Results for Tonga

Disaster relief in the Pacific would be more effective if post-natural disaster relief donors opened up conversations with local women's groups on the ground, the director of the Tonga Women and Children Crisis Centre, 'Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki told a regional women's meeting this week.

A 54-year-old man of foreign nationality was arrested with methamphetamine and cash on Saturday morning, December 8 at his residence, the former Good Samaritan Inn in Kolovai.

A total dividend and tax of $3.5 million pa'anga for the Financial Year 2017/18 was paid to the government shareholder by the Shared Transport Sector Public Enterprises this week. Chairman Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa reported that Ports Authority Tonga (PAT), Tonga Airports Ltd. (TAL) and Friendly Islands Shipping Agency (FISA) continued to maintain their combined net profit before tax above the $8 million mark. The dividend is 25% of net profits and the remaining 75% of net profits after taxes will support the Transport Sector's critical projects.

Sunia Tuiaki (25) is the driver who died on Saturday night, December 8 during a head on collision with another vehicle on Taufa’ahau Road in Ha’ateiho.

On a worldwide expedition, a futuristic looking vessel powered by the sun, water, and wind, named ‘Race for Water’, is in Tonga raising awareness about new innovative solutions to preserve our ocean and to combat the rising tides of plastic in our oceans. By Eleanor Gee.

A man who admitted purchasing and smoking meth, after pleading guilty to possession of illicit drugs, was discharged without conviction after a judge found he had 0.52 grams of methamphetamine left in a small bag, when police searched his trousers pocket. In acquitting Maika Maile (38) Justice Niu considered the amount of meth was “so infinitesimal”.

Thirty-seven Tongan citizens received scholarships to take up university studies starting next year in Australia and the Pacific region.

Sami Likiliki Fisilau (52) was sentenced to two and a half-years imprisonment after pleading guilty to serious bodily harm and domestic violence committed on his 44-year-old wife in Vaini last year. “Domestic issues are no justification or excuse for violence and domestic abuse will be met with firm penalties," Mr Justice Cato told him.

Dr Geoff Neal, lead veterinarian for South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) is currently in Tongatapu with his team of volunteers offering much needed vet treatment for the island's animals. They say Tonga has the greatest need in the Pacific because vet care is not easily accessible here.