Results for Tonga

Thirteen contestants for the Miss Heilala Pageant 2017 attended an orientation program this morning, June 27, at the Scenic Hotel in Fua’amotu. Another four contestants are expected to arrive in Tonga this week. Photos by Linny Folau.

A select group of 20 young Tongan adolescents are attending a new "character-building program" this week in Nuku’alofa to help them see how they can build a stronger future for Tonga by working together. The pilot program will involve mentoring and building relationships between former rival boys schools.

Two men have been arrested for the housebreaking and theft of around $25,520 pa’anga worth of electronics at a shop in Fasi.

Nine Miss Heilala contestants have registered to take part in the pageant to be held July 1-7 in Nuku’alofa. The contestants who are 19 to 23 years old come from Tonga, United States and New Zealand.

An instrument that can detect levels of pesticides present in food such as vegetables was among key equipment from Japan worth more than $2 million pa’anga, handed over to three government ministries today, June 21.

The 26-year-old man who was arrested on 9 June from a bar in Nuku’alofa and charged with possession of methamphetamine is to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on 30 June.

The chance of El Nino developing has been stalled says Tonga’s Department of Meteorology (MET), although drier weather is predicted for all of Tonga for the remainder of the year. They encourage the public to use water wisely.

Sio Vaka (20) was acquitted of manslaughter in relation to the stabbing death of Lipine Fakatene (33) in January last year, after a Supreme Court judge ruled this was self-defence during a tragic altercation at Fua'amotu. “Knives and other weapons should not be carried by young men for the purpose of fighting and this case is a demonstration of the very tragic consequences that can occur when they are,” said the Judge.

Ha'apai will be the first islands group in Tonga to achieve 50% generation from renewable energy, after the commissioning of the 550 kWp "Ha Masani Solar Facility" by the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Andrew Ford at Pangai on June 15.