Results for 2002

The current economic reform, in preparation for when Tonga becomes a member of the World Trade Organisation, and the hype that this could pull the economy out from its state of stagnation, is the wishful thinking of many people. But the big question remains: are we ready to exploit our WTO membership, or is it going to be just like the other Free Trade Agreements we have signed with other countries, where it will enable us to import more from our partners but export less? From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

‘Alatini Fisheries Co. Ltd .is planning to open before Christmas a new speciality food shop on Taufa‘ahau Road, Nuku‘alofa, specialising in fresh, chilled and frozen foods. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

The ultimate purpose of the flurry of trade talks in recent years is to prepare Tonga for becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation, when it will introduce free trade and zero tariffs between Tonga and the 136 member states of the WTO. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

Students who had better marks than they expected in their final exams this year, may have one visitor to thank, and that is Jim Peters, a New Zealand educator who was in Tonga in September to hold teacher workshops on “enabling students to study more efficiently.” From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

The Vava‘u no. 2 People’s Representative, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, is another Member of Parliament who feels that the government’s Economic and Public Sector Reform Program will never work, unless the people are included in the decision-making process. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

Feeling it, living it and loving it, was the catchline, for Tonga’s second Aerobics Extravaganza, held in September. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

Re-stringing tennis rackets is a rare kind of service to be found in Tonga, but it is provided by Siosifa and Donna Taumoepeau, who live in Longolongo. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

In going to press, Mr Justice A. D. Ford in the Supreme Court of Tonga heard final submissions On August 1, in the civil case against the Tonga Government and the Minister of Police for unlawful imprisonment of a Member of Parliament, and two local journalists. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

New Zealand signed its annual multi-million dollar bilateral aid agreement with Tonga in July, a package worth NZ$5.6 million, the same amount allocated the previous year. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.