Results for Pacific Islands

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, holds profound cultural significance for the Chinese people both at home and abroad. And last year it became a United Nations holiday. It marks the beginning of a new lunar year, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the promise of a fresh start. Families gather together to celebrate this auspicious occasion, sharing festive meals, exchanging gifts, and take part in age-old traditions of unity and harmony. Statement by Mr. Ruan Dewen, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy to the Kingdom of Tonga, on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, Spring Festival

After a month-long headache investigating the case of a human head that was found anchored to the seabed at Yellow Pier, on Christmas Day, Tonga Police are now seeking external assistance to find the body. Deputy Police Commissioner Tevita Vailea said the investigation was ongoing. While there have not been any new clues, they are now turning to counterparts in Australia and New Zealand for help in figuring out the mystery.

Following Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku’s decision to retain his Foreign Minister this week, after King Tupou VI in Privy Council withdrew his consent to her appointment, some unanswered questions have been raised about how much power the Monarchy actually possesses over the Kingdom’s foreign policy decisions.

Tonga's Cabinet is refuting an order by King Tupou VI to revoke the appointments of three Ministerial portfolios. Cabinet told the King yesterday that the two Ministers concerned would continue in their roles as Ministers of His Majesty's Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Tonga's Prime Minister is in New Zealand undergoing medical treatment.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, is making an official visit to Tonga, arriving tonight, at Fua'amotu International Airport.

Miss Samoa, Moemoana Schwenke, was crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2024, on 3 February, in the Sports Centre of Nauru. Miss Samoa topped three categories and also won the People's Choice award.

Tonga becomes the 85th country to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement to protect 2/3 of our ocean, or the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

A team from Tonga's Ministry of Infrastructure is visiting the National Transport Research Organisations (NTRO), in NTRO headquarters in Port Melbourne, Australia, to discuss NTRO works and the future of road infrastructure, including airport, and wharves.

Hon. Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola was officially appointed as Tonga's new Minister of Health yesterday afternoon, 31 January 2024 at a Ministerial Appointment, held at his home in Pahu, Nuku’alofa.