Results for Tonga

A unidentified human head, discovered wrapped in a sack and anchored to the ocean floor, near the Yellow Pier in Nuku’alofa, is no longer a suspected homicide, say Tonga Police, who are now investigating the possibility that it was taken from a grave by people holding supernatural beliefs.

Pacific researchers from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, are conducting a Pacific-led research project on the population dynamics of the Pacific region with its 13 million population, with regards to climate change as the single greatest threat facing the Pacific.

After 20 years as a public servant, nine years as Tonga's Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Saia Piukala, bid Tonga farewell today, as he leaves to take up a new role as the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region Office.

The Supreme Court of Tonga has dismissed an application made by seven Members of Parliament for a judicial review over allegations related to parliamentary procedure during the recent vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, which was considered by the Legislative Assembly in September. On Monday 8 January 2024, the Court ruled that it has no jurisdiction to hear the judicial review application.

The skulls of two Tongan ancestors, collected in the Pacific in the 19th Century, and repatriated to Tonga by the Australian Museum this week, were given a respectful traditional burial on ‘Eua Island in the presence of King Tupou VI and members of the Royal Family on January 10. The funeral conducted by the royal undertakers, the Nima Tapu (sacred hands), at Kolomaile, ‘Eua, was attended by descendants of the ‘Ata people, some of them coming from abroad. The funeral tributes touched upon painful memories of the loss of half of the ‘Ata population to Australian blackbirders in 1863. The surviving population of ‘Ata was relocated to ‘Eua by Tupou I.

Illegal dumping of waste increased on Tongatapu when the Waste Authority closed during the holidays, causing many complaints circling around social media of rubbish bags that were dumped on the roadside.

Venasio Hau (32) was sentenced to four-years and six-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for possession of 27.76 grams of methamphetamine, while his two co-accused received suspended sentences. The illicit drugs were seized after Police received information of it being sold at a residence in Ma'ufanga.

Tongan seniors and about 50 needy families received care packages over the festive season from the Queen’s Charity, supported by donors from the business community.

Tonga Police Chief Superintendant Commander Filipe Fifita, who heads a homicide investigation, said today he could not disclose anything further about an investigation into human remains, recovered from the seabed at the Yellow Pier in Nuku'alofa on Boxing Day. It is still unclear whether the remains, or body parts, that were recovered belonged to one or more persons or why the Police were regarding the grisly discovery as homicide.