A search remains underway for one man still missing at sea, Deputy Commissioner and Head of Tonga Police Maritime, 'Atunaisa Taumoepeau, confirmed to Matangi Tonga this morning, 20 February 2026. The update follows the rescue yesterday morning of two Tongans who had been missing at sea for more than ten days.
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Results for Pacific Islands
Friday 20 February 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thursday 19 February 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two Tongan fishermen missing for days in a wooden boat were dramatically rescued after a routine RNZAF surveillance flight turned into a life-saving mission in the Southwest Pacific.
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Launched last year, a bilingual Tongan English sign language booklet ‘Tohi talanoa Nima’ is more than just a learning resource — it has sparked the formation of a national body determined to secure equal access to education, information and opportunity for deaf Tongans.
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A gift of food supplies for children with disabilities was donated to the 'Ofa Tui Moe Amanaki (OTA) Centre by Rev. Aminiasi Vuki and the women of the Free Wesleyan Church (FWC) of Longolongo.
Wednesday 18 February 2026
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'Ohonua, 'Eua
A newly upgraded classroom facility was handed over to the 'Ohonua Government Middle School on 'Eua, 17 February, under project completed funded by the Government of Japan.
Tuesday 17 February 2026
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Auckland, New Zealand
Shot-put legend Dame Valerie Adams was formally welcomed into the sports hall of fame New Zealand at the Halberg Awards, last night, in Auckland.
Monday 16 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The illicit drugs market in Tonga is a growing concern for Police Commissioner Geoff Turner, who says large quantities of drugs moving through the Pacific could eventually create a local market if not carefully managed. He said waste water analysis for drugs could help Police target illicit users in the capital.
Monday 16 February 2026
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American Samoa
Two young Tongan tennis players won silver medals in the U12 team national event at the East Pacific Qualifier Tennis junior tournament, in America Samoa last week. They advanced directly into the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships to be held in Fiji this April.
Monday 16 February 2026
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Nadi, Fiji
Miss Tonga, Siosi’ana Taumoepeau was placed third runner-up at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, after winning the best sarong award, a main judging category, in Nadi, on Saturday 14 February.
Saturday 14 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Immigration Department has acknowledged it does not track how many Tongan nationals have overstayed visas in the United States, been deported, or detained by American authorities — even as Washington imposes sweeping new restrictions that directly target Tongan travellers.
Saturday 14 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI and HM Queen Nanasipau'u, accompanied by members of the Royal Family of Tonga, attended a diplomatic reception last night, 12 February, at ‘Anana, marking the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan. The event was hosted by the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, HE Inagaki Hisao. In his speech, the Ambassador noted that looking forward, Tonga and Japan would "enhance our shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law."
Friday 13 February 2026
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Utah, USA
A professional pickleball player Etta Tuionetoa (33), of Tongan heritage, has established her place in the top tier league of the Professional Pickleball Association in the USA, where she holds four gold medals (doubles and mixed) and an impressive winning streak. She hails as the first Tongan-American pro player in the sport.
Thursday 12 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A three-day Tonga Police Annual Conference 2026 has brought together commissioned officers from across the country to enhance leadership capability, strengthen organisational performance, and strategically plan for the evolving demands of modern policing.
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Several consignments containing undeclared firearms and rounds of ammunition, alcohol, and fireworks, with no permit, were intercepted by Customs officers between December 2025 and January 2026.
Wednesday 11 February 2026
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Nadi, Fiji
Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Viliami Latu, attended the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting, joining more than 250 delegates, in Nadi, on Monday, 9 February. Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey said the meeting comes at a time when many people feel unsettled by political uncertainty, economic volatility and environmental threats.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
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San Francisco, USA
New Zealand-born Tongan, George Holani, made his Super Bowl LX debut yesterday, 9 February 2026, at the Levi Stadium, San Francisco - where his team the Seattle Seahawks emerged champions - defeating the New England Patriots, who also had a player of Tongan heritage in their team.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There's a moderate to high risk of Tonga being affected by at least one severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) by the end of the tropical cyclone season for 2025-26, during its peak between February to March 2026, says the latest seasonal outlook from Tonga Met released today.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
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Neiafu, Vava'u
Illegal firearms and ammunitions, among other unlawful items, were seized by Tonga Police in a recent special operation in Vava'u.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over 500 volunteers rallied by TASANOC, picked-up around 50,000 items of plastics from the Nuku'alofa foreshore and two beaches in Tongatapu, concluding the King’s Baton Relay in Tonga from 1-7 February. The clean-up is part of the Commonwealth Games’ Global Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 13-year-old teen died from electrocution in Holonga on Saturday, 7 February, when he came into contact with an exposed electrical source in a chicken coop.


