The Ha’apai Development Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, held its first meeting of the year. The Committee includes the Governor of Ha’apai, Mr. Pita Tuafatofua; the Noble’s Representative for Ha’apai, Lord Tu’ihangana; the People’s Representative for Ha’apai 12, Hon. Saimone Vuki; and the People’s Representative for Ha’apai 13, Hon. ‘Esafe Hema Latu.

Discussions focused on key priorities to support development in Ha’apai, including strengthening agriculture to support exports, re-establishing animal pounds to better protect farmers’ produce, providing water tanks for communities, improving inter-island ferry connectivity, supplying small fishing boat engines and safety equipment for fishermen, and promoting tourism, recognising Ha’apai’s reputation for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Tonga.

Na’e fakahoko ‘a e fuofua fakataha ki he ta’u ni ‘a e Komiti Fakalakalaka ‘a Ha’apai, ‘a ia ‘oku sea ai ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia, Lord Fakafanua ‘Oku kau ki he Komiti ni ‘a e ‘Eiki Kovana Ha’apai, Pita Taufatofua, Fakafofonga Nopele ‘o Ha’apai ki Falealea, Lord Tu’iha’angana, Fakafofonga ‘o e Kakai ki Falealea ‘o Ha’apai 12, Saimone Vuki moe fakafofonga ‘o Ha’apai 13 ko ‘Esafe Hema Latu.

Na’e fakatefito ‘a e fakataha ki he ngaahi ngaue fakalakalaka mahu’inga ma’a e Vahefonua Ha’apai, kau kiai ‘a hono teke ‘o e tafa’aki ki he ngoue mo hono uta ki muli e fua e fonua, ngaue’aki e fafanga fakalelei kelekele mei he fakaveve ‘a e monumanu, tufaki e ngaahi tangike he tukuikolo mo e motu ‘o Ha’apai, tokoni misini vaka ki he ngaahi vaka toutai iiki pehe ki he ngaahi naunau malu’i mo’ui mo hakeaki’i ‘a e Takimamata koe’uhi ‘oku taku ko e ‘Otu Motu Ha’apai ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e matatahi faka’ofo’ofa taha.