Results for Pacific Islands

By Linny Folau The Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme to New Zealand (RSE) for the Pacific Islands, including Tongan fruit pickers, has worked well for both the various islands and New Zealand, the Minister of Immigration Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman said today.

To achieve a better quality of education for Pacific Island countries was the aim of a meeting of the Advisory Board of the Institute of Education of the University of the South Pacific that was held at the Loumaile Lodge, Nuku'alofa, from April 28-29.

A five-day Sub-Regional Training Workshop for journalists and education officials began in Nuku'alofa on Monday, March 22.

Kataki kae faka'au atumu'a 'eku fakamalo 'i he loto hounga mo'oni k he si'i fiekaungamamahi 'oku ha mai mei he Matangi Tonga. akamalo atu kihe 'Eiki Minisista Labor and Commerce, Lisiate 'Akau'ola neu fakahoko 'ene popoaki ki he Kovana 'o Amerika Samoa 'i he Emergency Operation Center (EOC) he pongipongi pe hili 'a e Tsunami, pea lau pe ia ko e popoaki faka pule'anga mei Tonga. -Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa

All theoretical information aside, when the tsunami wave struck Niuatoputapu, it resulted in seven or more deaths, and significant damage to the village. On the island of Lifuka, in Ha'apai, there was far more damage than "minor flooding." The initial tsunami wave itself was about one meter in height, followed by several waves of lesser height. The subsequent turbulence and the rapidly shifting currents in the Pangai harbor resulted in the sinking of 2 fishing boats, and the grounding of several others. - Tama Pangai

Celebrating the 75th birthday of Professor 'Ilaisa Futa 'i Ha'angana Helu and and his life and work, six overseas academics, including one Tongan, were inducted as Fellows of the 'Atenisi University in a special ceremony attended by the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, on June 16.

The Tongan Prime Minister's first official visit to New Zealand was unusual in that the welcoming ceremony did not take place when he arrived in Wellington on May 13 but just before he left Wellington yesterday afternoon, May 19.

A visit by the Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele to Mr Apple's Blyth Orchard at Napier, New Zealand on Sunday, May 17 was an inspiration to the 65 Tongan workers who work at the orchard under the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme.

It was a walk down memory lane for Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele when he revisited his old school St Bede's College in Christchurch, on May 15 during a week long tour of New Zealand.