The Prime Minister’s Office hereby invites applicants for the following position at the Prime Minister’s Office:

All applications are to be received no later than 4:00pm, 22nd December, 2018 and address to:

Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet

Prime Minister’s Office

Taufa’ahau Road

Nuku’alofa

Tonga.

The mandatory requirements to be submitted in all applications are the following documents:

1. Covering Letter
2. Updated CV
3. Certificated Academic transcripts
4. Reliable references

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Public Servants who wish to apply must submit their applications with the endorsement of their respective Chief Executive Officers.

For enquiries or to obtain a copy of the job description, please contact Stephanie Kara by emailing stephaniekara920@gmail.com or telephone +24-644.

11th March, 2019 The seventh meeting of the UNESCO/IOC PTWS Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation in the Southwest Pacific got under way in Noumea, New Caledonia today (08 March 2019). 

The one-day meeting was opened by the IRD Research scientist (oceanography) and Tsunami Warning Focal Point for New Caledonia Jerome Aucan.

The Regional Working Group for the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) has been established under the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The PTWS has been functioning since the 1960s. The main purpose of the Working Group, which is comprised of member countries of the Pacific Community (SPC), is to improve tsunami warning and mitigation services and information sharing for this part of the world. One of its main objectives is to continually review and evaluate tsunami detection, warning and response capabilities of PICs and make recommendations for improvements to ensure a robust and reliable end-to-end tsunami warning and mitigation system.

Some of the key issues to be discussed in the one-day meeting include:

• Improvement of seismic and sea level networks and data sharing for more timely and accurate detection and monitoring of tsunami threat to countries,
• Improving warning delivery and response especially to a local tsunami,
• Tsunami training and capacity building needs of Pacific Island Countries,
• Creating practical and reliable tsunami evacuation maps, plans and procedures, and
• Making communities “Tsunami Ready”

According to the Chairman of the Working Group, Mr Ofa Fa’anunu of Tonga said, “in terms of warning and mitigation the priorities of the region moving forward is to (1) establish competency guidelines for national warnings centres to build the capacity of staff of national tsunami warning centres to be able to provide the appropriate warnings for their countries (2) establish warning guidelines for responding to local tsunami events which has the potential to cause loss of life and property and (3) to establish and deliver community ready guidelines so communities are able to better respond to tsunami.

The meeting is being attended by representatives from National Tsunami Warning Centres and/or National Disaster Management Offices of Southwest Pacific countries, Hawaii-based International Tsunami Information Centre which is also representing the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, the University of Hawaii Pacific International Training Desk, GNS NZ, the Geoscience Australia and IOC.

The meeting is supported by the French Government, Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET) project and UNESCO/IOC.

Contact details: For more information on this topic, please contact :

Mina VILAYLECK, Communication Adviser, IRD New Caledonia

mina.vilayleck@ird.fr | +687 792166 GMT+11

Jérome AUCAN, Oceanographer, IRD New Caledonia | Jerome.aucan@ird.fr

Bernard PELLETIER, Geologist, IRD New Caledonia | Bernard.pelletier@ird.fr

Pierre Lebellegard, Geologist, IRD New Caledonia | pierre.lebellegard@ird.fr

11th March, 2019 A team of four from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, a New Zealand based Crown Research Institute, is currently upgrading Tonga Meteorological Observation network through installing new meteorology and coastal automatic weather stations throughout Tonga aiming to enhance data collection, weather, tsunami and climate data monitoring, severe weather watch and warning including tropical cyclones across Tonga land areas and all of its coastal waters.

The new system is part of the activities of the Asian Development Bank’s Climate Resilience Sector Project that is currently implemented MEIDECC’s Department of Climate Change. A total of USD$1.8 million have been designated to fund this activity.

The system includes:

• 22 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS);
• Two permanent sea level recorders; and
• Eight temporary wave and water level recorders.

A few of the AWS have been installed in October last year in Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu, together with eight temporary wave and water recorders throughout Tonga waters. Data from these eight temporary recorders will be used to model waves and swells especially the harbours in Tonga.

Some of the AWS are located at schools’ compounds to boost and promote the importance of studying weather, weather monitoring and research.

The AWS are all telemetered and reporting in near real time. The permanent sea level recorders are also telemetered and reporting in real time which will assist tsunami early warning. One of the permanent sea level recorders have been deployed. The temporary wave and water level recorders have all been deployed.

Part of the activity is a consultation with maritime stakeholders set for next week. The discussion is expected to verify the sector’s needs in order to strengthen the development of relevant and useful information products at Tonga Met Service.

ENDS

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

The Government of Tonga’s strategic vision for the future delivery of public services is aimed at streamlining its organizational platform to better deliver more efficient and effective public services for the people of Tonga. To help achieve this aim, the Government of Tonga seeks to appoint one (1) Part time Commissioner for the Public Service Commission.

