From the House by Pesi Fonua

UPDATED AT 6:40PM

Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva died in the Auckland City Hospital at 9:00am this morning, the Acting Prime MInister Hon. Semisi Sika, announced on national radio at 6:40pm this evening.

12:24pm

The Tongan Parliament has been deferred indefinitely by the Acting Speaker Lord Tu’ilakepa, and according to a reliable spokesperson from Parliament, Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva had passed away in New Zealand.

The PM was medically evacuated  from Tonga to New Zealand yesterday afternoon.

Matangi Tonga could not get anybody at the Prime Minister’s to confirm the state of the PM’s health today.

In parliament this morning, before the House adjourned for morning tea, the Minister of Police, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu (who is the PM's son-in-law) requested an urgent meeting of the Acting Speaker, Lord Tu’ilakepa, and the Acting Prime Minister Hon. Semisi Sika.

After the tea break, Lord Tu’ilakepa called for the House to close and said he would inform them when they would resume.

Urgent issues

The House’s working week normally ends on Thursday.

Among some of the urgent issues that were raised in the House since it started at 10am was a proposal by Lord Tu'i'afitu for the House to pray for the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva following his medevac from the Vaiola Hospital Intensive care unit to New Zealand yesterday.