08^th October 2019 The Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa on recommendation of the Legislative Assembly on 27^th September 2019, has been officially appointed by His Majesty, King Tupou VI on Tuesday, 8th October 2019, as the 17^th Prime Minister of Tonga. He is also the Minister responsible for Public Enterprises. 

Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, 68 of Talafo’ou, Tongatapu, was among two nominated candidates elected on Friday 27 September 2019, and won by 15-8 votes by the 23 elected members of the Tonga Parliament in a secret ballot.

He was former Minister for Finance, under the former Prime Minister, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, who passed away last month.

Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa studied Accounting at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand (CA) in 1982. He received a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia in 1993, and went on graduating with a Master of Business Accounting (MBA) from the same University in 1994. He received his Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) from the Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountant of New Zealand in 1999. He is a certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants in Australia in 1997, and a receiver of a certificate of Civil Law from the University of the South Pacific.

The Hon. Tu’i’onetoa is a Doctor of Christian Ministry, from the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Tacoma, Washington, USA since 2000.

He first joined the Tonga Civil Service in January, 1979. He was the Official Liquidator at the

Department of Justice, commercial Division in Hamilton, New Zealand. He served as Tonga’s Auditor General (AG) from 1983-2014, before he was first elected to parliament in the 2014 General Election as People’s Representative for Tongatapu Constituency No.10. He was a Private Secretary to His Majesty from 1987-1988, and also clerk to the Privy Council during the same period.

In the Pohiva’s Government, Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa served as Minister for the, then Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries; Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services. He became Minister of Revenue and Customs up to September 2017, where he was later appointed as Minister of Finance and National Planning in January 2018.

He was a member and representative at the International Congresses of International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI); elected member of the Governing Board of INTOSAI for six years in 1992, and was reelected in 1998 for another six years until 2004. He attended the Conference of Commonwealth Auditors General, and the regional branch of INTOSAI the SPASAI. He was also Secretary General of SPASAI for 10 years from 1985-1994. He is currently one of the Governors of the World Bank – IMF.

-ENDS

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 24 644     Fax:  (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressroom@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to   

08 ‘Okatopa, 2019 Na’e tanupou ‘e he ‘Eiki Palēmia ‘o Tongá Hon. Dr. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa ‘a hono faka’ilonga’i e kamata ‘a e langa ki he ngaahi ‘apiako na’e uesia ‘e he Saikolone Gita ‘i he efiafi ‘o e ‘aho ni ‘i he ‘Apiako Lautohi ‘o Navutoká.

‘I he’ene me’á, ko ‘ene fuofua fakahoko fatongia ‘eni ko e Palēmia ‘o Tonga hili hono toki fakanofo ia ‘e he ‘Ene ‘Afió ‘i he Palasi Fakatu’í ‘i Nuku’alofa ko e Palēmia Hoko ‘o Tonga. Pea ko ‘ene fuofua polokalama ko ‘ení ‘oku ne ‘omi ‘a e fekau mahu’inga ke ako’i ‘a e hako tupu ‘o e fonuá.

‘Oku tataki ‘a e polokalama tokoni ko ‘ení ‘e he Poloseki ‘a e Pasifikí ke mateuteu ange ki ha fakatamaki ‘e hoko (PREP) ‘a ia ‘oku fakamalumalu ‘i he Potungaue MEIDECC. ‘Oku fakapa’anga ia ‘e he Pangikē ‘a Māmaní (World Bank).  ‘Oku fe’unga moe pa’anga ‘e 17.31 miliona ‘Amelika ‘a hono fakahoko ‘a e ngāué. ‘Oku ‘i loto ‘i he 17.31 USD miliona ko eni ‘a e pa’anga ‘e 3 miliona ko e tokoni mei he Pule’anga ‘Aositeleliá.

Na’e fakahā ‘e Hon. Tu’i’onetoa ko e ngāue ‘oku kamata’i ‘i he ‘aho ni ‘e fakakakato ia ki he tu’unga fefeka, kene lava ‘o matu’uekina ha toe saikolone ‘e a’u ki he mālohi ko e kalasi ‘e 5.

Na’a ne fakamālō foki ki he Pangikē ‘a Māmaní, Pule’anga ‘Aositeleliá ‘i he’enau ongona ‘a e fakatangi na’e fakahokó.

“Tau fiefia pe he ne ongona mei he Pangike ‘a Mamani, mo e Pule’anga ‘Aositelelia ‘a e fakatangi mei he Pule’anga Tonga ki ha tokoni, ki hono toe langa ‘o e ngaahi ako’anga na’e maumau lahi mei he Saikolone ko Gita. Tau fakatauange ke faka’alo mālie mai e ngaue ni, ke lava lelei ‘o hangē ko ‘etau ‘amanakí, pea ke tangane mai ‘a langi ki he ngāue ‘oku tau fakahokó.”

Fakatatau ki he Pule Lahi ‘o e Potungaue MEIDECC Paula Ma’u, ko e langá kuopau ke toe lelei ange mo malohi ange ke ne matu’uaki e ngaahi houhou ‘o natulá mo e maumau ‘a e ngaahi fakatamaki fakaenatulá ‘o fakatatau pē ki he ngaahi tu’utu’uni fakamamani lahi ki he langa afá.

“’Oku tau tui kotoa pē ko e langá ‘e tu’uloa ka ko e me’a tēpū ke ‘aonga ki he hako tupu ‘o e fonuá, ko e pouaki ai pē ki he lotú mo e akó, mo hono ‘unuaki ‘o ‘eni fonua. Pea hangē ko hotau talá ko ha fu’u telie ko e ‘amanaki’anga ‘o Tonga.”

