga in the next four parliamentary years.
Election results:
Tongatapu 1
Elizabeth Baker – 191
William Cocker – 448
Soloni Helu – 8
Mosese Manuofetoa – 345
‘Emeline Tuita – 75
‘Akilisi Pohiva 1482
‘Ana Bing Fonua – 132
Eliesa Fifita – 75
Tongatapu 2
Semisi Sika 1091
Soane Patitia Fifita 186
Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu 436
Sione Fonua 543
Tongatapu 3
William Clive Edwards – 518
Gabiella ‘Ilolahia 110
Siaosi Sovaleni 999
Simote Vea 459
Paula Lavulo 15
Tevita Palu 711
Mele ‘Amanaki 151
Tongatapu 4
Poli Tuaileva 94
Etuate Sakalia 168
Felise Ulupano 37
Edgar Cocker 492
Tominika Setefano Kama 4
Tevita Ita Koloamatangi 54
Mateni Tapueluelu 783
Seketi Fuko – 248
Isileli Pulu 570
Tongatapu 5
Lia Manatu Fa’oa 72
‘Aisake Valu Eke 1682
Viliami Mangisi 44
Maliu Takai 1090
Tongatapu 6
Sione Tafuna 325
Siosifa Tuutafaiva 629
Salesi Fotu 912
Poasi Tei 1036
Tongatapu 7
‘Amanaki Paea Molitika – 33
Sione Sangster Saulala 762
Pinomi Prescott 41
‘Atalasa Pouvalu 99
Sione Vuna Fa’otusia 822
Filini Sikuea – 31
Mavaetangi Manavahetau 199
Sipola Halafihi 686
Tongatapu 8
Semisi Fakahau – 1016
Mafile’o Mataela – 32
Tevita Tu’i Uata – 895
Sione Havea Taione 663
Sipaisi Kutu 12
Tongatapu 9
Samipeni Finau – 199
Vika Fusimalohi – 603
Tevita Tupu ‘Ofa – 505
Lemasingo Tania Nai – 88
Penisimani Fifita – 679
Falisi Tupou – 550
Tongatapu 10
Seini Teu – 45
Daniel Fale – 452
Semisi Tapueluelu – 285
Pohiva Tui’onetoa – 1402
Faka’osilea Kaufusi – 845
‘Eua 11
Sunia Manu Fili – 716
Tevita Lavemaau – 760
Silivia Mahe – 7
Suliasi ‘Aholelei – 57
Taniela Fusimalohi – 618
Ha’apai 12
Viliami Manuopangai Hingano – 535
Mo’ale Finau – 532
Pita Taufatofua – 396
Pita Vi – 158
Tu’ivaita Ueleni – 69
Latiume Kaufusi – 18
Ha’apai 13
‘Anau ‘Anau – 139
Samiuela Fangaloka – 443
Veivosa Taka – 823
Siosiua Langitoto Helu – 156
Sione Talanoa Fifita – 103
Vava’u 14
Tongavua Appleton – 34
Taniela Kivalu – 17
Matini Veikune – 79
Saia Ma’u Piukala – 1232
Lisiate ‘Akolo – 739
Tu’amelie Kemoe’atu – 70
Latuniua Lepolo – 272
Vava’u 15
‘Alekisio Kaita’eifo – 77
Alwyn Moa – 36
Viliami kaufusi Helu – 20
Henele Fononga – 9
Tomifa Paea – 524
Sione Mailangi – 95
Samiu K Vaipulu – 747
Elieta Sapate Toke – 31
Anisi Bloomfield – 472
Kerry Lavaki – 166
Viliami Pasikala – 16
Salesi Kauvaka – 27
Vava’u 16
Tupoumalohi Manuofetoa – 80
Ikani Loneli Taliai 82
Ipeni Siale – 299
Viliami Lolohea – 85
Viliami Uasike Latu – 574
‘Aisea Silivenusi – 101
‘Etuate Lavulavu – 615
Niua 17
Fe’ao Vakata – 519
VÄtau Hui – 291
Sione Peauafi Haukinima – 138
Democratic Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva and his party won eight seats from 11 constituencies, 10 in Tongatapu and ‘Eua 11, as the election’s preliminary results for 11 constituencies officially announced by the Election Commissioner, Pita Vuki this evening.
