Results for People

Sione ‘Uhilamoelangi Liava’a (74) the Chairman of the Public Service Commission passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning, October 4 at Vaiola Hospital.

A dinner and floorshow will be held tonight, Friday, in celebration of the Tonga National Cultural Centre’s first group of students completing their certificates in traditional Tongan dance. The centre is being used to revive the teaching of Tongan traditional dance, music, arts and plants, as well as promote places and sites of cultural significance.

'Ilaisaane Fifita and Sisikula Sisifa, both 31, became the first Pacific academics at the University of Auckland’s Business School, graduating with doctoral degrees today, Tuesday 27 September. 'Ilaisaane's work examining non-smokers, shows that marketing skills can be used to improve the consumer wellbeing and the welfare of society. Sisikula in her work found that cultural differences in thinking about management practices undermine the success of development projects.

Anna Jane Vea, a Tonga High School student was one of four Pacific Island students who attended commemorations of the Somme Centenary in France last week.

A colourful parade of floats, joined by Tonga’s famous Olympic flag bearer, Pita Taufatofua, and fellow Olympian Lusi Tatafu, along with the Tonga Police Brass Band, businesses, and sporting associations, went through central Nuku’alofa to mark the 2016 Olympic Day on Saturday 17 September. Photos by Eleanor Gee and Caroline Manu-Moli.

Sewing entrepreneur, mother and grandmother Seini Mafile’o (73) won the SPBD Business Woman of the Year Award 2016 today, Friday 16 September, for improving her family sewing business, using the South Pacific Business Development microfinance program.

An exhibition of a collection of photographs from the Japan Professional Photographers Society, ‘Japan’s Coastline and its People’, was launched by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala at the Visitors Information Centre, Hala Vuna, Nuku’alofa on 9 September.

New Zealand is celebrating Tonga Language Week from September 4-10 focusing on observing how Tongan culture has shaped the country. The theme this year is ‘Fakakoloa ‘a Aotearoa ‘aki ‘a e Loto’i Tonga’ – Enriching Aotearoa with the Tongan Spirit.

Tongatapu’s two-day Royal Agricultural, Fisheries and Tonga Made Show 2016 was finally opened on Friday 26 August by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, after being delayed twice due to bad weather. Photos by Linny Folau and Caroline Manu-Moli.