Results for Vava'u

To reduce rural poverty in Tonga there is still a lot more work to do, particularly in the outer islands, IFAD's Asia Pacific regional director Ms Hoonae Kim said after her first visit to the country this week.

The Miss Vava‘u Pageant held in Neiafu, Vava‘u, opened on June 30, with a colourful appearance by the glowing contestants. Photos by Lisa Molloy

Rev Dr 'Ahio was re-elected this afternoon Wednesday June 25, as the President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga during the 91st Free Wesleyan Church Annual Conference in Neiafu, Vava’u.

The new month-long Tu'i Vava‘u Festival currently being held in Neiafu, Vava‘u, will feature the Miss Vava‘u Pageant from June 30 to July 5.

The first of two Jetstream J32 aircraft acquired by Real Tonga is expected to arrive in Tongatapu next week, according to the General Manager of Tourism Tonga, Stuart Perry, who said today that the strengthening of the inter-island domestic air service is critically important for the whole economy.

Creative Tongans are realizing that they can make a livelihood from handicrafts, after receiving training in cultural tourism awareness, says Sione Loseli who ran workshops in Vava‘u last week, under a Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Program.

A state of emergency for Vava‘u and Ha‘apai was declared at 8:00am today as Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian strengthened to Category 5, battering the groups with damaging gales and heavy rains overnight and today, with powerful intermittent gusts that were forecast to increase to 110 knots (203km per hour) with momentary gusts to 155 knots (287km). However the 9:30am advisory from Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone warning Centre has downgraded Ian to Category 4 with gusts up to 135 knots.

Upgraded to Category 3, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian is intensifying and currently threatens Tonga's northern Niuafo‘ou Island where damaging gale force winds are expected this afternoon and evening. The Fua‘amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) at 1:15pm also issued a gale warning for Vavau, and a strong wind warning for Niuatoputapu.

A woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Vava‘u for running over her husband with her vehicle in Kameli in October last year. She is on bail for sentencing next month.