Widen tax base, spend more efficiently
World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding
Tonga undersea volcano eruption disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world, researchers say
A massive undersea volcano that erupted in Tonga last year reportedly disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world. Since then, an international team of researchers has used satellite-and ground-based
American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage
Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his
Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said
Canada, Kenya, Uruguay and Tonga ready for “do-or-die” Series Play-off
Of the 16 teams set to compete at the HSBC London Sevens this weekend, four know this could be their last experience of life at the top table for at least 12 months. Following 10 intense tournaments, Canada, Kenya and
Tongan Foreign Minister ‘Utoikamanu accepts Chair of the ESCAP 79th Session
Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu is the new chair of the ESCAP 79th Session underway in Bangkok, Thailand this week. In her acceptance speech, ‘Utoikamanu said the deliberations of the
Tonga Government settles legal dispute with broadband company
A confidential settlement agreement has been reached between the Government of Tonga and Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific), who have agreed to end litigation over a multi-million contract dispute. Tonga
U.S. opens Embassy in Tonga in new pushback against China in Pacific
The United States has opened a new Embassy in Tonga, the State Department said on Wednesday, part of efforts to step up the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China. The United States
How Tonga strikes a balance between king and democracy
The Pacific’s last remaining monarchy has taken a unique approach to balancing executive powers between the king and the parliament, Mele Tupou Vaitohi reveals. Tonga knows how to do coronations. When the current
South Auckland dawn raid criticised by Pacific community leader
Pacific community leader is “appalled” that a Pasifika overstayer was detained in a dawn raid in South Auckland last month. Police showed up at the Tongan national’s home at 5am on 19 April and took him into
U.S. set to open new embassy in Tonga this month
The United States is on track to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday, part of efforts to step up its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China.
Tonga earn third PacificAus Sports Netball Series title against Malawi
Tonga earned their third PacificAus Sports Netball Series title on the Gold Coast in Australia, beating Malawi by 13 goals in the final. The tournament at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre served as a warm up for
Tonga and Samoa netters start Aus tourney on the right foot
Defending champs Tonga Tala thrash Singapore 85-40 to open their account on the Gold Coast. Tonga and Samoa recorded victories in their first round of matches at the PacificAUS Sports Netball Series on the Gold Coast in
South Africa and Tonga crowned champions at World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series
South Africa women and Tonga men took one step closer towards promotion by winning the opening tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 on Saturday at Markötter Stadium. Following three days of
Tongan court rules law does not apply to a noble
Tonga’s Appeal Court has upheld a decision saying a law did not apply to a nobleman. A member of Parliament, a nobles’ representative, was elected in 2021 despite the fact he had a court debt. It is
Eight jailed for cocaine washed up on Tongan beach
Eight Tongans in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years’ imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on ‘Otualea Beach
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
USP graduation exemplifies excellence
Regional students share their experiences Over 1,786 tertiary students received their accreditation at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) first graduation ceremony for 2023, with 61% of those graduating being
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
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
