Results for 2000

Consumption is up as economic activity increases in Tonga. Trade figures for the first quarter of 2000 compared to the same period in 1999, for selected Tonga imports. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

The saying that one can’t see the wood for the trees, is so appropriate to our situation in Tonga today. It has been pointed out numerous times, and we can see it with our own eyes, that we are blessed with a good country, where the weather is hospitable, and the soil is so fertile that plants can grow even in the sand. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Over 100 people are now being investigated for treason in Fiji. This includes some influential and prominent business people, reported Fiji Live on September 5. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Hon. Veikune, the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, first entered Parliament in 1975 as one of two Noble’s representatives for Vava‘u. During his 22 years in the House, Hon. Veikune has served as Chairman of the Whole House Committee, and last year was appointed by the King as the new Speaker. Recently he has taken part in a regional seminar on Parliamentary democracy, and here comments on the stability of the Tongan parliamentary system, as seen from the nobility’s viewpoint. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

The Tonga Trust Fund was established by the Tonga Trust Fund Act on 3 November 1988. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Tonga’s Royal Beer Company was again awarded two Bronze Medals by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria at the Australian International Beer Awards 2000. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Dr Heather Leslie, Assistant Professor with the Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Canada, will be carrying research in Tonga during the next six years for a book on the history of the medical profession in Tonga. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

While Tonga’s economy is under pressure from the Reserve Bank, because of a steep dive in the Foreign Reserve; and while the Private Sector and the government are preoccupied with far-sighted new projects in telecommunications, power generation and the marketing of Tongan produce overseas—projects that could secure a place for Tonga in the global economy of the 21st century—Parliament, somehow, has been looking inwards, and preoccupying itself with its internal affairs. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Tonga came away from the second Junior Sumo World Championship that was held in Tokyo on August 19 with two medals—a silver for Kesomi ‘Aukafolau in the Open, and a Bronze for Minaminoshima Falevai, Middleweight.. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.