Results for Pacific Islands

Two fire trucks and firefighting equipment were presented to the Tonga Fire and Emergency Services donated by the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Services. The Prime Minister thanked the Australian fire departments, who had provided most of the equipment for Tonga over the last 15 years.

There will be no more national examinations for Form 5 students in Tonga starting from this year, confirmed Prime Minister Hon H’uakavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni) at a press conference yesterday, 9 March.

A donation of FJD$38,000 from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Pacific Island countries towards Tonga’s recovery efforts from the volcanic eruption and tsunamis, was received on March 8.

It was with profound sadness, that we learned of the death in Washington D.C. of the eminent scholar and great friend of Tonga, Adrienne L. Kaeppler (86), this weekend. Vava'u Press Ltd, publishers of Matangi Tonga Online, were privileged to have worked with Adrienne over the last 35 years. An American research anthropologist and writer, known for her books devoted to the culture of Tonga and Hawaii, Adrienne brought to the English-speaking world important insights into Polynesian cultures, especially Tonga, Hawaii and Rapa Nui, and also Asian dance, in a body of scientific work written over five decades. Her insights were also greatly appreciated by the people and cultures she worked with. - MLF.

Tonga now has 342 active COVID-19 cases, the Minister for Health, Hon Dr Saia Piukala confirmed today, March 3. There were 290 new cases reported between Feb. 25 and Mar. 3.

Bank of South Pacific Tonga Limited today announced a Net Profit After Tax of T$11.85 million for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. The result was driven by the release of Covid-19 provisions, good foreign exchange revenue, and strong transaction volumes. BSP Tonga Country Head, Mrs Marcellina Wolfgramm-Haapai said this result was 20% above the 2020 financial result.

Laptops, tablets and other IT equipment worth AUD19,000 was handed over to the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to help with data collection of displaced people during disasters this week. The equipment and software is a gift from the International Organization for Migration.

New private sector donations have been committed to assist the Tonga Government in its recovery program and to assist some of the urgent needs of those badly affected by the January 15 volcanic eruption and tsunamis in Tonga.

Tonga's domestic fibre optic telecommunications cable was torn apart by tremendous forces and deeply buried under volcanic debris on the ocean floor. It may take up to a year to fix. Tonga Cable Ltd. is looking worldwide for anyone with a 110km spare cable, but it may have to be specially manufactured and delivered from France. It was one of two cables broken during the Jan. 15 eruption.