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Tonga’s economy growing, financial system sound says Reserve Bank in report to Cabinet

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Inflation is down, the economy is growing and there’s money in the bank.

That’s the news from the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, which says that Tonga has enjoyed a year of economic growth and there is more good financial news to come.

The Reserve Bank said the kingdom experienced 2.5% real GDP growth in 2014/15 and can expect stronger growth of 3.3% in the next financial year.

Foreign reserves have risen to $319 million, a sign of Tonga’s competiveness with its major trading partners.

“Tonga’s financial system remains sound as the banking system continued to be profitable,” Reserve Bank governor Dr.Sione Ngongo Kioa said.

Writing in the bank’s Monetary Policy Statement, Kioa said monetary conditions improved in 2014/15 as total credit and deposits continued to grow.

In a report to cabinet, the Reserve Bank said growth in 2014/15 was due to the general improvement in the economy.

This was mainly driven by growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors. This reflected the effects of major events in mid-2015, such as the coronation, school reunions and church conferences.

These events coincided with increased imports and revenue from container registrations.

Growth in the next financial year is expected to come from a rebound in primary production, particularly in agriculture and fishing. There is also expected to be growth in the construction industry.

Global factors

Global factors are expected to benefit Tonga in the coming year, with falling oil prices making transportation and travel costs lower.

However, other global factors will be less kind. The slowdown of the Chinese market will affect markets in Australia and New Zealand and the uncertainty of global weather will continue to affect fishing and agriculture.

Agriculture was particularly badly hit by cyclones and the El Niño weather pattern in the period under review, with a 6.4% drop in exports to November 2014.

Better economic performances in Tonga’s main trading partners has led to lower import costs. However, this advantage was partly offset by the rise in the cost of domestic produce such as chicken, fish and vegetables.

According to the Reserve Bank the balance from Overseas Exchange Transactions was a surplus of $51.1 million over the year to November 2015, a massive $48.6 million higher than that of November 2014.

The kingdom still relies heavily on remittances, with money sent from overseas (mainly the United States, Australia and New Zealand) making up 26% of GDP. Over the year, remittances rose to $226.3 million.

The economy at a glance

  • Import payments rose to $306.8 million in November 2015. Imports of construction materials more than doubled due to major work in Nuku’alofa.
  • Wholesale and retail trade increased by 5.9% due to the recent opening of the Adiloa Store and Spare Parts Zone (Tonga) Ltd.
  • Foreign reserves reached $330 million in the new year. Exchange rates fell, indicating Tonga’s competitiveness against that of its major trading partners.
  • Money supply rose by 13.4% to $427.8 million over the year to November 2015 due to increases in net and domestic assets.
  • Household and personal lending is up to 17%, while non-performing loans are down to less than 7.7%
  • The tourism industry is expected to grow.

Pacific economies

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund says it expects positive growth for all South Pacific economies except Vanuatu.

In the past two financial years the Pacific economies have had a roller coaster ride. Papua New Guinea and Fiji have been in the lead, but in the coming year PNG will dominate. The Solomon Islands’ economy has grown, while Vanuatu’s is expected to beadly affecrted by cyclone damage.

The main points

  • Inflation is down, the economy is growing and there’s money in the bank.
  • That’s the news from the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, which says that Tonga has enjoyed a year of economic growth and there is more good financial news to come.
  • The Reserve Bank said the kingdom experienced 2.5% real DGP growth in 2014/15 and can expect stronger growth of 3.3% in the next financial year.
  • In a report to cabinet, the Reserve Bank said growth in 2014/15 was due to the general improvement in the economy, mainly driven by growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors

For more information

National Reserve Bank of Tonga

Tongan economy (Asian Development Bank)

Tongan economy (The Economist)

Auckland Mayoral Fund for the Pacific activated after Cyclone Winston

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Mayor Len Brown has expressed his condolences to the people of Fiji and Tonga in the wake of Cyclone Winston and has activated the Mayoral Fund for the Pacific on the advice of the fund’s advisory committee.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by Cyclone Winston, and particularly the people of Fiji who have sustained loss of life and widespread damage. Our staff and Mayoral Fund committee members are working closely with our local Pacific communities and aid agencies on how best to help.”

