As strategic and economic competition heats up in the region, Tonga is becoming increasingly important to old and new partners, and it's useful to look at perceptions of Tonga and the region, Canadian author and strategic thinker, Cleo Paskal, told The Royal Oceania Institute in Nuku'alofa this week.
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Friday 21 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 4 February 2020
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Mildura, Victoria
A 25-year-old Tongan man who overstayed in Australia on an expired visa, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment last Thursday by the Mildura Magistrates’ Court in Victoria, after he pleaded guilty to assaulting and damaging the property of his ex-girlfriend, as well as resisting police and carrying a weapon.
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Friday 10 January 2020
Canberra, Australia
Owing to the smoke from nearby wildfires, Canberra this month has had the world’s worst air-quality index, with readings 20 times above the official hazardous threshold. The city also recently experienced its hottest day on record (111°F/44°C). Meanwhile, Delhi had its coldest December day on record. Both are evidence of growing climate volatility, confirming the reality of global warming. By Ramesh Thakur.
Monday 23 December 2019
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Brisbane, Australia
Christmas has come early for the Sia Melie Kava Club, based in Brisbane, Australia, with members enjoying the recent increase in kava import from 2kg to 4kg, and $800 in grant funding from their local council on 20 December.
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Thursday 14 November 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three Royal Australian Navy ships and more than 600 Australian Defence Force personnel will arrive on a five-days visit to Tonga, later in the week.
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Wednesday 30 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thirteen Tongan students, including 11 police officers, were awarded vocational and technical qualifications from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, on October 30 in Nuku'alofa.
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Tuesday 20 August 2019
1 comment
Auckland, New Zealand
Dear Australian Deputy PM ... Your fruit grows with the phosphate taken from the islands...where they can no longer bear fruit. Yuki Kihara 2019.
Saturday 17 August 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The final day of deliberations by Pacific Islands Forum leaders ended in a disagreement on how they might tackle the issue of climate change. Tonga's PM caught media attention for Tonga’s participation when he was reported to be in tears during tense exchanges between the Tuvalu PM, Hon. Enele Sosene Sopoaga and the Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Scott Morrison.
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Friday 16 August 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five contestants of Pacific Island heritage, including Tongans are taking part in the 2019 Miss South Pacific Plus Australia (MSPPA) Beauty Pageant to be held in Sydney, on September 13.
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Monday 10 June 2019
Bangkok, Thailand
After decades as an unconsidered backwater, the South Pacific Islands have become a strategic frontline in a multi-nation contest for power and influence in Greater Asia. A report this week by the British-based global risk assessment company, Oxford Analytica, says China has four objectives in extending its reach into the South Pacific. By Jonathan Manthorpe.
Wednesday 15 May 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rugby League’s “Voice Against Violence” program, which uses sport to educate young men on important values and attitudes, held a workshop at the Tanoa Hotel in Tonga on May 15. The program aims to increase awareness and engage with youth on ways to prevent domestic violence.
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Monday 6 May 2019
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Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane's Tongan Community have more than ten kava clubs who meet regularly. President of the Brisbane Tongan Community steering committee, Rev. Maile Molitika says that kava clubs are important in holding the community spirit together. They support the Australian Prime Minister's Pilot Program to ease restrictions on the importation of kava for personal use into Australia.
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Tuesday 16 April 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The VOEA Savea departed Masefield Navy Base for the last time on Saturday, April 13, sailing past the Nuku’alofa waterfront and Royal Palace on its way to Australia. It will be replaced by a new patrol boat named VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow).
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Wednesday 6 March 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 49 Tongan students received their certificates in specialized technical and vocational training from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, graduating on March 6.
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Tuesday 5 March 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new patrol boat named Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), currently being built in Australia, is expected be handed over to His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) in June.
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Tuesday 19 February 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Budget support amounting to $35 million input from aid donors will not be released to the Tongan Government if they do not amend the Foreign Investment Act before the end of February, Tonga's parliament was told today. A letter from the Acting PM stirred up vociferous exchanges in the Tongan Parliament today. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 28 January 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is currently playing an active role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Lopeti Senituli, a personal adviser to the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, told Matangi Tonga.
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Friday 25 January 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva raised laughter at an Australian function last night before proposing a toast to HM Queen Elizabeth II, when he said that he may need god's smile as another petition was being filed to the King to dissolve parliament.
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Saturday 8 December 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thirty-seven Tongan citizens received scholarships to take up university studies starting next year in Australia and the Pacific region.
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Thursday 6 December 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Building their capacity for generating incomes, nine Tongan women were awarded certificates after completed training under a Women’s Economic Empowerment Pilot Project on December 5.
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