Results for People

Celebrations began today in Nuku’alofa to mark Tupou College’s 150th Anniversary, with cultural dancing by schools as the first of many events for the Sesquicentennial to run from June 17-24. Photos by Linny Folau.

A one-day National Women’s Forum to discuss the work done on a National Policy on Gender and Development 2014-18 while mapping out a way forward to achieve its aims was held on Thursday, 16 June at Tungi Colonnade.

Vulnerable and marginalized children such as refugee, migrant, disabled, street kids and indigenous children and youth, are still widely discriminated against says KidsRights after it recently released its annual global index on children’s rights in 163 countries - with two Pacific countries ranked among the worst performing on the list.

‘Aiona Prescott (21) will be a proud recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award to be presented by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 23 June 2016, at Buckingham Palace, London, in recognising exceptional community leaders from 45 countries.

Mixed Martial Arts fighter and actor Soa Palelei (38) has revealed his life long bout with depression ahead of the release of his book 'Face Your Fears'. Known as the “the Hulk” for his imposing 6'4" immaculate frame, Soa is also known for his charity. Last year, he captured news headlines after he raised $120,000 for children at a Western Australian hospital but was barred from meeting the children because of the hospital’s opposition to cage fighting.

Hundreds of Tongatapu secondary and tertiary school students led by lively brass bands marched through central Nuku’alofa today, Thursday 2 June, to mark the opening of the 2016 Session of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, while passengers from the Pacific Pearl cruise ship berthed at the Vuna Wharf near Parliament House enjoyed the spectacle. Photos by Linny Folau.

An Auckland barrister, Mina Wharepouri, of Tongan descent, will be sworn in tomorrow as Acting District Court Judge, and will be based in Manukau, New Zealand.

The Tongan community in the city of Timaru in New Zealand celebrated the official inauguration of the Tongan Society South Canterbury (TSSC) on May 27. The organisation will offer support to Tongans living in South Canterbury, a rural region home to over 55,000 residents.

A Tongan delegation including cultural dancers and artists has presented Tongan dance at the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts underway in Guam, from May 22 to June 4.