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
Tonga lifts most COVID health restrictions
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from September 27. The border has now fully
New island discovered after Tonga volcano eruption
The Home Reef volcano – found in the Central Tonga Islands – erupted this month and within hours, the Earth’s newest land mass had formed. Lava from the volcano was cooled by the ocean water, forming the
Elusive atmospheric wave detected during Tonga volcanic eruption
The catastrophic eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano in 2022 triggered a special atmospheric wave that has eluded detection for the past 85 years. Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at
SES and Digicel to further improve Tonga’s ICT
SES and Digicel have announced they will extend their partnership to provide the Kingdom of Tonga with long-term disaster resiliency to minimise bandwidth disruptions. Under the agreement, Digicel will benefit from
Communications at the heart of the Red Cross response
It was a time to reflect, prepare, support, and respond for the Pacific National Red Cross Societies as they met face-to-face for the first time since COVID for five days in Nadi this month. The Head of the
Oceania mourns passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Pacific leaders to attend state funeral Oceania is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch at age 96. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said: “Her impact
Tonga to hold by-elections on Nov 3
Tonga will hold a parliamentary by-election on November 3 to elect three new People’s Representatives to the Tonga Legislative Assembly. The Office of the Legislative Assembly, stated that the Speaker Lord
Tonga at FEMM: disaster risk financing the priority
Islands Business reporter Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti has been talking to Pacific Islands ministers and officials at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting about their economic priorities and regional opportunities. Here are
Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers lose appeal, elections void
Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers have lost their appeals against court decisions that declared their election results void. Eight judgments from a Special Court of Appeal session, held last month, were released late
U.S. to host Pacific island summit: Sherman
United States President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said on Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.
‘It’s good to be back’ – Tonga border reopens
With hugs and tears, families were reunited at Tonga’s Fua’amotu International Airport, after arriving on an Air New Zealand, the first flight as Tonga re-opened its international border on Monday. Most of
U.S. Senate Bill to establish embassies in the Pacific
A bipartisan group of senators will introduce legislation to establish three new embassies in the Pacific Islands region to strengthen America’s relationships there and counter China’s growing influence. The
Tonga and Fiji solidify road to Cape Town 2023
After an intense five-day Oceania Netball World Cup qualifiers tournament in Suva’s Vodafone Arena, Tonga and Fiji have cemented their places by qualifying for the upcoming Netball World Cup which will be held in
“I thought there was a war happening”
A tsunami that swept over the Lauan island of Moce following a volcanic eruption in Tonga in January left villagers in wonder. As Nasau villager Cama Uluilakeba said: "At first I thought there was a war happening when I
Tonga making waves in Pacific Netball
In light of their recent success in the PacificAus tournament earlier in March this year, the Tonga Netball team will be hoping to continue top performance in the Netball World Cup Pacific Qualifiers this week in Suva,
Help from Above: ‘AgWorld’ App Aids Farm Management in Tonga
From the clouds fall the rains that bring much welcomed moisture and nutrients for farmers the world over. But for a group of growers on the island kingdom of Tonga, a cloud of the virtual kind offers a whole new world
Additional US$20m for Disaster Recovery in Tonga
Five months on from January’s volcanic eruption and COVID-19 outbreaks, an additional US$20 million (approximately TOP46 million) will help strengthen Tonga’s fiscal, disaster and social resilience, the World Bank
Mate Ma’a Tonga stacked for the Pacific Test Series
Tonga Rugby League coach Kristian Woolf named a 25-man squad to play against the New Zealand Kiwis ahead of the June 25 Test in Auckland. The team will feature the likes of hard running forwards Jason Taumalolo, Addin
Tonga Parliament passes largest annual budget
Tonga’s Parliament passed the 2022-2023 annual budget this week, reports Tonga Wires. Totalling $764.7 million pa’anga (US$328.36 million), it is the Kingdom’s largest ever annual budget. According to the Tonga
Tongan MP Hingano dies in NZ
Tongan Cabinet Minister, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano, passed away Friday, at the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand, the Tonga Prime Minister’s Office has announced. Hingano travelled to New Zealand on 30