Na’e fakamalo’ia foki ‘e he Minisitā Akó Hon. Penisimani Fifita ‘a e ngaahi ngāue kuo lava ‘e he Pule’anga Tongá, Potungaue Akó, Potungaue MEIDECC mo e Potungāue Pa’angá ke a’usia ‘a e kamata’anga ‘o hono fakahoko ‘a e ngaue ni. Na’a ne fakamālō foki ki he Pangikē ‘a Māmaní ‘i he tokoni kuo nau fakahokó ‘i hono fakapa’anga ‘a e ngāue ni.

Taimi tatau na’e fakahā ‘e he ‘Ōfisa Mā’olunga mei he ‘Ōfisi ‘o e Pangikē ‘a Māmani ‘i Nuku’alofá, Natalia Lātū, ‘oku fiefia ‘a e Pangikē ‘a Māmaní ke fengāue’aki vaofi mo e Pule’anga Tongá ki hono ngāue’i ‘a e ngaahi taumu’a mahu’inga ‘a e pule’angá ‘i he tafa’aki ‘o e akó mo e fānaú.

Fakatatau ki he Tokoni Talēkita mei he Potungāue Akó ‘Isikeli Oko, ko e loki ako ‘e ua na’e tanupoú ‘i he ‘aho ni, pea ko e lokiaki fakakātoa ‘e fitu ‘oku ‘amanaki ke langa ‘i he ‘Apiako Lautohi ‘o Navutoká.

Ko e ngaahi ‘apiako fakakatoa ‘e 30 ‘oku kau ki he poloseki ko ‘ení ‘o kau ai ‘a e Lautohi Pule’anga ‘e ua mei Vava’u.

Na’e fakahā foki ‘e he ‘Ōfisa Pule ‘a e PREP-Tonga Maliu Takai, ko e polokalama langa ko ‘eni ki he ngaahi akó, ‘oku vahevahe ia ki he kulupu ‘e tolu. Ko e kulupu ‘uluakí, ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e ako ‘e tolu ‘oku fu’u vivili ‘aupito e fiema’u lokiako aí. ‘A ia ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e GPS Vaini, GPS Fasi, mo e GPS Navutoka. Ko e kulupu hono uá ‘oku ki ai ‘a e ako ‘e fitu, ‘a ia ko e Kolisi ‘Apifo’oú, Lautohi ‘a Piula, GPS Ha’amonga, GPS Kahoua, GPS ‘Ohonua, GPS Taoa mo e GPS Feletoa. Ko e kulupu hono tolú, ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e ako ‘e 22 pea ‘oku kau fakataha ki ai ‘a e langa fo’ou mo e ngaahi monomono lalahi.

Ko e polokalama langa ko ‘eni ki he ngaahi ako na’e uesiá, ‘oku mahina ‘e ono ki hono tisaini pea māhina ‘e 12 ki he langá, ‘o kamata mei Ma’asi 2019, pea ke ‘osi ki ‘Aokosi 2020.

NGATA’ANGA

 Tuku atu mei he: Potungāue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Ma’u’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki.

09th October 2019 Far from any vacation, HM King Tupou VI visit to the United Arab Emirates in September was packed with meetings, presidential audiences, ambassadorial visits and receptions.

The establishment and opening of an Embassy in Abu Dhabi is a step to  strengthening both diplomatic and economic ties with the UAE. The UAE can play a pivotal role in helping the Kingdom of Tonga in its development through technical expertise, shared learnings and experience in areas of Infrastructure, Safety and Security, Education, Tourism, Art and Culture and more.

His Majesty King Tupou VI strategic visit to the region represents these matters of both national and personal interest that extend the ambit of foreign policy.

We look forward to watching the development of relationships especially with the advent of the World Expo 2020, where the Kingdom of Tonga will be elevated to epic heights as it prepares to take part in the ‘World’s Greatest Show’

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai
Educating the Innovators of Tomorrow
A Smart university is an emerging and rapidly evolving area that integrates state-of-the-art technologies and technical platforms to enhance learning and education. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in Dubai is pioneering this innovation in education model. HM King Tupou VI met with, University Chancellor Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, to discuss prospects for advancing knowledge transfer and scientific exchanges between Tonga and the UAE.

HM King Tupou VI has hailed the advanced academic level boasted by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, saying its innovative education model is conducive to effecting a socio-economic paradigm shift at the local, regional and international levels. Quality education is attainable in an economy where there is access to internet and technology. The university accredits its role that it has in supplying entrepreneurs, ambassadors and innovators capable of steering the helm of their country and delivering the future in translation of the directives of the UAE leadership.

During the meeting he explained the university’s success in redefining learning and leading the transformation of future universities into knowledge hubs, noting that the university follows the vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, President of the University, by “optimally investing in our youth, as they are at the helm of the knowledge era.”

DP WORLD, Dubai
ENABLING SMARTER TRADE
Helping Economies Grow and Nations Prosper

As the leading global trade enabler, DP World operates a geographically diverse network of trade enabling businesses including ports and terminals, industrial parks, logistics and economic zones, maritime services and marinas. DP World also has the experience and know-how in the dynamic connectivity of global cargo movement to provide solutions

HM King Tupou VI was given a grand tour of Jebel Ali in Dubai, the world’s largest man-made harbour and the biggest port in the Middle East.

The tour also included a meeting with Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and a presentation on DP World and its model of adopting data-driven logistics in pursuit of sustainable solutions, that is
transforming business and leading the future of global trade.

