Results for Tonga

The Governor of Ha‘apai, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano (46) will be sentenced on Wednesday, May 19, for unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat.

Outward migration and growth in remittances are essential for the sustainable development of Tonga, concludes the first national ‘Migration and Sustainable Development Policy’, launched by the Prime Minister on April 28. The new policy, two-years in the making, was passed by Cabinet in November 2020. However, its directions remain conflicted by the Health Emergency border restrictions that limit travel. By Pesi Fonua.

Lopeti Heimuli is the new CEO for the Ministry of Infrastructure for the next four years effective from 10 May, the Public Service Commission announced this week.

Rosamond Carter Bing has been re-appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, for four-years.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper has rejected an application that he recuse himself from presiding over the Lavulavu trial. The application was made by 'Etuatu Lavulavu on 10 May. The judge concluded that evidence during the trial suggested that Lavulavu's complaints that he undermined its fairness, were without any foundation. The trial against the Lavulavu couple continues in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Tonga has prohibited the import of passenger vehicles older than 15 years under a recent Customs and Excise Management Act Order 2021 made on 2 March. Forfeiture and penalities came into effect last week on 3 May, said the Ministry of Revenue and Customs yesterday.

The trial against current Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu is going ahead, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there is a criminal case to answer against both of them on all three counts. They are jointly charged with obtaining over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute. It is alleged that the couple knowingly falsified student applications in order to claim TVET grants.

Two repatriation flights are planned for June from Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.

The findings of a recent survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hundreds of women in Tonga, conducted by the “Women and Children Crisis Centre”, are expected to be published at the end of the month.