The Tonga News Newsletter Archive
"Tonga
News"
is a weekly newsletter sent via email to 100s of people in Tonga and
overseas. It's designed to keep everybody up-to-date with current news
articles, promote local businesses and promote Tonga as a tourist
destination. If you are interested in subscribing to the newsletter, please
send an email to tonganews@gmail.com.
Go to an
issue: (all articles are trimmed for brevity)
19th September, 2005
12th September, 2005
9th September, 2005
29th August, 2005
22nd August, 2005
15th August, 2005
9th August, 2005
web site development &
photography
This Week In Tonga - tonganews@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER - 19th September 2005
Welcome to
issue #7 of the Tonga Newsletter!
Keeping you in touch with news & information about Tonga!
Check out the new links this week.
For unsubscribe information, please scroll to the bottom.
If you like this newsletter, please send it to friends & family!
2. NEWS
IN TONGA
NEWS
ITEMS FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES
New
direct flights from Tonga to Australia and New Zealand
Sep 15, 2005
http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=42212&nav=2
Virgin Blue's international airline Pacific Blue will launch direct flights
to Tonga from both Australia and New Zealand from 31 October 2005
TONGA:
Strike ends, but fight for democracy continues
September 19, 2005
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/643/643p20.htm
The historic public servants' strike in the south Pacific country of Tonga
ended on September 3 after the government agreed to the strikers' demands for
60-80% rises in pay
Tongan tank
set for half-century with BOP
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3411687a10295,00.html
15 September 2005
Four years ago, Aleki Lutui arrived in New Zealand from Tonga, packing
scarcely more than a broad grin and a contact for a rugby club in Opotiki.
The way the 27-year-old runs with the ball has made him a cult figure in the
union.
Swazi
king paraded as an example for Tonga
12 September 2005
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3407045a6479,00.html
Tonga's king could give up many of his powers the way Swaziland's king has
just done, with Commonwealth help, Commonwealth secretary-general Don
McKinnon suggests. Mr McKinnon said in Wellington that he had discussed the
Swaziland development with Tonga's princess regent, who could see there were
issues to be dealt with amid pro-democracy unrest there.
4. VISIT
TONGA - now's the time to plan your next trip to Tonga!
Now that
Pacific Blue will begin direct flights to Tonga from both Australia and New
Zealand next month - http://au.travel.yahoo.com/050914/3/kvo.html
- it's a great time to grab excellent fares from all the airlines. Virgin
Blue's international airline will initially offer two direct flights a week
from Sydney to Tonga, as well as three direct flights between Auckland and
Tonga.
Great
places to stay in Tonga include:
The
Black Pearl Suites (Nuku'alofa)
http://www.blackpearlsuites.to
Pacific
Royale Hotel (Nuku'alofa)
http://www.pacificroyalehotel.to/
The
Paradise International Hotel (Vava'u)
http://www.tongahost.com/
web site development &
photography
This Week In Tonga - tonganews@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER - 12 September, 2005
Welcome
to issue #6 of "This Week In Tonga"
With 100s of members, we're growing all the time!
For unsubscribe information, please scroll to the bottom.
If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend!
1.
INTRODUCTION
"This
Week In Tonga" is a weekly e-zine (electronic newsletter) that keeps its
subscribers updated as to what's happening in Tonga.
This
newsletter has no association with any organization - it is produced solely
to provide a central location for information on news and services to people
interested in Tonga. Your suggestions are ALWAYS welcome - hoping to hear
from you soon
LOCAL
NEWS STORIES
Tongans
face drug charge, deportation
Saturday, September 10, 2005
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=28144
THREE Tongan nationals, believed to be part of a drug-trafficking ring
between Fiji and Tonga, were arrested Friday afternoon for being in
possession of illicit drugs believed to be marijuana.
Women
press their case for equality
Monday, September 12, 2005
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=28259
WOMEN in Tonga are under-represented in parliament and the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association can help ensure that democracy is rife in the
island kingdom's Westminster system of governance, says Opposition Leader
Leopolo Tamisila.
UNDP
report is a joke
Monday, September 12, 2005
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=28253
THE United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report, which
ranked Fiji 92nd on the Human Development Index, is a joke, says the chief
executive in the Prime Minister's Office Jioji Kotobalavu.
He said the report was a joke because it rated Fiji lower than Tonga and
Samoa.
