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Navigating the Vote of No Confidence in Tonga: Balancing Democracy and Stability

In parliamentary democracies, the Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) stands as a crucial tool for ensuring government accountability and responsiveness. This mechanism allows the legislative branch to express its lack of faith in the Prime Minister or ruling government, potentially triggering a reconstitution of the executive branch. The Kingdom of Tonga, which transitioned to a […]

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43rd Annual Heilala Festival 2023 Returns: “Tonga My Kingdom”

TONGAN

Vuna Wharf, Tonga – The Ministry of Tourism, in close collaboration with the Heilala Committee, is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of the 43rd Annual Heilala Festival, set to take place from Monday, June 26th to Friday, July 7th at the picturesque Heilala Village, Vuna Wharf. With the theme “Tonga My Kingdom,” this

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Understanding Risks and Liabilities of Deep-Sea Mining: Tonga’s Crucial Decision

ENVIRONMENT

US lawyer Lori Osmundsen has emphasized the need for Tonga to fully understand the risks and liabilities associated with deep sea mining (DSM) before making any decisions. Osmundsen, who authored a report commissioned by the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, highlights the importance of Tonga’s awareness of its national and international legal obligations. The report,

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Unprecedented Debate in Tonga Parliament over 2023-2024 Budget and Foreign Aid Reliance.

POLITICS

On June 20th, 2023, the Tonga Parliament witnessed a fiery discussion following the presentation of the 2023-2024 budget by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, earlier on June 14th. The budget, titled “Partnership for greater resilience and sustainability to restore inclusive growth,” was not received unanimously and sparked sharp exchanges among the parliament members,

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Halaia ‘Ofisa Mo’ui ki he kakaa’i laiseni falekoloa mo e sivi mo’uilelei ki he Siaina.

TONGAN

Na’e tali Halaia ha ‘Ofisa Mo’ui ko Penisimani Nonu ‘i he Potungaue Mo’ui ki hono foaki ha laiseni fakamo’oni loi ki ha matapule Siaina fakalele falekoloa, ‘i he ‘aho 1 Ma’asi 2023. Ko e ongo tikite ‘e ua na’e faka’ilo ‘aki Faka’iloa ko e fakamo’oni loi pea mo e ‘ilo pau ko e tohi fakamo’oni

Halaia ‘Ofisa Mo’ui ki he kakaa’i laiseni falekoloa mo e sivi mo’uilelei ki he Siaina. Read More »

Public Health Inspector Convicted for Forgery.

POLICE & COURTS

A recent incident has cast a shadow of misconduct over the Ministry of Health as a Public Health Inspector Grade II has been charged with forgery and convicted of Forgery. The accused, an unnamed individual, held the responsibility of conducting person and food inspections at various retail and wholesale shops. The case came to light

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Navigating the Tongatapu 10 By-Election

OPINION

In the political landscape of Tongatapu 10, an intriguing dynamic is unfolding as the constituency prepares for a pivotal by-election on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The election seeks to fill the vacant seat left by the late Hon Dr. Pohiva Tu’ionetoa, the former Prime Minister, and the candidacy roster is as diverse as it is

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Toutai Kefu Inducted into Queensland Reds Rugby Hall of Fame

SPORTS

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have inducted three legends of the game into the QRU Hall of Fame. The three includes current Ikale Tahi Head Coach Toutai Kefu. QRU Chair Brett Clark said “Toutai set a new standard for number eights and two decades after his retirement and remains the most capped Wallaby in that

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IKALE TAHI 35 MAN WORLD CUP SQUAD ANNOUNCED

RUGBY UNION

Piutau, Folau, and Fekitoa headline a list of stars lining up for Tonga in their upcoming test series against Fiji, Japan, and Samoa. Head Coach Toutai Kefu has selected 35 players for his squad for the test series before they head off to camp in Europe on the 23rd of August in preparation for the

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Tongan Consulate Declines Honorary Gesture Proposed by New Zealand MPs of Tongan Heritage for the Late Princess Siu’ilikutapu

POLITICS

The Independent has reliably learned that members of the New Zealand Parliament of Tongan heritage approached the Tongan Consulate with a proposal. The proposal intended to request the New Zealand Government to provide military honour guards and an aircraft to transport the cortege of the late Her Serene Highness Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. However, the Tongan

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