PMN Tonga

There's are some big news in Tonga regarding the export of kava overseas thanks to the Tonga Kava Quality Standard which was launched recently. Even the PM said the earnings from kava is worth billions of pa'anga. 

Here to tell us more is Paula Mosa‘ati, the national facilitator for the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA) 

Paula, I understand you helped producer the guideline for the Tonga Kava Quality Standard tell us more...

The two main suppliers of Tongan kava, Vava’u and ‘Eua Island, have already heavily invested in planting. It's estimated Tongan kava could be sold for $150 pa’anga or $USD80 per kilo. 

The  Tonga Kava Quality Standard booklet was developed to make sure that kava as a traditonal and commercial commodity, is prepared and manufactured in accordance with a set of rules and guidelines to achieve food safety, for human consumption.

June is Public Service month in Tonga. Koe mahina ni ‘oku  faka’ilonga’i ai ‘a e kau ngaue fakapule’anga kotoa 'i Tonga pea 'oku fakamamafa'i 'a e malu mo hao mei he COVID-19.

'Oku ou talitali ai heni a Lorraine Paasi Kauhenga tokoni pule pe ko e acting-CEO at the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. 

 Kemipeini fo'ou 'a e kau ngaue 'a e pule'anga, ‘Oku tau kau fakataha; Ko hoku Tonga, Ko ho Tonga, Ko hotau Tonga – Tau’i ‘a e COVID 19

Pacific Media Network welcomed our new Chief Executive Officer Don Mann in a brief ceremony today.  Don Mann is of Tongan and Māori descent and has familial ties to Vava'u, Tonga and affiliated to Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Kahungunu.

Don comes to PMN from the Pacific Cooperation Foundation(PCF) and 

Prior to that Don was the Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Auckland Tourism Events & Economic Development (ATEED) and also worked as operations manager with the NZ Warriors.

Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’aki-Fualu also known as the Tongan Robin Hood was born in Tonga but migrated to NZ in 1980 when at the age of 12.

In 1985, he was the only 17 year-old Tongan to be accredited UE (University Entrance) but instead of enrolling at the University of Auckland, he chose to get married at only 18.

In 1987, he joined the Inland Revenue Department where he would always go beyond his normal call of duty in order to help Tongan overstayers with not only IRD numbers, but with “maximum refunds”. Consequently, his close associates called him the “Tongan Robin Hood”. He also took out leave without pay to file for the Tongan over stayers permanent residency during the amnesty of the mid 1980s.

He has lived overseas in California (USA), Tonga, and has spent most of the last 10 years in Brisbane. But last year, he decided to move back to Auckland to be close to his son Shakobe’s grave. He lost Shakobe to cancer (leukemia) in 2003. But he says that Shakobe is his inspiration in returning to charity work.

Over 33 years later, he has finally enrolled at the University of Auckland studying Law, Politics and Media. However, since the level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has applied for Late Deletion of his Semester 1 courses, so that he can continue his labour of love for vulnerable overstayers.

Sign petition: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99196/petition-of-makahokovalu-pailate-for-pacific-leadership?fbclid=IwAR1MRqGJEziN7-mlrBKt59RgBN4FsgNmrMTmIpq-pWtzzIsIYCv5GAMz0SU

Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’aki-Fualu also known as the Tongan Robin Hood was born in Tonga but migrated to NZ in 1980 when at the age of 12.

In 1985, he was the only 17 year-old Tongan to be accredited UE (University Entrance) but instead of enrolling at the University of Auckland, he chose to get married at only 18.

In 1987, he joined the Inland Revenue Department where he would always go beyond his normal call of duty in order to help Tongan overstayers with not only IRD numbers, but with “maximum refunds”. Consequently, his close associates called him the “Tongan Robin Hood”. He also took out leave without pay to file for the Tongan over stayers permanent residency during the amnesty of the mid 1980s.

He has lived overseas in California (USA), Tonga, and has spent most of the last 10 years in Brisbane. But last year, he decided to move back to Auckland to be close to his son Shakobe’s grave. He lost Shakobe to cancer (leukemia) in 2003. But he says that Shakobe is his inspiration in returning to charity work.

Over 33 years later, he has finally enrolled at the University of Auckland studying Law, Politics and Media. However, since the level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has applied for Late Deletion of his Semester 1 courses, so that he can continue his labour of love for vulnerable overstayers.

Sign petition:  https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99196/petition-of-makahokovalu-pailate-for-pacific-leadership?fbclid=IwAR3GRjVX0xaNaM5JCNaf9GKdgiamEDiBKWLf3dCiqCiC5Xo36xgp18aPY0Y

Today marks International Day of Parliamentarianism - Strong parliaments are a cornerstone of democracy. They represent the voice of the people, pass laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account. They work to make sure that policies benefit all people, especially the most vulnerable. 

Tongan born and New Zealand raised, Labour MP Anahila Kano-nga-ta’a Suisuiki who has been able to act as a catalyst for action and change for women, social services and community groups.   With 17 years of combined social work and managerial positions within Oranga Tamariki in South Auckland, Anahila understands the importance of having values focused on the wellbeing of the whanau-family.

Loea Nalesoni Tupou sharing legal advice every Wednesday night at 8 pm live with Lavoni Manukia

Veteran journalist Kalafi Moala Tonga Media Association live interview with John Pulu

Feliuaki Taulanga talking about  Nia's Kitchen, Nuku’alofa live interview with John Pulu 

 

 

for more information https://www.saiketauilo.com/niaskitchen

Mele'ana To 'i Pouono Kalekale Wickham talking about Pouono Krafts live interview with John Pulu 

 

for more information https://www.facebook.com/PouonoCrafts