NEWS
ITEMS FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES
Swazi
king paraded as an example for Tonga
12 September 2005
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3407045a6479,00.html
Tonga's king could give up many of his powers the way Swaziland's king has
just done, with Commonwealth help, Commonwealth secretary-general Don
McKinnon suggests. Mr McKinnon said in Wellington that he had discussed the
Swaziland development with Tonga's princess regent, who could see there were
issues to be dealt with amid pro-democracy unrest there.
10.
TONGAN GANGS IN THE NEWS AND TONGAN YOUTH
There
are an increasing number of stories in the media about young Polynesians in
gangs, and I hope that in featuring some of these articles the issue is
brought into wider exposure and action can be taken to respond to this trend.
I agree
that young Tongans in Tonga are very well-behaved when compared with youth in
other parts of the world, but recently the amount of gang graffiti blatantly
obvious around Nuku'alofa and Tongatapu has grown significantly. It is ugly
vandalism.
We need
to create a healthy environment for our youth: enable training in technical
trades, servics, hospitality and information technology. We should harness
the great potential in our youth and work alongside them to produce
outstanding young men and women with a hopeful future.
Faith-based
effort eyes Tongan gangs
Religious leaders, police team up
By Julia Scott, STAFF WRITER
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/faith/ci_3010679
When former police officer Eleni Aho left the Kingdom of Tonga to move to San
Mateo in 2001, she was shocked to discover that local Tongan youth gangs had
moved in years before. They fought violently, drank, mugged people and
vandalized buildings.
"There are no gangs in Tonga," said Aho. "Tongan young people
are very well-behaved."
"A
majority of the Crips and Bloods in Los Angeles are African American with the
exceptions of a Samoan Crip gangs active in Long Beach, a Samoan Blood gang
active in Carson, an Inglewood Crip gang with mostly members of Tongan
descent, and a mixed Samoan/black gang active in Compton. With the exception
of these four gangs, Crips and Blood gangs are predominately African
American."
http://www.nagia.org/Crips_and_Bloods.htm
"The
violence at Suede was the eruption of tensions that had been building for
years between the gangs. But it was also maddeningly ordinary: Islanders
shooting other Islanders has become routine in Salt Lake City gang life,
which, contrary to popular belief, is now worse than ever."
"The Salt Lake City area, despite its clean-cut reputation, has all the
ingredients to create gang culture, according to the National Youth Gang
Center: ineffective families and schools; kids with too much free time;
limited career opportunities; and segregated, often ghettoized,
neighborhoods."
http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2005/feat_2005-09-08.cfm
Tonga a
learning experience for police
By Stephen Baxter
In an effort to better serve the Peninsula?s Tongan community, two local
police officials returned last week from a trip to the South Pacific island
of Tonga to learn about its culture.
The Peninsula delegation was also able to lend a hand to the Tongans,
identifying graffiti from the Crips street gang covered by rival gang tags.
Officials there were unaware they were in gang territory, Phillips said.
http://www.sanbrunobart.com/Community/News/050328.shtml
web site development &
photography
This Week In Tonga - tonganews@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER - 9 September, 2005
Welcome
to issue #5 of "This Week In Tonga"
With 100s of members already, we're growing all the time!
For unsubscribe information, please scroll to the bottom.
If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend!
1.
INTRODUCTION
"This
Week In Tonga" is a weekly e-zine (electronic newsletter) that keeps its
subscribers updated as to what's happening in Tonga.
This
newsletter has no association with any organization - it is produced by an
individual purely to provide a central location for information on news and
services to people interested in Tonga. Your suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.
Thank you to all those who contribute!
2. NEWS
IN TONGA
NEWS
ITEMS FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES
The news
story about the democratic march on Tuesday carried around the world, and
featured in hundreds of major newspapers in the United States and elsewhere.
Today a news search on Yahoo or MSN will bring up hundreds of articles on
Tonga (many of them the same!)
Thousands
in Tonga Seek Democratic Reform
New York Newsday, NY
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/breaking_news/12576205.htm
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- More than 10,000 Tongans marched through their capital
city Tuesday demanding increased democracy in this South Pacific nation ruled
by an increasingly autocratic King
Tongans
march for reforms
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/09/07/wtonga07.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/09/07/ixworld.html
(you may need to copy and paste the whole URL)
The South Pacific's last surviving monarchy, Tonga, came under mounting
pressure to concede political reform yesterday after thousands of
demonstrators staged
Warnings
about Tonga's economy following strike deal
Radio Australia, Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1454659.htm
In Tonga, concerns have been raised about the economic impact of a settlement
reached between striking public servants and the government.
