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Tonga rugby union launches new website

By
Kaniva Pacific
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PHOTO: Right – Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni during the launch ceremony. Photo/TRU

The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) has launched a new website, www.tongarugbyunion.org ,  for the organisation today in Nuku’alofa.

In a statement it said: “The website is part of an ongoing development for the union, something that has never been done before to this extent, providing features such as international transfers and clearances, player profiles, staff and management introductions, adding a new and refreshed way for fans to connect with the team”.

“The website will compliment and tie together the existing media platforms, linking the Facebook and Twitter feeds along with the growing YouTube and Instagram feeds.

“Other features of the new site include a latest videos section, along with a view into the Tonga Rugby Union as a whole. Moving forward there is the opportunity for news about domestic competitions, and for news about the ongoing work being completed by the unions Regional Development Officer

“These media platforms present an opportunity for major stakeholders, fans and friends to gain a much deeper knowledge of who represents the Tonga Rugby Union at all levels. This includes players, staff, management and board members, increasing accessibility, accountability and transparency, something the union is wanting to promote.

As the team builds towards the Rugby World Cup the union expects to be able to utilise their developing media presence to form a real connection with its global fan base, and long term look to other ways to reach out to the local community and build strong links in Tonga and around the world”.

Tonga parliament to open on May 28

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The 2015 Session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly will be officially opened on the 28th of this month, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office in Nuku’alofa says.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Parliament House, but the program has not been released.

The statement also says the current session will be officially closed on Thursday 21 May 2015 in a Soft Closing ceremony in Nuku’alofa by a commission of three nobles, in which one of the nobles will deliver the closing speech on behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI.

The names of the nobles are yet to be confirmed by the Palace Office, it says.

“His Majesty approves the date for the State Opening of the Legislative Assembly through a proposal from the Prime Minister and Lord Speaker”.

Tonga ranks above United States in 2015 release of World Press Freedom Index

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga has a freer press than the United States, according to a global survey.

According to the latest report from the international journalists’ organisation Reporters Without Borders, Tonga ranked 44th in the World Press Freedom Index for 2015, while the United States came 49th.

The kingdom rose 19 places from 63 in 2014. In contrast, the United States dropped from 46th to 49th place on the new listing.

The Index was released to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

This year’s theme was ‘Let journalism thrive.’

The international body said the democratic election Tonga held in 2010 contributed strongly to the best position ever it has in its World Press Freedom Index 2015.

It said Tonga had an independent press, which had established its role as a counter-weight to the government.

Last year Tonga was placed 63rd, the same position it had in 2012 and 2011.

In 2007 the then government reacted angrily against Reporters Without Boarder after ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s newspaper reported on its front page that Tonga had placed 119th.

The story cited the lack of transparency and government aggression against democracy supporters.

In February 2003 Reporters Without Borders protested against the Tongan government’s ban on the independent biweekly paper Taimi ’o Tonga. The paper had a long history of denouncing corruption and failed projects by King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV.

In December 2003 Reporters Without Borders again criticised King Taufaahau Tupou IV  for signing constitutional amendments and reintroducing press laws that allowed his government to maintain a ban on Taimi ʻo Tonga.

The international body said the king’s actions posed a serious threat to free expression and represented a huge step backwards for press freedom.

In March 2005 Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrest of pro-democracy activist Alani Taione for distributing 20 copies of Taimi ’o Tonga on his arrival on February 18 from New Zealand, where he was a resident.

Tonga’s ranking in the past 10 years:

2015 – 44

2014 – 63

2013 – 66

2012 – 63

2011 – 63

2010 – 87

2009 – No place

2008 – 82

2007 – 119

2006 – 53

2005 – 64

The main points

  • Tonga ranks 44th in the latest World Press Freedom Index for 2015, five places above the United States.
  • The kingdom rose 19 places from 63 in 2014, while the United States dropped from 46th to 49th place on the new listing.
  • The Index was released by the international journalists’ organisation Reporters Without Borders to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
  • The international body said Tonga had an independent press, which had established its role as a counter-weight to the government.

For more information

World Press Freedom rankings 2015

Strong wind warning for all of Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A strong wind warning remains in force for all of Tonga land areas and coastal waters, Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre says this evening Tuesday 5.

It says a heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.

Situation:

An east to south east wind flow prevails over the group, meanwhile a weak trough lies slow moving over north of the Niuas.

Associated clouds and light showers may affect parts of the Niuas.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga :

For all Tonga:

Fresh to strong east to southeast winds.

Mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with isolated showers about the Niuas.

Marine weather bulletin:

A strong wind warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.

A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for all Tonga coastal waters:

For all Tonga coastal waters:

Rough to very rough seas. A heavy south east swell.

Tonga named among world’s 10 top ethical tourism destinations 2015

By
Kaniva Pacific
-
PHOTO. The Nukuʻalofa Royal Palace

Tonga has been identified by the Ethical Traveller Organization as one of the World’s Ten Best Ethical tourism destinations for 2015.

Three other South Pacific Island destinations are Palau, Samoa and Vanuatu.

The organisation said it selected the 10 top destinations after studying their respective positions on environmental protection, social welfare, human rights as well as animal welfare.

“For each of these categories, we look at information past and present so that we understand not only the current state of a country, but how it has changed over time”, it says.

