You are here

Breaking news

Pages

  • Thursday 25 August 2005 6:45pm


    Auckland, New Zealand
    : In our adopted country we witnessed last night a mature Tongan male trying to head butt his way through a police barricade to seek the presence of the King. This thug who thinks himself a martyr or saviour of our Tongan brothers and sisters is nothing but a self-gratifying egotistical heat stirrer who is strangely enough the instigator for this disgraceful act of borderline tyranny of his own country. Burning our flag? Our flag that symbolises peace? My flag that was held up by Paea at the Olympics in Atlanta? - Lalo Kasia Crew
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 5:32pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : The Princess Regent, Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita brought tears and comfort to civil servants strikers today who applauded her after she delivered a heartfelt speech at Pangai Si'i. Story and pictures by Linny Folau
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 1:30pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : I'm sorry to sound like the devil's advocate, but I'm not sympathetic with the strikers or the government. What I do agree with is the need for political reform. Personally, I'm not keen on having a King; on the other hand, I don't know enough about the leaders of this political/employment-related strike to make a sound decision. I know the need for reform is warranted; also, times have changed and the public appears to desire more representation in government. - Rick Siale
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 1:15pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : Ten Tonga Police officers travelled to Auckland yesterday morning to step up the guarding of HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who is currently in New Zealand.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 1:00pm


    Suva, Fiji
    : About what I learned from this chaos in Tonga, is that the majority of the people are with the strikers. And the reaction from the government to the people seems very faraway from what we expect to happen. Meaning that this is the worst government that Tonga has ever had. Or do we say that this is the worst public servants (hundreds of them) that Tonga has ever had? - Philli Qarase
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 1:00pm


    San Jose,California, USA
    : I remark favorably on exceptional coverage of the recent affairs and episodes happening in Tonga well elucidated by Matangi Tonga. - James Faasolo
  • Thursday 25 August 2005 12:27pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : Tonga's frustrated Public Service Association said last night that it will not negotiate with government to end the five weeks long civil servants strike, "until their conditions to return to work are met by government."
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Wednesday 24 August 2005 6:15pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : The Prime Minister reminded the House that government had still left the door open for negotiation with the strikers but following the vandalism at Tonga College, if this damaging behaviour continued, he warned that government's bucket of endurance could be full. He told parliament that government was concerned about children losing their right to education, and that government would make a decision to protect the interest of the majority and not that of the minority. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Wednesday 24 August 2005 2:37pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : A wave of destruction is continuing in Tonga as a third vandalism incident was reported early this morning from Vava...’u High School where the monitors of up to a dozen computers were smashed by intruders.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Wednesday 24 August 2005 2:00pm


    Queensland,Australia
    : I was wondering if you could tell me what the union/organisation is called that covers the government workers and maybe some contact details for them as my work colleagues and I would love to show our support to the workers of your country. - Andrea Westlake
  • Wednesday 24 August 2005 1:45pm


    New Zealand
    : I have had a lot of emails from my youth in Tonga how schools have been on protest and I'm real disappointed to read about this. I was wondering what the cause of this is? and why is it taking so long? I'm am Tongan myself yet I would like to understand and also ask who I can email or talk to about it? and why my country is suffering yet my youth are. - Salome Fiukefu
  • Tuesday 23 August 2005 5:57pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : In a last minute change of plans, Pangai Si'i, the home for thousands of striking Civil Servants during the past month, has been declared by Tonga's Royal family as the new site for a Tongan National Museum that was originally to be built at Raintree Square with assistance from France.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Tuesday 23 August 2005 5:38pm


    Wellington, New Zealand
    : New Zealand will meet the costs of strike mediator Judge Tom Goddard and his team who are expected to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday to begin discussions with the parties.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Tuesday 23 August 2005 11:00am


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : A Nuku'alofa restaurateur, Paul Johansson, is recovering after a mugging outside his Sopu home on August 2 that put him in hospital for five days with severe facial injuries and bruising and left him feeling that he is lucky to be still alive.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Tuesday 23 August 2005 11:00am


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : A historical home owned by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV was gutted in a blaze early this morning.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Monday 22 August 2005 7:27pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : Fifteen Tonga College boys appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court this morning, August 22, facing charges relating to the damaging of Tonga College property valued at $40,000 pa‘anga.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Sunday 21 August 2005 7:00pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : The Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata warned parliament that soon government would have to make a decision on the strike, either before an arbitrator arrived or after. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 24, Tuesday August 16, 2005. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Sunday 21 August 2005 5:45pm


    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    : Any hope for a quick solution to the continuing national strike by Tonga's Civil Servants remains wishful thinking as we enter the fifth week of the strike, with both sides negotiating at a two steps forward and four steps backward speed. By Pesi Fonua
    4 comments
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Saturday 20 August 2005 4:15pm


    Wellington, New Zealand
    : The New Zealand government is willing to help Tonga resolve its long-running public sector strike, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said.
    Node is premium Premium content
  • Saturday 20 August 2005 4:15pm


    Auckland, New Zealand
    : Tongan protesters were back outside their King's Auckland residence today, for a second day in support of a month-long public service strike in Tonga.
    Node is premium Premium content

Pages