Commentary
Sea Eagles in Dove’s Feathers
– by Lopeti Senituli The New Zealand media gave prominent coverage to the humongous reception that the Tongan national rugby team, the ‘Ikale Tahi received on their arrival at the Auckland International Airport for the World Cup. The New Zealand Herald’s website headline read, “Tongan World Cup Spirit Eclipses Rest”,… Read More
Polynesian culture offers barriers, blessings, Part II
ORIGINAL ARTICLE on the Mormon Times, Deseret News Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series exploring the cultural barriers and blessings in the Polynesian culture. The tiny, remote island of Niuatoputapu was made famous in the movie, “Other Side of Heaven.” It was where Mormon missionary John… Read More
‘Money Talk’ with Paul Wilkinson
By Paul Wilkinson, General Manager, Westpac Bank of Tonga Understanding goodwill Have you considered how much your business is really worth? Many business owners struggle with understanding the true value of their business, limiting their perceived value to their tangible assets only. In reality, the value of your business may… Read More
US-Pacific Relations: Pacific Minded
The World Today, April 2011 View article on source site on Chatham House In early March, United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made unusually direct comments to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about America’s position in the Pacific. “Let’s just talk straight real politik. We… Read More
New Zealand Inquires In To The South Pacific: Part Four
By Cleo Paskal Last December, the Government of New Zealand released an Inquiry into New Zealand’s relationship with South Pacific Countries, it’s the biggest public rethink on South Pacific issues since the end of the Cold War. This, the fourth of a series analysing the findings of the Inquiry, examines the… Read More
Palangi Perspective: Free vet service
Last year, the Government of Tonga signed the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare, acknowledging that animals are sentient and can suffer, that the welfare needs of animals must be respected, and cruelty towards animals must end. This is a great step. I have been disheartened to see the way animals… Read More
Vai’s View: Polynesian culture offers barriers, blessings
- From Deseret News. TABOO. It is Tonga’s sole contribution to the English language. Taken from the Tongan word “Tapu,” meaning “restricted” or “sacred.” Technically, we could also claim “tattoo,” though it’s an amalgamation of a Polynesian word — Tahitians called it “tattau,” Samoans’ “tatau” and Tongans’ “ta ta tau,” all… Read More
Palangi perspective: Fighting fit in Tonga
Last week I went to the gym to take a body combat class. Entering the class slightly late, I was greeted with what appeared to be a Western Union dance troupe. In front of me were 30 or more people in black Western Union matching t-shirts. Along with the staff… Read More
Ikale Tahi – where to from here?
- By Kalafi Moala NUKU’ALOFA: Maybe this is not a question for the Ikale Tahi as much as a question for the Coach, ‘Isitolo Maka to answer. He does have a lot of explaining to do to the people of Tonga, and the supporters unmatched by any team supporters in… Read More