The Public Service Commission acts as the adviser to Government on the management of the Public Service and is further tasked with overseeing the development of guidelines, frameworks, policies and standards to ensure that the public service operates in a transparent, consistent and robust manner. The Commission is also responsible for providing leadership in the strategic management of the public service workforce, oversight and evaluation of a continuing process of public service reform within the Kingdom.

Accountabilities
The Part time Commissioner will be responsible to the Prime Minister and to the Chairman of the Commission in performing the Public Service Commission mandates in accordance with the Public Service Act.

Specifically the purpose of the roles is to;
Assist the Chairman of the Commission in overseeing the implementation of public employment policies, principles and performance of the Public Service. The roles will be integral in overseeing a productive and sustainable Public Service as Tonga continues its path towards Public Sector Reform.

Experience and Qualification

• A Tertiary educational qualification relevant to the position with 10 or more years of leadership and executive management experience in the Public Sector and/or the Private Sector AND
• Proven expertise in strategic Human Resource management at the executive level, and in the development of Legal and Policy frameworks for the public and/or private sector.

How to Apply:-

Applicants who are interested in applying for the position advertised should request an Application Information Kit. An Application Information Kit can be obtained by contacting the Public Service Commission Office on +676 25-770, or email ceoopportunity@psc.gov.to

• Applicants should refer to the Application Information Kit in preparing an application, ensuring that all requirements are satisfied. Incomplete documentation may prevent proper consideration of the application.
• Applications should be forwarded to the following address by 4:30pm on Monday 08 April, 2019

Acting Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 46
Nuku’alofa
Tonga

• Given the brevity of time, signed emailed applications will be acceptable. Email applications should be forwarded to ceoopportunity@psc.gov.to by the closing date (i.e. Monday 08 April, 2019).

11th March, 2019 The 9th National Soroban Competition in the Kingdom of Tonga was held on Thursday, 7 March 2019 at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku’alofa. His Excellency Mr. Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga, attended the competition along with Dr. Raelyn ‘Esau, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Education and Training. Present also at the competition were Mr. Masao Fujii, Director General of the International Soroban Diffusion Foundation (ISDF) from Japan, Mr. Shinji Yoshiura, Resident Representative of JICA-Tonga, soroban teachers, parents and supporters of the competitors.

His Excellency Mr. Tetsuya Ishii welcomed the young soroban competitors partially in Tongan language and reiterated the significance of soroban being expressed in the “Three C’s.” “Soroban is not only good for improving your Calculation Skills, but also for boosting your Concentration and for enhancing your Confidence,” he said. He was pleased that through soroban, Japan and Tonga share a cultural and educational bond of friendship held together by their commitment to provide children with a good education. The Ambassador hopes that this bond of friendship will also be further strengthened through the upcoming events such as enthronement ceremony of the Emperor of Japan in October, the Rugby World Cup from September to November this year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Summer Games as well as the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Tonga, next year.

Dr. Raelyn ‘Esau, Acting CEO of the Ministry of Education and Training conveyed, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, heartfelt gratitude for Japan’s continuing generous support for education in Tonga. She acknowledged the joint commitment towards the advancement of soroban education and said “I believe that the soroban program provides our children with unique pathways for their future academic endeavours. I wish to recommit our support for soroban education in Tonga and I hope that we will continue to foster our warm working relations between the peoples of Japan and Tonga.”

The National Soroban Competition engages over hundred class 4 and class 5 primary students from all over the Kingdom to compete each other in an eight minutes written examination, as well as in an oral and a flash calculation. Malia Siena Pe’ei from St. Falakiko ‘Asisi Primary School won the written category for class 5 and wins herself the annual trip to the soroban camp in Oze, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The camp is fully funded by the International Soroban Diffusion Foundation, ISDF and will be held in August this year. (complete result of the competition is attached herewith)

In acknowledging the successful competition H.E Tetsuya Ishii hosted a reception in the evening and thanked the commitments from soroban educators in Tonga. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Embassy of Japan have co-hosted the competition with the support from JICA-Tonga and ISDF.

Attached: Photos

RESULT – Tonga National Competition (March 07, 2019)

Oral/Class5

ENDS

For further enquires please contact: Ms. Yoko Tochihara, Administration Officer Embassy of Japan in Tonga. Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025

11 Ma’asi, 2019 ENGLISH ‘Oku fakafuofua ke kakato ‘a e ngāue kotoa ki hono langa ‘o e fōsoa ‘o Manuka mo Navutoka ki Ma’asi, 31 ‘o e ta’u ni.

Ko e polokalama ngāue fakalakalaka ko ‘eni ‘oku tataki ia ‘e he Polōseki ki hono Matu’uaki ‘o e Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea (Climate Change Resilience Sector Project (CRSP)) ‘a ia oku fakamalumalu ‘i he Va’a Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Eá ‘i he Potungāue MEIDECC.

