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,

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Guided by the stars: Kakala Tevi dares to save the ocean

The sun climbs gently into the sky as the ocean-going canoe Uto Ni Yalo ploughs towards Vava’u through a surging swell. About 200 metres to the stern, the first rays of the sun glint off the back of a large, black

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Tongan Parliament rejects Police Minister’s bid to take oath in English

The Tongan Legislative Assembly, during its swearing-in of the new Cabinet ministers last Friday, denied a request by new Police Minister Piveni Piukala to take his oath of office in English rather than the Tongan

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Tonga unprepared for deportee crisis, lacks legislation says ministry leader

Tonga is unprepared for the increasing number of deportees arriving from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, says Reverend Semisi Kava, Chaplain for the Tonga Prison Service, warning that the lack of

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Hundreds of Fijians, Tongans among 1.4 million facing deportation from US

A total of 151 Tongans is currently among the estimated 1.4 million people in the United States who are at risk of deportation, reports said. It comes after President Donald Trump held firm to his campaign promise of

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New Tonga PM unveils Cabinet

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, has announced a new Cabinet which includes four unelected representatives.  According to the constitution, the Prime Minister can nominate no more than four unelected

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No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially

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Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke

Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke was elected Prime Minister of Tonga on 24 December 2024, defeating Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the other candidate, by 16 votes to 8 in a secret ballot. The election resulted from the shock

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Starlink approved to revolutionise Tonga’s Internet access

Tonga’s Ministry of MEIDECC has granted official approval for Starlink to deliver high-speed internet across Tonga. The move is expected to transform connectivity and boost digital inclusion throughout the

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Opinion: Tonga’s PM Hu’akavameiliku throws in the towel

In a highly anticipated session of the Tongan parliament to debate and vote on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) scheduled for Monday 9th December, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku surprised

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Tonga to name new PM on Christmas eve after Sovaleni’s resignation

Tonga will select a new Prime Minister on Christmas eve, 24 December following the resignation of Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, which was accepted by King Tupou VI Monday. During Monday’s Parliament session,

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Speaker grants Tonga PM request to postpone reply to no confidence motion

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has postponed the session to table the motion for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni from 3 December to 9 December, 2024. TALANOAOTONGA reports that the

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Tonga’s PM Hu ‘akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni faces another no-confidence vote

Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is facing a new no-confidence vote following recent political tensions and concerns raised by the King. Kaniva Tonga News reports the Speaker of Parliament, Lord

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Tonga’s Pacific Championships success raises questions about International Rugby League’s tier system

For decades, there was an understood hierarchy in men's rugby league that went something like: Australia, New Zealand, England, a bit of daylight, then everyone

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Kangaroos hold off Tonga to claim Pacific Cup title

The Kangaroos have won the Pacific Cup for the first time after surviving a late scare from a fast-finishing Tongan side to claim a 20-14

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Tonga ready for historic Pacific Championships final after ‘sacrifice’

Tonga assistant coach Dean Young believes the side is primed to carry out a historic victory in the Pacific Championships final on

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2022 Tonga eruption: unstudied data from seismic wave points to early signals

Fifteen minutes before the massive January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, a seismic wave was recorded by two distant seismic

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‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu receives HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein award

Amelia Latu Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu, PhD, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has received the HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein

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New Caledonia’s President meets with fellow Forum leaders

President Louis Mapou and the Government of New Caledonia has met with a visiting mission of Pacific Islands Forum leaders, with the Kanak politician noting “New Caledonia is at a turning point in its evolution, and

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Pacific Championships Standings & Judiciary

The Kangaroos can secure a place in the Pacific Cup final by avenging last year's loss to New Zealand next

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Kangaroos launch new era with tough win over Tonga

The Kangaroos have kick started their Pacific Championships campaign with a hard-fought 18-0 win over Tonga XIII at Suncorp

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Arrest in human trafficking sting in Tonga

Law enforcement officials in Tonga said they have arrested a person and recovered a victim during a human trafficking bust last

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Tonga keeps whale watching in check amid global concerns

Tonga, a popular destination for whale-swimming, has carefully balanced its tourism appeal with marine conservation

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Tonga Supreme Court orders millions to be paid out in judgement over reports of banking dispute

The Tonga Supreme Court has ordered a multi-million pa’anga payout in a case involving the Tonga Development Bank and the Reserve

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