The influenza pandemic of 1918–19, also called the Spanish flu, lasted between one and two years. The pandemic occurred in three waves, though not simultaneously around the globe.

On 7 November 1918, the New Zealand passenger and cargo ship Talune arrived at Apia from Auckland. On board were people suffering from pneumonic influenza, a highly infectious disease already responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world.

The influenza epidemic killed over 22% of Samoa population in 1918, a disease that was introduced to Samoa by sick passengers onboard the Talune ship from New Zealand.

The steamship Talune at the Napier breakwater in 1908. The second wave of the global influenza pandemic came to Western Samoa on board an island trader, the Talune, on 4 November 1918.

In 1917 and early 1918, the H1N1 strain of influenza swept the world, reaching New Zealand in early summer. It was carried home by soldiers returning from Europe at the end of the First World War.

In June 2002 New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark formally apologised to Samoa for three actions taken by the New Zealand administration between 1918 and 1929: allowing the ship Talune, carrying passengers with influenza, to dock in Apia, which resulted in the deaths of more than one in five Samoans; shooting non- …

New Zealand regularly patrols Samoan waters and airspace with the permission of the Samoan government. In 2015, New Zealand provided $27 million NZ dollars to Samoa. Much of New Zealand’s aid to Samoa is to assist the tourism, energy, education, law and justice, and health programs.

The Occupation of Samoa was the takeover – and subsequent administration – of the Pacific colony of German Samoa by New Zealand during World War I. It started in late August 1914 with landings by the Samoa Expeditionary Force from New Zealand….Occupation of German Samoa.

82,389 people

Tongatapu Island

Tonga – United States relations are bilateral relations between Tonga and the United States. The United States and Tonga enjoy close cooperation on a range of international issues. Hence the United States has put little or no pressure on Tonga, its military ally, to become a democracy. …

Polynesian

This is partly because Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation never colonised by a foreign power. Uniquely, Tonga has also never lost its indigenous governance. After over 1000 years of rule, today’s monarchy and its structure still remain the most powerful and influential entity in Tonga.

Petty crime and theft can occur in Tonga. Common sense and the usual travel precautions of securing valuables and not flashing desirable items around should be enough to keep you safe. Home invasions and property theft are an issue, so keep your doors and windows locked when you leave your accommodation.

The Pacific island of Tonga is the most obese country in the world. Up to 40% of the population is thought to have type 2 diabetes and life expectancy is falling. One of the main causes is a cheap, fatty kind of meat – mutton flaps – imported from New Zealand.