Melino Maka
Focus on child safety after school suspended
The head of the Tongan Advisory Council; Melino Maka, speaks with Susie Ferguson. Audio
An advertorial is raising eyebrows in Tonga
An advertorial in an international business magazine is raising eyebrows in Tonga but for the wrong reasons. Audio
A drug test for kava requested by some NZ companies
The Drug Detection Agency in New Zealand says many companies are requesting a drug test for kava and it's only a matter of time before one is available. Audio
Deportations from NZ to Tonga's Ha'apai slammed
There are fresh calls for New Zealand to stop deporting Tongan overstayers back to the islands of Ha'apai devastated by Cyclone Ian in January. Audio
NZ lifts Tonga travel advisory
New Zealand lifts travel advisory off the kingdom of Tonga. Audio
Tonga urged to expand agriculture exports
The chair of the Tongan Advisory Council in New Zealand says Tonga needs to focus on expanding its agricultural industry to an export market. Audio
Tongan community leader talks about recent stabbings
Suzie Ferguson speaks with Melino Maka, the chair of the Tongan Advisory Council. Audio
Meeting in Wellington a showdown on controversial Tonga plane
A crucial meeting in Wellington may decide the fate of a controversial plane gifted from China to Tonga. Audio
Advocate says deporting people to Tonga a death sentence
The Tongan advocate Melino Maka says deporting people back to the area destroyed by a cyclone is a death sentence. Audio
Tongan overstayers said to be avoiding cyclone damage
A Tongan community leader says immigration should give overstayers who must return to their cyclone-devastated home island leeway to remain here. Audio
Tongan Government officially calls for Humanitarian Aid
The Tongan government has called for international help, nine days after the category five Tropical Cyclone Ian hit Ha'apai. Audio
Pasifika MPs challenged to break ranks on SkyCity deal
The National Party's two Pasifika MPs are being urged to break ranks to defeat the Sky City convention centre deal. Audio
New immigration rules resemble dawn raid era, say critics
Critics of new powers granted to immigration officers say it will lead to unfair treatment of some overstayers and alienate migrant communities. Audio
Tongans in New Zealand prepare for Tuesday's funeral
For Tongans from New Zealand, there's an extra flight from Auckland to Tonga. Air New Zealand added the flight after all the seats to Nuku'alofa sold out. Audio
Tongans mourn King George
We talk to head of the Tongan Advisory Council, Melino Maka. Audio
Immigration closes Ak Pacific branch, moves work to islands
Immigration New Zealand will close its Auckland Pacific branch today and move all its quota and visa work back to Suva, Apia and Nuku'alofa. Audio
Government contract upsets Pacific Island Community
Agencies serving the Pacific Island community are upset at the way the government has gone about awarding nearly five million dollars to help address high unemployment in south-Auckland. Audio
Calls for Tongan govt to resign over ferry sinking
A pro-democracy MP in Tonga is calling on the government to resign following the Royal Commission's report into the sinking of the Princess Ashika. Audio
Choice of Auckland Transition Agency members criticised
Pacific Island community leaders say the skills of the new Auckland Transition Agency members are more focused on business rather than community interests. Audio
Police Shooting (Part 2)
The Tongan Advisory Council says the shooting of Halatau Naitoko has set a"nasty precedent". Audio