Ko e fōsoa ko ‘ení na’e fe’unga hono fakamole ‘o fakafuofua ki he USD$1.9 miliona. Kuo kakato ‘a e konga lahi ‘i he ngāue ko ‘ení.

Fakatatau ki he fakamatala ‘a e Tokoni Pule ‘o e Polokalamá (National Program Coordinator for CRSP & CIRP) Winston Halapua, ko e fanga ki’i ngāue si’isi’i pe ‘oku toé ‘o kau ki ai mo hono ngaohi ‘o e toho’anga vaka ma’áe ongo koló ‘i he fosoa ko ‘ení.

Na’e fakahā ‘e Halapua ‘oku kau ‘a e ongo kolo ni ‘i he ngaahi kolo ‘oku tu’u lavea ngofua ki he hake ‘a e tahí ki he loto fonua pea mo e ‘auhia ‘o e matāfangá.

‘I he fakamatala ‘a e ‘Ofisa Kolo ‘o Navutoká, Lolomana’ia Fanguna na’e ‘ikai ke ‘ilo ‘e he ongo kolo ni pe ‘e anga fēfē ha ngaohi ‘o ha fosoa koe’uhí ko e tafa’aki fakapa’angá.

“Ko ‘ene afaá pe ‘ikai ke lava ha taha ia ‘o mohe, he ‘oku kolosi pe vai ia mei he faha’i ko ‘ení ki he kauhala ‘e taha, pea na’e nofo tailiili pē ‘a e kakai ‘o e ongo koló. Ka ko hono langa ko ‘eni ‘o e fōsoá mau fiemālie ‘aupito ‘ikai lava ha peau ‘o hake mai.”

Ko e fōsoá ‘oku lele ia mei Navutoka ‘o toki ngata mai mei Manuka. ‘Oku fe’unga hono loloá  mo e kilomita ‘e 2 pea ko hono ma’olunga ‘oku fe’unga ia mo e mita ‘e 2.3. ‘Oku fakahoko ‘a e ngāue ni ‘e he Petani Quarry.

Ko e taha foki ‘eni ‘a e ngaahi poloseki lalahi ‘oku fakapa’anga ‘e he Pangikē Fakalakalaka ‘a ‘Esiá (ADB) pea na’e kau hono ‘ahia ‘e he Talēkita ‘o e ADB Mr. Syurkani Ishak Kasim ‘a e ngāue ni ‘i he‘ene ‘a’ahi faka’ofisiale mai ki Tongatapu ni ‘i he uike kuo’osí.

Kakato konga lahi ‘o e ngaahi ngāue ‘o e CRSP

‘I he taimi tatau kuo kakato foki ‘a e ngaahi ngāue ‘a e polokalama ni ‘o kau ki ai ‘a e ngaahi hala ki he hola fakavavevave (evacuation road) ‘e fā ‘a ia ko e hala ‘e taha ‘i ‘Eua, Popua, Navutoka pea mo Talafo’ou. ‘I he fakamatala ‘a Halapuá kuo ‘osi kakato kotoa ‘a e ngāue ki he ngaahi hala ko ‘ení.

‘Oku kei lele lelei pē foki mo e polokalama ‘a e  Pa’anga Talāsiti ki he Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Eá (CCTF) ‘a ia ‘oku talitali ‘a e timi ‘i he tafa’aki ko iá ki hono tānaki mai ‘o e ngaahi tohi kole mei he ngaahi koló.

‘I he tafa’aki ‘o e fakamatala ‘eá, na’e osi fakakakato ‘a e ngāue ki he ongo Niuá ‘i he ta’u kuo ‘osí, ko hono fokotu’u ‘a e station ‘oku ‘iloa ko e Auto Met Weather Station (AWS) ke tokoni ia ki he’enau ‘ū mōtolo (model) ki he fakamatala ‘eá. Ko e station tatau pē ‘oku lolotonga fai hono fokotu’u ‘i Tongatapu ni.

Ko e station ‘e valu ‘i Tongatapu ni, ua ‘i ‘Eua, ‘e ‘i ai mo e station ‘i Ha’apai pea mo Vava’u foki. ‘E fakakakato ‘a e ngāue ki Tongatapú ‘i he uike ni mo e uike kaha’u pea nau toki folau atu ‘a e timi ‘oku nau fakahoko ‘a e ngāué ‘o fokotu’u ‘a e ngaahi station tatau ‘i he ngaahi ‘otu motú.

Ko e ngaahi polokalama sikolasipí, ‘oku kei lele lelei pē ‘a ia ‘e faka’osi ia ki Tīsema ‘o e ta’u ni, pea toki hoko atu mei ai ki he ako mata’itohi ‘oku toe ma’olunga angé.

‘Oku hanganaki atu foki ‘a e polokalama ni ke faka’osi e ngāue ki he falemahaki ‘i Ha’apaí ‘a ia ‘oku fakataumu’a ke kakato ‘a e ngāue ko iá ki Sune ‘o e ta’u ni.