“As a leading global business, we have long been committed to sustainability and Our World, Our Future sustainability strategy helps us focus on key areas like people, safety, society and environment. But as
we look to the future we are excited to use our role as a global trade enabler to drive societal and economic benefit. We know a dramatic increase in developing country participation in trade has coincided with an equally sharp decline in extreme poverty worldwide. For us sustainability means that our business is part of the answer in addressing some of the world’s hardest challenges by driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to which everyone can contribute and where we can create a better future for everyone.” Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO for DP World

HM King Tupou VI welcomed the establishment of relations and communications with DP World as a lead to assist with addressing and discussing operational and infrastructural matters not just for border security
and control but for commercial opportunities.

NAKHEEL
Where Vision Inspires Humanity

The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is the world’s largest man-made island, that is shaped like the tree with a 2km long trunk, 17 fronds and an encapsulating crescent. The island is home to luxury residences, villas, apartments,resorts, hotels and upmarket retail stores.

Master developer Nakheel proudly welcomed HM The King Tupou VI to its Dubai headquarters for discussions on how Nakheel’s expertise in waterfront development could be applied in Tonga.

HM King Tupou VI and his delegation were greeted by Nakheel Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Manchanda, before receiving a presentation on Nakheel’s world-famous projects, including the award-winning Palm
Jumeirah and the upcoming Deira Islands.

The group learned how Nakheel’s creativity and innovation has set new standards in master planning, waterfront development and urban design, and explored how this unrivalled experience could put to use in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga
Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

09th October 2019 HM King Tupou VI met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed in Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace.

A special relationship between the Royal House of the Kingdom of Tonga and the UAE leadership creates a conducive relationship for deliberations on strengthening friendship ties between the nations.

HM King Tupou VI stated “Recognition of our long-standing
relationship with the Royal families and shared concerns around
global issues such as renewable energy is only further
strengthened with the establishment of a diplomatic mission here
in the United Arab Emirates. This reinforces our commitment to
fostering bilateralism and enables the Kingdom of Tonga to
emulate the successes and leverage opportunities for investment,
trade and relationships to create a better future for her people.”

Praise and accolades were given by HM King Tupou VI not only for development aid but most importantly for the values of tolerance and the development of a sustaining environment that nurtures a society where the happiness of its people is paramount and providing that as a beacon of light for prosperity.

Attending the meeting was Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and Saleh Ahmed Salem Al Suwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to New Zealand and Non-resident
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga and His Excellency ‘Akau’ola, Ambassador to the UAE and Commissioner General for the Kingdom of Tonga at Expo 2020

09th October, 2019 The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) under the Ministry of MEIDECC is currently conducting trainings and simulation exercises in the communities of Popua and Patangata. The training started yesterday, October 8, 2019 and it will run throughout the upcoming weeks.

These trainings are heavily focusing on Disaster Risk Reduction and will continue on with hands on exercise specifically on Tsunami Evacuation Drills. The ultimate goal of these programs is to enhance and further increase the response capabilities of the local people along the tsunami prone areas hence providing the opportunity for these two communities to evaluate and test its preparedness plans. The villages of Popua and Patangata have been chosen by the Tsunami Task Force as focused communities for this year for tsunami drill based on its vulnerabilities and high risk towards disaster.

As the Department of NEMO is approaching close to the commemoration of the World Tsunami Day on November the 5^th, the drill preparations are currently underway with consultations and meetings rollouts in the communities with the intention to achieve expected outcomes. The Tsunami Drill preparation is running in parallel with the International Disaster Day for Risk Reduction (IDDR) activities which is now happening this week.

The strengthening of Communities Preparedness for Tsunami in Tonga will contributes to the achievement of the Sendai Framework’s targets to reduce lives lost, numbers of people affected and economic damage from natural and human –induced hazards.

The Department of NEMO together with Town Officers and Village council’s members of Popua and Patangata will engage in various activities including radio and television programs this week to commemorate IDDR and in preparations for World Tsunami Day.

ENDS

For more information please contact – National Emergency Management Office at 26-340

10th October, 2019 Tonga is one of the six Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that will benefit from a UK-based Institute for Environmental Analytics (IEA) programme called Renewable Energy Analytics Platform (RE-SAT). The programme aims to use earth observations and other sources of data to support SIDS in their journey towards renewable energy.

The CEO for MEIDECC Mr Paula Ma’u, today, opened the first RE-SAT workshop for representatives from relevant government ministries at the Department of Energy Conference Room.

The training seeks to introduce participants to RE-SAT and provide them with enough information to allow basic use of the platform, discussion of features useful to users, obtaining country-specific data and exploring the best way for exchanges and communication.

“This analytical platform training is to support our statistical analysis for renewable energy journey and targets. The RE-SAT platform is being developed in Tonga, to deliver data analytic platform capable of equipping SIDS with appropriate information, products and modelling tools to support our transition from fossil fuel electricity generation to renewable electricity generation,” said Mr Ma’u.

He also thanked the UK Space Agency and the IEA for their expertise, scientific advice, technical support, capacities and effective collaboration to facilitate the setup of the analysis platform in Tonga.

Representative from the IEA Mr Alan Yates said, “This is not a training in its finish product. We have a platform and some techniques that allows to create simulating high resolution weather data customized for Tonga, customized for the local conditions and seasons. We also have an application that allows planners responsible for renewable energy to do a high level scenario analysis, create a scenario of future energy generation. Both of these things, the data development and the application are working progress. We will be developing them as we work with you, so they will change.”

The programme is funded by the UK Space Agency through the International Partnership Programme led by the IEA.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.