Mayor Len Brown is urging Aucklanders keen to help Fijian communities hit by Cyclone Winston to donate to the Mayoral Fund for the Pacific, which is geared up and ready to help.

The Mayoral Fund for the Pacific Committee met last night. It agreed to launch an appeal and formed a taskforce to work with the community and coordinate the community response in Auckland.

The committee approved logistical support for the community response, involving the provision of containers to transport community donated goods to Fiji and Tonga.

“The community in Auckland is already mobilising to help those in need, and the Mayoral Fund will assist in this,” says Mr Brown. The Mayoral Fund for the Pacific was originally set up in the wake of the devastation caused in Samoa by 2012’s Cyclone Evan.

“If Aucklanders would like to contribute to the Fund, to help these communities, they can do so through the following channels. Cash is king, the most versatile way of helping immediately, and tax deductible donations to the Fund can be made at any time.”

The Fund is managed by Auckland Communities Foundation (ACF) and donations should be made through ACF as follows:

Via the ‘donate now’ function on the ACF website www.aucklandcf.org.nz
Via direct payment to the ACF bank account (with reference ‘MFP’ to ASB Bank account 12-3028-0714703-00)
Via cheque made payable to ‘Auckland Communities Foundation Mayoral Fund for the Pacific’ and sent to PO Box 26087, Epsom 1334
“We know people are keen to help, particularly our Pacific communities in Auckland, and donations to the Fund will help with immediate relief,” says Len Brown.

John Kotoisuva, chair of the committee and the committee’s representative for the Fijian community, and Jenny Salesa, MP, representative for the Tongan community, will be working closely with communities in Auckland.

They will hold public meetings with the Fijian and Tongan communities in the coming days. Details of these meetings are listed below.

Tongan couple  pleaded guilty in Canberra for theft and money laundering

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A former security company employee who stole more than $530,000 from four Canberra ATMs in one night gambled the money in multiple transactions, including a $53,000 bet on an AFL premiership.

Salesi Latu Toumo’ua, 29, pleaded guilty to theft, money laundering and four burglary charges stemming from his crimes when he appeared before Justice John Burns in the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday.

Court documents said Toumo’ua worked as an ATM technician at G&A Security Services and was acting supervisor when he took keys to numerous St George bank ATMs from a safe at the company’s Weston office one night in May 2013.

He then drove to Charnwood shops, where he used the keys to open the security door to a St George bank ATM bunker and took more than $211,830 from two machines.

Toumo’ua drove to Mitchell, where he stole $246,150 from an ATM, and later to Wanniassa, where he pocketed $73,350 from another machine.

He is also alleged to have stolen $244,000 from an ATM at Riverside Plaza in Queanbeyan that same night. However, no charges have been laid over that incident.

In separate transactions, he gambled $71,461 in cash at nine different Tabcorp outlets in Melbourne in 24 hours.

Another day, he lost more than $16,000 while gambling at Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

In September, police searched the storage unit and seized items including a briefcase, more than 40 Tabcorp betting tickets, $193,782 in cash and a receipt from the Charnwood ATM.

Fingerprints matching Toumo’ua’s were found on the briefcase and tickets.

Salesi Toumo’ua’s partner, Siutaisa Helen Schaaf, 29, pleaded guilty to money laundering on Thursday.

According to court documents, she deposited more than $28,000 in numerous transactions into her own bank account in the five months to September 2013.

The pair will be sentenced in May.

Daniel Toumo’ua in 2015 pleaded guilty to possessing proceeds of crime in the ACT Magistrates Court and was placed on a good behaviour order.

– Canberra Times

VHF radio systems for Moʻungaʻone

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tongan government has installed VHF radio systems in Moʻungaʻone to ensure the community can make fast communication and is timely warned if a tsunami hits.

