Results for Tonga

Deep seabed mining is often presented as a new economic frontier for Pacific nations—a source of revenue, jobs, and minerals needed for the global energy transition. But when we look beyond the promises and examine the evidence, the conclusion for Tonga is clear: deep seabed mining is a high-risk gamble we cannot afford to take. This is not an argument against development. It is an argument for choosing development paths that protect our people, our ocean, and our future. - Johnny Grattan Vaea Taione.

Pita Lolohea is serving 18 months in prison for counts that included the theft of electronics valued at around  $14,756 pa'anga and serious wilful damage when he broke into the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in March last year.

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.

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.

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.

Tongans are among those losing significant amounts of money to a Ponzi-style investment scam, currently circulating in Tonga, New Zealand and the USA, warns New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

A 50-year-old male from Havelu was arrested following a police operation on Saturday, 7 February, during which authorities say they seized several packages of methamphetamine, drug-related utensils, cash, electronic devices, and the vehicle involved in the incident.

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.