Results for Pacific Islands

Three months after a Tongan fisheries observer, Arnold Latu (37), was found dead on the fishing vessel Hsinlong I, in Tongan waters, on 27 September 2021, his mother today finally received the autopsy report that may help to bring some closure to the family who were puzzled by his death.

Around 83% of eligible population in Tonga have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 up to January 6, the Ministry of Health confirmed today. (This represents about 60% of the total population.)

Changes to requirements for incoming passengers to Tonga will be considered on Friday, ahead of the next repatriation flights to Tonga that were scheduled for January 18 and 20. MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u told Matangi Tonga today that recommendations are being prepared for the new Cabinet, including changes to the protocols for repatriations.

Seawater around the active Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano is contaminated with toxic volcanic discharge and local fishermen should assume that fish in these waters are poisonous, or poisonous if consumed, Tongan authorities warned today.

New York Times reporting: Goro, is the largest nickel mine on a tiny French territory suspended between Australia and Fiji that may hold up to one-quarter of the world’s nickel reserves. It also poses a critical test for Tesla, the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, which wants to take control of its supply chain and ensure that the minerals used for its car batteries are mined in an environmentally and socially responsible fashion. Because of its nickel industry, New Caledonia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita. And mining, which began soon after New Caledonia was colonized in 1853, is intimately linked to the exploitation of its Indigenous Kanak people. The legacy of more than a century of stolen land and crushed traditions has left Goro’s nickel output at the mercy of frequent labour strikes and political protests.

Tonga’s national population has dropped by 442 people since 2016, a preliminary count of Tonga's National Population Census for 2021 shows. The Government Statistician Viliami Fifita said today the census accounted for 100,209 people in Tonga. The population loss was due to seasonal workers programs, migration, and people stuck overseas due to COVID-19 border restrictions. By Eleanor Gee.

Sulphur dioxide emitted from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano continues to spread over the Ha'apai, Vava'u and Niuatoutapu groups drifting NNE at a high altitude of 8-14km. Tonga Geological Services said S02 measured highest near the ‘Otumu‘omu‘a Group. However, the steam cloud formation from the eruption has reduced significantly from yesterday.

Tonga's critical shortage of sand for construction purposes has motivated a local man to find an alternative source of fine aggregate. Viliami Lolohea is currently building a small house at Fangaloto, trialling bricks made with imported Ferronickel slag. Last Friday, 10 December, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u visited the building site to view the foundations of what will be the first house to be constructed locally with cement and slag

Essential COVID-19 supplies and oxygen equipment was donated to the Ministry of Health from the Government of Australia, after the cargo arrived on November 30 at Fua'amotu International Airport.