Growing insurance in the Pacific
A vibrant ‘insurance movement’ is “disrupting the historical status quo of insurance coverage access being largely confined to medium to high income urbanites,” says the General Secretary of the United Nations
Tonga
Noni juice inching closer to exports
There is good news for noni exporters and producers across the region, with some progress towards having regional standards for fermented noni juice. Nonu (noni) is an important agricultural export in Samoa,
Tonga heads to PacificAus Netball Series in April
Tala, Tonga’s National Netball Team will head into the 2023 PacificAus Sports Netball Series in Gold Coast, Australia from 24-29 April, as reigning champions. In 2022, the national netball team finished both the
Former Tonga PM Tu’ionetoa passes away
Former Tongan Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa has passed away at the weekend. He had been receiving medical assistance in the United States. Tonga’s Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Paula
Pacific ministers call for fossil fuel free Pacific
An ambitious and historical call to action for a fossil fuel free Pacific was endorsed Friday in Port Vila – demanding a phase out of fossil fuel production from major economies that continue to produce coal, oil and
New Tongan task ahead for Taranaki netball boss
Netball Taranaki general manager Jaqua Pori-Makena-Simpson will take a sabbatical to focus on Tonga’s first Netball World Cup campaign. The Waitara-born coach has been instrumental for Tonga after the country went
Red Cross Leaders: Preparation is key to ensure no-one is left behind
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a health crisis throughout globally, but throughout this time, Pacific Islands have also been battling natural disasters, brought on by climate change. Recognising this,
Additional $252m needed to resuscitate economy, says Tonga PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister acknowledged the strong commitment of Tonga’s development partners and donors and said financial assistance is still needed to ensure a prosperous Tonga, on opening the Development
Tonga MPs debate on domestic airline licensing
A heated discussion between members of Tongan parliament over a request of endorsement from REALTonga Airlines went nowhere on Monday this week. The discussion began when Tongatapu 5 People’s Representative, Hon. Dr
Tongans have a place to call home after volcanic eruption
After the Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami of January 2022, Mango Island was destroyed, making it uninhabitable for the residents. A new community has been established in ‘Eua, south-east of Tonga’s main
The next sin: Drug trade on the rise
Between Mexico and Australia is 165 million square kilometers of ocean. In that vast expanse of sea, travelling west and far from the eyes of police, navy and other law enforcement agencies, a precious cargo finds its
Tonga star supports Test series against England
Tonga and St Helens star Konrad Hurrell has thrown his support behind Kristian Woolf’s side putting their hands up to play England in a Test series to continue the growth of the two nations. England’s plans
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
Tonga wins bid for SPC’s first Polynesian Sub-Regional Office
Tonga has won the bid to host the Pacific Community’s first-ever Polynesian Sub-regional Office. The decision was made by the Pacific Community’s Committee of Representatives of Governments and
Marstella Jack is PIANGO’s New Board Chair
The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisation (PIANGO) convened its Council after it was delayed from 2019 due to COVID-19 threats. Twenty of the 24-member country representatives of PIANGO network
Tonga volcanic eruption reshaped Pacific seafloor
Scientists say they are stunned by what they’ve learnt about the ferocity of the Tonga volcanic eruption in January. When the underwater mountain blew its top, it sent ash and water-vapour half-way to space, and
Pacific nations want compensation commitment at COP27, Samoa MP says
Samoa’s environment minister says Pacific island nations want the international climate talks in Egypt this month to establish a basis for compensating developing countries for losses caused by climate change. Pacific
Three new MPs for Tongatapu decided in by-election
Three new Tongatapu People’s Representatives have been elected into the Legislative Assembly, after the by-elections on November 3. Electoral Commissioner Pita Vuki has announced the by-election results for the
PACIFICi Portal to assist investigative anti-corruption efforts
With the Pacific Island region increasingly impacted by organised transnational crime, international drug and people smuggling, money laundering and corruption, a new web-based investigative tool, PACIFICi, is set to
Tonga’s first large-scale battery systems to achieve climate targets
The first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Tonga was officially opened at an event attended by Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni. Prime Minister Sovaleni, known also by
New $1.5M social scheme to help Tonga tsunami-affected families
The Tonga Government will distribute Humanitarian Cash Transfers of $1.5 million pa’anga (US$614,000), to support 3,000 beneficiaries from affected areas in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai, to recover from
Collective action is necessary for Pacific security: Sovaleni
Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni welcomed Tuesday, senior defence delegates from the region to discuss Pacific security challenges and build collective Pacific responses. Attending the 7th South
Tonga and PNG announce World Cup line-ups
Titans forward David Fifita is expected to pull on a Tonga jersey for the first time in next weekend’s World Cup (RLWC) warm-up match against France in England. Fifita is one of 21 NRL stars in the 24-man Mate