Samoa's Prime Minister has downplayed concerns about the number of foreign fishing vessels the government allows in its waters.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will visit Tonga on Monday 16 February to meet his counterpart the new Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Samiuela 'Akilis Pohiva. The purpose of the trip is to meet the new government and to further develop the close ties between the two nations.

‘Oku hoko atu ‘a e vakai faka’analaiso ‘o hange pe koia na’e fai ‘a e tukupa ke hokohoko atu ki ha fekumi tau’ataina ki he tu’unga ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e toenga ‘o e kau Fakafofonga Tau’ataina mo e ‘uhinga na’a nau heke ai ki he Paati ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa mo Samiulea ‘Akilisi Pohiva. ‘Oku ma’u ai ‘a e faingamalie ko’eni ketau sio tau’ataina ai ki he Minisita Ki he Ngaahi Ngaue Fakalotofonua Sosefo Fe’ao Vakata ka ko e Fakafofonga Falealea ‘o e Vahenga Niua 17.