Results for Tonga

Dates for repatriation flights to Tonga have been scheduled for the remainder of 2021, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.

The repatriation flight from Auckland that was planned for 3 March has been rescheduled to arrive next Wednesday 10 March, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u this morning.

The debate over whether or not to turn to the deep sea to secure the resources we need for a low-carbon future has generated much public interest, but it is critical that this debate is founded upon sound science and the best data currently available. As such, I would like to correct a number of misrepresentations in the letter of Feb. 25 from the Civil Society Forum of Tonga. - Christina Pome'e, Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd.

The Police Tactical Response Group fired a pistol at the tyres of a meth offender in car chase, the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court was told by witnesses. Pangi Puloka (47) was found guilty of possessing 4.34 grams and 2.17 grams of methamphetamine, at Mata-ki-'Eua in 2020, after he tried to run down police officers, who were standing on a road to stop him.

More than 100 seasonal workers left Tonga on a chartered flight for Australia this afternoon, February 25. Tonga has since last year been sending seasonal workers to Australia, despite the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and border closures.

Tonga Soane was found guilty of three counts of uttering counterfeit currency at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court. He will be sentenced on April 1. The $50 and $100 were obviously fake “the notes represented a patently amateurish attempt,” said the judge.

An upgraded water supply system for people in the western Hihifo District was handed over to Prince Ata on February 23. The project was financed by the Government of Japan.

Sione Siueli Angilau (41) was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment for possession of 0.07 grams of methamphetamine and 9.26 grams of cannabis.

A claim by Royco Shipping Services Ltd. for $26,616 damages against Matson South Pacific Ltd., over a stevedoring agreement dispute was dismissed by Tonga's Lord Chief Justice, who ruled that during the term of agreement, it did not give Royco exclusive right to provide stevedoring services for all of Matson's vessels at the Port of Nuku'alofa.