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.

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.

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.

The General Manager of Tonga’s new Port Authority, Tu‘itupou Fotu, believes that there is a desperate need to improve the port facilities, and the management of Tonga’s ports. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.

Poorly maintained pit latrines and poor personal hygiene have been identified as the sources of an increased number of typhoid cases on Tongatapu earlier in 1999. 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.

Afu‘alo Matoto has taken over the leadership role of the TDB at a time when the Bank is expected to play a major role in reviving the Tongan economy, by providing capital for the development of the agricultural, fisheries and tourism industries - areas that urgently need development to pull the country out of its current economic recession. But he says Tonga needs to first resolve its leadership crisis: “We need to crystallise our position and to take action.” By Pesi Fonua. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 1, January 1999.

Iosefa Maiava, the Deputy Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat visited Tonga during the first week of February to talk with local officials and to hold post Forum consultation meetings before the next Forum meeting to be held in Palau at the end of September and early October. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 1, January 1999.