“This helps us select nations that are actively improving the state of their people, government and environment”.

The organisation studied various international sources in its attempt to assess the status of its selected destinations including Reporters Without Borders, UNICEF, World Bank and reviews of local English language media.

The Ethical Traveller Organisation said these governments have taken over the past years to improve policies and practices in their countries.

World’s 10 best ethical tourism destinations list according to their alphabetical order:

  • Cape Verde *
  • Chile *
  • Dominica *
  • Lithuania *
  • Mauritius *
  • Palau *
  • Samoa
  • Tonga
  • Uruguay *
  • Vanuatu

For more information

The World’s Ten Best Ethical Destinations – 2015

PM says government spent reasonable time and millions on campaigning for CEDAW

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the government had spent millions of paʻanga on campaigning and consulting the community in Tonga about the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The Prime Minister was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi of the Catholic Church who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss whether Tonga should sign CEDAW or not.

Pohiva said he respected Cardinal Mafi’s point of view and said the cardinal was doing his job as a religious leader.

However, the government had already made it clear that Tonga had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.

Hon. Pohiva said the government funded non-profit organisations in Tonga such as the Women and Children Crisis Centre Tonga, The Tongan family support organisation Ma’aFafine and Tonga’s Civil Society Forum and had asked them to consult with the public about CEDAW.

He said the campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.

The Prime Minister’s Private Secretary, Poʻoi Pohiva, said the leaders of these non-profitable organisations were members of the local Catholic and Free Wesleyan churches.

The Prime Minister said previous governments had spent millions on the information and consultation campaign.

Cardinal Mafi said he feared the government’s move to sign CEDAW would open the door for Tonga to accept same sex marriage and abortion in the future.

The Prime Minister recently told Kaniva News in Auckland that Tonga could not stay by herself when most countries had adopted conventions like CEDAW.

The Tongan government has agreed to sign CEDAW convention and is now processing it through the United Nations.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akihisi Pohiva said last night the government had spent millions of pa’anga on consulting the community in Tonga about the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.
  • Pohiva was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi, who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss the issue.
  • He said the government had made it clear it had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.
  • The campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.

For more information

UN agencies welcome Tonga’s decision to ratify CEDAW

Women’s advocate: Tonga’s CEDAW ratification a disaster (RNZI)

Tongan Police arrest fugitive who held woman captive for weeks

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan Police said they have arrested the fugitive accused for unlawful imprisonment of a 20-year-old woman from Vaini in a hut in a plantation in the village of Puke in February.

Police said they have arrested Sione ‘Afa Teisina, 28, of Navutoka last week Friday, May  1 at 10pm at Mataki’eua in Tongatapu after working on a tip off.

He is now in Police custody and he was charged with causing serious bodily harm and more charges are expected after he would appear in court today according to Police Media & Communication Officer, Sia Adams.

Teisina allegedly beat and held Tapaita Finau captive for several days without giving her any food.

She managed to free herself while in captivity and fled to neighbours for help.

She was taken to hospital where she receive medical assistance before she was released.

Lord Tupou honoured with IOC Olympic Order

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The former President of TASANOC, Lord Tupou was honoured with the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the Welcoming Ceremony of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) General Assembly at the Grand Pacific Hotel held in Suva, Fiji last Friday evening May 1.

The Order was awarded by IOC President Hon. Tomas Bach in recognition of the work and contribution carried out by Lord Tupou through sports during his involvement in the past 40 years.

The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded particularly for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.

The ceremony was special for four members from our region, Oceania, and they were Rosie Blake (Cook Island), Joe Carlo (Vanuatu), Lord Tupou (Tonga) and Helen Brownlee (Australia).

According to Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau, the “ceremony was very warming and uplifting, especially it is the first for Tonga and TASANOC, as Lord Tupou is a former President and a Life Member. He is the first Tongan to receive such prestigious award.

Takitoa added, “it was also fitting for Lord Tupou who had been instrumental in the drive and changes to TASANOC, particularly with his legal background and experience in Government circle as well”. Also presence and join at the ceremony was wife, Saane and eldest son, David Jnr.

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was Chief Guest and he was proud with the achievements by the four recipients from Oceania.

Missing 6-year-old boy in south auckland found

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A Tongan family  in South Auckland can now enjoy the rest of the weekend after their boy returned home safely.

Korotangi Lalahi, 6, was reported missing yesterday after he failed to return after playing in a friend’s house.

His family became worried for his well-being and they contacted Police.

Korotangi was found at a friend’s address on Saturday morning and the cause of his disappearance was a miscommunication of addresses, Police said.

 

 

 

Tongan: Concerns mount for missing little boy

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Concerns are growing for a 6-year-old boy in South Auckland after he failed to return home from a friend’s place in Mangere yesterday, police say.

A search and rescue team’s being called out this morning to search for Korotangi Lalahi in south Auckland after he failed to return from playing at a friend’s house last night.

Korotangi Lalahi was last seen around the Yates Road, Tennessee Ave area.

He is described as of Tongan and Maori decent, of average build, 100cm tall and with short dark hair.

He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and shorts, and riding a blue and black scooter.
“Korotangi’s family are concerned for his safety due to his age and vulnerability and want him to return home,” police said.

Anyone with information that could assist in finding Korotangi was asked to contact Counties-Manukau police 09 2632700, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

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