Results for Pacific Islands

Solar power for around 197 households on the small island of ‘Uiha in the Ha’apai Group, was tested this week marking an important transition from diesel to solar power generation, ahead of commissioning at the end of the month. The island's two villages, which had only six hours of electricity a day, now enjoy 24 hours a day of 100% renewable power.

Construction of nine ramps by communities in Foa, Ha‘apai, will improve access to community centres and schools for disabled people. The project was supported by the Australian Direct Aid Program with H.E. Rachel Moore marking the official completion at the Foa Health Centre on 9 September, 2022.

Construction is well underway for people whose homes were impacted by the 15 January volcanic eruption and tsunami disaster. The Government of Tonga is constructing new homes at Popua, Sopu, Masilamea, Matatoa in Tongatapu and Ta’anga in ‘Eua.  

A total of 13 candidates will be contesting the vacant seats for Tongatapu 4, 6 and 7 constituencies in the By-Elections on 3 November.

Tonga Table Tennis Federation will send four players to the Oceania Championship in Australia this month, supported by a $8,875 pa’anga donation presented by the Chinese Embassy.

Women's community groups establishing home gardens are making a positive impact in disaster recovery. The efforts of several groups were recognised at a women’s home garden awards program, held on 1 September, under a COVID-19 and Hunga-Tonga, Hunga-Ha’apai response and recovery program.

A team of scientists is undertaking coastal marine surveys in Tongan waters to evaluate impacts to coral reefs and fisheries following the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai eruption in January 2022. Special Management Areas (SMAs) and aquaculture areas are of prime concern. With support from the Waitt Institute, the research vessel, “Plan b”, will arrive in Tongatapu today, 23 August, and conducting surveys until 5 September.

Hon. Nanaia Mahuta this afternoon reaffirmed New Zealand as Tonga's long standing partner and promised to deliver a Pacific Resilience Climate Change speech updating their climate finance strategy tomorrow at Fangaloto. The New Zealand Foreign Minister told reporters that her lunch with the King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in 'Eua today was very warm and very hospitable.

The United States does not ask any nation to choose between the United States and China, the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy R. Sherman, said in Tonga this afternoon, while expressing disappointment that China had decided to cancel and suspend various relations with the US yesterday, including climate change talks. “For Tonga climate change is existential, and we understand that, and it's just terribly disappointing that the world's largest emitter right now, and a country who must be engaged, for us to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, has now withdrawn from that discussion, that should be a big concern to all of us.” By Mary Lyn Fonua.