Results for People

Tonga is aiming to ratify the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage before the next Session of the UNESCO General Conference in October 2009, Tonga's Minister of Education, Women's Affairs and Culture Hon. Rev. Dr Tevita Palefau said today.

Karlo Mila, an award-winning New Zealand poet of Tongan and Pakeha descent, has this year published a second book of poetry. Her voice is Tongan and her images and stories come from today, and include several reflections on Tongan politics - her poems offering witty and perceptive, sometimes painful, insight, say Irene Webley and Tapani Mangisi, who wrote the following book review for the Tonga Research Association.

There were smiles on the faces of Ma'afu Kiokata (22) and Paumolevuka Tu'i (18) when they were visited by Australians Michael O'Shannassy and Andrew Cadzow at Vaiola Hospital yesterday November 18.

Rebuilding of the Nuku'alofa central business district will begin with three Tongan companies who have committed to build using funding made available by China.

A fire gutted a large part of the Paradise International Hotel in Neiafu, Vava'u, in the early hours of this morning, November 13. Photos by Sione Vuki

The New Zealand Police Commissioner, Howard Broad, on a three-days visit to Tonga, reaffirmed the NZ Police support, which has provided mentors and advisors to the to the Tonga Police Force development program.

The fifth session of Tonga's Youth Parliament to be held December 10-12 will focus on Climate Change, HIV and Aids, Political Reform for 2010, and other youth related issues.

Triathlete Matthew Kaea aims to become the first Tongan to run the Boston marathon - the one marathon that accepts only the fastest athletes.

Pacific Island governments could change their view of their natural wealth, from one of being limited and based mainly on fisheries and agriculture, "to one that we have an abundance of wealth," believes Dr David Martin an expert on intellectual property, who is visiting Tonga.