Ko e tokoni ko ia ki hono langa ‘a e ngaahi faleako ‘i he Lautohi Pule’anga Ngele’iá, Lautohi Pule’anga Hala’ovavé, Lavengamālie, Tonga Side School pea mo Kolomotu’a kuo ‘osi kakato kotoa ‘a e ngaahi ngāue ki aí.

NGATA’ANGA

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

11th March, 2019 The Chief Executive Officer of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Mr Christopher Roy Cocker was in Tongatapu last week to promote a US-fellowship programme known as the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program.

The program is designed specifically for the tourism industry professionals aiming to build the capacity of the tourism industry across the Pacific region and to create strong connections between the Pacific and Hawaii’s tourism industry professionals.

Cocker said the program started last year and the applications were received from across the Pacific except Tonga.

“I’m encouraging people in the tourism sector to make use of this opportunity because it’s quite disappointing when Tonga is missing out,” he said.

“We have a very young population here who are well educated but they lack the practical experience, the know-how. This program is very practical. If you are working in a hotel like Tanoa, you go for six weeks and you will learn a lot of things because it’s not a classroom with lectures. That is what Tonga is lacking, hand-on experiences.”

Cocker stated that the program will also assist interested professionals improve their customer service.

“The level of service in Tonga is very poor compared to other Pacific Island Countries. Professionals in the tourism industry need to understand that excellent customer service is very important in the tourism industry.”

The fellowship include intensive six week programs in Honolulu, Hawaii and one week in Washington DC.

For further information about the program, please contact the Ministry of Tourism on 24436.

ENDS

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

11th March, 2019 Tonga’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT Tonga) under MEIDECC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 7^th February, 2019 with the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) for closer working cooperation between the two organizations on building Tonga’s cyber security capacity.

Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC, Mr.Paula Pouvalu Ma’u signed the agreement on behalf of the Tongan Government and the Director General for APNIC, Mr. Paul Wilson signed on behalf of APNIC.

Mr. Ma’u said that this MOU solidifies the good working relationship that has been fostered between the two organisations over the years.

“In May 2016, APNIC conducted a CERT Workshop in Tonga for management officials and technical staff. The workshop provided background information on what CERTs do and different ways national CERTs are implemented in different economies. The outcome of the workshop provided a clear road map for the Tongan Government on how to set-up and operate CERT Tonga. CERT Tonga was subsequently launched in July 2016 by the Honourable Prime Minister, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva.”

After the launched, APNIC continued to provide assistance to CERT Tonga on finding resources, capacity building opportunities in Tonga and abroad, as well as providing mentorship not just for CERT Tonga staff, but also System Administrators and Cyber Security personnel in Tonga.

The MOU is for a period of three (3) years and aims to establish and strengthen cooperative efforts related to the development of capability and capacity in information security in the Kingdom of Tonga and across the Asia Pacific region, through capacity building initiatives, collaboration and exchange information in the relevant areas of security and other matters involved.

Attached: Photos

ENDS

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

11th March, 2019 TONGAN The coastal protection currently constructed in Manuka and Navutoka is expected to be completed by March 31^st 2019.

The activity is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the Climate Change Resilience Sector Project (CRSP) under the Ministry of MEIDECC. The total cost of the construction is estimated at USD$1.9 million.

The protection is from Navutoka to Manuka is about 2 kilometers long and 2.3 meter above sea level.

Project Coordinator Mr. Winston Halapua said both communities are one of the most vulnerable villages in Tonga when it comes to sea level rise and land erosion.

He said that the Executive Director of ADB Mr. Syurkani Ishak Kasim visited the site during his official visit last week.

CRSP Activities

Climate Resilience Sector Project (CRSP) is one of the major projects in Tonga implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change faced by vulnerable communities across the country.

Majority of the activities have been completed including four evacuation roads in ‘Eua, Popua, Navutoka and Talafo’ou and the constructions of classrooms in Ngele’ia Government Primary School, Hala’ovave, Kolomotu’a, Lavengamālie and Tonga Side School.

Eight Automatic Weather Station (AWS) is currently installed in Tongatapu to help the Meteorology Department enhance its data collection, weather, tsunami and climate data monitoring, severe weather watch and warnings across Tonga land areas and all of its coastal waters. Similar stations will be installed in the outer islands. Two of them have been installed in the Niuas last year.

Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF) is at its phase two now. The first phase completed last year with 33 successful applications from communities throughout Tonga.

Meanwhile the new hospital for Ha’apai is expected to be completed in June this year.

ENDS

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

12th March, 2019 The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) at its 25th Session had resumed its work for 2019 from Monday, 25th February to Friday, 01st March at the Headquarters of the ISA in Kingston, Jamaica. The Council continued negotiating and finalizing the draft regulations for the management and use of the deep sea mineral resources in and on the seabed beyond the jurisdiction of countries. The target for its completion is at the 26th Session of the ISA in 2020.

