Results for Pacific Islands

With increasing State powers declared in most Pacific Island countries under national states of emergencies and public health emergencies, it is crucial that the processes of enforcement of these emergency measures always adhere to key democratic principles, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Tonga and other Pacific states said yesterday, on the International Day of Democracy. “Responsive, transparent and accountable COVID-19 responses are critical to democracy,” Mr Sanaka Samarasinha said.

The World Health Organization is urging countries to eliminate industrially produced trans-fat (TFA), from the global food supply by 2023, due to its link to heart disease and death. In Tonga, 1.71 % of coronary heart disease deaths is due to trans-fat intake. Trans-fats raise our bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Examples of foods that may contain trans-fat include doughnuts, cookies, crackers, muffins, pies and cakes.

Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho is looking for creative artwork or photos and stories that symbolise and celebrate Tonga's 50 years relationship with Australia - and three cash prizes are offered for the top submissions.

The village of Felemea, Ha’apai needs clean drinking water, and the challenge to find a solution has been taken up by a group of four student engineers from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, as their team design project. The idea for the project came from Siale Faitotonu a technician at the University.

A fleet of boats have been gifted to the Vava’u Blue Water School in Neiafu, for Tongan youth to learn how to sail. The Vava'u community is fundraising to ship the boats from New Zealand to Vava'u.

Seven countries including Tonga have ratified the PACER-Plus agreement which will come into effect 60 days after the eighth country ratifies it.

The beach and lagoon at Houmale‘eia on the north end of Foa Island in Ha‘apai is a spectacular place. Now home to Matafonua Lodge, its ancient history came vividly to life in 2008 when Australian visitors inadvertently discovered a kaleidoscope of images carved into a beach rock surface. Human feet, triangular bodied people, lizards, dogs, turtles and other representations hinted astoundingly at a Hawaiian connection. By Shane Egan and David Burley.

A two-day consultation in Tonga, looking at key trends and uncertainties that may drive change in the Pacific region’s future such as climate change, CoViD-19, and technology, was opened by Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa today, 13 August, at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre in Nuku'alofa.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands are moving closer to the establishment of a travel bubble, to recommence quarantine-free travel between the two countries before the end of the year, and as soon as it can be safely achieved.