Nuku'alofa, Tonga
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
2014 was a year of extreme weather events for Tonga. Starting with the Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian, which devastated Ha'apai on January 11 and killed one person, the year ended with a severe drought for Tongatapu and an El Nino warning for the whole of Tonga.
January's images of destruction from Ha‘apai, and the massive relief effort that was required, came in a year when the region hosted the SIDS conference, where Pacific island leaders talked about climate change and its impact on small island states. The environment and food security are increasingly in the news.
2014 was also an elections year in which Tongan voters replaced of their Members of Parliament, who elected a new Prime Minister.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian passes over Tonga, killing one person and devastating Ha‘apai on 11 January 2014.

Aerial photos reveal shocking damage to homes in Ha'apai after Cyclone Ian ripped into the low-lying central group of Tonga. Foa Island, Ha'apai, 12 January 2014. Photo RNZAF.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/01/12/ha%E2%80%98apai-aerial-photos-reveal-shocking-damage

At Koulo, Tiana Kofe and Ma'ata Sanft collect belongings after Cyclone Ian destroyed their home. 13 January 2014. Photo by Pesi Fonua.

Hammer in his hand, Pala Tavake with his wife 'Eseta, begin to rebuild their home today, at Koulo, Lifuka Island. 13 January 2014.

Evacuated from Lifuka after Cyclone Ian, Lemoto Latu (9) is accompanied by medivac aid Dr Audrey Galzin in an ambulance. 19 January 2014. Photo Mona Lisa Palu.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/01/20/medivac-flight-saves-ha%E2%80%98apai-boy

On International Women’s Day 2014, Tonga has a long way to go. Feta‘aki sellers at Talamahu Market, Nuku‘alofa, Tonga. Photo by Mary Lyn Fonua. 8 March 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/03/09/iwd-inspiring-change-tonga-we-still-have-long-way-go

One of an increasing number of cruise ships scheduled to visit Tonga in 2014, the MS Queen Victoria cruise ship docked at Vuna Wharf in Nuku'alofa, with over 2700 people. Photo by Linny Folau. 17 March 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/03/17/ms-queen-victoria-calls-nuku-alofa

Seven passengers and the pilot walked away unscathed from the crash landing of the REAL Tonga Beech Queen Air A3-CIA at 'Eua airstrip. Photo courtesy Naita Fe’ao. 30 April 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/04/30/thank-god-we-are-saved

Visiting Tonga, the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key was welcomed by pupils at the Nuku'alofa Government Primary School. 4 June 2014. Photo by Linny Folau.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/06/04/pm-john-key-visits-school-and-village-power-project

In Tonga to make a victim impact statement to the court was Cally Ruahe, with the children of the New Zealand police officer Kali Fungavaka who was killed in Tonga in 2012, from left, Jalen (13), Bailee (11), Cally, Shiloa (14) and Mason (9). Nuku‘alofa, June 30, 2014. Photo by Mary Lyn Fonua.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/07/01/sentencing-policemen-adjourned-july-9

Prince Tu'ipelehake was put to rest at Mala'e 'Atuli ki Langi,Pelehake, Tongatapu. 20 June 2014. Photo by Pesi Fonua.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/06/20/funeral-7th-tuipelehake-pelehake

Miss Heilala Pageant contestant Nicole Naufahu performs a Samoan siva at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, Nuku‘alofa. 7 July 2014. Photo by Linny Folau.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/07/08/miss-heilala-contestants-wow-audience

Archaeological excavations at Nukuleka unearth ancient Lapita pottery shards made by the ancient predecessors of Polynesians thousands of years ago. Nukuleka, Tongatapu. 22 July 2014. Photo by Finau Fonua.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/07/25/excavation-unearths-ancient-lapita

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, meet a Tongan patient David Maka who had a bullet removed by Chinese navy surgeons on the ‘Peace Ark’ at Vuna Wharf. Nuku'alofa, 19 August 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/08/20/ship-surgeons-extract-bullet-us-tongan

Ma'ata Kiole with watermelons at the Tongatapu Agricultural Show on 22 August 2014. Photo by Mary Lyn Fonua.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/08/22/king-opens-tongatapu-agricultural-show-2014

The 3rd Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference, one of the biggest conferences ever held in a Pacific Island country, hosted delegations from 110 countries including Tonga MAFFF reps, Losaline Ma'asi, Dr Viliami Kami, and Nunia Mone in Apia, 1 September 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/09/02/pm-tu-ivakano-commends-samoa-pathway

Tongan muscles were on display at the Mr Tonga bodybuilding competition, won by Benjamin Tu’ipulotu on Friday, September 5. Photo by Finau Fonua. 5 September 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/09/08/benjamin-tuipulotu-mr-tonga-2014

Succumbing to sea level rise and erosion the tiny offshore island of Monuafe is now a submerged sand bar that appears briefly at low tide - the remnants of a forgotten island, with few knowing that it ever existed. 9 October 2014. Photo by Firitia Velt.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/10/09/tongan-islet-disappears-beneath-sea

Lord Tu‘ivakano visits the MAFFF World Food Day display at Queen Salote Wharf, Nuku‘alofa. 16 October 2014

Hundreds of young students from over 10 Government Primary Schools in Nuku'alofa performed colourful traditional dances at Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium, concluding a cultural program that is aimed at teaching students the importance of Tonga’s traditional dances, while preparing for the King’s Coronation in July next year. 4 november 2014. Photo by Linny Folau.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/11/04/nuku-alofa-students-perform-teufaiva-stadium

Delight for skipper Nili Latu as he completes the scoring to defeat US Eagles 40 -12 in Gloucester, UK, in the second match of Tonga’s European tour. 15 November 2014. Photo by Martin Bennett.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/11/16/tonga-overwhelms-usa-40-12

Tonga Police staff march in support of White Ribbon Day. Nuku‘alofa. 25 November 2014

Prime Minister-elect, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, is congratulated by the other nominee Samiu Vaipulu outside Parliament House, 29 December 2014. Photo by Pesi Fonua.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/12/29/akilisi-pohiva-tongas-new-prime-minister

Drought stricken cattle farm in Eastern Tongatapu. An El Nino warning was declared for the whole of Tonga, by Tonga’s Meteorology Service on Friday, 19 December 2014.
http://matangitonga.to/2014/12/21/el-nino-warning-tonga-drought-continues