A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tonga this Sunday evening at 19.31 New Zealand time.
The quake was 66km in depth and struck 287km from the capital Nuku’alofa, US Geological Survey earthquake alerts said.
Earlier it tweeted the preliminary reading of the quake to be 5.8.
No injuries or damages reported and there was no official tsunami threat warning issued.
The New Zealand MP Jenny Salesa who is currently in Tonga said on Facebook she was contacted after the earthquake.
“Malo e lelei, just letting you all know as I’ve had a number of people reaching out asking if we’re OK after the earthquake that we are indeed alright here in Tonga. One of the biggest risks here is not just from earthquakes but in addition a possible tsunami occurring afterwards because the main island where most people live, Tongatapu is really flat,” Salesa said.
The Board of the Pacific Business Trust is deeply saddened by the passing of its Chief Executive Rob Neru on Friday.
Trust Chairman Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira said the economic development and social enterprise organisation is still in shock over the untimely death of Rob Neru (46), a man who had a “tenacious passion for unlocking the potential of Pacific business people”.
“Rob brought to the trust 25 years of significant business and entrepreneurial experience, across multiple industries,” said Fa’amatuainu.
“He was renowned throughout Pacific communities in New Zealand for his deep personal commitment and first-hand insights into the opportunities that business and entrepreneurship can create for the betterment of our people,” he said.
“The Board and staff of the Trust are immensely saddened by his passing and we offer his wife Marianne, children Zoe, Michael, Jessica, Kimberley and Andrew, his extended family and friends, our deepest condolences.
“Rob has been pivotal to the recent accomplishments of the Trust and was a driving force behind our future vision. His astute stewardship of the organisation, collegial management of the team and wise counsel to the Board will be greatly missed,” said Fa’amatuainu.
Media reports this week condemn a Canadian food product. The chair of the Tonga National Food Council was reported as warning all consumers not to eat the hotdog brand shown as Golden Maple. Tonga National Food Authority is reported as suspending the operation of the local company distributing that brand.
As consumers we appreciate the efforts of the Food Council to ensure the safety of our food, however there has not yet been any proof of food contamination provided to the public that would, or could, justify the blanket ban of a well known international brand. Golden Maple brand is a product sold worldwide by Eire Meats, a Canadian company.
There are a number of questions that arise from this issue,and the answers need to be made as public as the product condemnation has been.
Is it true that the contamination report and resultant activity is based on the claims of one person in a facebook post? Has the health department reported any illness directly caused by this product? What testing results by a recognised food test laboratory has been supplied to authorities that justifies them banning a product and suspending the operations of a local business?
Of great interest, what has the Canadian government had to say about the banning of one of it’s export products by Tonga?
It is essential to consider the situation of the local importer; having their product banned and their operation suspended is a devastating blow. If it is proven the product is indeed contaminated then yes, proceed with product ban and business suspension based on verified fact, distressing for any business but necessary to protect the public.
But what if the product is not contaminated, what if the claims are untrue, what if it is found that the claim arose from the actions of an unscrupulous competitor? Who will compensate the local business for their financial loss, who will restore the brand reputation for the manufacturer? Let’s not forget that this product ban has been circulated worldwide by media.
This year ANZAC Day commemorates the centenary of two important events during the First World War – the Battle of the Somme and the arrival of a New Zealand army recruiting team in Tonga.
The Tongans were among many Pacific islanders who served in the New Zealand, Australian, or French armed forces during the First World War.
Most of the initial volunteers from Tonga were Europeans or part-Europeans who joined the British, New Zealand or Australian armies.
In 1916, a recruiting team visited Tonga and persuaded a number of men to sign up.
Many volunteers from Tonga served with Maori or Cook Islands units.
While the disastrous Gallipoli campaign is traditionally the focus of ANZAC Day, the western front in France and Belgium was where most Australian and New Zealand units served as part of the British army.
On July 1, 1916, the Allies launched a massive attack on the German lines in the Somme River area of France. The attack was a disaster, which left 60,000 British troops dead or wounded on the first day.
The New Zealand Division was committed to the battle in September. Of the 15,000 men who went into action 6000 were wounded and 2000 killed. More than half of them have no known grave.
The Battle of the Somme dragged on for four months before the winter rains turned the ground into such a quagmire that movement was impossible.
By the time the attack was called off, more than 600,000 British and French soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action. The Germans lost more than 650,000 soldiers. After more than one million soldiers on both sides had been killed or wounded, the allies had advanced just eight kilometres
A statement from the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga said April 25 had become a day of national reflection.
“Tongans, New Zealanders and Australians pause to remember and honour men and women who have served and sacrificed in war, conflicts and peace operations.
“It is a time to remember those who returned and those who did not and also reflect on the impact their service had on those who remained at home.”
To commemorate ANZAC day in Tonga, a dawn service will be held at 6am on Monday 25 April at the cenotaph at Pangai.
Captain Sila Siufanga, Regional Commander of the Salvation Army, will be the Officiating Minister.
Those attending are asked to be seated by 5.45am. Medals may be worn.
