Results for Pacific Islands

The construction of classrooms and a multipurpose hall for the Free Wesleyan Primary and Middle School in Kolovai will improve the quality of education for students, in a project funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP), which was officially signed in a ceremony yesterday.

Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Johann David Wadephul, has called for a more flexible, energetic and visible European Union presence in the Pacific, saying island states expect partners to move beyond shared values and deliver concrete action.

Commander Rose Apikotoa has become the first Australian of Tongan heritage promoted to the rank of captain n the Australian Navy at a ceremony in Canberra on 29 January, 2026, and will soon take up a new Canberra-based role as Chief of Staff to the Head of Military Personnel.

Climate change remains the single greatest existential threat to Pacific people, according to SPREP Director General Sefanaia Nawadra, who regrets the United States’ recent withdrawal from the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. “A lot of questions were asked about the implications, especially in the face of a fiercely contested region, geopolitically,” he said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in Tonga today, met King Tupou VI, the Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, and Tonga's Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala this morning, on a whirlwind high-level visit.

New petroleum prices for February 2026 have been approved by the Tonga Competent Authority to drop this week, 2 February, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development advised. The price of petrol have decreased by 10.00 seniti/litre, kerosene by 15.00 seniti/litre, and diesel decreased by 25.00 seniti/litre.

Four community-based aged care centres will be built, with three in Tongatapu and one in Vava’u, under the Tonga Integrated Aged Care Project, said the Minister for Ministry of Internal Affairs, Hon. Fane Fituafe. Her Ministry is also prioritising a review of the Tonga Labour Mobility Policy 2024, and planning renovations to sports facilities in preparation for Tonga's hosting of the Pacific Games in 2031.

Two individuals from Havelu have been arrested and charged following a Tonga Police drugs operation conducted in Havelu on Thursday, 29 January 2026.

Kolofo’ou in Tongatapu signed a sister city partnership with East Palo Alto, at the US Embassy in Nuku’alofa today, 30 January 2026, in a first “sister city” partnership between Tonga and the United States of America.