Results for Pacific Islands

Tongan civil defence authorities called for a major evacuation of low-lying areas in Tongatapu and Ha'apai this morning, urging people to move inland to higher ground, after a strongly shaking 6.7 magnitude earthquake was felt in Tongatapu, Ha’apai, and Vava’u at 9:47 am (TOT) today, 27 May 2024. An urgent tsunami alert issued at 9:55am local time was cancelled at 11:00am, after the tsunami threat passed. So far, there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

A two-week long 'Operation Tui Moana', combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing across the Pacific, closed today, 24 May 2024. The Tongan Royal Navy took part in the Operation that reported over 500 vessel contacts, using air, surface and remote-sensing platforms, with a total of 80 boardings in port and at sea. Ten vessels of interest were detected and reported to Members for further investigation.

A workshop for migration administrators, from the Pacific Islands including Tonga, has been held this week from 20-24 May 2024, in Nadi, Fiji, aiming to build the capacity of Pacific government focal points in the design, negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs).

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga passed the first reading of the 2024/2025 Appropriation Bill 2024 today. They are planning for expenditure of $899.2 million, with $452.3 million to be funded by Government and $446.9 million from development partners. The second reading is scheduled for 6 June.

‘Oku fakatokanga atu heni ke me’ai he kakai ‘o e fonua ́, ko e pisinisi talafi pa’anga muli ́ ‘oku fakangatangata pē ia kia kinautolu kuo ‘osi fakamafai’i pea mo ‘i ai ‘enau laiseni kuo tuku atu mei ́ he Pangikē Pule ́, ‘o fakatatau ki he tu’utu’uni ‘a e Lao ki hono Pule’i ‘o e Fakafetongi Pa’anga Muli 2018 ́, kupu 13 (1). Kapau ‘oku fakahoko ‘e ha taha ‘a e fakafetongi pa’anga muli ́ te’eki kene ma’u ha’ane laiseni, ko e hia ia pea kuo pau kene mo’ua ‘o ka halaia, ‘o fakatatau ki he ngaahi tautea ‘i he kupu 13 (3) ‘o e Lao ki hono Pule’i ‘o e Fakafetongi Pa’anga Muli 2018 ́.

An international group of scientists have arrived at the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano this week, to conduct a month-long research to better understand the cause of the powerful 2022 eruption. NZ scientist Cornel de Ronde is leading the voyage onboard the research vessel R/V Tangaroa, from 15 May to 12 June. It will be the first voyage to HTHH to comprehensively map the seafloor, while also measuring the gravity and magnetic signatures of the remaining edifice.

The Ministry of Health celebrated 30 years of working together with the St John of God Ballarat Hospital, a milestone for their Twinning Program, that has contributed a lot to the Health Ministry in Tonga.

Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance (Fedpac) operations in the Kingdom of Tonga celebrated 20 years of service in Tonga at a cocktail event in the capital Nuku'alofa. The Hon. Prime Minister gave the key address of the evening touching on the company’s on-going operations and its support of sport, education and tourism initiatives in Tonga.

An employee of the Tonga Legislative Assembly has been suspended over their alleged involvement with illicit drugs, pending a formal police criminal investigation, Parliament's Office reported.