11 August, 2015. A recent meeting in New Zealand has recognised Parliament as a key institution to safeguarding and upholding the rights of citizens and its corresponding role in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Overseas Travelling Exhibition by the Embassy of Japan and Japan Foundation

Showcasing the natural and cultural environment of the unique

“Tohoku”, North-Eastern region of Japan, its people and their way of life.

Nuku'alofa, 10 'Aokosi 2015. Ko e founga ‘eni ‘oku fakalele ‘aki ‘a e ngaahi ngāue lalahi mo fakalakalaka ‘a e Pule’anga he ngaahi ‘aho ni pea ‘oku ne fakahā mahino mai ‘a e vavai ‘a e pule ‘a e lao ‘i he fonua ni kae pehē ki he ‘ikai ke muimui ki he lao mo e ngaahi tu’utu’uni ngāue kuo fakamafai ‘e he lao (regulations) ‘a ia ‘oku totonu ke muimui kiai ‘a e Pule’anga mo e fonua fakalukufua.

Editor’s Note: Many of our heritage sites of extreme cultural and historical significance are under immense threat of losing forever. The loss of our heritage sites means the loss our cultural and historical identity. Therefore the onus of preserving, conserving and safeguarding them is collectively on our shoulders. There is then a requirement that we adopt a total rather than a partial approach to our cultural and historical sites. By a total approach, reference is made to a serious consideration of their cultural, historical, artistic and social significance rather than their destruction in the name of progress and development. If we are to preserve this cultural site we will definitely reap their social, cultural, historical and economic value, all of which are of total benefits to the whole of Tonga.

The letter below is from one of the seriously concerned academics conducting research in Tonga Dr. Heather Young Leslie of Alberta University, Canada.