As 2019 comes to a close, there is hope for a better year in 2020. There is also hope in the long term for a better future for the Kingdom of Tonga, a heavily indebted and aid dependent nation, struggling with an NCD crisis, poverty and an illicit drugs problem - not to mention the impending threat from climate change. Most of Tonga’s future workforce and leaders will be the output of the education system that exists now, an education system that appears to be flawed and broken. By Pesi Fonua.
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Results for Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva
Tuesday 31 December 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 17 September 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Parliament will begin the process of electing a new Prime Minister by calling for nominations, after the funeral of the late Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva is over. From the House by Pesi Fonua
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Monday 16 September 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The program for the State Funeral of Tonga's Prime Minister, the late Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva, remains uncertain after Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Semisi Sika sent out an urgent press release at 1:13am this morning (Monday) saying a draft programme had been released “by mistake”.
Sunday 15 September 2019
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Arrangements for the state funeral of the late Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva who died in Auckland last week, are expected to be confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office on Monday 16 September. A tentative programme released at the weekend stated that the funeral party will depart at 2:00pm on Tuesday from RNZAF Whenuapai Airport, with repatriation by the Royal New Zealand Airforce, arriving in Tonga at a time to be confirmed, with interment on Thursday.
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Saturday 31 August 2019
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's ailing Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva (78) has a paramount concern: the succession of his leadership. He now faces opposition to the government he has headed since the elections of November 2014. There is rivalry and turmoil. He feels challenged. The reform is not what he imagined. He warns of clashes. Matangi Tonga Editor, Pesi Fonua talks to the Prime Minister about why, nine years after the reform, the PM remains at odds with the new system that parliament voted for in 2009.
Friday 23 August 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s ailing Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva described the sheer determination he mustered to attend what he said was his “last Pacific Islands Forum meeting” while he was still under intensive medical care this month. He related his struggles to the Tongan media in a press conference he called in Nuku'alofa on August 20. Report by Pesi Fonua.
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Saturday 1 June 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga, effectively, is without a Prime Minister, because Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, on a brief return to the country, told the Tongan media this week that his doctor in New Zealand had advised him not to engage in any intensive mental activity. By Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 26 November 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The 85th Birthday of Emperor Akihito, the Emperor of Japan was celebrated in Nuku’alofa on Thursday evening, 22 November, with a reception hosted by the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga. He said the Emperor would abdicate next year after 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne.
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Monday 24 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga‘s Minister for Finance and National Planning, Hon. Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa, moved for the House to take two former Prime Ministers, Lord Sevele and Lord Tu’ivakano to court for the alleged misappropriation of government funds. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 20 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There was tension in parliament yesterday morning when the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva burst out in anger over how, during his 31 years in politics, there had been attempts to “get rid of me”.
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Friday 11 May 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Digicel Tonga celebrated the 10th anniversary of its operation in Tonga, with a dinner at the Seaview Restaurant on Tuesday night, 8 May 2018 attended by Hon. Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakano.
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Thursday 19 April 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A controversial offer made by the PM Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva to return to the British Government their former seafront residence in Nuku‘alofa - in anticipation that Britain will come back to the Pacific Islands when they exit the European Union within 12 months - has caused an uproar in Tonga's Office of the Lord Chamberlain, which is located on the property.
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Tuesday 3 April 2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Editor would like to clarify a statement in our article entitled "PM’s Cabinet incomplete". The statement was contained in a report of a Press Conference with the Prime Minister on March 23. We audio-recorded the press conference.
Friday 2 March 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi resigned as Tonga’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, as well as the Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces this afternoon, 2 March.
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Wednesday 28 February 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva wants his son-in-law, Mateni Tapueluelu, to remain in Cabinet, and today refused to accept his resignation from two key government ministerial portfolios. The Prime Minister's Office revealed in a statement that Mateni was frustrated in his bid for greater authority over the Tonga Police and did not have the support of his Cabinet colleagues.
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Friday 16 February 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Chinese government and Embassy in Tonga has pledged over USD$600,000 for cyclone relief in Tonga.
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Wednesday 17 January 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s new government was formally formed on Friday, 5 January “when Cabinet Ministers were appointed by His Majesty,” Tonga’s Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu confirmed today, 17 January, but admitted that he did not have a list of the names of Tonga’s new Cabinet Ministers.
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Thursday 11 January 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva did not attend the opening of the Tongan Parliament 2018 session, this morning, 11 January and no mention of his absence was made, in what was called a "Huufi Fakalotofale 'o e Fale Alea 'o Tonga" or "in-house" session. The MPs will take their oath of office on a later day to be announced.
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Tuesday 9 January 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Legislative Assembly may open its 2018 session this week on Thursday January 11 to swear in the new members, according to a source. If that happens, the Prime Minister is expected to leave Vaiola Hospital's Intensive Care Unit in order to attend the session.
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Monday 8 January 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Vaiola Hospital today. No statement on his condition has been issued by the Prime Minister's Office, but medical authorities report that his condition is stable this evening. A medical evacuation to Auckland planned for today was cancelled.
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