The alert systems including a portable rain gauge and an outdoor siren-loudspeaker system were installed at the Mo’unga’one Primary School.

Tonga Met Service and town officer would use the system to communicate with locals when there is tsunami alert.

Moʻungaʻone
The outdoor siren-loudspeaker system. Photo/Tonga Government

The town officer can also use the outdoor siren-loudspeaker systems to make community annoncements.

The government personnel who were in the island to install the communication alert systems also conducted training sessions to show the community how to use the equipment effectively.

A statement from government says the initiative “is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the Mounga’one Community livelihoods to Climate  Changes”.

The Partnership Pilot Project was coordinated by the Government of Tonga’s  Meteorology and Emergency Managements Departments, the Tonga Red Cross, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPREP), the Government of Finland (through the FINPAC Project) and UNESCO.

Princess takes leading role during 20th anniversary festival in Australia

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan stall  organised by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho  was among more than 400 booths set up  at a multicultural festival in Australia last week.

The three-day event which ran from February 12 – 14 marked the 20th anniversary of the National Multicultural Festival  in which it featured “key events and performances it’s renowned for, including, the Food and Dance Spectacular, Greek Glendi, Carnival in the City, Chinese New Year and Pacific Island Showcase”.

Photos seen by Kaniva News apparently showed  Tongan art and crafts as well as mats, books, sculptures and paintings were being exhibited in the booth.

Some also featured the princess viewing the exhibition and holding up some of the items while posing for photos.

A Tongan delegation from the kingdom including True Tonga travelled to Australia to participate in the festival.

Princess 5
Princess Angelika Latufuipeka with Tongan handicrafts for the festival. Photo/Leonaitasi Kuluni (Facebook)

Tongan groups and performers from Tongan community in Canberra also took part in the historical event.

“the National Multicultural Festival provides the ideal platform to promoting Tonga and its peoples, promoting Tongan handicrafts and arts work, and is an excellent opportunity to advertise the Kingdom as a tourist destination to Australia and the world”, a statement said.

Princess 3
Tongans at the National Muticultural Festival. Photo/Leonaitasi Kuluni (Facebook)

The festival hosted about 4500 volunteers, 2500 performers and more than 800 groups from various ethnicities and races  in Australia

During the 2015 festival it was thought more than 270,000 people visited and attended the event.

Princess 4
Princess Angelika Latufuipeka and Tongans who partipated in the festival. Photo/Leonaitasi Kuluni (Facebook).

Tongan students at USP safe, Fiji death toll rises, national curfew lifts

By
Kaniva Staff
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UPDATED Wednesday 24 at 11am: The Tongan students studying at the University of the South Pacific are in safe hands after ferocious Cyclone Winston ripped through Fiji on Saturday 19.

Reports from the university said there was damage to utilities  and some of the halls in the complex but “there was no loss of life”.

Forty Two people have died and thousands of Fijians have been driven out of their homes by Cyclone Winston.

Fiji Times said the death toll for Tropical Cyclone Winston is now 42.

It quoted Fijiʻs Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu as just confirming the number in a press conference.

The minister said  one  person and a 10-month-old baby is still missing in Koro.

Trimes said the “baby’s father was running for cover during the height of the cyclone on Saturday however the baby fell down and was swept away by strong currents”.

The death toll is expected to increase further, it said.

The university has been closed due to the widespread devastation caused by the cyclone.

Official reports on social media said “all students were safe”.

A Tongan staff at the university who asked not to be named because he was not in a position to talk to media said: “The extent of the damage done to the Campus is yet to be known.

“It will come to hand tomorrow once Dr Massaso Paunga does a preliminary assessment of the damage in all three Campuses as he is Vice President in charge of USP Properties & Facilities and all Regional Campus if I am not mistaken”.

