Tongan language app launched to celebrate Tonga language week
The Tongan community in Wellington will be launching an app dedicated to teaching the Tongan language which will be made accessible worldwide.
(L) The General Manager of the Council, Tae Moala-Mafi Tu'inukuafe Photo: Wellington Tonga Leaders' Council
With Tonga language week starting today, Wellington Tongan Leaders Council President Taetuna'ula Tuinukuafe said the app launch will be one of the highlights during the week.
Mrs Tuinukuafe said while the app is intended for Tongan children who live overseas, it can be used by anyone who has an interest in learning the Tongan language.
"We are so looking forward to that we're excited about having an app for our young people who are growing up here - not only here in New Zealand but also elsewhere, so this app will be accessed by anyone from anywhere," she said.
The theme for Tonga Language Week 2022 is: Ke Tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tonga′ 'i Aotearoa (Sustaining the Tongan Language in Aotearoa)
French Polynesia records more Covid-19 cases
Another 16 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in French Polynesia in the last 48-hour reporting period.
The number of active Covid-19 cases is now 58 - a drop of 18 over the past two days as the pandemic continues to ease.
The health authorities say none of those infected needs hospital care.
The death toll of the pandemic is 650, with most fatalities registered during last year's outbreak with the Delta variant.
Vaccinations have continued and more than 81 percent of those 12 years and older have had two jabs.
PNG's National Court Registry receives electoral petitions
The Papua New Guinea deputy prime minister John Rosso and treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey are among 12 MPs who will face election petitions in the court of disputed returns.
The National Court Registry has so far received 12 petitions, but more are expected.
The Post Courier reports Lae businessman Matthew Minape is challenging Mr Rosso's election while Glen Kiso is disputing Mr Stuckey's victory.
Other prominent challenges include Dr Allan Marat against Graham Piniau in Rabaul Open, Paul Agiru challenging Manasseh Makiba in the Magarima Open and Frances Potape challenging Philip Undialu in Kopiago Open.
Concerns in French Polynesia over domestic violence rates
The President of the Council for Women in French Polynesia says more needs to be done to address domestic violence there.
The death of a woman suspected of being killed by her husband has shocked the community in Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
The woman's husband is under investigation.
The number of deaths due to domestic violence is higher in French Polynesia than in other French territories.
In French Polynesia, ten women were killed violently in 2021.
Chantal Galenon told La Premiere something has to be done.
She said groups are mobilising to address this problem of violence because this is not normal.
Air New Zealand to add more flights to Samoa
Air New Zealand will add more flights to the Auckland-Apia route as demand from passengers increases.
The airline's Karen Gatt told the Samoa Observer that they will be increasing flights in October.
She says there had been "exceptionally high demand" for travel to Samoa from New Zealand since the borders reopened on 1 August 2022.
Air New Zealand will begin operating an extra five flights a week from October and daily from November over the busy Christmas period.
Samoan families have expressed frustration at the inability of family members to travel home from Auckland with a growing backlog of waiting passengers as well as high fare costs.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister to visit PNG
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit Papua New Guinea next week.
Ms Mahuta said it is vital to invest time and effort into strengthening New Zealand's ties with partners, especially in the Pacific region.
She said Aotearoa and Papua New Guinea share a warm and long-standing relationship and she looks forward to reaffirming this in person with Prime Minister James Marape and the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko.
NZ Samoan actor, KJ Apa bestowed the chiefly title
New Zealand Samoan actor, KJ Apa has been bestowed the chiefly title 'Savae' in his father's village of Moata'a in Upolu, Samoa.
The bestowal was held at the traditional grounds in Moata'a where the village chiefs commended the actor's courage in accepting his new cultural responsibilities.
Savae has a successful TV and film career but is well known for his role as Archie Andrews in the 'Riverdale' series.
During the ceremony - Savae spoke in Samoan, saying he will serve his family and village to the fullest.
Oceania Futsal Cup starts on Tuesday
Seven countries will contest the Oceania Futsal Cup being held in Suva from Tuesday through to Sunday.
New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and hosts Fiji is hoping to win the competition, while the Oceania Football Federation has also invited the Fiji Football Association to enter a second team.
The top two teams from each pool make the semi-finals on Saturday with the final to be played next Sunday.
Fiji FA Technical Director Timo Jankowski said they've entered two teams in the competition which presents a big opportunity for the next generation of players coming through to be amongst and against those with more experience.