The important issues for Tonga in engaging in this process is ensuring an equitable share of any revenue generated from deep sea mineral resources which must be shared in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of mankind. The exact formula as to how this is to be done is premised upon economic modeling, establishing an appropriate legal framework, and political and diplomatic considerations, through consensus of the 167 members of the ISA – an arduous task to be completed under Part 11 of the framework United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). And in the midst of this, ensuring there is an appropriate balance between the need to conserve and protect the marine environment, and the sustainable management and use of the said resources whilst also addressing the interests of future generations (intergenerational equity).

Tonga has thus been engaging annually at the session of the ISA since 2013 with its delegation strategically composed of appropriate officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Attorney General’s Office. Tonga has enhanced its engagement and visibility in the work of the ISA by being elected twice (2014 and 2018) to the 36-member Council which serves as the executive branch of the ISA. Tonga has also managed to have one of its nationals elected by the Council to the expert and independent Legal and Technical Commission, which advises the Council in its work. Tonga will continue to engage in the important processes of the ISA given the importance of the ocean and its resources, and their appropriate management under UNCLOS to ensure Tonga’s interests are projected and protected at all times.

At the 1st meeting of the Council, each of the regional groups of the world nominated members to serve as the President and Vice Presidents of the Council for the 25th Session of the ISA. The Presidency of the Council rotates amongst the 5 regional groups namely the African Group, the Asia Pacific Group, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Western European and Other States Group, and the Eastern European Group. It was the turn of the African Group to nominate a member from its Group to preside over the Council as President, to succeed Norway as the outgoing President from the Western European and Other States Group. The African Group nominated South Africa for the Presidency of the Council, and was elected by acclimation. The remaining Groups were to nominate a Vice President each. The Asia Pacific Group nominated Tonga, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States nominated Argentina, the Western European and Other States Group nominated Germany, and the Eastern European States Group nominated Poland. All the nominated candidates for the Vice Presidency were subsequently elected by acclimation by the Council.

The Delegation of the Kingdom of Tonga was led by Dr. T. Suka Mangisi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations. The Delegation of the Kingdom of Tonga also included Ms. Rose Lesley Kautoke of the Attorney General’s Office, Ms. Yumi Nafe of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Advisor on Natural Resource and Environment Economics, Mr. Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu.

The second and final meeting of the Council for the 25th Session of the ISA will take place on Monday 15th – Friday, 19th July 2019 in Kingston.

ENDS

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations
TEL: (917) 369- 1025 – FAX (917) 369- 1024
EMAIL: tongaunmission@gmail.com

This serves to invite interested candidates (from within and outside the Public Service) to apply for the vacant positions currently available at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Below are the vacancies with its respective minimum requirements.

Please note that public service employee who wish to apply ought to tender their application with the endorsement of their respective Chief Executive Officers.

Interested applicants MUST submit the following with their application letters:

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae
2. Certified copies of academic transcripts, qualification certificate (s)
3. Two (2) Reference Letters

Kindly note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please contact Ms. Lavinia Taufa, at email: cardenia07@gmail.com or by telephone, (676) 23611 for copy of the description (s) or any further information.

All applications are to be received no later than 4:30pm, Tuesday 26^th March 2019 and to be addressed to:

Chief Executive Officer

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

Government of the Kingdom of Tonga

Nuku’alofa

12 Ma’asi, 2019 ‘Oku lolotonga fakahoko ha ako ‘aho tolu ma’áe kau faiongoongo, mo e kau ‘ōfisa fetu’utaki mei he ngaahi potungāue ‘oku felave’i ‘enau ngāué mo e ‘ātakaí pēhē foki ki he kau faiongoongo mei he ngaahi kautaha ongoongó ‘i he Holo Bahai ‘i Kolofo’ou.

Na’e fakaava ‘a e akó ‘i he pongipongi ‘o e ‘aho ni ‘e he ‘Ōfisa Ma’olunga mei he Va’a ‘o e ‘Ātakaí ‘a ia ‘oku fakamalumalu ‘i he Potungāue MEIDECC Mafile’o Masi.

‘Oku fakataumu’a ‘a e akó ke ‘oange ha faingamālie ma’áe kau akó ke nau ‘omai ha ngaahi fakakaukau mo ha ngaahi poini lalahi ‘e malava ke fai mei ai ha līpooti ‘o fakatefito pē ‘i he ‘ātakaí.

Lolotonga ‘a e ako ko ‘ení ‘e ‘omai ha ni’ihi mei he ngaahi polōseki lalahi ‘a e pule’angá ‘o fekau’aki mo e ‘ātakaí ke nau talatalanoa ki he ni’ihi ‘oku nau kau atu ki he ako ni felāve’i mo e ngaahi ngāue ‘oku nau fakahokó.

