Results for Tonga

Brian and Joan Hemburn, the organisers of the 2000 Island Cruising Rally, received a trophy and a certificate of recognition from Dr Masaso Paunga, Tonga’s Minister responsible for Tourism, during their Tongan stopover. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.

The $20 million that has been invested in the development of infrastructure in Vava’u during the past 15 years, will enable this part of the country to exploit its full potential in tourism, agriculture and fisheries. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.

When Cable Wireless plc withdraws its operation in Tonga on July 4 this year, the service of connecting Tonga to the outside world be taken over by an Interim Management Committee, according to Hon. Clive Edwards, a member of the Board of Tonga Telecom. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

The first Classic All Blacks Tour to Tonga on April 1 was organised by a new business called the Booking Office. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

(From our archives, March 2000). Millennium interview with Baron Vaea. When King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV finally accepted the resignation of Tonga’s 78-year-old Prime Minister, Hon. Baron Vaea, on December 3, 1999, it ended another intriguing saga of Tongan politics. Strange as it may sound, this was the case of a Prime Minister who had wanted to retire and go home after serving five decades in the public service—but he was not allowed to. When he finally agreed to our interview, on January 11, it was obvious why this overworked man had insisted on retirement. Baron Vaea was one exhausted person.

The relationship between the Tongan Rugby Union and South Africa will be further consolidated this year as more Tongans have been invited to study and to play rugby in South Africa. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

Government will have to introduce new legislation and a mechanism in order to check the quality of goods that are imported into Tonga, once a United Nations agreement on the use of genetic engineering takes effect later this year. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

Colonel Fetu’utolu Tupou, retired after 23 years as the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services at the end of March and will become the new Tongan High Commissioner to London on May 1. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

When the King of Tonga appointed Prince ‘Ulukālala Lavaka Ata as Prime Minister on January 3, he bestowed on his youngest son, executive power that is second only to his own. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.