USP graduates share their aspirations
Years of hard work came to fruition last week after more than 1000 students received their certificates at the University of the South Pacific graduation ceremony in Suva, with 65% of them women. “As you step out of
Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B squads: Tonga include four former capped All Blacks
Tonga’s squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 includes some big names and also some notable exclusions with the inclusion of four former capped All Blacks and a Wallaby. Captain Sonatane Takulua and hooker Paula Ngauamo
Crown Prince launches Tongan passport printing in U.S.
Over 70,000 Tongans living in the United States will now have access to Tongan passport printing services in California. Crown Prince Tupuoto‘a ‘Ulukalala launched the new Tongan passport printing services at the
Petition for Tongan electoral reform
A petition calling for reform of Tonga’s electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House this week. On Monday
Tonga and Solomon Islands make bid for WHO Regional Director post
Tonga and Solomon Islands have nominated medical experts for the position of World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Tonga has nominated Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Solomon Islands has
Flying Fijians win Pacific Nations Cup
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians claimed their third consecutive Pacific Nations Cup, beating Japan 35 – 12 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Japan last night. In doing so Fiji is also taking home the Lipovitan
Fiji, Tonga progress at Netball World Cup
The Fiji Pearls today suffered a heavy defeat of 28-89 against the England Roses in their fifth Netball World Cup match in Cape Town, South Africa. The Pearls missed out on numerous opportunities as their opponents came
PNG, Fiji, Tonga participate in large-scale military exercise in Australia
This year’s military exercise in Australia marked the first-time participation from countries as far away as Germany and by South Pacific countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga. For the next week,
Results: Pacific teams at the Netball World Cup
The Tonga Tala finished strong to edge the Fiji Pearls on the first day of the Netball World Cup opener in Cape Town, South Africa Friday night 56 – 51. It is Tonga’s first Netball World Cup appearance, so
U.S.-China competition: Blinken heading to NZ, Tonga, Australia
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Pacific this week – his third foray to the region – to discuss security co-operation with New Zealand and Australia. The State Department said Blinken
Fiji withstand Tongan comeback
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians successfully defend their home ground against a strong Tonga Ikale Tahi team 36-20 in a fully-packed Churchill Park this past weekend. Tonga was coming off an impressive win against
Tonga Domestic submarine cable repair completed
Tonga’s domestic submarine cable system connecting Vavaú and Haápai Islands has been successfully repaired and restored for service, effective from Wednesday, 12 July This follows damage it suffered during the
Tonga Parliament passes deficit Budget for 2023-2024
Tonga’s parliament passed the national Annual Budget for FY2023-2024 of $784.2 million pa’anga (US$332 million) Wednesday with 14-0 votes. The biggest budget allocation in the Budget Estimates 2023-2024 is for the
Tonga PM urges Pacific partners to properly manage seabed minerals
A fifth Pacific-SIDS regional and capacity development workshop and a high level panel for sustainable management of seabed minerals of the Blue Pacific continent is being held this week in Nuku’alofa.
Coach says Tonga have ‘massive X-factor’ for Rugby World Cup
Three former Wallabies and five All Blacks make Tonga’s squad its best ever and will give the Pacific nation a “massive X-factor” at the Rugby World Cup, coach Toutai Kefu has said. Kefu has made the most of
Tongan Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu laid to rest
Princess Mele Siu’ilkutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili (the Dowager Lady Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili) was laid to rest at the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula, in the heart of a quiet subdued capital, Nuku’alofa, Saturday.
Tongan princess dies in Auckland, aged 75
Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili has passed away in Auckland at age 75. The oldest child of Prince Fatafehi Tuipelehake and his wife Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune, Princess
Widen tax base, spend more efficiently
World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding
Tonga undersea volcano eruption disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world, researchers say
A massive undersea volcano that erupted in Tonga last year reportedly disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world. Since then, an international team of researchers has used satellite-and ground-based
American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage
Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his
Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said
Canada, Kenya, Uruguay and Tonga ready for “do-or-die” Series Play-off
Of the 16 teams set to compete at the HSBC London Sevens this weekend, four know this could be their last experience of life at the top table for at least 12 months. Following 10 intense tournaments, Canada, Kenya and
Tongan Foreign Minister ‘Utoikamanu accepts Chair of the ESCAP 79th Session
Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu is the new chair of the ESCAP 79th Session underway in Bangkok, Thailand this week. In her acceptance speech, ‘Utoikamanu said the deliberations of the