‘E ‘i ai foki mo e faingamālie ke ‘a’ahi atu ‘a e kau akó, ki he ngaahi ‘elia ‘oku pule’i makehe ‘a e Potungaue Toutai ‘i Nukuleka mo Lapaha ‘a ia ‘e malava ke nau fa’u ha ngaahi ongoongo mei he ongo ‘a’ahi ko ení.

‘Oku tataki mo fakapa’anga ‘a e akó ‘e he Va’a ‘Atakaí ‘a ia ‘oku fakamalumalu ‘i he Potungaue MEIDECC ‘i he fengāue’aki mo e Kautaha ‘a e Kau Faiongoongo ki he ‘Ātakai ‘a e Pasifikí (PEJN).

NGATA’ANGA

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

12th March, 2019 TONGAN The Department of Environment under the Ministry of MEIDECC in partnership with the Pacific Environment Journalists Network (PEJN) in Tonga are hosting a three-day training on Environment Reporting in Tonga at the Baha’i Faith Hall, Kolofo’ou.

The training was opened this morning by the Chief Environmentalist from the Department of Environment Ms. Mafile’o Masi.

The training aims to help develop writing skills and presentation of stories on environment reporting for different medium.

Masi said the environment reporting media and communication training has come at a time when environment issues are taking center stage in the media worldwide. Climate Change has also added to existing issues that many of the Pacific islands are experiencing.

“Making information available to people is always a challenge for any organization, let alone government. But we need to provide the information to people so that they can learn to make decisions based on what they know or learn. Protecting our environment and keeping it sustainable for our future generations here in Tonga is very important.”

She noted that this training will open the door for the department to forge a partnership with the media in general. “We hope that this community will help us work together in ensuring that our people know what is happening, why that is happening, where it is happening, how it is happening and what we need to be doing.”

Pacific Environment Journalists Network Chairman Iliesa Tora said the training is important in fostering good understanding and relationship between the media, government and members of the public.

“We are thankful to the Environment Department for getting this done because the PEJN believes in the importance of information being made available to the media so that the media can then advise people in their own language and style about what is being done and what we need to do about environment issues.

“By having information we can then share that so that people can be informed and are able to make decisions based on what they have learned and know about issues.”

The training includes a field visit to Nukuleka and Lapaha to allow participants to develop stories from two Special Management Areas of the Ministry of Fisheries.

Participants include reps from different media organizations, Ministry of Fisheries, Civil Society and students from Media and Journalism School at Tonga Institute of Higher Education.

The training is funded by the Department of Environment of the Ministry of MEIDECC.

ENDS

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

12th March, 2019 TONGAN The Prime Minister, Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, received four (4) tractors from the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Wang Baodong, in a short hand-over ceremony in the courtyard of the St George Building in Nuku’alofa on Monday (11 March) morning.

According to Mr. Yu Hongmiao, Second Secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Nuku’alofa, the four tractors were the second batch out of a total of 8 tractors that the Dongguan Municipality of the Guangdong Province of China had promised as part of its aid package to Tonga. The first batch was received in June 2018 and had been handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forest.

Tonga established its friendly cooperation with Dongguan Municipality in 2015, with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Tonga. Over the last four years Dongguan City has provided Tonga with development assistance in the form of grant aid and inkind contribution in a range of areas including upgrading of 21 roads inside Tupou College and 13 tourism roads on Tongatapu.

The Dongguan Municipality had also provided disaster relief and rehabilitation material in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita in the form of medical equipment and water tanks which were distributed to villages on Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

Speaking on behalf of the Hon Prime Minister and the Government of Tonga, the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Edgar Cocker said, “Tonga appreciates the assistance that the Dongguan Municipality continues to offer us. These four tractors will benefit the small scale farmers and growers on Tongatapu as well as Vava’u who have not yet benefited from farm machinery that had been donated in the past. On behalf of the Tonga Government I want to thank the government of Dongguan Municipality as well as the Chinese Government for their continued assistance that benefits the people of Tonga”.

The Hon Prime Minister and the Chinese Ambassador signed the hand-over documents for the farm machinery before they inspected the brand new tractors. According to the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet the four tractors will be distributed to the electoral constituencies of Tongatapu 1, Tongatapu 2, Tongatapu 10 and Vava’u 16.

Attached: Photos

ENDS

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 24644 Fax: (676) 23888; For media enquiries- Email: pressroom@pmo.go.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to

12 ‘o Ma’asi, 2019 ENGLISH Na’e tali lelei ‘e he ‘Eiki Palemia, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, ha ngaahi misini palau ‘e fa mei he ‘Amipasitoa ‘a Siaina ki Tonga, HE Wang Baodong, ‘i ha ouau na’e fakahoko ‘i he ‘Ofisi Pule’anga St. George ‘i Nuku’alofa, he pongipongi Monite (11 Ma’asi).