10 ‘Okatopa 2019 ‘Oku fakamanatua ‘i he ‘aho ni, ‘Okatopa 10 ‘a e ‘Aho Fakamāmani Lahi ki hono tokangaekina ‘o e mo’ui faka’atamaí ‘aki ‘a e kaveinga ‘Ke Ta’ofi ‘a e Taonakitá’. ‘Oku lolotonga fakahoko ai ha polokalama makehe ‘o tataki ‘e he Toketā Pule ‘o e Va’a Fakalelei ‘Atamaí Dr Mapa Puloka mo e Potungāue Mo’uí ‘i he Digicel Square ‘i Nuku’alofa ke faka’ilonga’i ‘a e ‘aho mahu’inga’i ni.

Fakatatau ki he fakamatala ‘a Dr Puloká ko e uesia ‘o e ‘atamaí ‘oku kamata ia mei he lotó.

“‘Oku fa’a to’o hala ‘e he tokolahi ‘o pehē ko ‘etau fanongo pe ki he fo’i lea ko e mental health (mo’ui faka’atamai) ‘oku ‘uhinga ia ki he puke faka’atamaí. ’I he’ene ‘uhinga fakamāmani lahí, ko e fo’i ma’u hala ia ko e puke faka’atamai, ko e ki’i peseti pe ia ‘e nima ‘o e me’a ko iá. Fakatatau ki he faka’uhinga ko ia ‘a e Kautaha Mo’ui ‘a Mamaní (WHO) ko e mo’ui lelei faka’atamaí ‘oku ‘uhinga ia ki ha tokotaha (individual) ‘oku tu’unga lelei ‘i he faka’atamaí, fakaesinó mo e fakalaumālié.”

Na’a ne lave foki ki he kaveinga ‘o e ta’u ni ‘o pehē, ‘oku mahino he ‘ikai lava ke ta’ofi ‘aupito ‘a e taonakitá ia. ‘I he ta’u ‘e nima kuo hilí na’e ‘alu ke holo ‘a e taonakitá ‘i Tonga ni. Na’a ne pehē ‘oku kau ‘a e taonakitá ‘i he fakahā’anga (indicator) ‘o ha mo’ui fakafonua. Ka na’e fakahoko ‘a e savea lahi ‘i Tonga ni ‘o ma’u mei ai ‘a e ola ko ‘ení, ko e toko ua ‘i he toko 10 (peseti ‘e 20 ‘o e fonuá) kotoa pē ‘oku puke faka’atamai.

“Ka ‘i ai ha fonua ‘oku lahi ai ‘a e taonakitá ‘oku mahino mai leva ia ko e fonua ko iá ‘oku kulukia (stress) ‘enau fakakaukaú.”

Taimi tatau na’a ne ‘omi ‘a e ngaahi fakakaukau ‘oku ne fakatupunga ‘a e taonakitá ‘a ia ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e:

• Houtamaki (bullying) ‘i he ako’anga
• Faito’o konatapau
• Masivesiva (palopalema fakapa’anga ‘o ‘ikai lava ke feau ‘a e fiema’ú)
• Ko e palopalema ‘i he ngāue’angá pe fakafāmili
• Kulukia ‘o e fakakaukau (stress)
• Loto ta’ota’omio mo e loto mafasia (depression)
• Loto puputu’u mo e loto tailiili

Na’a ne fakamamafa’i foki ‘oku ‘i ai e taimi ‘oku maa’i ‘e he ngaahi fāmili ‘a e ni’ihi ko ‘ení ‘oku puke faka’atamai ‘a ia ‘oku malava pē ke kau eni ‘i he ‘uhinga ‘oku hoko ai ‘a e taonakitá. “’Oku malava ke ta’ota’ofi ‘a e taonakitá ‘i hotau fonuá ‘aki ‘etau fengāue’aki fakataha.”

‘I he fakamā’ala’ala ‘a e ‘Ofisa Ma’olunga mei he ‘Ōfisi ‘o e ‘Ateni Senialé, ‘Akanesi Katoa ki he tu’unga ‘o e laó pea mo e taonakitá ‘i Tonga ni na’a ne pehē ko e taonakitá ‘oku hā pe ia ‘i he Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia Vahe 18 pea ‘i he Kupu 100 mo e Kupu 101.

“Ka ‘i ai ha taha ‘oku ne feinga ke tamate’i pē ‘e ia ia, ‘e ala mo’ua ia pe nofo pōpula, kapau ‘e halaia ‘i ha fakamaau’anga ‘i ha ta’u ‘e tolu.”

“’E hoko pē ko e hia ‘o kapau ko e taha ko e ‘oku ne tokoni’i ha taha kehe ke tamate’i pē ia pē fakahoko ha taonakita.’’

Ko hono uá ko e Lao ki he Fakalelei ‘Atamai 2001, ‘oku fakangofua ai ke fakahū (admit) ha taha ki he Va’a Fakalelei ‘Atamaí ‘o kapau ‘oku hā mei he’ene to’ongá ‘oku ngalingali tene tamate’i pē ‘e ia ia pe ko e taonakita.

Na’e fakahā foki ‘e ‘Akanesi ko Tonga ni pē he Pasifikí ‘oku kei hoko ‘a e taonakitá ko e hia, ka ‘oku hoko pē ‘a e lao ko ‘ení ko hono fakasi’isi’i ‘o e taonakitá ‘i Tonga ni.

Fakatatau kia ‘Akanesi ‘oku te’eki ai ke tautea ha tokotaha na’e feinga ke taonakita ‘o a’u ki he ta’u ‘e tolu ‘o hangē ko ia ko ‘ene hā ‘i he laó. Ka ko e ngāue ‘oku fai ‘e he fakamaau’angá ko hono feinga’i ke ‘ave ‘a e tokotaha ni ki ha ngaahi feitu’u ‘e lava ke toe tokoni’i ‘a ‘ene mo’uí.

