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
Tonga volcanic eruption: Update
The confirmed death toll as a result of the Tonga volcanic eruption stands at two, although there may be other, yet unconfirmed casualties. There are concerns that there are growing fuel shortages, and panic
Tonga volcanic eruption: Lau update
A government vessel is expected to depart for Lau today taking Fiji government officials to survey the extent of the damage wrought as a result of the Tonga volcanic eruption over the weekend. And one casualty has been
Independents the winners in Tonga’s election
Is the party over? Tonga’s election has seen support for the country’s two major parties disintegrate, in favour of a large new cohort of independents, Kalafi Moala writes. The people have spoken and voted for
ANALYSIS: Challenges for Tonga as election looms
As Tongans lose faith in the major parties, the country’s election will likely see a rise in new independent members of parliament, Kalafi Moala writes. Tonga goes to the polls on 18 November to elect 26 members of
Tonga election 2021 – missing the ‘Akilisi Pohiva election factor
Tonga election 2021: Tonga’s most prominent political group Paati Temokalati ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa (PTOA) is sorely missing its leader, the late prime minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva in this year’s general election.
Tonga facing lockdown
Tonga is expected to go into lockdown later today after the kingdom reported its first COVID-19 case. Preparations are underway with churches being mobilised to support medical authorities. Tonga had been COVID-free
Pacific island leaders at the UN General Assembly call for solidarity on COVID-19 and climate change
Pacific Island leaders at the UN General Assembly on Saturday underlined the need for global solidarity, commitment and action to tackle COVID-19 and climate change, two crises which threaten sustainable development.
World Rugby welcomes Pacific teams to Super Pacific Rugby 2022
The Super Pacific Rugby format for 2022 has been confirmed with Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua making up an exciting 12-team line-up. The decision was made following a detailed financial, performance and commercial
Mia Kami: Harnessing the power of music to decolonise the mind
By Rowena Singh “Performing is more than just me standing up and singing a song in front of people; it is a chance for me to share a vision and a mission,” says Tonga’s Mia Kami. Kami’s original songs are full
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams
Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane. It’s a style to which the athletes of the Pacific Islands are unaccustomed.
Collected conversations: Iliesa Samu’s ‘They Said’
By Iliesa Tora First it was Sandalwood Blood. Now it’s They Said. Two books in a space of seven years, authored by a Fijian in Tonga, Iliesa Samu Lala. Now 72 years old, the almost-7-foot giant of a man’s
Collected conversations: Iliesa Samu Lala’s ‘They Said’
"Most of what we inherit today, even believe, are based on what someone said. Topics in my books such as ‘The Human Brain is too small’, ‘Christianity is not for the Fijians', 'Do they still eat people in
Fiji, Tonga confirm All Blacks tests
Fiji Rugby has confirmed that the national side will play two tests against the All Blacks in
Minoru Nishi on business during COVID
For farmers and producers like Tonga’s Minoru Nishi, Managing Director of Nishi Trading Company, COVID-19 has been a double-edged hoe. “Our exports actually increased in terms of demand from the market, and I
Food Revolutionaries
The founder of the Pacific Island Food Revolution says the campaign’s work on changing food choices in the Pacific region is “super relevant” in the current global coronavirus pandemic. “Our project is about
Poetry anthology gives voice to human rights
“My voice does matter, someone will listen, we can make a change whether to write poems or not. What you do matters.” That was the message of Tongan student, Anna Jane Vea, at the launch of a book of