Results for 1999

Published in April, was a new history book, 'Queen Sālote of Tonga, The Story of an Era 1900-1965'. This 424 pages hard covered volume is the work of Dr Elizabeth Wood-Ellem, published by the University of Auckland Press. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

‘Akilisi Pohiva has been a controversial political figure ever since he first entered Parliament in 1987, not only because of his indifference to the rules and procedures of the House, but also for his outspoken and controversial comments about Cabinet ministers, the King and members of the Royal family. They are comments that have cost him tens of thousands of pa‘anga in lawyers’ fees and court awards for the defamed over the last decade. Interview and photos by Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

Thanks to what Rugby officials describe as a miracle, Tonga has finally qualified to participate in the 1999 Rugby World Cup after defeating South Korea 82–15 in Seoul on May 4. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

Tonga’s plentiful nonu trees may not be able to match the usefulness of coconut trees as the ‘tree of life’ for Tongans, but when the Royal Nonu International started buying nonu leaves in April for 80 seniti per kilogram, the nonu gained new status. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

The recent funeral of Tonga’s respected former Prime Minister HRH Prince Fatafehi Tu‘ipelehake, brought the country to a standstill for ten days. The occasion, however, reminded us again that Tonga is run by two sets of interwoven political orders, one so old that it has its origins in a mythical heaven, and the other so relatively new that it has not yet replaced the old. By Pesi Fonua. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

Hamburg Sud., the parent company of Columbus Line and South Seas Steamship Line in March announced a two-phase program to upgrade its shipping services between North America, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and South America. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto‘a, a retired Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, in an interview with the Matangi Tonga on May 16 offers a Pacific view on a number of subjects. On religion he said that Tongans are "living in la la land." Interview by Pesi Fonua, From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

'From the Stone Age to the Space Age in 200 years', is the title of a new catalogue on Tongan art objects–the first publication of the Tonga National Museum. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

From our archives: Matangi Tonga asks parliamentary candidates for the March 1999 General Election: How can the Tongan economy recover? How can more youth be employed? There are a diversity of views. Standing People’s Representative for Tongatapu, 'Akilisi Pohiva said to ask the Ministers who had the authority.