After reading the many comments and stories surrounding the collapse and closure of the Royal Tongan Airlines on 22 April 2004, I was both disappointed and saddened for both the loses in tourism and job opportunities the Kingdom vitally needs to stay afloat. - Andrew Fifita
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Results for Opinion
Monday 15 March 2004
Sydney, Australia
Previously, I asked the question what is a true Tongan? or what have we inherited? and had the opportunity to read the many comments, concerns and views sent in by many Matangi Tonga readers. It is amazing to see that so many people do care and want the best for both the country and the people. Its is healthy to question, comment and express a view that will not only challenge our thoughts but our hearts, spirits and values that we cherish as Tongans. - Andrew Fifita J.P.
Wednesday 3 March 2004
Wellington, New Zealand
Oh dear! Tonga is in such a sad state, I can almost hear everyone crying with frustration. - P. Woodward
Tuesday 2 March 2004
Manchester, United Kingdom
It is very interesting how the US Ambassador elaborates the uniqueness of Tonga in his previous ABC radio interview.- A. Tu'i
Friday 20 February 2004
Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
I have been enjoying your website tremendously. Believe it or not, I found the site by mistake. - Joe Katoa
Tuesday 17 February 2004
Sydney, Australia
What is a true Tongan? What have we inherited? I was born overseas and I was led to believe that the true Tongan was either the monarchy or persons born in Tonga, bred Tongan and lived the Tongan way of life, culturally, socially and traditionally. The motto on the Tongan coat of arms says: "God and Tonga are my inheritance". For many young Tongans the question is, an inheritance to what? - Andrew Fifita J.P.
Friday 13 February 2004
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
A few decades ago, Tonga was looked up to as the leading nation in the Pacific Islands. Its people had the highest standards of living, income and independence. This is no longer the case. Elite privilege has become more concentrated and reactionary; the economy and society stagnated as a result. - Ron Crocombe
Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Under Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy system of Government the final executive decision-making power remains with the King. Therefore the burden of finding a solution to Tonga's current economic and Constitutional crises rests squarely on the shoulders of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. - Editor's Comment. Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
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Monday 1 December 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The reason why the Tongan Government decided to enact Media Bills and to amend Clause 7 of the Constitution so that they can control the local Media, remains a mystery. One thing that is clear, however, is that the new media legislation is vindictive, because it is meant to hurt. - Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
Thursday 2 October 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The controversy over the proposal by government to amend Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution, giving government the right to make laws to control Freedom of Speech and the media, is dividing the country. Government is not going to win respect by changing the laws, simply because it has been losing its court cases against its critics. We are at the cross roads, in an unfamiliar Twilight Zone. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua (From our Archives 2003).
Wednesday 3 September 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although public reaction is heating up to a Tonga government move to control Freedom of Speech by changing Clause 7 of the island kingdom's 127 year old Constitution, few people yet realise the enormous and serious implications of what that change might mean. Objections so far have been based on the glaring illegality of the change, but there is more to it than that. By Pesi Fonua.
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Saturday 30 August 2003
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
During the past few years Tonga has become a Lali of the New Zealand media, and of some fringe New Zealand politicians. A Lali is a drum that is beaten hard with a stick, and in these people’s hands it has meant a thrashing for the Tongan Royalty and the Tongan government. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.
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Saturday 30 August 2003
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
When the Tonga government’s ban on the Taimi ‘o Tonga newspaper came unstuck in March, it proceeded to draft bills to amend the Constitution and to introduce new legislation to try to regulate the media. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.
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Sunday 30 March 2003
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
The banning of the Taimi ‘o Tonga newspaper from Tonga is an unprecedented decision by government, the first time ever for government to restrain the distribution of a publication since the proclamation by Tupou I of the Tongan Constitution in 1875, granting the right for “Freedom of the Press in Tonga for ever”. Editor's Comment From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.
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Saturday 30 November 2002
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
The current economic reform, in preparation for when Tonga becomes a member of the World Trade Organisation, and the hype that this could pull the economy out from its state of stagnation, is the wishful thinking of many people. But the big question remains: are we ready to exploit our WTO membership, or is it going to be just like the other Free Trade Agreements we have signed with other countries, where it will enable us to import more from our partners but export less? From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.
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Friday 30 August 2002
Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Government has adopted a two-edged approach to its economic reform program. Editor's Comment. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.
Thursday 20 December 2001
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
We found His Majesty, as usual, engrossed in imaginative new ways to bring a healthier economy to Tonga. He firmly believes that the interest by the United Arab Emirates to establish a friendly business relationship with Tonga could be the beginning of a valuable working relationship between the two countries. Meanwhile, the status of the Tonga Trust Fund remains a hot topic. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001.
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Saturday 30 June 2001
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
A peaceful revolution is currently taking place in Tonga as we are trying to find the right combination to take advantage of what the 21st century has to offer. In business, never before have Tongan business people invested so much money in the Tongan economy, pouring millions of pa‘anga, into trade, telecommunications, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, power generation, the media, shipping, and even airlines. By Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.
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Tuesday 30 January 2001
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Bravo! for the gallant initiative of Masima Sefesi ‘Akau‘ola, the District Officer of Hihifo, Tongatapu, and Manu Tangi, the District Officer of Niuatoputapu, and to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for their approval of a regulation to stop pigs from digging up the towns and villages in these districts. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 15, no. 4, January 2001.
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Saturday 30 September 2000
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
The saying that one can’t see the wood for the trees, is so appropriate to our situation in Tonga today. It has been pointed out numerous times, and we can see it with our own eyes, that we are blessed with a good country, where the weather is hospitable, and the soil is so fertile that plants can grow even in the sand. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.
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