‘Oku hokohoko atu ‘a e polokalamá ‘i he ‘aho ni ‘aki ha ngaahi lea mei he ni’ihi kehekehe ‘o kau ai ‘a e ni’ihi kuo nau a’usia ‘a e tu’unga ko ‘ení pea mo e ngaahi kupu fekau’aki ‘oku nau fengāue’aki vaofi mo e Va’a Fakalelei ‘Atamai ‘a e Falemahaki Vaiolá ki hono tokangaekina ‘a e palopalema ko ‘ení.

NGATA’ANGA

Tuku atu mei he Potungaue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Ma’u’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki

10th October,2019 The Prime Minister’s Office has the honour of advising members of the public, that His Majesty, King Tupou VI, upon receiving recommendations from the Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, has appointed the new Ministers of Government, with effect from 9th October, 2019.
The new members of His Majesty’s Cabinet are as follows, along with their respective portfolios:
1. Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa – Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises
2. Hon. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia – Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Justice and Prison
3. Lord Ma’afu- Minister for Lands and Natural Resource & Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces
4. Hon. Tevita Lavemaau- Minister for Finance &Minister for Revenue and Customs
5. Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei- Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change
6. Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni – Minister for Education & Training
7. Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu – Minister for Trade and Economic Development
8. Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu- Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism
9. Hon Vatau Hui – Minister for Internal Affairs
10. Lord Nuku – Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency Services
11. Lord Tu’ilakepa – Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries
12. Hon. Dr. ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu – Minister for Health

ENDS

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 24 644 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressroom@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to

11th October, 2019 New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga Tiffany Babington has today delivered thirty thousand gigabytes of data featuring never-before-seen images of the undersea world around Tonga to the Tongan Government.

The hydrographic surveys, undertaken as part of the Pacific Regional Navigation Initiative (PRNI) between Pacific governments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) were carried out by marine survey company iXblue between November 2017 and December 2018.

The surveys were primarily undertaken in order to update Tonga’s nautical charts to improve navigation safety and to assist the expansion of Tonga’s shipping and tourism industries. Data gathered will also support marine research and can be used to model the effects of sea level rise and flooding, and better understand the marine habitat.

New Zealand High Commissioner Tiffany Babington said the data would provide Tonga with “modern, accurate and up-to-date charts to improve navigation safety, and build Tonga’s marine economy.”
LINZ designed the surveys to take advantage of innovative technologies using satellites, planes, lasers and autonomous technology to measure Tonga’s clear and pristine tropical waters. The data gathered shows previously uncharted rocks and reefs along with a number of interesting geological features including a small underwater volcano.

LINZ is now beginning work to update Tonga’s existing nautical charts and produce six new charts covering the Ha’apai Group, Nuku’alofa, ‘Eua, Tofua and Kao.

These are expected to be available from March 2020.

New Zealand, through LINZ, is responsible under international conventions for the production and maintenance of nautical charts for the Kingdom of Tonga, Niue, Tokelau, Cook Islands and Samoa.

Since the PRNI began in 2015 hydrographic surveys have already been completed in Niue and Tonga and will be underway in Samoa in late 2019.

ENDS

For media enquiries in Tonga please email NZHCTonga@mfat.govt.nz
For media enquiries in New Zealand please email media@LINZ.govt.nz or phone 027 566 5251

12th October, 2019 Tonga joins the global community in celebrating the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), which is marked annually on October 13. MEIDECC’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) marked the day with a special event at Vuna Road this morning.

This year’s theme is based on Target 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030: ‘Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030’.

Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei said, “The overall objective of this event is to build knowledge and awareness regarding disaster risks associated with various communities and how we can access to information and services that can save lives and property in times of disasters.”

“This event is timely for the cyclone season begins next month in November and we wish to gear up preparation and to promote a nationwide effort and culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.”

Hon Tei emphasized the need for the public to observe IDDR in order to build a more disaster-resilient Tonga.

CEO for MEIDECC Mr Paula Ma’u said, “The Pacific Island Countries are among the most physically vulnerable nations in the world. They are highly exposed to adverse effects from climate change and natural hazards, which can affect economies, human and physical capital and impact their long-term development agendas.”

“We currently have a World Bank funded project called Pacific Resilience Program or PREP to address these issues.”

Ma’u hoped that the occasion will also mark a close collaboration between MEIDECC and stakeholders to build a resilient Tonga to withstand the “devastation of natural disasters and the adverse impact of climate change”.

Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii also presented prizes to the winners of the IDDR competitions which included Disaster Preparedness Promotion Video, Logo Drawing Competition and Resilience Community Poster Competition.

Services providers and emergency responder agencies including Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Tonga Red Cross, NEMO and the Ministry of Internal Affairs also showcased their equipment and services at the event.

A prayer service dedicated to IDDR will be held tomorrow at the Tonga Constitution Church at Pahu tomorrow morning.

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Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.

14^th October 2019 On 9^th October 2019, government officials from the Department of Climate Change presented on “climate change,” as requested by the Tonga Youth Leaders (TYL), for the Girls Takeover Parliament participants.

Principal National Communication Officer, Ms. Lilu Moala, led the presentation with the presentation contents covering the following topics:

• General information on climate change such as definitions, causes and evidences of climate change
• Impacts of climate change on various sectors in Tonga
• Climate actions such as Mitigation and Adaptation
• Brief background information on the MEIDECC and Department of Climate Change’s mandates and responsibilities
• What climate actions that youths can do.

The presentation was intended to enhance the knowledge of the young participants on climate change, to foster more meaningful engagement of youth in Tonga’s climate change works. Additionally, the presentation was also meant to provide information for the participants, to support them in their upcoming debate on the need for a youth representative in each constituency to liaise with MEIDECC, on climate change issues and priorities.