Fakatatau ki he fakamatala na’e tuku mai meia Mr. Yu Hongmiao, ko e Sekelitali Fika Ua ‘i he ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Amipasitoa Siaina ‘i Nuku’alofa, ko e ngaahi palau ‘e fa ko’eni ko e uta ia hono ua mei he palau ‘e valu ‘a ia ko e konga ia ‘o e tokoni na’e ‘osi palomesi mai ‘a e kolo ko Guangdong ‘o Siaina tenau foaki.

Na’e fokotu’u ‘a e va fengaue’aki ‘a Tonga pea mo Dongguan ‘i he 2015, ‘o fou ‘i he tokoni’i ‘e he ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Amipasitoa Siaina ‘i Tonga. ‘I he ta’u ‘e fa kuo hili kuo tokoni mai ai ‘a e kolo ko Dongguan ki he langa fakalakalaka ‘i he ngaahi ‘elia kehekekehe kau atu ki ai ‘a hono fakalelei ‘o e ngaahi hala ‘e uangofulu ma taha ‘i loto ‘i he Kolisi ko Tupou pea mo e ‘uu hala ‘e taha tolu ma’a e takimamata ‘i Tongatapu.

Na’e foaki mai ‘e Dongguan ha ngaahi me’angaue mo e naunau tokoni afaa hili koia ‘a e Saikolone Fakatalopiki ko Gita ‘a ia ko e ngaahi me’angaue fakafalemahaki, pea mo e ngaahi tangike vai ne tufaki ki he ngaahi kolo ‘o Tongatapu pea mo ‘Eua.

Na’e fakahoko ‘e he Sekilitali Pule mo Sekelitali ki he Kapineti, Edgar Cocker, ha lea ‘o fakafofonga’i e ‘Eiki Palemia pea mo e Pule’anga Tonga ‘o pehe, “’Oku hounga ki Tonga ‘a e tokoni ‘oku fakahoko mai ma’upe ‘e Dongguan. Ko e palau ‘e fa ko’eni ‘e tokoni ki ha kau ngoue he ngaahi vahefonua ‘o Tongatapu mo Vava’u ‘a ia ne te’eki ke nau ta’imalie ha tokoni me’angaue peheni kimu’a atu. ‘Oku ou fakafofonga’i atu ai ‘a e fakamalo loto hounga mei he Pule’anga Tonga ki he pule’anga ‘o Dongguan pea pehe ki he Pule’anga ‘o Siaina ‘i he hokohoko ‘o ‘enau ngaahi tokoni ‘o lave monu ai ‘a e kakai ‘o Tonga.

Na’e fakamo’oni ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia fakataha pea mo e ‘Ampasitoa Siaina ‘i ha ngaahi pepa ngaue ki hono foaki ‘o e ngaahi me’angaue ni kimu’a pea na me’a ki ha ngaahi palau fo’ou ni. Fakatatau ki he fakamatala ‘a e Sekelitali Pule mo Sekelitali ki he Kapineti ko e ngaahi palau ‘e fa ko ‘eni ‘e tufaki atu ia ki he ngaahi vahenga fili ‘o Tongatapu 1, Tongatapu 2, Tongatapu 10 pea mo Vava’u 16.

NGATA’ANGA

Tuku atu mei he: ‘Ofisi ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemia, Pule’anga Tonga, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tu’asila: Taufa’ahau Road, P.O. Box 62. Tel: (676) 23 600 Fax: (676) 23 888; Ngaahi Faka’eke’eke- Email: pressroom@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to

12th March, 2019 TONGAN The CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u together with NEMO staff welcomed the Australian Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific Senator, the Honorable Anne Ruston to NEMO’s office this morning. 

Mr. Ma’u said, “We are still working in the aftermath and recovery from Tropical Cyclone Gita. We are very grateful for all the assistance we received from the Australian Government and other agencies which totaled TOP$136 million cash and in-kind assistance.”

He also highlighted the assistance from the Australian government towards TC Gita relief including the seven Australian Defence Force flights that transported 135 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, technical teams, five large electricity generators, protection services, WASH and early recovery support and AUD$7 million pledged to assist school recovery.

The Acting Director for NEMO and staff also outlined the general responsibilities, activities and functions of the National Emergency Coordination Centre.

The visit is part of the Australian government ongoing initiative to further strengthen its relationship with partners in the Pacific region. Accompanied Honorable Minister Ruston was the designated Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Mr. Adrian Morrison, the Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Rhona McPhee staff members from the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade office in Tonga.

ENDS

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

12 ‘o Ma’asi, 2019 ENGLISH Na’e talitali ‘e he Pule Ngāue ‘a e Potungāue MEIDECC Paula Ma’u mo e kau ngāue ‘a e ‘Ōfisi ki hono Tokangaekina e Ngaahi Fakatamaki Fakaenatulá (NEMO) ‘a e Tokoni Minisitā ‘a ‘Aositēlēlia ki he Fakalakalaka Fakavaha’a pule’angá ka ko e Senatoa ki he Pasifikí Hon Anne Ruston ‘i he ‘ōfisi ‘o e NEMO he pongipongi ‘o e ‘aho ni.

