NASA finds Tonga volcano effects reached space
New scientific data from NASA has found that effects of the January 15 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano reached space. Analysing data from NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission and ESA’s
Tongan Legislative Assembly to unseat members
A meeting of the Tongan Legislative Assembly will be held on 16 May to unseat two Members of Parliament from their seats, after their elections were voided by the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. The date for
Tonga: the scientific response
When the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted on January 15 this year, there were no sirens to alert the people of Tonga to the impending tsunami. Tonga disaster reduction risk expert Ana I’K M ‘Ake
Extending Manaaki to Our Community
A 40-foot container full of desks and chairs has been shipped over to schools in Tonga following January’s volcanic eruption. Several schools in Tonga were devastated by the tsunami that followed the eruption with
Former Tonga PM convicted for election bribery
Two Tonga MPs, one a former prime minister and the other a serving cabinet minister, have lost their seats in Parliament. Former PM, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and the minister for Internal Affairs, Sangster
Tries for Tonga fundraiser reaches $100,000
The Tries for Tonga fundraiser total to $100,000(US$69,543) with Highlanders player Andrew Makalio scoring the 200th try of the
Tonga lockdown restrictions eased
Lockdown restrictions in Tonga will be eased with businesses able to operate for three days starting on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday, said the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siasoi Sovaleni. This means businesses
Tonga health ministry confirms six COVID-19 deaths
Six deaths from COVID-19 in Tonga have been confirmed, while another five people with the virus died from underlying illnesses, Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala said. The confirmation comes after
Tongan volcanic eruption prompts resilience
The recovery effort following Tonga's volcanic eruptions has demonstrated Tongan resilience, and the need to remember traditional
Pacific women thrive in world of sports
Champion Cikamatana carry Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton The Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay has completed its brief visit to Australia after following an itinerary from March 17-20 which paid
Fiji and Tonga record first win at Pacific Netball series
Fiji and Tonga won their first matches in the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in Sydney, Monday afternoon. Fiji defeated Samoa 55-44 whilst Tonga thrashed Papua New Guinea 85-42. Outstanding players on Fiji’s team,
Breaking down barriers for women candidates in Tonga
The Tonga 2021 general election was one of the most eventful in the nation’s history as long dominant political parties were ousted by a new wave of independents. However, despite this political shift, women are
Tonga domestic fibre optic cable may take year to replace
Tonga’s domestic telecommunications cable was torn apart by tremendous forces and deeply buried under volcanic debris on the ocean floor…and it may take up to a year to fix. Up to 110km of a special cable
In our February issue
In this issue of Islands Business, lessons from Tonga where people continue to rebuild their lives after the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. Kevin McQuillan looks at movement to reopen the
Tongan resilience and lessons
Early recovery and reconstruction after the Hunga-Ha'apai-Hunga-Tonga volcano eruption and tsunami must incorporate ‘build back better’ standards to increase resilience in the restoration of physical infrastructure,
A month on from Tonga’s Tsunami
(TONGA HIGH COMMISSION) One month ago, on the 15th of January 2022, the Kingdom of Tonga suffered from the double catastrophe of the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami on the same day.
UniFiji Contributes Towards Tonga Disaster Donation Drive
The University of Fiji stands in solidarity with the King and People of Tonga after the recent volcanic eruption. The University of Fiji has pledged its solidarity with the King and People of Tonga in their proud
Bad weather slows search for Fiji end of broken Tonga cable
Progress has been slow in the search for the Fiji end of Tonga’s submarine telecommunications cable – suspected to be broken in several places by the Tonga volcano eruption of last month. Bad weather and
Ripple effect: What the Tonga eruption could mean for tsunami research
The Tonga eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the South Pacific Ocean on 15 January, 2022 created a rare event never before detected with modern instruments. A powerful tsunami raced forward, leaving
Moana Pasifika names formidable line-up for tonight’s pre-season match
Moana Pasifika Head Coach Aaron Mauger has named three formidable lineups for Friday’s pre-season ‘Ofa Atu Tonga’ fundraising match against the Gallagher Chiefs. The game will be played in three 30-minute blocks,
COVID-19 may create a flood of criminal deportations to the Pacific
Closed borders have created a backlog of criminal deportations to Pacific Islands states, and more effective transition programs are needed to reduce the risk of recidivism among returnees, Henrietta McNeill and Magele
Kacific gets nod to provide Tonga broadband Internet
Rural and remote communities in Tonga will now have broadband Internet access, following the lifting by Tongan authorities of earlier restrictions placed on Singaporean-based satellite service provider Kacific
Tonga’s recovery effort
“The volcanic ash has settled into every crevice our lives and we still sleep in fear of another eruption. Yet through the ash, panic and chaos, I saw hope.” That was the testimony of Hon. Frederica Tuita, who