At the end of the presentation, the Director for Climate Change, Ms. Lu’isa Tu’i’afitu Malolo together with Ms. Moala and fellow presenters Miss. Akesiu Leua and Miss. ‘Alilia Fine, answered various questions from the participants. It is envisaged that the Department of Climate Change will begin to partner and closely with the Tonga Youth Leaders and its youth members, to ensure that youth’s views and voices are taken into consideration in the department’s works. The Department of Climate Change wishes the participants well in the Girls Takeover Parliament on Friday 11^th and Saturday 12^th October 2019.

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Issued by the Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)

14^th October 2019 The Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prison, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia launched Tonga’s Tax Week 2019 under the theme ‘Smart Borders for a Prosperous Tonga’ this morning at the Digicel Square. A World Bank Report ‘Using Taxation to Address Non – Communicable Diseases Lessons from Tonga’ was also launched at the event.

Hon. Fa’otusia in his keynote address said Tonga is among the Pacific Island Countries that “probably has the most obese people in the world” and hopefully the newly launched report will assist Tonga.

“The Ministry of Custom and Revenue has been very instrumental in the fight against NCD using tariffs to raise cost of unhealthy food product and tobacco while simultaneously lowering the cost of healthy alternatives.’’

Minister for Revenue & Customs Hon. Tevita Lavemaau said this year’s theme is aligned with the ministry’s Strategic Development Framework of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015 which emphasized a progressive Tonga for all.

“Tax is the most important revenue of the Government that is used to run all the important services of the Government, whereas border control is everyone’s business. The Ministry of Custom and Revenue, the Ministry of Police, Ministry of Health, churches, businesses and the people of Tonga have a role to play in the war of drugs.”

He also said that the ministry and law enforcement have been working to enhance inspection trainings and have an effective border management.

The weeklong event include various activities and poem competitions. It is also open for the public to ask any questions on tax collection and border control.

World Bank Report

The report is the first study of its kind to assess the impacts of taxations policy on tobacco, alcohol, food and beverage together in a comprehensive way, and it has generated a number of interesting findings and recommendations.

Following the government’s decision to use fiscal policy including taxes and subsidies as a mean to address Tonga’s NCD crisis in 2016 and upon the request of the government, the World Bank mobilized resources to provide technical assistance to research the impact of using taxation to address NCDs.

Liaison Officer on Behalf of the World Bank Group Office in Tonga Mrs. Natalia Latu said, “In the case of Tonga, and as per Tonga Strategic Development Framework aim of ‘a more progressive Tonga for all’, this underpins our investment in country.”

Senior Human Development Specialist from World Bank Dr. Sutayut Osornprasop, thanked the Government of Tonga for a great collaboration over the past two years to study the impacts of the innovative taxation policy.

He also presented the finding highlights from the reports:

• Over 76% of smokers have reduced the amount they smoke since the introduction of the excise taxes
• Demand for imported cigarettes has dropped by 68% since 2016
• Big tobacco tax raise is powerful enough to change the market share of the most popular cigarette brands
• More smokers from less well-off households reduced consumption of cigarettes, compared with the wealthier households
• People are consuming less alcohol and drinking less frequently, particularly in social drinkers
• People are changing what they eat in response to the increased taxes with decreases in the quantity of imported unhealthy foods like mutton flaps, turkey tails and ice cream
• Price is the reason for consumers to change their behaviors. This is consistent for all products – tobacco, alcohol and food.
• This does not mean that health education or other interventions are not important but it means that tax and pricing is one of the most powerful tools to change behaviors.

According to Dr. Osornprasop there are also rooms for improvement and recommendations. One of the recommendations is that the increased revenues from tax, particularly from food, provide the government more fiscal space that could allow it to expand multisectoral interventions to promote health of Tongan and healthy food more accessible.

“Co-organized with the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Health and partners, there will be a High-Level Policymakers Workshop in October 22 at Tanoa where we will go through the report recommendations in more details and to brainstorm among the high-level policymakers the way forward to apply findings and recommendations from the report into policy and implementation of multisectoral actions to promote healthy Tonga.”

ENDS

Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

15^th October, 2019 The Director for the National Emergency Management Office Mr. Mafua-‘i-Vai’utukakau Maka opened the Emergency Management Roadmap Meeting taking place in FWC hall, Fanga ‘o Pilolevu from 15^th to the 16^th of October 2019.

The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) under the Ministry of MEIDECCC in collaboration with Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) project under the Secretariat of the Pacific community (SPC) is conducting a two day meeting with line ministries and key stakeholders to develop Tonga’s Emergency Management Roadmap.

The purpose of the meeting is to develop the Tonga Emergency Management Roadmap (EMR) which aims to enable in-country emergency management agencies to collectively identify their common needs, challenges and goals and to jointly map an integrated approach to address trust, leadership and teamwork issues over an agreed timeframe.  The roadmap will articulate emergency management priorities to improve how communities in Tonga are served by professional agencies, to be better prepared for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.

This two day workshop will allow those present the opportunity to contribute to the Emergency Management Roadmap (EMR) and ensure priorities of their agencies and Clusters are considered and included in the EMR Action Plan.

Mr Glenn Benham, Assistant Chief Fire Officer from South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service is also attending this meeting as twinning partner of Tonga Fire and Emergency Services and a representative of the Pacific Islands Liaison Officer Network from Australia.

The facilitators of this two day meeting are Consultants from the SPC PIEMA Project Ms Gina Jones and Ms Laisa Radio and Mr Luke Millar from the Whitelum Group/Arup.

ENDS

For more information, please contact NEMO at 26 340.