The main points
This year ANZAC Day marks the centenary of two important events during the First World War – the Battle of the Somme and the arrival of a New Zealand army recruiting team in Tonga.
The Tongans were among many Pacific islanders who served in the New Zealand, Australian, or French armed forces during the First World War.
In 1916, a recruiting team visited Tonga and persuaded a number of men to sign up.
Many volunteers from Tonga served with Maori or Cook Islands units.
Christine Liava’a Koe Kau To’a Na’anau Poletau. Valiant Volunteers: Soldiers from Tonga in the Great War. You can contact the author at cliavaa@gmail.com if you would like to buy her book.
“IF you weren’t a fit footballer, you’d probably be dead.”
These were the chilling words former Parramatta cult hero Fuifui Moimoi was faced with after a bout of the flu turned into two weeks in intensive care with a serious infection.
Speaking to The Saturday Telegraph from his hospital bed in the north of England, Moimoi admitted he feared for his life when the infection started invading his body in the space of days.
“I was ready to go to training, but my body was weak,” recalled Moimoi, who is now playing for the Leigh Centurions in the English Championship.
“I decided to stay home and sleep and when I woke up the next day my temperature and heart rate was really high and I couldn’t stand up.
“I also couldn’t lift my arm because it started puffing up and I was in a lot of pain.
“Luckily one of my Tongan mates was staying with me for a couple of days and he rushed me straight to see the club doctor.”
Moimoi was now in a bad way.
His body was losing strength by the minute, while one arm and hand had blown up to resemble a human marshmallow man.
Moimoi spent two weeks in hospital. Photo/Daily Telegraph
Leigh owner Derek Beaumont saw Moimoi turn up to the club in a weak and lethargic state.
“The team doctor saw Fui and he knew something wasn’t right and sent him straight to the hospital,” Beaumont said.
“He had drips on him all over the place because the infection was shutting his body down.
“When he went into hospital his temperature was 41.7 and his heart rate was 130 while he was laid down relaxed.
“He had some kind of infection in his arm, which was spreading throughout his body and causing a lot of pain, but thankfully we stopped all of that.
“Fui is still weak and has lost about 15 kilos, but he is getting better.
“The main thing is he is okay, because the doctors said because he waited so long to get help it would have taken a lesser man out.”
It’s a reality that certainly hasn’t been lost on Moimoi, even though he left hospital on Friday after almost a fortnight.
“I’m just happy I’m still here — I’m very lucky and blessed,” he said.
“I’ve started walking around in the last two days, but the last eight days prior to that I’ve been in pain the whole time.”
Despite losing a significant amount of weight and strength, Moimoi was in good spirits on Friday when his wife and two children arrived from the United States to visit him.
Beaumont also confirmed the bookend has rediscovered his famed appetite.
“Fui is asking for the good old Burger King and KFC, so he must be on the mend,” he joked.
“The physio said to him he can eat what he wants and as much of it because he has got to build his body back up again.
“But we’re just glad Fui is okay, because it could have been a lot worse.”
World Rugby, the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) and the Tongan government have agreed a package of reforms designed to address ongoing governance concerns within the union and support the future sustainable growth of rugby in Tonga.
Based on a common commitment to preserve and promote rugby development, the positive and constructive meetings in Nuku’alofa, set out to deliver an equitable solution regarding a number of unresolved administration and governance issues, the union’s debt and outstanding legal cases.
The agreed strategies include: Establishment of a 10-year tripartite funding agreement, encompassing all annual World Rugby, government and TRU funding, committed to the growth of rugby in Tonga in line with good governance criteria
Establishment of a joint management committee – comprising representatives of World Rugby, Tongan government and the TRU to oversee all aspects of the TRU high-performance programme
The re-establishment of the Tonga National Rugby Academy to include world-class player pathways and player welfare programmes to provide locally based players with a clear pathway to national team selection
A restructure of the World Rugby development investment programme to facilitate the re-invigoration of competitions in the outer islands, including ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Vavau.
World Rugby Chairman of the Rugby Committee, John Jeffrey, who attended the meetings, said: “Tonga holds a special place in the history and future of rugby and rugby holds a special place in the cultural, economic and social fabric of the kingdom.
“We are committed to working with the Tongan government and union to address the apparent issues and this prudent support package is a reflection of our collective commitment to rugby in Tonga and World Rugby’s ongoing support of rugby in the Pacific Islands.
“This collaboration and investment will provide an environment to further grassroots development for the wider rugby family in Tonga, while strengthening the high performance environment that provides a dedicated pathway for local players to represent Tonga on the international stage.
“Good governance is central to World Rugby membership and World Rugby remains committed to rugby in Tonga and supporting a robust and sustainable administrative and governance framework within the union that will enable the union to prosper on and off the field of play.
“This support package will also provide a pathway and an opportunity for the union to strive to gain eventual representation on an expanded World Rugby Council and we will work closely with the union to ensure that they have the ability to achieve the requisite good governance criteria.”
Tonga’s public servants will have a new pay structure from July 1.
The new pay structure is part of the Second Remuneration Report which was approved by cabinet yesterday.
