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There are rare moments on an archaeological project which offer extraordinary insight into the past or when the past connects with the present in an utterly astonishing way. Both occurred in late July of 2007, as we were carrying out archaeological excavations in the village of Nukuleka at the northeast entrance to Fanga ‘Uta Lagoon on Tongatapu. This story is about the documentation of a shell game, taupita, but a shell game, as we found out, with an almost 3000-year-old history. It also is a story that binds Tonga’s earliest Lapita ancestors to the people of Nukuleka today. By David Burley and Sean Connaughton.

Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 1) caused minor damage on Tongatapu last night and early this morning, with some flooding in areas with poor drainage, fallen powerlines, and flattened vegetation. International flights were cancelled to Tonga.

UPDATED: At 2:00am on Tuesday, 31 December, Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 2) was tracking closer to Nuku'alofa than previously forecast. On its current track, Tropical Cyclone Sarai is expected to be located 90km west of Nuku'alofa at 7:00am Tuesday morning. Occasional rain and strong to gale force winds will continue to affect the group this morning.

A Nuku'alofa businessman died on Saturday night, 28 December, after a hit and run incident on Vuna Road, Fasi.

UPDATED 8:00PM: Tonga remains on alert this weekend, with strong wind and heavy rain warnings in force for all Tonga land areas, as Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 2) continues to move toward Tongan waters. Mariners of small fishing boats are advised not to go out to the sea for all of Tonga coastal waters.

Health services for over half a million people in four Pacific countries, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, will benefit from a project that is helping to improve overall immunization coverage rates and support greater efficiency of primary health care.

It was wet underfoot for Christmas shoppers in Nuku‘alofa this morning as a band of cloud brought showers to the capital. Humidity was 87%. Meanwhile, a slow moving tropical depression TD03F near Tuvalu has the potential to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone after Christmas.

The annual police operation for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays will start on December 23, to prevent crimes and ensure public safety during the holidays.

Brides and grooms filled the Registry Office yesterday, 19 December, in Nuku’alofa, to tie the knot before government closes for the Christmas holidays.