Results for Pacific Islands

A major earthquake that struck off the coast of northern Chile this afternoon has generated a significant tsunami for Chile, with tsunami warnings issued for the Pacific coasts of South America, including Easter Island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii has now determined that no tsunami threat exists for other coastal areas although some may experience small sea level changes. For all areas covered by this center the tsunami warning and watch are now cancelled (6:00pm Tonga time).

New Zealand immigration is encouraging Tongan citizens who wish to immigrate to New Zealand, to register in a ballot next month so that they will be considered for a grant of residence.

A Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Finland was opened by Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala at the Loumaile Building, Nuku'alofa this morning, 5 March.

An important review of Tonga's trade policy by the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 11-13, found that the Pacific island nation faces a backlog of reforms that are required to modernize and streamline its legal and regulatory frameworks for economic development. Tonga's imports continue to outstrip its exports by a factor of at least 10:1 annually and over 50% of its imports are for fuel and food.

The Sea Mercy charity – a floating health care service that routinely visits remote islands throughout the Pacific will visit Tonga’s Ha’apai Group to offer medical support earlier than usual this year.

Vanilla promises to be a major source of revenue for Vava'u growers and their families, who are being encouraged to recover neglected plantations and plant new vines.

Ha‘apai tourism faciliities suffered an estimated $1.6 million pa‘anga damage in Cyclone Ian but there have been no reports of any injured visitors, Tonga's Ministry of Commerce, Tourism & Labour reported today.

UPDATE: A tropical cyclone alert and strong wind warning remains in force for Vava‘u and Ha‘apai as a tropical depression strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Ian Category 1, located halfway between Vava‘u, Tonga, and Lifuka, Fiji, this morning. Tonga's Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre issued a third Tropical Cyclone Advisory at 4:30pm today, January 6, 2014 as Cyclone Ian slowly moves closer to Tonga.

The rescheduling of Tonga's T$119 million loan from China for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa has not been decided, according to Xu Zhiguang, the first Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, Nuku'alofa this afternoon, December 3.