Update from USP management1. Students and staff are safe. Even though there is some damage to property, it is…

Posted by USP Campus Life on Saturday, February 20, 2016

We contacted the Director of the Campus, Dr ‘Ana Koloto for comment but she had yet to make a response.

Meanwhile  a message posted yesterday Sunday 21  to USP Campus Life Facebook page read: “students and staff are safe”.

“Even though there is some damage to property, it is manageable. The USP Fiji campuses will be closed on Monday the 22nd. A curfew is still in place and students and staff must not wander around”, it said.

Message from the Acting Vice Chancellor:USP Fiji campuses will remain closed today and tomorrow and until further…

Posted by The University of the South Pacific on Sunday, February 21, 2016

Another post read: “For students who need food, USP has water, canned meats, canned fish, crackers, noodles and and coookies at the dining hall. The food is free for USP resident students who need supplies.

“As all shops are closed today and we only have a limited supply of provisions, please be considerate to your fellow students and only take what you need for your personal immediate consumption. Please do not use these supplies to stock up as that would leave other fellow students without any food”.

For students who need food, USP has water, canned meats, canned fish, crackers, noodles and and coookies at the dining…

Posted by USP Campus Life on Saturday, February 20, 2016

READ MORE: 

UPDATES: Fiji confirms 42 dead, declares state of emergency as Cyclone Winston tracks back south

UPDATES: Fiji confirms 42 dead, declares state of emergency as Cyclone Winston tracks back south

By
Kaniva Staff
-

UPDATED Wednesday 24 at 11am: Forty Two people have died and thousands of Fijians have been driven out of their homes by Cyclone Winston.

Fiji Times said the death toll for Tropical Cyclone Winston is now 42.

It quoted Fijiʻs Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu as just confirming the number in a press conference.

The minister said  one  person and a 10-month-old baby is still missing in Koro.

Trimes said the “baby’s father was running for cover during the height of the cyclone on Saturday however the baby fell down and was swept away by strong currents”.

The death toll is expected to increase further, it said.

The government of Fijian Prime Minister  Frank Voreqe Bainimarama has declared a 30-day state of emergency amid concerns of flash flooding and mudslides.

The category five cyclone hit the Pacific archipelago late February 20.

Winston was expected to curve back on its path tonight and is likely to move near the same direction it was a week ago before it swung north of New Zealand and turned towards Tonga.

MetService New Zealand said today there was a low probability of Winston touching New Zealand by next weekend.

The forecast track is considered the most likely based on the information available at time of analysis, and there may be other possible future tracks. Source: Fiji Met Service on Tuesday, February 23 at 7.34pm

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces mobilised its personnel and recalled staff from leave to help with a massive clean-up operation.

This morning, Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office reported widespread devastation.

At least seven outlying islands suffered severe damage and there are fears for the safety of those living in remote areas.

“Some villages have reported that all homes have been destroyed,” Jone Tuiipelehaki, a communications officer for the UN Development Programme, tweeted on Saturday evening.

“50 homes have been reported destroyed in Navaga village in Koro Island.”

Taveuni
An image in Tavua, Northern, Fiji taken by the NZ Defence Airforce after Cyclone Winston. Photo/Fijian Government

In Tonga, Cyclone Winston affected about 230 homes in Vava’u and trees and crops were extensively damaged before it veered away and hit Fiji.

The cyclone struck the Vavaʻu group on Tuesday. It continued north before making a U-turn and slamming into the group again  on Friday.

As this story was being written, some residents in Neiafu were still without electricity and water.

Cyclone Winston remains at Category 5 and is moving west away from the main island of Viti Levu, Weather Watch New Zealand said this afternoon.

The cyclone has generated winds of 230kmh with gusts to 325kmh, according to Fiji Met.

Winston is the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Fiji, with winds of 290kmh.

Tonga Met Service said this afternoon Cyclone Winston was located south east of the kingdom and moving west at 25kmh. Meanwhile, a slow moving trough lies between Vava’u and the Niuas.

