Latest news with #Tonga
RNZ News
11 minutes ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Tongan royals to celebrate age-old ties with Fiji at high chief's installation ceremony
By 'Alakihihifo Vailala , PMN Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u at their coronation in 2015. Photo: Supplied / PMN The King and Queen of Tonga are visiting Fiji to attend the installation ceremony of the chiefly titles of Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau, Tui Nayau, and Tui Lau. The installation ceremony will be held on Lakeba Island, and the royal couple has been invited by Lauan chief Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, who has Tongan noble ancestry. Ratu Tevita, who is also the head of Mataqali Vuanirewa, Tubou Village, will be installed as the new Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau, Tui Nayau, and Tui Lau next week. He is the son of Fiji's first Prime Minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and Burebasaga paramount chief, the late Ro Adi Lady Lala Mara. Next week's ceremony comes 56 years after Ratu Tevita's father was last installed as the paramount chief of Lau. Ratu Tevita's maternal great-grandmother was the daughter of Lord Veikune, a prominent Tongan noble. The late Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, mother of the current Tongan monarch King Tupou VI, was also a granddaughter of Lord Veikune. Lord Veikune's wife, Lady Vaohoi Veikune, was the great-granddaughter of Ma'afu, the first Tui Lau, who was renowned for bridging the Tongan and Fijian chiefly lineages. Frederica Lupe'uluiva Tuita, a member of the Tongan royal family, told PMN News that this royal gathering is steeped in ancestral connections, particularly between Tonga and Fiji's chiefly families, particularly the connections through the clan known as 'Ha'a Fale Fisi'. The clan descends from a Tongan chieftess and a chief from the island of Lakeba. Tuita is a niece of King Tupou VI - daughter of the monarch's sister, Princess Royal Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Siosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita. "Relationships between the Tongan royal families and Fijian aristocracy stretch back hundreds of years," she says. "This is embodied in a group or clan of hereditary Lords called 'Ha'a Fale Fisi' or 'House of Fiji'. "They are descendants of Tapu'osi (a chief of Waciwaci Village in Lakeba) and Sinaitakala Lotunofo (eldest daughter of the Tu'i Tonga). "Sinaitakala was a Tu'i Tonga Fefine and was sacred." From left, the Late Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, Frederica Tuita, and Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita. Photo: Facebook / Frederica Tuita According to legend, the eldest daughter of the Tu'i Tonga met Tapu'osi by chance on Lakeba Island during a brief stopover. Lau is an island group in eastern Fiji, with its main island, Lakeba, located about 300 kilometres east of Suva by air. By sea, the journey can take around 10 to 15 hours, depending on the vessel and weather conditions. Tuita emphasises the importance of understanding family history for Pacific identity, noting the significance of family gatherings and obligations in nurturing these relationships. Lauan chief Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. Photo: Supplied / PMN "Most Tongans value their blood ties as they appreciate that without knowing your family history, one's future can be light and ordinary," she says. "We travel( when affordable) to funerals, weddings, family reunions, as it's an obligation and a privilege to nurture and cultivate our family, and we have a sense of belonging." The week-long celebrations for Ratu Tevita's installation will take place from 7 to 13 July. -This article was first published by PMN .
RNZ News
a day ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
Photo: 123RF A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country's health data hack is a "wake-up call" for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga's cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the 15 June cyberattack on the country's Health Ministry. Vaipuna said Tonga and other Pacific nations were vulnerable to data breaches due to the lack of awareness and cybersecurity systems in the region. "There's increasing digital connectivity in the region, and we're sort newcomers to the internet," he said. "I think the connectivity is moving faster than the online safety awareness activity [and] that makes not just Tonga, but the Pacific more vulnerable and targeted." Since the data breach, the Tongan government has said "a small amount" of information from the attack was published online. This included confidential information, it said in a statement. Reporting on the attack has also attributed the breach to the group Inc Ransomware. Vaipuna said the group was well-known and had previously focused on targeting organisations in Europe and the US. However, earlier this month, it targeted the Waiwhetū health organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand. That attack reportedly included the theft of patient consent forms and education and training data. "This type of criminal group usually employs a double-extortion tactic," Vaipuna said. It could either encrypt data and then demand money to decrypt, he said. "The other ransom is where they are demanding payment so that they don't release the information that they hold to the public or sell it on to other cybercriminals." In the current Tonga cyberattack, media reports says that Inc Ransomware wanted a ransom of US$1 million for the information it accessed. The Tongan government has said it has not paid