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
Tonga
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
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