The main points

  • Five people have died and thousands of Fijians have been driven out of their homes by Cyclone Winston.
  • The government of Fijian Prime Minister Voreque Bainimarama has declared a 30-day state of emergency amid concerns of flash flooding and mudslides.
  • The category five cyclone hit the Pacific archipelago late yesterday (February 20).
  • In Tonga, Cyclone Winston affected about 230 homes in Vava’u and trees and crops were extensively damaged before it veered away and hit Fiji.
  • The cyclone struck the Vavaʻu group on Tuesday. It continued north before making a U-turn and slamming into the group again on Friday.

For more information

Cyclone Winston: Fiji counts deaths and damage from giant storm (The Guardian – with video)

Winston the strongest, first Category 5 cyclone to hit Fiji (Fiji Times)

Essential cyclone information for Fiji (RNZI)

Cyclone Winston his Vava’u

Flying cars are just TWO years away

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Terrafugia claims its TF-X will be ready to take to the skies by 2018.

Traffic can be a real grind. For those travelling between work and home by car every day, the seemingly endless cycle of gas-brake-repeat at a snail’s pace can wear thin.

But commuters of the very-near future may be granted some respite by taking to the skies in a flying car.

The US company behind the concept vehicle TF-X is hoping a prototype will be ready to fly in just two years – and it will go on general sale within eight.

According to Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, a full-size unmanned prototype is expected to be ready by 2018.
The firm’s concept car has fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end.

These motors allow the TF-X to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, and will be powered by a 300 horsepower engine.

Thrust will be provided by a ducted fan, and the vehicle will have a cruising speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), along with a 500-mile (805 km) flight range.

Terrafugia said its aim is to provide ‘true door-to-door transportation,’ with the vehicle capable of being parked in a home garage like an ordinary car.

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controls so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.

‘The TF-X operator will have final say over whether an approved landing zone is actually a safe place in which to land, and they may abort the landing attempt at any time,’ the company says.

The latest model was unveiled at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Terrafugia has already provided an animation showing how the vehicle would work.

  • US firm Terrafugia’s designs for a concept vehicle are in development
  • The designs include fold-out wings and helicopter-like rotor blades 
  • The vehicle will have a cruising speed of around 200mph (322 km/h) 
  • Firm expects an unmanned prototype will be ready to soar by 2018

This shows the vehicle taking off by tilting its electric-powered propellers by 90 degrees.

As the vehicle moves to forward flight, the propellers spin around until they are parallel with the vehicle’s body.

When the ducted fan activates, the propellers stop rotating and fold back along the nacelles.

A one-tenth scale model is being tested at the Wright Brothers wind tunnel at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The trials will test everything from the drag, lift and thrust forces of the model.

However, Massachusetts-based firm Terrafugia said the TF-X will still be another eight to twelve years in development.

Last year, the same company unveiled a flying car known as the Transition, which has space for two passengers,

It is expected to cost around £183,000 ($261,000) when it goes on sale.

Owners will need a pilot and a driver’s licence to operate the road-legal airplane, in addition to 20 hours of flying time under their belt.

But fulfill those requirements, and you’ll be able to head down a motorway to an airport, and then take off on a conventional runway.

The founding team behind the creation are Carl Dietrich, Samuel Schweighart, Anna Mracek Dietrich, Alex Min – friends from University, and they call the Transition ‘our vision for the future of personal transportation.’

They said: ‘We have been dreaming about flying cars since the turn of the 20th century. The Transition street-legal airplane is the first step on the road to the practical flying car.

‘We’re starting with proven technology and our product road map is designed to make personal aviation progressively safer and more accessible to a broader segment of the population.’

– Daily Mail

Cyclone Winston kills one in Fiji, Tonga Deputy PM sends message of encouragement

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The extremely rare and most powerful cyclone ever recorded in world  history  battered Fiji islands with hurricane-force, killing one man and causing thousands to flee their homes.

Fiji’s Radio FM98.6 reported the victim was a man from Koro island. No further identification of the deceased was reported.

