Only one baby was born on New Year’s Day, welcoming the new decade, on Tongatapu at Vaiola Hospital.

Siokatame Mataele Po’oi made his entrance into the world at 11:24am.

His mother, Tricilla Po’oi, from Holonga, told Matangi Tonga she had a caesarean section operation when it was discovered the baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.

Baby Siokatame was born with no complications and he is currently kept in another ward so health staff can monitor him while Tricilla recovers from her operation in a separate room.

“This is my fifith child,” said Tricilla.

Matangi Tonga was not able to reach any health staff in Ha’apai, ‘Eua, and the Niuas to confirm any New Year births.

In Vava’u, staff from Prince Ngu Hospital confirmed there were no babies born on New Year’s Day there and only one baby boy was born today, 2 January.

On Tongatapu, three babies were also born today, 2 January.

Pacific New Year’s Babies

Meanwhile, Fiji was one of the first places in the world to welcome the first baby born on New Year’s Day according to UNICEF.

The baby was born to proud mother, Laisani Raisili, at Nausori Maternity Ward, in Fiji, at 12:10am.

UNICEF’s estimated births on New Year’s Day around the Pacific include:

• Fiji - 39
• Federated States of Micronesia – 7
• Kiribati - 9
• Papua New Guinea – 628
• Samoa – 13
• Solomon Islands – 57
• Vanuatu – 23

Globally, estimates for the top eight countries for babies born on New Year’s Day include:

• India — 67,385 
• China — 46,299
• Nigeria — 26,039 
• Pakistan — 16,787 
• Indonesia — 13,020
• The United States of America — 10,452 
• The Democratic Republic of Congo — 10,247 
• Ethiopia — 8,483

Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Pacific Representative said “as we welcome the new year, let’s make a resolution to give every child, the best start in life.

“Every mother and newborn must have access to quality health care. Together let’s make those early moments matter, starting with investing in health workers to ensure every mother and newborn is cared for by a safe pair of hands.”