Lockdown breaches in Tonga
There's been 78 arrests for lockdown breaches in Tonga since restrictions were first enforced in the country on February 2.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said all 78 arrests were made on Tongatapu and Vava'u.
He also said that reports of domestic violence were on the rise with 20 cases recorded since Wednesday last week.
Next aid ship to Tonga delayed
The next ship scheduled to take aid to Tonga from New Zealand community members has been delayed.
La'auli Sir Michael Jones, who is supporting the Tonga relief effort, said a large chunk of the aid already in Tonga has been offloaded.
He said the food and water supplies bound for Tonga in the next shipment will also include rugby gear.
Samoan Methodist Church leaders contribute to Tonga relief effort
Samoan Methodist Church leaders in New Zealand have dropped off a truck load of supplies to add to the Tonga relief effort shipments at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee co-chair, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, said it has been overwhelming to see more than 20 pastors and their wives handing over the goods.
Samoan Methodist Church leaders contribute to Tonga relief effort Photo: Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki
She said the distribution system in Tonga has changed, people can now pick up their barrels via contactless methods from the wharf.
Thirteen Churches were represented by their leaders who offloaded the goods themselves by hand.
Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee spokesperson Jenny Salesa said this is a representation of the hundreds of years of love between Samoa and Tonga.
She told the Samoan church leaders their support is greatly appreciated, adding a third disaster has hit Tonga, Covd-19.
Suspension of veteran PNG journalist called 'unjust'
The Pacific Freedom Forum has condemned the "unjust suspension" of the head of news at the longest running television broadcaster in PNG.
The regional media watchdog joins the Media Council of PNG, regional journalists and press freedom advocates calling for Sincha Dimara's reinstatement.
Ms Dimara, one of the longest serving journalists in PNG, was suspended for three weeks without pay by the EMTV management - Media Niugini Limited.
Her suspension was announced to her newsroom colleagues in a memo from Media Nuigini CEO, Lesieli Vete, alleging her for insubordination and damaging the reputation of the company.
PFF co-chair Bernadette Carreon is urging Media Niugini management to reconsider their decision as it is not new for a veteran of PNG media to receive such treatment.
Ms Dimara is one of the longest serving journalists at EMTV.
The suspension followed inquiries by management as to why EMTV was following the court proceedings of Australian businessman Jamie Pang.
The Pacific Freedom Forum Melanesia co-chair, Robert Iroga, said reporting the proceedings of court cases is an important part of the news cycle and the public interest, and we hope Ms Dimara can be reinstated.
New wage regluations welcomed by Pacific seasonal workers
New minimum wage regulations for seasonal workers in Australia is being welcomed by union groups in the Tongan and Ni-Vanuatu community.
Australia's Fair Work Commission announced last week that employers would be required to pay seasonal workers a mandatory minimum piece rate of AUD$25.41 an hour.
The President of the Tonga Australia Seasonal Workers Association Falepaini Maile said they look forward to the pay rise scehduled for April 28th.
"Workers are quite happy. When we put the article up on our Tonga Australia Seasonal Workers Association facebook page, some of them were commenting and said why don't they start now, so they're desperate for when the increase will start," he said.
Pasifika Festival cancelled
The 2022 Pasifika Festival has been cancelled following consultation with community partners.
The event was due to be held from 18-20 March at Western Springs Park and marked the 30th anniversary of Pasifika.
The festival can only be delivered at the orange or green Covid-19 Protection Framework settings.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the cancellation is disappointing but the right call given the risks posed with Omicron spreading rapidly in the community.
Tuvalu moves to ratify PACER-Plus deal
The Tuvalu Government said the PACER Plus trade deal serves in the best interest of its communities.
Tuvalu became the ninth Pacific Island Forum member country to ratify the regional free trade agreement after Prime Minister Kausea Natano signed the instrument of agreement this month.
The head of Tuvalu's Fisheries and Trade Ministry said they have actively participated in the discussion and negotiation of PACER Plus over the years.
Chief executive officer Nikolasi Apinelu said the government will now focus on its implementation.
"This important document would encourage current development in Tuvalu that will greatly benefit our communities…and so the agreements tariff reduction will lower costs for Tuvalu businesses…increasing economic activities and therefore benefitting our people especially in these difficult times," he said.
