Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 


Goff, Laban Offer Condolences to Tonga, NZ Tongans

Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs

11 September 2006
Media statement

Goff and Laban Express Condolences to Tonga and NZ's Tongan Community

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Phil Goff and Associate Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban today expressed their sympathy and condolences to the people of Tonga and New Zealand's Tongan community over the death of Tonga’s Head of State, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

“As Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, I extend to Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho Tuku’aho, the Tongan Royal Family and the people of Tonga our deepest condolences. New Zealand's 40,000 strong Tongan community shares the grief of Tongans everywhere at this sad time," Phil Goff said.

“King Taufa'ahau died yesterday aged 88 years after a long period of poor health.

"The King ascended to the throne in 1965 after the death of his Mother, Queen Salote Tupou III and was revered by his people, during his long reign of 41 years, for leading the transformation of Tonga from a largely subsistence economy into a modern state which enjoys membership of both the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

"King Taufa'hau was a close friend of the late Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and enjoyed a strong connection with New Zealand, travelling here frequently and maintaining a residence in Auckland. The King had a strong interest in rowing, rugby and athletics which saw him visit New Zealand frequently to compete and to observe. The King's last official visit to Wellington was in 2000.

"The King's death marks the end of an era in Tonga.

"Toward the end of his reign, the King himself recognised pressures for change in the system by appointing a commoner, Feleti Seveli, as Prime Minister and appointing other elected members of parliament as Ministers.

"With the passing of the King and the ascension to the throne of a new monarch, further changes can be expected in Tonga's political system, Mr Goff and Luamanuvao Laban said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Gordon Campbell:
On What John Banks And Nick Smith Have In Common

The defence that John Banks has been offering to the charges of electoral fraud – that he didn’t read the document he signed, and therefore lacked the necessary criminal intent – is a fairly standard example of political business as usual.

At a time when political power is being centralised downtown in the Executive, responsibility is being re-located to the suburbs. The Beehive seeks to operate as a blame free, shame free environment. At all times, plausible deniability is to be maintained.

Being able to put distance between the Minister and the actions/outcomes/political fallout of policy is not simply the last desperate resort of scoundrels, but the first resort of the foot soldiers in ministerial service... More>>

 

Parliament Today:

IPCA: Police Closure Of Private Party And Use Of Force Unlawful

An Independent Police Conduct Authority report has found that Police acted contrary to law in entering a private residence on Homebush Road, Khandallah, Wellington in the early hours of 5 September 2009. More>>

ALSO:

Off Benefits; Not Into Jobs: Benefit Figures Nothing To Boast About, Paula

Every time Paula Bennett boasts about a drop in numbers of people on benefits, she is indicting herself for crimes against the most vulnerable people in New Zealand. More>>

ALSO:

Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court. More>>

ALSO:

Dam Leak: Labour Lodges Privileges Complaint Against Nick Smith

Labour has lodged a privileges complaint against Conservation Minister Nick Smith for deliberately misleading Parliament over a Department of Conservation draft submission on the proposed Ruataniwha dam. More>>

ALSO:

Avonside, Shirley Boys 'Site-Share', Others Stay Open: Christchurch Secondary School Announcement

Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today that, following an extensive consultation process, all Christchurch secondary schools will remain open because the schools are well located and provide good access for students. More>>

ALSO:

Gordon Campbell: On Len Brown, Trust, And Simon Bridges

Leaving aside the tawdry details of Auckland mayor Len Brown’s extramarital affair, the oddest feature is the timing of the revelations... More>>

ALSO:

Foreign Ministers: Joint Statement On Southern Ocean Marine Protected Areas

Australia, the European Union, France, New Zealand and the United States jointly call for the establishment this year of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean, in the Ross Sea Region and in East Antarctica. More>>

ALSO:

TICS: Telco Interception Bill Debated

This Government says the bill seeks to repeal and replace the Telecommunications (Interception Capability) Act 2004 in order to ensure that interception obligations applying to the telecommunications industry are clear, do not impose unnecessary compliance costs, and are sufficiently flexible...More>>

ALSO:

Get More From Scoop

 

LATEST HEADLINES

 
 
THE WESTPORT STORY
Told by Scoop

Scoop Amplifier paid a 3-day visit to Westport and the Buller District to begin to gain some on-the-spot perspectives into just how steep a battle the majority of Coasters are facing to find ways to tell the story of their intertwined environmental and economic prospects.

See:


 
 
Parliament
Search Scoop  
 
 
Powered by Vodafone
NZ independent news