The results for Vava’u, Ha’apai and the Niuas are yet to be announced.
The Party needs to win all the remaining six constituencies from the outer islands to make sure they have the number to form the next government for the next for years.
The Democratic Party winning results:
The Party lost Tongatapau 3, 6 and 7 to independent candidates. They are as follows
The overall results for Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
TONGATAPU 1
Samuela Akilisi Pohiva 1422
TONGATAPU 2
Semisi Sika 1050
TONGATAPU 3
Siaosi Sovaleni 975
TONGATAPU 4
Mateni Tapueluelu 781
TONGATAPU 5
‘Aisake Eke 1621
TONGATAPU 6
Poasi Tei 1010
TONGATAPU 7
Sione Vuna Fa’otusia 796
TONGATAPU 8
Semisi Fakahau 991
TONGATAPU 9
Penisimani Fifita 648
TONGATAPU 10
Pohiva Tu’ionetoa 1369
‘EUA
Tevita Lavemaau 760.
Results for all candidates for Tongatapau and Eua
TONGATAPU 1
Samuela Akilisi Pohiva 1422
William Cocker 437
Mosese Manuofetoa 325
Elizabeth Baker 191
Ana Fonua 129
Eliesa Fifita 74
Emeline Tuita 71
Soloni Lutui 7
TONGATAPU 2
Semisi Sika 1050
Sione Tu’itavake Fonua 526
Soane Patita Fifita 180
Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu 424
TONGATAPU 3
Clive Edwards 503
Gabriella Ilolahia 107
Siaosi Sovaleni 975
Simote Vea 440
Paula Lavulo 13
Tevita Palu 688
Mele ‘Amanaki 142
TONGATAPU 4
Poli Tuaileva 93
Etuate Sakalia 160
Felise ‘Ulupano 37
‘Etika Koka 481
Tominiko Kama 4
Tevita Ita Koloamatangi 51
Mateni Tapueluelu 781
Seketi Fuko 237
Isileli Pulu 541
TONGATAPU 5
‘Aisake Eke 1621
Maliu Takai 1076
Lia Faoa 71
Viliami Mangisi 41
TONGATAPU 6
Sione Tafuna 316
Sifa Tu’utafaiva 589
Salesi Fotu 890
Poasi Tei 1010
TONGATAPU 7
Paea Molitika 31
Sangster Saulala 741
Pinomi Prescott 40
‘Atalasa Pouvalu 94
Sione Vuna Fa’otusia 796
Siosifa Filini Sikuea 28
Mavaetangi Manavahetau 197
Sipola Halafihi 660
TONGATAPU 8
Semisi Fakahau 991
Mafile’o Mataele 32
Tu’i Uata 880
Sione Havea Taione 645
Sipaisi Kutu 12
TONGATAPU 9
Falisi Tupou 542
Penisimani Fifita 648
Vika Fusimalohi 597
Samipeni Finau 194
Lemasingo Nai 84
Tevita ‘Ofa 496
TONGATAPU 10
Daniel Fale 438
Pohiva Tu’ionetoa 1369
Semisi Tapueluelu 283
Faka’osilea Kaufusi 826
Seini Teu 45
‘EUA
Sunia Fili 195
Tevita Lavemaau 425
Silivia Mahe 2
Pouvalu ‘Aholelei 7
Taniela Fusimalohi 143
The results for the Nobles’ election held at the Palace Office this morning 10am 12pm was officialy released as follows.
Tongatapu
1. Lord Vaea (10 votes)
2. Lord Ma’afu (10)
3. Lord Tu’ivakano (8)
Vava’u
1. Lord Tu’i’afitu (5)
2. Lord Tu’ilakepa (4)
Ha’apai:
1. Lord Tu’iha’angana (4)
2. Lord Tu’iha’aateiho (4)
‘Eua
1. Lord Nuku (7)
Ongo Niua
1. Lord Fusitu’a (2)
In an apparent abduction on November 22, a Chinese man was injured and dumped at a roadside in Veitongo.
