Results for 2001

A book of old photographs, titled, Early Photography, Tonga and Samoa 1855—1900 went on sale in Nuku‘alofa in July. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

Twenty-five years ago it was estimated that 6,000 males over the age of 16 years had no land. Today, the number of landless Tongans has swelled to over 10,000. The number will continue to increase, as it is no longer possible for estate owners and government to give land to every 16-year-old Tongan, as required by the Land Act of 1903. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

Seini Taumoepeau Furneaux a student at the Auckland University was in Tonga during July, conducting research on the Control of Genetic Resources in Tonga. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

The Form 6 Sport Fitness and Health Class in Nuku‘alofa will soon be sitting their Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate, the first Pacific Island class to sit an exercise-related exam. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

Bob Wallace the Secretary General of the International Rugby Board visited Tonga at the end of July, as part of a tour of Oceania that took him to Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

The tragedy in America and the possibility of a long drawn out war between the USA and an enemy, which had yet to be clearly identified, could have a negative impact on the Tongan economy, said Tonga’s Minister of Finance, and the Governor of Tonga National Reserve Bank, Hon. Siosiua ‘Otuikamanu. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

Tonga’s total land area of 172,525 acres or 269.57 square miles is in fact the property of the Crown, but the guardianship of the land rests with 41 estate owners and the Government. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

Tonga has yet to form an official committee to take care of its National Information Technology policy, a responsibility that will probably go to the newly formed Department of Communications. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The settlement of Patangata in eastern Nuku‘alofa, right next to Tukutonga, the capital’s rubbish dump, has long been an example of urbanisation gone wrong, because of its unkempt and makeshift dwellings. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.