16th October, 2019 TONGAN It is with utmost respect, on behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI, the Government and the People of Tonga, to convey herein our heartiest congratulations, deep love and appreciation, to the Coach, Captain and respective Members of the ‘Ikale Tahi Team for their overwhelming diligent and divinely empowered triumph at their recent Rugby World Cup Game versus the United States. It is indeed a personification of national pride and solidarity, and inspiration for the generation of today and tomorrow.

Respectfully,

Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa
Prime Minister

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 24 644 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressroom@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to

16th October 2019  Tsunami Competency Training is underway at Tonga’s Tsunami Warning Centre at Fua’amotu, Tongatapu, from the 14^th to 24^th October 2019.

During the opening of the training event, the Director of the Tonga Meteorological Service had this to say;

“The tsunami risk for Tonga is considered extreme due to its closeness to the tectonic plate boundary (Trench Trench). Earthquakes occurring on the Tonga Trench can cause destructive tsunamis which can affect the Tonga islands within a matter of minutes. The capital Nuku’alofa is one of the capital cities in the world that is most vulnerable to tsunami. A tsunami is a long wave created mostly by earthquakes and has the potential to cause mass loss of life. This is why responding to the tsunami is one of the priority functions of the Tonga Met Service. Unfortunately, local tsunami generated from the Tonga Trench will arrive in a matter of 10-20min. At such time scales, the warning centre will struggle to get out a warning in time. That is why it is important that when people feel unusually severe ground shaking from an earthquake, they should self-evacuate inland or to the 3^rd story of a concrete or steel structure.”

Since October 2014, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawai’i have ceased producing warnings for countries in the Pacific Rim although they continue to provide advise. When Tonga was Chair of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories Regional Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Working Group from 2015-19, a set of competencies have now been developed and approved at the 28^th Pacific Tsunami Warning System Meeting in Nicaragua in March 2019 as a guide for 24/7 watchkeeper (shift staff).

The training being conducted in Tonga in the next 2 weeks is the first training of its kind in the Pacific Rim. Our staff are Meteorologists by trade and are trained mostly to respond to atmospheric events. However, by law and due to our 24/7 capability we are required to respond and issue warnings to tsunami events and we have to constantly train and assess the competency of the shift staff to respond to tsunami events.

The 2-week training is being conducted by Dr Laura Kong Director of the International Tsunami Information Center (NOAA), Dr Dailin Wang, Senior Oceanographer of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and Dr Masahiro Yamamoto (retired operation Tsunami Expert from the Japan Meteorological Agency). The training is funded by the Pacific Resilience Project-Tonga Component.

The participants include 10 staff from Tonga Meteorological Services, 1 staff from the Solomon Island Meteorological Services and 1 staff from the Geological Office.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Meteorology Division on 35355 or metstaff@met.gov.to. More information is also available at www.met.gov.to

16th October, 2019 The development of Tonga’s law and justice sector-wide plan has kick-started with the establishing of close partnerships between Tonga’s law and justice institutions and organizations. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Justice and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The law and justice sector plan aims to enhance institutional capacity and reinforce synergy, efficiency, responsiveness and accessibility of justice institutions as a ‘sector’. This sector-wide approach is expected to enable the institutions and organizations to deliver more coordinated and harmonized justice services to citizens of Tonga.

The development of the plan, which has been undertaken over a span of five months, includes the review and mapping of existing legal framework and policies, stakeholders and corporate plans; and consultations with the stakeholders to gather their inputs and feedback.

The Honourable Minister for Justice and Prisons Mr. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia said, “The Ministry is fully committed to lead the collective effort to take Tonga’s justice delivery to a higher standard. Through this sector plan, our aim is to enable the people of Tonga to enjoy their basic right to access to justice through effective and efficient justice service delivery.”

“The initiative aligns with the key regional and national development agenda, which will bring Tonga’s justice sector development to the attention of regional and international development partners”, he added.

A consultation was held on Friday 11 October, engaging both government institutions and civil society organizations to identify the needs of the justice stakeholders for better coordination.

Consultations will continue to take place in different forms, and a validation workshop will take place at the end of the month to bring stakeholders together to validate the draft sector plan.

The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze said, “UNDP assists national authorities and civil society to achieve delivering on comprehensive, sector-wide reforms that are inclusive and prioritize national ownership for long-term sustainability. I believe Tongan government, civil society and individual citizens will benefit from the initiative for their improved justice services.”

The development of law and justice sector plan also aims to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals particularly Goal 16 which is a commitment to promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

For media queries, please contact:

• Ministry of Justice, Tonga: Adi Talanaivini Mafi, Deputy Secretary|Email: amafi@justice.gov.to | Phone: +676 7400812
• UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji: Tomoko Kashiwazaki, Advocacy and Outreach | Email: kashiwazaki@undp.org | Phone: +679 942 2193

17^th October 2019 The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development wishes to advise that the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA) has approved the new petroleum prices for October – November 2019 to be effective from Wednesday, 16^th October 2019.

Crude oil prices briefly spiked by US 12/bbl following the 14^th September drone attacks in Saudi Arabia. However, prices quickly fell and within a couple of days levelled to a USD 4/bbl increase. This was largely attributed to Saudi Arabia announcing a quick restart of half the facility and a return to pre-attack production levels by end September. Overall, the monthly average crude oil price increased to USD 62.29/bbl for crude oil (Dated Brent up by 2.79/bbl).

While the monthly average crude prices rose, product prices, particularly petrol, rose ahead of crude. Refining margins were boosted by Saudi Arabia reducing the throughput of its refineries following the attack in order to free up crude for export. Petrol margins increased more although this is from a low base earlier in the year when they were very poor. Comparing the September 2019 month’s average prices with August:

• Crude oil (Brent) was up by USD 2.79/bbl (4.7%);
• Petrol was up by USD 4.65/bbl (6.6%);
• Jet was up by USD 3.15/bbl (4.2%); and
• Diesel was up by USD 2.68/bbl (3.6%).

