Results for Tonga

The bad smell of Tonga's lost $US26 million Trust Fund keeps emerging whenever Jesse the jester thinks it is time for a wise crack.

Oh dear! Tonga is in such a sad state, I can almost hear everyone crying with frustration. - P. Woodward

Tonga has been in mourning since the death of Hon. Ma'atu on February 17, with many businesses, homes and government buildings displaying black and violet bunting as a mark of respect for the King's second son.

After weeks of wrangling over the proposed $6.3 million loan by Tongatapu squash exporters, from the Tonga Development Bank, $2 million has been approved.

Between 2,000 to 3,000 Freedom Marchers gathered at the Catholic Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, Nuku’alofa, at mid-day on October 6, and marched to the Tongan Parliament to present petitions calling for protection of Freedom of Speech, threatened by a Government Bill to change the Tongan Constitution. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.

How they voted in the House, the 16 members who voted to curb free speech were: Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, James Cecil Cocker, William Clive Edwards, Dr Masasso T. Paunga, Dr Viliami Ta‘u Tangi, Hon. Fielakepa, Siosiua Tupou ‘Utoikamanu, ‘Aisea Havea Taumoepeau, Paula Sunia Bloomfield, Hon. Tuita, Hon. Malupo, Hon. ‘Akau‘ola, Hon. Fohe, Hon. Nuku, Hon. Havea Tu‘iha‘angana, and Hon. Tu‘i‘afitu. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.

Reaching out to Tongan women to explain their rights, and to help eliminate discrimination against them, is the aim of a newly formed women’s working group. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.

Tricia Emberson the CEO of Tonga’s largest fish exporter, ‘Alatini Fisheries Ltd., who has been operating in Tongan waters for the last 14 years, is a hard core survivor of an industry that has had to ride out the waves of unfavourable weather conditions and export cargo surcharges over the last two years. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.

Telecommunications managers in the Pacific are looking at how island communities can take advantage of new telephone and internet technologies. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.