Trafficking in Persons, a crime where victims are exploited in various forms of slavery, is coming under a new scrutiny in Tonga. Ever since Tonga prosecuted its first Trafficking in Persons (TIP) case over a decade ago, there have been no further cases of TIP because there were no new trafficking investigations and victims were not identified, says Police Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff, Pelenatita Vaisuai. That situation is about to change. Interview by Katalina Siasau.
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Wednesday 16 August 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wednesday 16 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The ‘Ikale Tahi rugby team joined a parade in Nuku’alofa today –celebrating Tonga's back-to-back wins against Canada.
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Tuesday 15 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Scoring six tries, the 'Ikale Tahi happily won their second international test match against Canada, 36-12, in Nuku'alofa this afternoon. Sosefo Sakalia and Kyren Taumoefolau each scored two tries and Vaea Fifita and Sam Moli one each for Tonga. Isaac Olson scored both tries for Canada. Peter Nelson kicked the conversion.
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Tuesday 15 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kiteboarder, JJ Rice is representing Tonga at the World Sailing Championships that opened in The Hague, Netherlands, last week. He was the only entry from the Pacific islands in the event of Kite Foil Racing, for the championship that runs for nine days (11-20 August) and is looking for an Olympic qualification.
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Monday 14 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Houma Police Station will resume its operations today, 14 August 2023 after over eight years of operating from the Nukunuku station.
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Friday 11 August 2023
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Wellington, New Zealand
Tongan-New Zealand amateur boxer, Matt Mataika has switched allegiance to Tonga ahead of next year’s Olympic Games due to financial crisis with Boxing New Zealand.
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Friday 11 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ambassador of Japan to Tonga HE Mr. Munenaga Kensaku, volunteered to teach a Japanese language class at a Tongan school on 9 August.
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Friday 11 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nuku’alofa greeted thousands of new faces arriving on the returning cruise ship, the Pacific Explorer which docked at Vuna Wharf today, 11 August.
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Friday 11 August 2023
Suva, Fiji
The Pacific Islands are now at a cliff edge. As a region, as countries and as peoples, we face some of the hardest and cruellest choices. Business as usual, more of the same and incremental improvements will be the surest way to disaster for the whole of our region. As our communities, our region struggles, this is a time to ask some hard questions...Do we have what it takes to implement policies and decisions at the pace and speed at which this is needed? By Professor Biman Prasad (article from a public speech during this week's Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Suva, Fiji).
Thursday 10 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The ‘Ikale Tahi pulled a decisive win 28 - 3 over Canada despite a red card, which left them one man down in the second-half, in the first of their two test matches, this afternoon at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach, Toutai Kefu, remains full of confidence for the team and is looking forward to seeing them regroup against Canada in Tonga tomorrow, 10 August.
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Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Lisbon, Portugal
Tonga Catholic youth joined thousands of other youth members of the Catholic Church, in Lisbon, Portugal, celebrating World Youth Day that started from 1 to 6 August.
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Wednesday 9 August 2023
Sandy-Utah, USA
FROM OUR ARCHIVES: When the late George Tupou V surrendered the Executive Power to the Prime Minister in 2010, did it mean he wanted to remain only as a ceremonial and symbolic monarchy without any political power? Why did he appoint the Lords? Without a proper assessment of the answers to those two questions, the present leaders of the PTOA (Paati Temo Otumotu Anga’ofa) movement do injustice to the democratic and political reform that the late king had initiated. - Seni Penitani
Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A petition calling for reform of Tonga's electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House yesterday 7 August and again today.
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Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
One of two demonstration Organic Learning Farms, the Mahuleva Farm on Tongatapu was launched today, 8 August 2023. Another in Vava’u, the ‘Ovava Farm, will be launched soon.
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Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team arrived in Tonga earlier today, and will face Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi this week, in the first of two test matches, this Thursday 10 August, and again Tuesday next week, at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa.
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Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A tree planting project around the coastal areas and homes of Kolofo’ou, Fanga o Pilolevu, Havelu and Tofoa (Vahenga Tongatapu 2), under MEIDECC, is into its second week.
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Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two new JICA volunteers arrived in Tonga, last week to work at Tongatapu secondary schools for six months starting in mid-August.
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Tuesday 8 August 2023
Suva, Fiji
Despite uncertainty about the outlook for inflation and interest rates in major economies and trading partners, developing Pacific economies are expected to grow in 2023 and 2024 due to a recovery in tourism, post-disaster rebuilding, and infrastructure construction, a World Bank report released today says. Fiji is expected to continue leading the Pacific's recovery from the pandemic. Robust growth is also projected for Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Federated States of Micronesia. While in Tonga most households receive remittances from abroad.
Monday 7 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although Tonga's economy is rebounding strongly from a major double shock in early 2022, Tonga is confronting important challenges to long-term growth posed by sustained worker outflows and increasingly frequent natural disasters, says the International Monetary Fund.
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