The 46-year-old man was rushed to Vaiola Hospital while Police were searching for him at his vegetable farm in the area. He sustained bruises and other injuries.
His vehicle was found burnt out few kilometres from his farm.
Police have yet to find who responsible for the incident.
The Tongan-New Zeland born Valerie Kasānita Adams has been named the World Athlete of the Year in Monaco on Saturday.
The Olympic champion shot putter was the first New Zealand to win the award.
“(This is) for me, my family, my country and all women shot-putters,” Adams was quoted by Fairfax Media as saying.
“I’m so proud and humbled by this and it makes such a special ending to a challenging but very successful year for me.”
“We have such a great sport and we should all be very proud of what our sport brings. Also thanks to all the support back in my home country New Zealand. It’s nice to have this award for my country as well.”
There was widespread community support for the way the Democratic Party had held the government accountable to the people, Tonga’s Minister of Finance, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke said yesterday.
Speaking during his election campaign for Thursday’s general election, Dr Eke said voters hugely commended the party’s efforts.
He was responding to a question from Kaniva News about whether he was running as an independent candidate or a member of the Democratic Party known as Otu Motu Anga’ofa Democratic Party.
Dr Eke said he was still an independent candidate but he agreed with the Party nominating him as its candidate list for Tongatapu 5.
“I am still independent and have not signed their Memorandum of Understanding, but have no problem with putting up my photo with them or anyone else doing so,” the Finance Minister said.
“I believe in what the Democratic Party has promoted over the years, the fight against corruption and the need to have an honest government that uses public funds to serve the interest of the public and stop using government office for personal interests.”
During the political campaign for this election some critics have insisted the government should remain under the rule of the monarch and nobility, but Dr Eke said the democratic form of government the Party was pushing had been the will and decision of His Late Majesty King George V.
Tongans should make the most of an opportunity to make the country better.
“Those people who question the Democratic Party do not realise or do not remember that this political reform has been sanctioned by His late Majesty,” Dr Eke said.
He said those who do not think all members of Parliament should be all elected by the people are those who “intend to use the government to serve their personal interests at the expense of the public good at large.”
“I fully support those groups who stand to create a political environment conducive for functioning of a clean, upright and progressive government.
“We do all this to protect Tonga from moral decay and abuse of powers.
“That is why we see that most campaigns stress the fundamental value of integrity with competence and experience.
“We do not know someone’s real character until he has authority. That is the real test of character.”
Dr Eke said the Democratic Party had acted as a safeguard to ensure the government functioned properly and effectively.
One example was the stopping of excessive allowances being paid to parliamentarians, which had saved a lot of public money.
The public needed the party to continue playing that role.
The main points
The name of the New Zealand Police Inspector who was honoured with a Defence Service medal last year has been recommended and if His Majesty King Tupou VI approves he would become Tonga’s new Police commissioner.
Steve Caldwell was recommended for the top job following an interview in Nukuʻalofa couple of weeks ago to choose a replacement for Grant Charles O’Fee when he finishes early as Tonga’s Police Commissioner.
Tonga’s Police Minister Hon. Siosifa Tūʻutafaiva told Kaniva News this morning “The panel recommended Steven. But his name is being taken to the king for approval.”
Hon. Tūʻutafaiva was responding to a request to confirm information that Steve Caldwell from New Zealand Police got the job
The minister said the interviewees included Deputy Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa and Lau’aitu Tupouniua from the Tongan Police.
Caldwell has served the New Zealand Police for 36 years and he is currently the superintendent of New Zealand police in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.
He was among the 22 Police Officers who were honoured in 2013 by the New Zealand Police with Defense Service medals in recognision of his long-service and good conduct.
When we contacted O’Fee for comment he said: “No we cannot confirm who the new Commissioner will be”.
In July 5, 2012 a statement from the government of Tonga read: “Tonga has now inaugurated Mr. Grant Charles O’Fee, from Wellington New Zealand as the new Police Commissioner on a three year term contract”.
