The Governor of Ha'apai, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano (46) was today fined $12,500 pa’anga for unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat seized at Queen Salote Wharf in 2020. A Supreme Court judge said the accused tried to hide the fact that he was a party to the proposed commercial sale of the uncertified meat of the endangered species. He denounced his offending: “You appear to think that you did not do anything wrong, that you were quite innocent. I want to assure you, that what you did wrong was that you failed to ask ...you ought to have refused to have possession of the turtle meat!"
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Results for Tonga
Wednesday 19 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 18 May 2021
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Auckland, New Zealand
Students in the Pacific (including Tonga) selected under New Zealand’s scholarship program in 2019, 2020, and 2021 may be able to start studying in New Zealand in 2022.
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Tuesday 18 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fuifui ‘Ealelei (36) of Haveluloto reportedly passed away in his sleep on Sunday, May 16 in Hastings, Hawke's Bay.
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Tuesday 18 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There will be two lunar eclipses visible in Tonga this year. The first lunar eclipse coming up next week on the night 26-27 May is made for us, because the moon will be almost straight above your head. A full moon in a total eclipse is not pitch dark but usually bright red. By Firitia Velt.
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Tuesday 18 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's parliament suppressed live broadcasting of its debate this morning, in their first sitting since King Tupou VI questioned the honesty, integrity and abilities of the members at the opening of Parliament on 6 May. A total of 18 MPs agreed their draft letter of response to the king and debate on it should be not broadcasted live. From the House by Pesi Fonua
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Tuesday 18 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The price of petrol has increased while kerosene and diesel prices have decreased starting today, 18 May, approved by the Tonga Competent Authority.
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Monday 17 May 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With only 5,000 to 6,000 of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine remaining, people aged 30 years and over are now eligible to be vaccinated, health officials announced this morning. ‘Eua is receiving 2,000 of those doses and the rest will be available in Tongatapu for first come, first served. No date has been confirmed for inoculating the remainder of the population, due to a limited supply of vaccines worldwide.
Monday 17 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, 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.
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Saturday 15 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine this morning, Saturday 15 May 2021, at Vaiola Hospital, in Tongatapu.
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Saturday 15 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Friday 14 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Tupou received a fully suspended sentence for possession of 0.041gm of methamphetamine. While, ringleader and co-offender was jailed this week for possession of a substantial amount of drugs, seized in their vehicle.
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Friday 14 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Friday 14 May 2021
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Auckland, New Zealand
Two former All Blacks and a former Wallaby are included in a number of players considered to represent Tonga Sevens at the Olympic Sevens Repechage tournament next month in Monaco.
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Friday 14 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rosamond Carter Bing has been re-appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, for four-years.
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Friday 14 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wesley Fifita (28) was found guilty with possession of 0.04gm of methamphetamine and 0.66gm of cannabis seized at a home, where drugs were said to have been sold at Pili.
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Thursday 13 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Thursday 13 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kelikupa Maile (34) was sentenced today to 30-months imprisonment for possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamines and some cannabis, seized in a vehicle by Tonga Police.
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Thursday 13 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Thursday 13 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Income tax cuts for individuals and sole traders from July 1 means all income taxpayers in Tonga will pay less. The tax-free income level will be raised from the first $10,000 to the first $12,000 pa'anga earned in the new financial year, with further adjustments in tax thresholds easing higher income tax levels.
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Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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