anything. Vaipuna said more needed to be done to raise awareness in the region around cybersecurity and online safety systems, particularly among government departments. "I think this is a wake-up call. The cyberattacks are not just happening in movies or on the news or somewhere else, they are actually happening right on our doorstep and impacting our people. "And the right attention and resources should rightfully be allocated to the organisations and to teams that are tasked with dealing with cybersecurity matters." The Tongan government has also warned people to be extra vigilant when online. It said more information accessed in the cyberattack may be published online, and that may include patient information and medical records. "Our biggest concern is for vulnerable groups of people who are most acutely impacted by information breaches of this kind," the government said. It said that it would contact these people directly. The country's ongoing response was also being aided by experts from Australia's special cyberattack team.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
New Oceania Netball president is optimistic despite challenges
New Oceania Netball president Salote Sisifa. Photo: OCN The new Oceania Netball Federation president says there is a lot of work to be done to ensure that the sport's growth and development continue to align with and be in step with international growth. Tonga's Salote Adi Lopaukamea Sisifa was confirmed as president at the 10th Oceania Netball annual general meeting in Nuku'alofa on Thursday. Her appointment comes amid changes announced by World Netball last week, which include holding the Netball World Cup (NWC) every two years and introducing a Men's World Cup. "I think it is both welcoming and a surprise at the same time for all of us in Oceania," Sisifa told RNZ Pacific from Nuku'alofa. "We are currently struggling with the four-year cycle of getting teams to competitions. I think World Netball is still taking feedback in terms of how to actually roll this out, and from Oceania we have feedback on that to be given." The world governing body for the sport has announced that from NWC 2027 onwards, the format and schedule of the NWC will change, including the introduction of cup and plate competitions. It is part of World Netball's wider mission to develop and deliver a pipeline of international events that showcase the very best of its sport to more people more often, taking netball into a new chapter. After NWC 2027 in Sydney, all future World Cups will take place in November. With the new two-year world cup cycle, the next NWC will be held in November 2029, while in between the two years there will be a new biennial event from November 2028, that will take place in non-NWC years. "It's challenging times for the world, in all areas, but more so in sports," she said. "Trying to get teams out there to competitions, trying to get world rankings, and trying to move up in world rankings for the teams in Oceania "Those are some of the challenges and the common challenges of the Pacific that we face." Sisifa, who was interim president for a few months, was confirmed as the new president and replaces the late Wainikiti Waqa of Fiji, who died in January this year. She said she was humbled and honoured to be appointed to the role. "I'm well aware that this trust comes with responsibilities, expectations, and of course challenges," she said. "I'm excited to take on this role for the best interests of Oceania Netball, and I look forward to working with the executives of Oceania Netball, and the member countries to implement and sustain our shared visions and goals." Sisifa said she is still trying to take in the responsibility and what it means, but believes the support of the regional federations, and that of her own local team in Nuku'alofa, will be a major boost for her. "Work is just ongoing. This is something we have done and keep doing in this line of work, having served as the interim president," she said from Nuku'alofa. "I am very humbled for the trust to give me and Tonga the opportunity to lead as president." She said Tonga Netball was able to share with the Oceania representatives at the annual general meeting how they have managed to partner with stakeholders, including the Tongan government and Australia, to develop the sport. Sisifa said the importance of partnership is something that she wants to continue to emphasise to Oceania members. "One of the strengths of Tonga Netball is being there for other organisations and those other organisations will be there for your organisation, which I hope we can take out into a Oceania perspective," she said. "Or tailor it as something that can happen for Oceania, for the governments to come through and support netball because it is the leading women's sport in the Pacific and now netball has opened up to men and a world cup is coming up." Oceania Netball said Sisifa brings a wealth of experience, and a strong passion and commitment to lead netball in Oceania. "Sisifa has had an extensive career as a leadership executive in netball and journalism," Oceania netball said in their statement. "She is currently the CEO of Tonga Netball Association, and has a successful track record of achievements such as taking the Kingdom of Tonga to new heights in the regional and international Netball Stage. "Importantly, Sisifa has demonstrated clear vision, commitment, and leadership qualities befitting to lead, enhance and sustain the development of netball in Oceania." Sisifa is now the third president of Oceania Netball, following the late Bogidrau, who served as the second president from 2019 to 2024, and Nina Brown of the Cook Islands, who served as the first president from 2014 to 2019.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Australian rugby's incendiary attitude towards nationality needs extinguishing
