Tonga Government appeals to public to rent out homes for PIF visitors
On the streets of Nuku’alofa, the rush is on to complete two hundred container houses to provide much needed accommodation for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, to be held in August. Prime
Pacific Netball Series: Tongan Tala secure ‘four-peat’ after overpowering Fiji for title
Tonga Tala’s head coach Jaqua Pori-Makea-Simpson predicted her team would be competitive before the Pacific Netball Series 2024 rolled off in Brisbane on 10 June. And a weekend later, the young side named to
Tonga’s $899.2 million budget for 2024-25
A draft budget of TOP$899.2 million (US$381 million) for the year 2024/25 was announced by the Government of Tonga, stating that it is the first balanced budget proposed by government to parliament since 2019/2020. The
Death penalty for drugs to be debated as King calls for MPs to find solution
Tonga Parliament will host a debate on the death penalty on Tuesday, 28 May. The debate is being sponsored by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, and will discuss the topic ‘Capital punishment as a deterrent for illicit drug
Tongan appropriation Bill 2024 for $899.2 million budget passes first reading
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga passed the first reading of the 2024/2025 Appropriation Bill 2024 today. They are planning for expenditure of $899.2 million (US$ 380.24 million) with $452.3 million (US$191.37 million)
Samoa rugby 7s team on the edge of disaster
The first-ever World Rugby 7s grand final will be played in Madrid in two weeks’ time, with eight teams in contention including Fiji. However, Samoa will be absent from the elite group, having finished second
Government considering issuing Starlink a licence in Tonga
The Tonga Government is considering issuing Starlink a licence to offer broadband internet services in Tonga. The Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni told a media briefing last week that Starlink had
Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) appoints new chairperson and deputy chairperson
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adela Issachar Aru as its new Board Chairperson. The SPTO Board of Directors endorsed the announcement of Aru as the new Chairperson at
‘Tongan Pablo’ identified in corrupt Air NZ baggage crew smuggling drugs from Los Angeles into Auckland
A Tongan man has been named as the senior baggage handler at Auckland Airport who had arranged for his criminal colleagues to import methamphetamine into Aotearoa during the Covid-19 lockdown. A New Zealand Herald
Pacific obesity rates continue to concern
Pacific Island nations have the highest rates of obesity in the world, a new study has revealed. The study from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a worldwide network of over 1500 researchers and
Vaka carries the torch for Tonga’s soccer aspirations
Except for 1991, when they didn’t qualify, the tiny Pacific Island nation of Tonga has participated at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1987. Rugby is Tonga’s most popular sport, with