‘I he lea talitali ‘a Paula Ma’ú na’a ne fakahā ai ‘oku kei fakahoko pē ‘a e ngāue ki hono fakaakeake ‘o e fonuá hili ‘a Saikolone Gita.

“’Oku mau hounga’ia ‘aupito ‘i he ngaahi tokoni ‘a e Pule’anga ‘Aositeleliá pea mo e ngaahi kupu kehekehe pē hili ‘a e Saikolone Gita ‘a ia na’e fe’unga fakakātoa mo e pa’anga Tonga ‘e $136 miliona, ‘a ia ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e tokoni fakapa’anga pea mo e koloa.”

Ko e ‘a’ahi mai ko ‘eni ‘a Hon Ruston ki Tonga ni ko e konga pe ia ‘a e ngāue ‘a e Pule’anga ‘Aositēlēliá ke toe fakamalohia ange honau vā fengāue’aki mo e ngaahi fonua ‘i he Pasifikí.

Na’e kau ‘i he ‘a’ahi mai ki he ‘Ōfisi ‘o e NEMO fakataha mo Hon Ruston ‘a e Talafekau Lahi fili ‘a ‘Aositēlēlia ki Tonga ni Adrian Morrison, Tokoni Talafekau Lahí Rhona McPhee pea mo e ni’ihi ‘o e kau ngaue mei he Potungāue ki Muli mo e Fefakatau’aki ‘a ‘Aositēlēliá ‘i Tonga ni.

NGATA’ANGA

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

13th March, 2019 In an exciting partnership between Tonga Skills, Matala Training and Learning Solutions and the Ha’ateiho Women’s Development Committee, 27 women from Ha’ateiho village completed a 4-day training on business planning to generate sustainable sources of income for their families and strengthen economic growth within their community.

The Women’s Development Committee identified the need to empower women within their village to rise up and utilise their strengths and skills in handicrafts, baking, cookery, event decorations and sewing. Encouraging individuals to set achievable goals and strategies was a key focus of the training program.

Guest of honor, Lord Tu’iha’ateiho, proudly congratulated the women of his village and presented certificates of completion for their hard work.

Mrs Lavenita Tafa markets and sells pot plants to make a living, and she encouraged her fellow participants during the training. “We are now ready to step up and use our strengths to generate income for our families. We are determined to work together to create a better Ha’ateiho,” she said.

Participants plan for a community market day on Saturday 23^rd March to reap the benefits of their newly acquired skills.

ENDS

Issued by the: Tonga Skills

The Ministry of Justice hereby invites internal and external applications for the following vacant positions at the Ministry of Justice

The mandatory requirements to be submitted in all applications are:

1. Cover Letter
2. Updated CV
3. Certificated Copies of Academic transcripts
4. At least two (2) reliable references

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Public servants who wish to apply must submit their applications with the endorsement of their respective Chief Executive Officers.

A Copy of the relevant Job description may be obtained from Mina Pule at telephone 25-618 or mpule@justice.gov.to

All applications are to be recieved no later than 4:00pm , Wednesday 27th March, 2019 and to be adressed to the :

Acting Chief  Executive Officer

Ministry of Justice

P.O Box 130

Corner of Kausela and Lavinia Road

Fasi moe Afi

Nuku’alofa

13th March, 2019 Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, visited Tonga on 11-12 March to see how Australian aid is benefiting Tonga and witness Tonga joining the Pacific Labour Scheme.

On the first stop in ‘Eua, the Assistant Minister saw first-hand the progress achieved with Australian aid recovery, one year on from Cyclone Gita. She visited Kiko’s Place, a guest house and whale swim operator, supported by the Australian-funded Tonga Skills program. She also inspected the Tonga Red Cross Society’s pre-positioned emergency supplies and one of the new cyclone-resilient homes built by CARE Australia and MORDI Tonga Trust, with support from Australian Aid.

On Tuesday, the Assistant Minister attended the signing ceremony for Tonga to enter the Pacific Labour Scheme. The Scheme will provide more Tongan workers with new opportunities to work in low and semi-skilled jobs in Australia for up to 3 years. The Prime Minister of Tonga, the Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva, and the Australian High Commissioner-designate, HE Adrian Morrison, signed the memorandum of understanding.

The scheme is open to all sectors and industries, including but not limited to hospitality and tourism, aged care and disability care, non-seasonal agriculture, forestry and fishing. The scheme will be managed in Tonga by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Employment Division.

Ms Ruston also visited the Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili office to observe the Disabilities Carers’ Support Group, coordinated by Australian volunteer Raina Stella Reyes, and met with partners including the National Emergency Management Office, Tonga Electoral Commissioners, and Nishi Trading.

This visit was an opportunity to consolidate important partnerships in the Tonga, as Australia continues its step-up to support a stronger and resilient region.

Accompanying photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBzHEP8 and on our Facebook page, @australiaintonga