So there we were in the bowels of Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday night. The post-game media mixed zone is not always the natural home of relaxed, honest repartee, but Sione Tuipulotu is a friendly guy and the British & Irish Lions had just won their opening tour game in Australia. It was a chance for a couple of ritual inquiries and a spot of gentle breeze-shooting. Aside from anything else, it was good to see Tuipulotu smiling. He had missed the entire Six Nations through injury, initially putting his tour participation in doubt. It must have been a particularly tough period given he was Scotland's captain back in the autumn and also grew up in Melbourne. To say he fancied going on this trip would be an understatement. His backstory is also a multifaceted sign of the times. The MacLeods and the Mackenzies have their famous clan tartans; the Tuipulotus not so much. His grandmother hails from Greenock but moved to Australia as a young girl. His father is from Tonga. The family genes, consequently, are more exotic than some and the concept of nationality correspondingly more blurred. Which, on this trip, puts him in the crosshairs of those who insist borders should be hard and fast and national flags non-transferable. Maybe the Western Force stadium announcer thought he was being hilarious as he rattled off the Lions team: 'The Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen. Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. The Kiwi now Irishman, James Lowe.' Either way, more fuel was instantly poured on one of sport's more incendiary debates. READ MORE Tuipulotu didn't hear it – or claimed he didn't – but you could sense the 28-year-old's heart sinking when the subject inevitably came up. 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia,' he replied, more than a touch wearily. 'These are all things we've got to take in our stride. Look, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everybody but I'm loving playing for the Lions.' In other words, he wasn't too impressed. Understandably so. Is it harmless banter or something more insidious when all that should matter is the four crests on their jersey? The Lions prop Pierre Schoeman has already had to deal with such inquiries, as did Lowe on Saturday evening. Lowe qualified for Ireland via residency and played against the Lions for New Zealand Māori in 2017, but he and his wife are now Irish citizens and he insists representing the Lions 'will make me proud until the end of my days'. James Lowe in action for the Lions - he is now an Irish citizen. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho It may also be worth mentioning, for balance, that the current Wallaby squad are a similarly cosmopolitan bunch. The Fijian-born Filipo Daugunu qualifies via residency, while the winger Harry Potter was born in England. Tom Lynagh was born in Italy, for whom his brother Louis now plays, and raised in England. Taniela Tupou is known as the 'Tongan Thor' while Hunter Paisami represented Samoa at under-20s level. Noah Lolesio and Will Skelton were also born in New Zealand. Australia's head coach, Joe Schmidt, meanwhile, is a Kiwi revered for his work in Ireland. Yet even Schmidt has had to row back publicly from a 'sloppy' comment in which he pointedly referred to 'the southern-hemisphere centre partnership' of Tuipolotu and Bundee Aki. Schmidt says he regretted the remark and that it was not meant as a slight. Too late, sadly, to douse the jingoistic flames. And if allowed to rage unchecked, where will it all end? A Ryder Cup team – Brexit means Brexit – containing nobody from beyond the white cliffs of Dover? A ban on the naturalised Canadian Greg Rusedski showing up at Wimbledon? A retrospective trawl through the Lions record books to insert asterisks beside Ronan O'Gara (born in the USA) or Paul Ackford (born in Germany)? Life is not always about staying in your notional lane or adhering to other people's old‑school beliefs surrounding nationalism. Australia's head coach Joe Schmidt had to row back publicly from a 'sloppy' comment. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA Nor, furthermore, has a single one of rugby's regulations been broken. Yes, it would help if stricter rules applied around 'project players' and the poaching of youthful southern hemisphere talent. Nor should it be possible, as it theoretically would be, for someone such as Jack Willis – the England international currently based in France – to switch allegiance to Ireland at the end of next year on the strength of a grandparent from Ulster. But where in the Lions tour agreement does it say that a strong Irish, Welsh, Scottish or English accent is a prerequisite to be a fully fledged tour member? Equally ludicrous is the idea being pedalled in some quarters that if, say, Tuipulotu, Hansen and Lowe were to combine to score a series-clinching try against the Wallabies it would somehow cheapen the Lions ethos. Good luck with flogging that theory to Tuipulotu's proud granny Jacqueline, or, indeed, Andy Farrell. Because once they pull on a red jersey with a Lions badge on their chest, there should be no doubting any player's commitment. The eligibility rules are what they are and, until they change, the current whinging is both disrespectful and irrelevant. Those who disagree are entitled to their opinion. But if people think certain members of the Lions squad now in Australia are devaluing the exercise they are very much barking up the wrong gum tree. — Guardian