The three-year term finishes in July next year, eight months from now, but Hon. Tūʻutafaiva said O’Fee leaves the job early and the handover will be in next week December 5, 2014.
Tonga’s Democratic Party has revealed plans for a dramatic restructuring of government ministries if it is elected on Thursday.
The party is also considering establishing a Tongan Marketing Authority post in Fiji and cutting the kingdom’s diplomatic posts in either Europe or the United States.
The plans are part of the party’s scheme to revitalise the economy, make Tonga less dependent on imports, establish overseas markets and develop the kingdom.
Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield, the Party’s Deputy Leader for the Tautahi (outer islands) said the noble-led government’s 2011 Strategic Development Framework had failed.
He said the government’s policies existed on paper, but no action had been taken on them.
If the Democratic Party was elected it would:
Bloomfield, formerly Head of the South Pacific Secretariat in Noumea, said reorganising ministries would provide a strong platform to push its policies.
There would be one ministry to keep an eye on the significant requirements for the people within the next four years.
The party would push strongly for people to use sea food, animals and produce to cut the costs of continually importing products from overseas.
This would help boost the local economy and make life easier for local fishermen and farmers who relied on the local market to make enough money to cover all their kavenga (duties for the church, family and villages).
Bloomfield said local producers suffered because they did not have access to overseas markets.
Ministries
Bloomfield said a Democratic government they would split the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Food into three different ministries and separate the Ministry of Tourism from Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour.
If the party gained power it would bring responsibility for unemployment under Infrastructure and united the Labour and Commerce portfolios with Immigration under the umbrella of Ministry of National Planning.
Business Enterprises would come under Finance and Internal Affairs unites with Prison Departments. Law and the Port Authority would be added to the Marine Department and the Tonga Power Board and Water Power would report directly to Cabinet.
The Environment Department would come under Land, Survey and Natural Resources and Sport and Youth would be returned to the Ministry of Education The Ombudsman would stay under the Ministry of Law or be an independent body, but would not be subject to Cabinet.
A Democratic government would establish a Tongan Marketing authority office on Fiji and close down Tonga’s diplomatic posts in either the United States or the EU.
Bloomfield who is running as the Party’s candidate for Vava’u 15, said the Democratic party’s planned restructuring would help ensure the government could keep an eye on what was most needed for the people.
Imports
One of the party’s chief concerns was Tonga’s heavy reliance on meat imported from New Zealand and Australia.
This raised serious economic and health issues, especially the huge amount of imported mutton flaps and fatty meats. These contributed to the high risk of Tongans becoming obese and suffered other non-communicable related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
The Ministry of Agriculture would be responsible for the local animal farming and make sure it can supply the locals’ needs with good fresh meat on sustainable terms and to reduce spending on importing of unhealthy meats.
Local handicraft markets had received a boost from a New Zealand-funded training and marketing programme.
Bloomfield said making the Ministry of Tourism a single body would allow it to concentrate on upgrading the tourism industry, which was one of the main markets for Tongan handicrafts.
He said tourists, particularly those on cruise liners, were vital to Pacific island economies.
According to National Tourism Organisations, National Statistics Offices, Fiji received 77 visits by cruise liners in 2013, Vanuatu received 252 visits, New Caledonia 159 and Tonga 17.
Bloomfield said pulling the different functions of the Ministry of Tourism together would help concentrate on upgrading the tourism industry and making sure overseas tourists visited Tonga.
He said It was claimed that TP$70 million (NZ$44.5 million) was left in Tonga by overseas tourist in the year 2013.
According to international statistic,13 to 18 cents of every tourist dollar stays in the kingdom.
The Democratic party said it would propose a bill to Parliament to ensure the 87 or 82 cents stay in Tonga.
Failure
Bloomfield said the government had not kept its promises and its policies had failed to help the Tongan people.
He said the government had not fulfilled its promise to establish an international shipping network to help export seafood.
It had also turned down requests to subsidise freight charges on imported fishing tools.
