Pacific leaders retreat to Vava'u today [1]
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 07:49. Updated on Sunday, June 15, 2014 - 18:54.
The Pacific Islands Forum leaders are on retreat at Neiafu, Vava'u today.
The 16 Pacific leaders left the Fua'amotu Domestic Airport at 7:00 am this morning on an Airline Tonga 50-seater chartered aircraft.
A spokesperson from the Vava'u Governor's Office in Neiafu, said that the leaders would be welcomed at the Lupepau'u Airport by the Acting Governor of Vava'u, Hon Sonatane Taumopeau Tupou.
A traditional welcoming ceremony, the presentation of a ha'unga to be followed by traditional dancing, Lakalaka will be hosted by Fotu, the estate holder of the village of Leimatu'a.
The leaders' Retreat Meeting will be held at Puataukanave International Hotel on the Neiafu waterfront.
Hotel manager Tomifa Paea said that the leaders and their delegation would be accommodated in "a new wing of the hotel that was renovated and fully furnished just for the occasion."
The Leaders' Retreat meeting will start at 10:00 am. Lunch will be hosted by the Australian Government on Nuku Island, at the entrance to Neiafu harbour, a 30-minutes boat trip from Neiafu.
Following the leaders' deliberation the Tongan Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele will hold a Press Conference in the evening, before a dinner at the Tongan Beach Resort, 'Utungake.
The Pacific leaders will return to Tongatapu on Thursday morning October 18.