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Australian rugby's incendiary attitude towards nationality needs extinguishing
So there we were in the bowels of Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday night. The post-game media mixed zone is not always the natural home of relaxed, honest repartee, but Sione Tuipulotu is a friendly guy and the British & Irish Lions had just won their opening tour game in Australia. It was a chance for a couple of ritual enquiries and a spot of gentle breeze-shooting. It was good to see Tuipulotu smiling aside from anything else. He'd missed the entire Six Nations through injury, initially putting his tour participation in doubt. It must have been a particularly tough period given he was Scotland's captain back in the autumn and also grew up in Melbourne. To say he fancied going on this trip would be an understatement. His backstory is also a multi-faceted sign of the times. The MacLeods and the Mackenzies have their famous clan tartans; the Tuipolotus not so much. His grandmother hails from Greenock but moved to Australia as a young girl. His father is from Tonga. The family genes, consequently, are more exotic than some and the concept of nationality correspondingly more blurred. Which, on this trip, puts him in the crosshairs of those who insist borders should be hard and fast and national flags non-transferable. Maybe the Western Force stadium announcer thought he was being hilarious as he rattled off the Lions team: 'The Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen. Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. The Kiwi now Irishman, James Lowe.' Either way, more fuel was instantly poured on one of sport's more incendiary debates. Tuipulotu didn't hear it – or claimed he didn't – but you could sense the 28-year-old's heart sinking when the subject inevitably came up. 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia,' he replied more than a touch wearily. 'These are all things we've got to take in our stride. Look, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everybody but I'm loving playing for Lions.' In other words, he wasn't too impressed. Understandably so. Imagine if the same announcer pulls a similar stunt before England's cricketers play the opening Test of the Ashes series in the very same stadium this November. 'West Indian Englishmen Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell', Pakistani Englishman Shoaib Bashir …' Harmless banter or something more insidious when all that should matter is the three lions on their caps? The Lions prop Pierre Schoeman has already had to deal with such enquiries, as did Lowe on Saturday evening. Lowe qualified for Ireland via residency and played against the Lions for the Waikato Chiefs in 2017, but he and his wife are now Irish citizens and he insists representing the Lions 'will make me proud until the end of my days'. It might also be worth mentioning, for balance, that the current Wallaby squad are a similarly cosmopolitan bunch. The Fijian-born Filipo Daugunu qualifies via residency, while winger Harry Potter was born in England. Tom Lynagh was born in Italy, for whom his brother Louis now plays, and raised in England. Taniela Tupou is known as the 'Tongan Thor' while Hunter Paisami represented Samoa at Under-20s level. Noah Losesio and Will Skelton were also born in New Zealand. Australia's head coach, Joe Schmidt, meanwhile, is a Kiwi revered for his work in Ireland. Yet even Schmidt has had to row back publicly from a 'sloppy' comment in which he pointedly referred to 'the southern hemisphere centre partnership' of Tuipolotu and Bundee Aki. Schmidt says he regretted the remark and that it was not meant as a slight. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Too late, sadly, to douse the jingoistic flames. And if allowed to rage unchecked, where will it all end? A Ryder Cup team – Brexit means Brexit – containing nobody from beyond the white cliffs of Dover? A ban on the naturalised Canadian Greg Rusedski showing up at Wimbledon? A retrospective trawl through the Lions record books to insert asterisks beside Ronan O'Gara (born in the USA) or Paul Ackford (born Germany)? Life is not always about staying in your notional lane or adhering to other people's old-school beliefs surrounding nationalism. Nor, furthermore, has a single one of rugby's regulations been broken. Yes, it would help if stricter rules applied around 'project players' and the poaching of youthful southern hemisphere talent. Nor should it be possible, as it theoretically would be, for someone like Jack Willis – the England international currently based in France – to switch allegiance to Ireland at the end of next year on the strength of a grandparent from Ulster. But where in the Lions tour agreement does it say that a strong Irish, Welsh, Scottish or English accent is a prerequisite to be a fully-fledged tour member? Equally ludicrous is the idea being pedalled in some quarters that if, say, Tuipulotu, Hansen and Lowe were to combine to score a series-clinching try against the Wallabies it would somehow cheapen the Lions ethos. Good luck with flogging that theory to Tuipulotu's proud granny Jacqueline, or, indeed, Andy Farrell. Because once they pull on a red jersey with a Lions badge on their chest, there should be no doubting any player's commitment. The eligibility rules are what they are and, until they change, the current whinging is both disrespectful and irrelevant. Those who disagree are entitled to their opinion. But if people think certain members of the Lions squad currently in Australia are devaluing the exercise they are very much barking up the wrong gum tree.
