Results for Pacific Islands

A psychiatric nurse died in hospital on Sunday from serious injuries sustained in the psychiatric unit at the Hu'atolitoli Prison. The deceased, Samiuela Mafi, a psychiatric nurse at Vaiola Hospital, was allegedly attacked by a patient on 8 June. In a statement last week, HM Prisons said they lacked the strength to support and guard the unit. Earlier, in March, Tonga's Head Psychiatrist warned that because Tonga had never established a drugs rehabilitation centre the extra workload on the psychiatric ward was beyond the reach of the public health and voluntary services available. By Matangi Tonga reporters.

A new community hall was handed over to the village of ‘Atata Si’i today, 17 June 2024, by Mr Takeju Ogata, President of the Nippon Foundation, a private and non-profit grant-making organization from Tokyo Japan, that is funding three halls for displaced communities.

A diving accident claimed the life of a promising young athlete, JJ Rice (18), at Faleloa, Ha'apai, on Saturday 15 June. JJ had recently returned to Ha'apai after competing in the "2024 Formula Kite World Championships" in Hyères in the South of France, where he represented Tonga.

The Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) and Ministry of Health will host a blood drive at the Digicel Square in Nuku'alofa CBD, tomorrow, Friday, at 10.00am to mark World Blood Donor Day and encourage voluntary donation of blood. "We want a diverse group of donors to join us, ensuring a reliable blood supply for everyone who needs it," stated TRCS.

All Government secondary schools’ students Form 3 to form 5 will study for free in 2025, as proposed in the new budget plan for Education, for FY 2024-25, read by the Minister of Finance in Parliament yesterday, 12 June.

A new research on heart health care in New Zealand showed there are many longstanding barriers that continue to affect Pacific and Māori people with heart related conditions, hence a call to action to increase the Pacific and Māori health workforce.

The Talas were defeated (51-54) in a close game Tuesday night against Namibia during the second round of the Pacific Netball Series 2024, in Brisbane.

A five-day workshop for Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members, was held last week 3-7 June, aimed to boost fisheries officials negotiations skills. Key guest speakers included Professor David Freestone, Professor Martin Tsamenyi and the Director and Professor of Law at ANCORS, Professor Stuart Kaye, and others.

University of Canterbury master’s student Tamara Stratton is transforming her academic research into practical solutions to enhance drinking water quality in Tonga. Stratton's project involves developing and testing bio-sand filters with coral sand from Tonga to determine their effectiveness and practicality.