The freight rate has increased while the Tongan Pa’anga has been steady and as a result, higher Singapore product prices flowed through increasing pump prices in Tonga this month.

Overall, there is a large increase in product prices this month. Wholesale petrol, kerosene and diesel will increase by 8.92 seniti/litre, 6.37 seniti/litre, and 5.56 seniti/litre respectively. The retail price in Tongatapu for Petroleum increase by 8.92 seniti/litre, Kerosene by 6.48 seniti/litre and Diesel by 5.56 seniti/litre All price changes include consumption tax.

For full details on prices including outer islands, please contact the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Price Control Unit to Ms Ilaisaane Mila on (676) 7400105 ext 131, email ilaisaanem@mted.gov.to or visit our facebook page: Consumer Affairs Tonga.

ENDs

17^th October 2019 The Acting Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Sione Vuna Fa’otusia reiterated the call from the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to “make healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone” during the commemoration of World Food Day (WFD). 

WFD was celebrated yesterday October 16^th, at Queen Salote Memorial Hall under the theme ‘Our Actions Are Our Future, Healthy Diets for a #ZEROHUNGER World’.

Hon Fa’otusia said that WFD reminds Tongans that farmers, fishers, men, women, youths and private sectors are the “vital players in the drive to achieve the goal of food security and nutrition for everyone in the Kingdom”.

“It also reminds us that our present actions will determine our future. This means the economic and social development of our country can practically be achieved by a country with healthy people. Everyone has a role to play in achieving Healthy Tonga.”

He said that the WFD theme also supports Tonga’s national priority to fight against the rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Food plays a vital role in Tongan culture. Food is a major part of our life. For many, food and eating is life. That is why Tonga has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world. As a result, Tonga has seen a significant increase in the number of premature deaths from NCDs.”

Delivering the World Food Day 2019 Message from the FAO Director-General, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Lord Tu’ilakepa said eradicating hunger is FAO’s top priority but there is also a need to address malnutrition.

“The latest data shows that malnutrition is increasing across all regions and income groups. World Food Day 2019 calls for action to make healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone.  Governments need to adopt policies, food standards and regulations that prioritize the availability and affordability of safe and nutritious foods.”

He stressed individuals also need to think about their food choices and eating patterns through awareness and learning.

“Let us commit to a better nutrition for a happier, healthier and better life for a better world.”

World Food Day is commemorated by all member countries of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the 16^th of October every year to commemorate the founding of FAO in 1945. This year is the 39^th observance of World Food Day (WFD) since 1980.

ENDS

Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communications

17th October, 2019 The Asia Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC) is partnering with CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) Tonga to deliver a one-day workshop for local system administrators on email server installation and hardening at Tanoa Hotel conference room. The training was opened by the CEO for Ministry of MEIDECC Mr Paula Ma’u this morning.

Mr Ma’u said, that email is the number one communication for any organization and every now and then users often receive spam and malicious emails.

“Some of us are lucky and we can detect these hoax, fictitious emails and report it to the ICT people to take a look and some to CERT Tonga.”

“There have been cases of losses in business through what is commonly known as Business Email Compromise which amounted to US$100,000, and that is just on the cases that are reported.”

He said that the training is in line with vision of the Ministry of MEIDECC for a ‘Resilient Tonga’ and it further supports CERT Tonga’s vision to provide a safe and secure digital environment for Tonga.

APNIC Senior Internet Security Specialist Mr Adli Wahid said that the establishment of CERT Tonga has allowed APNIC to develop capabilities in Tonga within the security response area.

“There is a lot of need in making sure that everything is protected and that is a bigger plan to ensure security overall.”

Mr Wahid also highlighted three key points:

• Security is a state and the best auditor you can have in security is yourself. Being able to think of the bigger picture in terms of improvements will help establish milestones and activities that will improve overall security
• Ensure that everybody is on the same page. Security is a broad area and there are aspects of security that need to be improved such as having basic best practices and adhering to guidelines. Stakeholders across the sector should be aware of what is important when it comes to security
• Security is not different from what ICT personnel do on a day to day basis.

The workshop is aimed to assist local system administrators from government ministries and private sector in the fight for a more secure digital environment for Tonga by keeping email infrastructures and network secure.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.

17th October 2019 His Majesty King Tupou VI officially commissioned His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) Navy Headquarters Building and the patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Koula, yesterday, October 16 at HMNB Masefield, Touliki.

Rear Admiral Colin Lawrence, Head of Navy Engineering, Australian Defence Force said the arrival of Voea Ngahau Koula “marks the first step in the new era for Tonga’s maritime security”.

He said that the new patrol boat is the only the third of the 21 vessels gifted by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program for 12 Pacific Island Countries including Timor Leste.

“Tonga has a long and proud history as a maritime power. The name Ngahau Koula reflects this history. It is the name of the Tongan Maritime Forces first ship which sail way back 1973. With the arrival of this new vessel known as the Guardian Class Patrol Boat, Australia and Tonga will build on this history.”

He said that the Ngahau Koula is expected to have a service life of 25 years. It has better range, endurance, sea keeping and crew facilities which will help “ensure that Tonga can continue to patrol and secure its maritime borders”.

The Government of Australia also funded the materials for the construction of the new headquarters building.

Lord Ma’afu, Minister Responsible for HMAF thanked the Government of Australia for their assistance.

“These new assets will certainly reinforce the navy’s capability, organisation and resourcing, as well as complimenting the government’s blue-economy initiatives and international maritime and ocean affairs commitments.”

The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Church Leaders, Government officials and other invited guests.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.