Results for Pacific Islands

A total of 57 athletics records were entered in the Record Book at the national secondary schools athletic sports in Nuku'alofa this month. The large number of records for 2024 reflected a reset in over 90 years of sporting records in Tonga, after the setting of a new age limit, along with new events/categories introduced at the 97th Secondary Schools Athletic Sports, held at Teufaiva Stadium, over the week 2-5 April, and this year sponsored by TongaHealth.

Tapaita Fonokalafi (10) was crowned Little Miss Aotearoa New Zealand 2024, on April 21, at Papa Hou Theatre, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tapaita was also chosen to represent New Zealand to the Little Miss Universe 2024 pageant, that will be held in Turkey next month.

Tonga’s U-16 team defeated Papua New Guinea (7-0) in their last match in OFC Championship qualifying stage, at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa today. Meanwhile, the undefeated Solomon Islands secured their ticket to Tahiti to participate in the OFC Men’s U-16 Championship, with a 4-0 win against American Samoa earlier in the day.

Tonga has made significant progress in its digital journey by partnering with UNESCO to host a multi-stakeholder workshop for the Internet Universality Indicators (IUI) National Assessment Project for Tonga using the ROAM – X Framework. Held at the Tanoa Hotel, 17 April, this workshop represents a crucial moment in Tonga’s commitment to creating an inclusive and rights-respecting Internet environment.

Written Speech delivered by H.E. Ambassador Liu Weimin upon arrival in Tonga: It is a great pleasure for me to serve as the ninth Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Tonga, which is known as the "Island of Friendship and Love". I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life who have long been caring about and supporting the development of China-Tonga relationship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998, China-Tonga relations have maintained steadfast momentum.

Early warning systems are essential to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in Tonga. “Timely and accurate warnings save lives, protect livelihoods and preserve the fabric of our communities," said the Acting CEO of MEIDECC Mr. Vatulele Tuputupu at a stakeholders consultation in Nuku'alofa today.

A network of coral reef scientists have announced that the world is currently experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event, the second to hit reefs in the past ten years. The announcement, made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), yesterday, comes at a time when coral reefs are facing a number of threats to their survival.

Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku is leading a delegation to the 9th Our Ocean Conference, which will take place from 16-17 April 2024, in Athens, Greece. The Conference will address cross cutting areas including Sustainable Tourism in coastal areas and islands, reduction of marine plastic and micro-plastic pollution, green shipping, and green transition in the Mediterranean.

Kuo tuku atu ‘e he Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tonga ́ ‘a ‘ene Fakamatala Tu‘utu‘uni Ngāue Fakapa‘anga ‘o Fepueli 2024 hili ‘a hono tali ‘e he Poate ‘a e kau Talēkita ́. Na’e fetō‘aki ‘a e hikihiki ‘i he totongi koloa fakalūkufua ́ ‘i he ta’u kuo hili ́ ka kuo holo ki he peseti ‘e 3.6 ‘i Fepueli 2024. Na’e pehē ‘e Kovana Moeaki, “neongo ‘a e holo ‘a e totongi koloa ́, ‘oku kei lahi pe ‘a e faingamalie ke toe mā’olunga ange ‘a e totongi koloa mei hikihiki e totongi e koloa fakalotofonua ́”.