Thousands
march in Tonga
Xinhua, China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-09/06/content_3452307.htm
Thousands of people marched in the South Pacific country Tonga on Tuesday to
demand reforms in the absolute monarchy.
Major
rally calls for democracy reforms in Tonga
Radio Australia, Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1454537.htm
Thousands of Tongans rallied in the capital Nuku'alofa Tuesday to demand
democratic reforms in the South Pacific kingdom
Tongan
public servants strike ends
Radio Australia, Australia - Sep 5, 2005
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1453595.htm
Thousands of Tonga's public servants are expected to be back at work by
Tuesday, after more than 40 days of industrial action.
web site development &
photography
This Week In Tonga - tonganews@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER - August 29th, 2005
Welcome
to our fourth issue of "This Week In Tonga"
Now with 100s of members, we're growing all the time!
For unsubscribe information, please scroll to the bottom.
If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend!
2. NEWS
IN TONGA
NEWS
ITEMS FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES
Tongan
minister condemns strikers
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/607378
The Tongan justice minister Siaosi 'Aho says striking civil servants are
holding the people of Tonga hostage with "unreasonable demands".
Meanwhile the ministers enjoy their rich perks and big salaries
March To
Support Tongan Workers This Saturday
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0508/S00337.htm
A march in support of striking workers and their demands for a fair pay
increase and democracy will be held this Saturday (Sept 3rd) at noon.
Marchers will gather at the bottom of Queen Street
Tears
for Tongan strike
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10342903
By Derek Cheng. The desperation of Tonga's striking civil service workers was
brought home to a crowded church service in Otahuhu last night.
Tonga
strike at an impasse
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1447923.htm
In Tonga, the civil servants strike appears to have reached an impasse, with
a team of New Zealand negotiators flying home
A new
attempt to end Tonga's strike fails
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1447771.htm
A New Zealand delegation is returning from Tonga after failing in a bid to
negotiate an end to a five-week strike by civil servants
Democracy
threatens monarchy
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=54402
Dr Okusi Mahina fears the unrest there could spiral into violence. Tonga's
civil servants have been on strike for the past five weeks demanding the
lowest pay levels be brought above the poverty line.
Home
truths for Tonga
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3392142a1861,00.html
Cars torched, civil servants on strike - is this the end for Tonga's
monarchy? Let's pray for the beginning of peaceful democracy.
NZ
delegation fails to end Tonga strife
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10342796
NZ Delegation led by a retired judge has failed to negotiate an end to a
five-week strike by civil servants which is destabilising the Pacific Island
state of Tonga
web site development &
photography
This Week In Tonga - tonganews@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER - August 22nd, 2005
2. NEWS
IN TONGA
NEWS ITEMS
FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES
King
parties while people go hungry
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=78590
Protestors are annoyed the Tongan king is throwing parties in New Zealand,
when people in Tonga are said to be going hungry.
Tongan
protester threatens to blow himself up
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3384692a10,00.html
Property was damaged and punches were thrown at the King of Tonga's Auckland
residence yesterday where a protester threatened to blow himself up with a
device that looked like a bomb.
Protest
turns ugly at royal residence
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10341880
Property was damaged and punches were thrown at the King of Tonga's Auckland
residence in Epsom yesterday.
Ultimatum
for Tongan king
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=54204
Protesters gathered outside King of Tonga's residence in Auckland threaten to
up the ante if demands not met
Goff
offers help to Tonga
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411368/605628
Foreign Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand would be willing to help the
Tongan Government to resolve the strike by civil servants, if it was asked
Mediator
will help solve Tonga's strike
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=54210&c=w
NZ mediator will step in, as strike by Tongan civil servants for more pay
enters second month
New Zealand
offers Tonga help to resolve strike
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1442722.htm
New Zealand has offered to help the Tongan government resolve a pay dispute
involving the kingdom's civil servants
Scores
arrested over Tongan strike
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/605408
Around 200 protesting students on the South Pacific island of Tonga have been
arrested an | 
