Tonga prepares whistleblower bill to protect civil servants exposing government wrongdoing
Tonga is drafting a landmark Whistleblower Protection Bill designed to empower civil servants to report corruption and abuse of power without fear of retaliation, Prime Minister Eke announced last
ADB to start work on Fiji and Tonga’s request to raise bonds in their local currencies
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will now kick-start the process of due diligence to facilitate Fiji and Tonga’s request for the bank to raise local currency bonds in the Fijian dollar and
Geoff Turner named Tonga’s New Police Commissioner
Australian Federal Police (AFP)Commander Geoff Turner has been appointed as Tonga’s next Police Commissioner, set to be sworn in on 12 May
Tongan Police Minister warns against Sunday law breaches
Tongan Minister for Police, Paula Piukala, has expressed concern over repeated requests to breach the nation’s strict Sunday observance laws. Minister Piukala revealed he had received another request for an air
Fiji prepares for State visit by Tongan royals ahead of Tui Nayau installation ceremony
The King and Queen of Tonga, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u will visit Fiji to attend the chiefly installation of the Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba
Auditor General exposes missing receipts for $60m COVID-19 funds as Ex-PM, Minister deflect concerns
Tongan government launched a TOP$60 million (US$24.97 million) stimulus budget in 2020 to ease the economic pressure on public health emergencies and health systems due to the COVID-19
The Tongan fishermen bringing NRL players together
Avid social media followers may have noticed a trend emerge among rugby league players in recent
Tsunami warning lifted after 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Tonga
A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Tonga this morning prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted. No casualties or damages have been reported. The U.S Geological Survey reported the quake
Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives
In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under
From teaching to Tongpop: The artistic journey of Telly Tuita
For a few weeks in January, the ‘Thirsty Mile’ on Sydney’s harbour was a riot of colour and Tongan iconography. It was the work of Tongan Australian artist Telly Tuita, who brought his captivating show ‘The Tā
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport in Tonga has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni
Tonga’s Ministry of Finance CEO calls for unity to overcome Pacific’s economic challenges
Tonga’s Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Finance, Kilisitina Tuaimei’api, opened the Special Forum Economic Officials Meeting (FEOM) Tuesday, with a call for unity in addressing the unprecedented
Plastic bottle and can collection and recycling programme launched in Tonga
Tongatapu residents are now able to earn money from returning their empty PET plastic beverage bottles and cans, in a new programme formally launched in Nuku’alofa Saturday. The programme is the result of a
Leaders call for climate action during post COP29 debrief
Pacific leaders have reiterated the region’s urgent climate demands at the Post-COP29 Debrief of Pacific Political Climate Champions, warning that their voices must not be sidelined. This week’s session brought
Tonga’s Lulutai Airlines can cover its debts, former PM Hu’akavameiliku says
A former Tongan prime minister says that the country’s troubled government-owned airline, Lulutai, has enough assets to cover its debts. Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who resigned last December ahead of a
Tongan airline Lulutai seeking $7 million subsidy
The Tongan government is assessing the possibility of ceasing Lulutai Airlines services due to its inability to meet financial obligations, the Minister for Public Enterprises says. The news follows serious
Scotland and Samoa lead the PacificAus Netball series
The PacificAus Sports Netball Series is heating up, with Scotland and Samoa emerging as the dominant teams after the first three rounds of matches at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. As the competition progresses towards its
Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Tongan community mobilises against US deportation action
The National Tongan American Society (NTAS) in Utah is proactively offering legal assistance to community members facing potential actions from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Executive Director O. Fahina
Dr Masasso Paunga first TNU Vice Chancellor
The Tonga National University (TNU) has appointed Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga as its inaugural Vice Chancellor, effective this month. Talanoaotonga reports that this milestone coincides with the
An uneasy crown: King Tupou VI seeks greater role
For 15 years, the Kingdom of Tonga has gone through a political experiment that was supposed to make the governance system “more democratic”. This was the declared will of the former Monarch, King George Tupou V,