Residents in Fiji bore the brunt of Cyclone Winston this evening at about 8.30pm New Zealand time with winds gusting of up to 325kmh.

Meanwhile Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni took to Facebook this evening and told Tongans in Fiji his government and the people of Tonga were praying for them in this time of difficulty.

“To [Tongans in Fiji] we are keeping the Fuaamotu Cyclone Warning operational so you can listen in..and also for the benefits of parents and [relatives] of our students in Fiji”, Hon Sovaleni said.

“The Emergency Operation Centre will still be operating 24×7 to keep track of Winston and try and monitor welfare of Tongans in Fiji.

“If you have any info about Tongans who are facing difficulties/ injuries do contact the Centre at 26340/ 28005”, Hon Sovaleni wrote.

READ MORE: 

There were hundreds of Tongans in Fiji including students at the University of the South Pacific and employees at various organisations.

Tongans in Fiji reported power outage and how they felt the impact of the cyclone when it made landfall this evening.

Power out! time for candle n gas. Mei chips n puctionary by candle light. Hope every one is keeping safe.

Posted by Frank Koloi on Friday, February 19, 2016

Melemanu Fiu Bloomfield wrote on Facebook, “there are 6 [of] us in Nadi travellers apartment..keep us in your prayers..thinking of families and friends in Suva and all over Fiji”.

She later wrote, “We have no power..scary..we are with Tongans from Aust … Missing home..Glad Piutau is with us..”.

Sina ‘Aholelei Kami wrote that north and west of Rakiraki bore the brunt of Winston

Fakafeta’i hotau malu’i he Tamai Fakalangi! Praying for the people of Fiji..especially those at the North and West!

Posted by Sina ‘Aholelei Kami on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Few hours before the cyclone struck Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama released an official message warning Fiji residents to “ Be alert and be prepared”.

URGENT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT The National Emergency Operation Center has encouraged the public to contact the…

Posted by Fiji Sun Online on Friday, February 19, 2016

“As a nation, we are facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We must stick together as a people and look after each other”, the message read.

International flights to and from Fiji have been cancelled as the country’s weather service warned people to “expect very destructive hurricane-force winds”.

Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office director Akapusi Tuifagalele confirms a state of natural disaster now exists…

Posted by Fiji Sun Online on Friday, February 19, 2016

Rising star Agnatius Paasi ‘singled out’ for tonight’s game

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Agnatius Paasi was singled out by Rabbitoh Sam Burgess for tonight’s game when the Rabbitohs and Titans meet in their final pre-season clash at Pizzey Park.

Paasi has been described as impressive and was the right player for the clash.

Nominating him for the tournament’s top individual gong two week’s ago Fox Sports News said: “While his offload and his hitting ability are the first things that stand out in the big prop when you watch him play, it was his enormous motor — a trait even more valuable in Nines than in the 13-a-side game”.

Paasi also revealed in the interview earlier this pre-season, his partner Chloe and their three-year-old son Manatoa were an inspiration to him in his career.

“My partner told me to stay at it one more year and give it a crack”.

This means Paasi had to face certain obstacles such as leaving behind his family while he was in Australia to join his team.

He said he almost gave it up.

Last year he was contacted by Australian immigration officials and informed there were complications with his visa.

“It’s been hard being without my family”, he told Courier Mail.

‘‘I get lonely sometimes, I text or call them every day, but the boys at training are really supportive and they keep me company which is good”, he told the mail.

“I’m currently in the process of applying for a new visa, the Titans have sponsored me so it’s great to be back on the Gold Coast.’’

His committment to the sport was described as “From sleeping on the floor for an opportunity to arguably the Auckland Nines player of the tournament, it’s fair to say Agnatius Paasi has come a long way”.

Agnatius Paasi is from Lapaha in Tonga and he is a  professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. A second-rower and prop, he previously played for the New Zealand Warriors. He was born in Tonga. He is 24 and has height of  1.84 m

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