A government press release yesterday said the decision marked a new milestone for the public service.
“The current salary structure was established back in the 1970s and it is outdated and contained a lot of anomalies for a lot of positions and salary scales,” the statement said.
“The first attempt by the Government to reform the salary structure was in 2005, which unfortunately resulted in the public service strike.
“Lessons learned from 2005 were taken into account by the current Government in revisiting this important initiative for the public service.”
The Second Remuneration Report was submitted to Cabinet by the Remuneration Authority in November 2015. Cabinet ordered the Remuneration Authority to work with the Public Service Commission on ways to implement the report and make it available it to all chief executive officers for consultation.
Consultations were completed in March and the final report handed to Cabinet.
Work on implementing the report will be undertaken by the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Remuneration Authority.
Prime Minister, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva said if the various bodies worked with the public service there would be a smooth transition to the new salary structure.
He said proper mechanisms would be established to deal with anomalies and complaints fairly and satisfactorily.
The Minister for Finance and National Planning said the decision to approve the report sent a signal to the kingdom’s development partners that the government was working on reforming the public service.
The new remuneration structure is linked directly to the performance of public service employees and the government’s commitment to improve service to the public.
The Public Service Commission is working with the Remuneration Authority in the preparatory work for the implementation of this new framework.
Cabinet also approved the First Remuneration Report submitted by the Remuneration Authority in 2014. The report will be updated and also effective from July1.
The first report recommended remuneration structures for officers listed in the schedule to the Remuneration Authority Act 2010 which included Cabinet Ministers, Legislative Assembly Staff, Judges, Members of Court of Appeal, Tribunals and Statutory Boards, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Ministry of Police, Prison and Fire Services and positions not covered in the Public Service Act.
The main points
Tonga’s public servants will have a new pay structure from July 1.
The new pay structure is part of the Second Remuneration Report which was approved by cabinet yesterday.
A government press release yesterday said the decision marked a new milestone for the public service.
“The current salary structure was established back in the 1970s and it is outdated and contained a lot of anomalies for a lot of positions and salary scales,” the statement said.
The New Zealand’s Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Claire Szabo was in Nukuʻalofa to meet with Government of the Kingdom of Tonga Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni to sign a memorandum of understanding.
Ms Szabo said the agreement was focused on a commitment to the families of Tonga and provide them with affordable, cyclone-resistant homes.
“Habitat is committed to responding in times of disaster to all nations of the Pacific, and we’re pleased today to formalise our focus on responding to families in Tonga whose shelter may have been affected by disaster such as cyclones.”
“However, this agreement isn’t limited to a ‘bottom of the cliff’ response,” Ms Szabo said.
“We’re also very much looking forward to progressing work with families in Tonga whose shelter may not be adequate to withstand future disasters, through development projects, and this is a desire we’re pleased to share with the government of Tonga.”
Ms Szabo said the charity had been active in the Pacific for many years and was currently undertaking a partnership project in Samoa, continuing with rebuilding and housing resilience projects following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Evan in 2012. Habitat was also working alongside Habitat for Humanity Fiji in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding was witnessed by New Zealand Member of Parliament Jenny Salesa.
More women are expected to join Tonga Police in July and that recruit squad is targeted to have more women than men.
The new police barrack opened in Nuku’alofa today was part of the Ministry’s endeavour to provide decent and modern accommodation to cater for the new female recruits.
These statements were taken from what Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said in speeches they made while they commissioned the new police barrack at the Tonga Police Academy in Longolongo today.
The TP$1,053,468 buildings funded by New Zealand and Australia comprised of a training room, 20 bed rooms furnished with a table and a chair, a wardrope as well as a toilet block.
“These new police barracks and training room facility avails Tonga Police of much needed upgraded accommodation that supports the effectiveness of the accredited Tonga Police College in the delivery of training to Tonga Police at all levels, from recruit to upcoming Tonga Police leaders,” Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said.
Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said the new building means an opportunity to bring in more police officers to Police.
“This day not only represents the opening of a new building but it opens the door to our future vision for the Tonga Police College, being a centre of learning excellence for our police officers,” Caldwell said.
A fully furnished room for the new recruits. Photo/supplied
“The purpose of this building is to accommodate our new recruits commencing in July, it will house our female recruits. I have clearly signaled that I wish the next recruit intake to be 50% women recruits.”
Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva in his keynote address said the new building would benefit Tonga’s Police College in its delivery of training to new recruits.
“These new police barracks and training room facility avails Tonga Police of much needed upgraded accommodation that supports the effectiveness of the accredited Tonga Police College in the delivery of training to Tonga Police at all levels, from recruit to upcoming Tonga Police leaders,” he said.
“These barracks and the land behind it will be used for the construction of a solar system to enhance the operation capacity of Tonga Police through access to a reliable source of electricity. This is also a crucial initiative that supports the commitment of the Tongan Government to reducing carbon emissions through renewable energy.”
The new barracks was designed by the Kramer Ausenco architects and built by the Yanjian Construction.
industries,” said Fa’amatuainu.
