In our adopted country we witnessed last night a mature Tongan male trying to head butt his way through a police barricade to seek the presence of the King. This thug who thinks himself a martyr or saviour of our Tongan brothers and sisters is nothing but a self-gratifying egotistical heat stirrer who is strangely enough the instigator for this disgraceful act of borderline tyranny of his own country. Burning our flag? Our flag that symbolises peace? My flag that was held up by Paea at the Olympics in Atlanta? - Lalo Kasia Crew
You are here
Results for tag
Thursday 25 August 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
Thursday 25 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Princess Regent, Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita brought tears and comfort to civil servants strikers today who applauded her after she delivered a heartfelt speech at Pangai Si'i. Story and pictures by Linny Folau
Premium content
Thursday 25 August 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
I'm sorry to sound like the devil's advocate, but I'm not sympathetic with the strikers or the government. What I do agree with is the need for political reform. Personally, I'm not keen on having a King; on the other hand, I don't know enough about the leaders of this political/employment-related strike to make a sound decision. I know the need for reform is warranted; also, times have changed and the public appears to desire more representation in government. - Rick Siale
Thursday 25 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten Tonga Police officers travelled to Auckland yesterday morning to step up the guarding of HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who is currently in New Zealand.
Premium content
Thursday 25 August 2005
Suva, Fiji
About what I learned from this chaos in Tonga, is that the majority of the people are with the strikers. And the reaction from the government to the people seems very faraway from what we expect to happen. Meaning that this is the worst government that Tonga has ever had. Or do we say that this is the worst public servants (hundreds of them) that Tonga has ever had? - Philli Qarase
Thursday 25 August 2005
San Jose,California, USA
I remark favorably on exceptional coverage of the recent affairs and episodes happening in Tonga well elucidated by Matangi Tonga. - James Faasolo
Thursday 25 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's frustrated Public Service Association said last night that it will not negotiate with government to end the five weeks long civil servants strike, "until their conditions to return to work are met by government."
Premium content
Wednesday 24 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister reminded the House that government had still left the door open for negotiation with the strikers but following the vandalism at Tonga College, if this damaging behaviour continued, he warned that government's bucket of endurance could be full. He told parliament that government was concerned about children losing their right to education, and that government would make a decision to protect the interest of the majority and not that of the minority. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Wednesday 24 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A wave of destruction is continuing in Tonga as a third vandalism incident was reported early this morning from Vava...u High School where the monitors of up to a dozen computers were smashed by intruders.
Premium content
Wednesday 24 August 2005
Queensland,Australia
I was wondering if you could tell me what the union/organisation is called that covers the government workers and maybe some contact details for them as my work colleagues and I would love to show our support to the workers of your country. - Andrea Westlake
Wednesday 24 August 2005
New Zealand
I have had a lot of emails from my youth in Tonga how schools have been on protest and I'm real disappointed to read about this. I was wondering what the cause of this is? and why is it taking so long? I'm am Tongan myself yet I would like to understand and also ask who I can email or talk to about it? and why my country is suffering yet my youth are. - Salome Fiukefu
Tuesday 23 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In a last minute change of plans, Pangai Si'i, the home for thousands of striking Civil Servants during the past month, has been declared by Tonga's Royal family as the new site for a Tongan National Museum that was originally to be built at Raintree Square with assistance from France.
Premium content
Tuesday 23 August 2005
Premium content
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand will meet the costs of strike mediator Judge Tom Goddard and his team who are expected to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday to begin discussions with the parties.
Premium content
Tuesday 23 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A historical home owned by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV was gutted in a blaze early this morning.
Premium content
Tuesday 23 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Nuku'alofa restaurateur, Paul Johansson, is recovering after a mugging outside his Sopu home on August 2 that put him in hospital for five days with severe facial injuries and bruising and left him feeling that he is lucky to be still alive.
Premium content
Monday 22 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fifteen Tonga College boys appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court this morning, August 22, facing charges relating to the damaging of Tonga College property valued at $40,000 pa‘anga.
Premium content
Sunday 21 August 2005
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata warned parliament that soon government would have to make a decision on the strike, either before an arbitrator arrived or after. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 24, Tuesday August 16, 2005. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
Premium content
Sunday 21 August 2005
4 comments
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Any hope for a quick solution to the continuing national strike by Tonga's Civil Servants remains wishful thinking as we enter the fifth week of the strike, with both sides negotiating at a two steps forward and four steps backward speed. By Pesi Fonua
Premium content
Saturday 20 August 2005
Premium content
Wellington, New Zealand
The New Zealand government is willing to help Tonga resolve its long-running public sector strike, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said.
Premium content
Saturday 20 August 2005
Premium content
Auckland, New Zealand
Tongan protesters were back outside their King's Auckland residence today, for a second day in support of a month-long public service strike in Tonga.
Premium content