He said the kingdom needed to develop its workforce, but it also needed to meet the special needs of local people.
The government’s Strategic Development Framework had promised to invest in what it called a “healthy, well-educated, and skilled workforce.”
The Framework said the private sector could not function without skilled, healthy and committed workers and promised to primary education and vocational training.
But Bloomfield said local producers had specific needs that were not being met.
As an example, he said there was a persistent need to boost pearl farming in Vava’u, one of the best sources of income for the locals and Tonga’s economy.
However, he claimed that until now the pearl industry in Vava’u had been ignored and there was nobody to train local pearl farmers on how to farm and grow the pearls.
The main points
(Source: Sport24) Tries from Blair Cowan, Stuart Hogg, Alex Dunbar, Geoff Cross and Tommy Seymour helped Scotland settle a two-year-old score with an ultimately convincing 37-12 victory against Tonga on the plastic pitch at Kilmarnock Rugby Park.
In the first international match involving a Tier One nation played on an artificial surface, Scotland overcame a poor first-half performance to avenge the 21-15 defeat they suffered against the Tongans at Pittodrie Stadium in Aderdeen in November 2012, an occasion on which they conspicuously failed to cross the opposition try line.
In doing so, the Scots completed a satisfactory first home series under Kiwi Coach Vern Cotter, having beaten Argentina 41-31 and pushed New Zealand hard before losing 24-16.
Scotland were on the front foot from the off. Flyhalf Finn Russell spurned a kickable penalty in favour of an attacking line-out in the left corner but Scotland made a mess of the set-piece opportunity.
No 8 Johnnie Beattie also suffered a turnover when attempting to barge through the Tonga defence and it was the Pacific Islanders who were first to get points on the board.
In the tenth minute flyhalf Latiume Fosita bisected the posts with a penalty from tight to the left touchline after Hogg failed to roll away from a tackle.
That gave Tonga a 3-0 lead but they were a man down in the 14th minute when their captain and openside flanker Nili Latu was yellow carded by referee JP Doyle for obstructing Richie Gray at a ruck close to the Tongan try line.
Scotland took advantage a minute later, New Zealand born flanker Cowan scoring from the back of a driving maul to claim his first try for his adopted country.
Scotland captain and scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw landed the conversion to give Scotland a 7-3 lead but two penalties in as many minutes by Fosita put Tonga back in front, 9-7, with 23 minutes on the clock
The tourists were back to their full complement of 15 players, Latu returning from the sin bin, when Scotland were reduced to 14.
Dunbar was yellow carded for a tip tackle on full back Vungakoto Lilo and, while the inside centre was in the pitch-side cooler, Fosita stepped up to nail his fourth penalty, extending Tonga’s lead to 12-7.
Scotland almost hit back in the 31st minute but they were penalised for offside when Fosita had a kick charged down by Laidlaw in Tonga’s in-goal area and Russel raced to touch down the loose ball.
Two minutes later the hosts had their second try, though. A tackle from Russell forced Tonga spill the ball while attacking in the Scotland 22 and Hogg picked it up and raced 80 metres to score. Laidlaw converted, furnishing Scotland with a 14-12 advantage at the interval.
The Scots conceded nine penalties in an error-strewn first half and were fortunate when Fosita registered his first place kicking miss, pushing an attempt wide from 40m, five minutes into the second-half.
Three minutes later, however, Scotland had a third try on the board, courtesy of some fine footwork by Dunbar. The Glasgow centre collected a zipped pass from Russell and deftly nipped past two defenders before scoring in the right corner.
Laidlaw missed the touchline conversion but then converted two penalties, pushing Scotland’s lead to 25-12.
In the defeat against Tonga in Aberdeen two years ago Scotland failed to cross the opposite whitewash but they did so for a fourth time in Kilmarnock, their prodigiously bearded tighthead prop Cross burrowing over from a close-range ruck.
Laidlaw’s conversion made it 32-12 but Scotland were still not finished. With three minutes to go Russell hoisted a Garryowen into the right corner and Seymour POUNCED for his third try in as many matches.
