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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Tuesday 27 January 2026 9:29pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Marine heatwave conditions are intensifying in Tongan waters, after Nuku’alofa experienced its hottest day on record, of 34.6 degrees on 22 January. Tonga Meteorological Services warned today that a significant rise in ocean temperatures around Tonga will likely see the marine heatwave conditions persist into February.
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Tuesday 27 January 2026 5:53pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : UB40 and Ali Campbell are expected to arrive at Fua’amotu Airport tonight ahead of their Big Love Tour concert, which kicks off at Teufaiva Stadium tomorrow, 28 January. Free to view -
Tuesday 27 January 2026 4:14pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 29-year-old male from Mapelu was arrested and charged by Tonga Police in relation to drug offences on 17 January 2026. Free to view -
Monday 26 January 2026 9:10pm
New Delhi, India : Twenty-five journalists from the Pacific Islands, Central Africa, and West Africa travelled to India for a media familiarization visit from 13-22 January 2026. Free to view -
Monday 26 January 2026 8:57pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Tsunami No Threat Advisory was issued by the Tonga Meteorological Service after a 5.5 magnitude earthquake, centred close to ‘Eua, was felt in southern Tonga at 4:31pm today. Free to view -
Monday 26 January 2026 2:33pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Byung Ho Lee, a graduate of Tonga High School’s Class of 2004, has distinguished himself as the lead author of a groundbreaking study published in Nature Cell Biology, a respected scientific journal. Lee, who earned his PhD in Biochemistry in 2018 at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Germany, Free to view -
Saturday 24 January 2026 12:46am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two cases of typhoid fever confirmed in Tongatapu this week are currently under investigation by the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, which is urging the public to practise good personal hygiene. The patients, two males aged 17 and 21 from the same household in Hofoa, were admitted to Vaiola Hospital on 16 and 17 January. They were confirmed as typhoid cases on Wednesday and Thursday and are now reported to be in stable condition. Free to view -
Thursday 22 January 2026 11:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The new Speaker of the House, Lord Vaea, today welcomed Members of Parliament to the first sitting of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga for 2026.
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Wednesday 21 January 2026 7:19am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Nuku'alofa businessman Tohitongi Fetu’u is serving life imprisonment for importing over 3.5 kg of methamphetamine, along with co-accused 'Eneasi Taumoefolau, one of the main financiers, who imported over 2.2 kg of methamphetamine. Four others received lengthy jail sentences for related drug offences. The judge named the alleged US supplier and urged Tongan authorities to liaise with the FBI to bring him to justice. Premium content -
Monday 19 January 2026 11:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Continuing volcanic activity at the Home Reef in Tonga was spotted today by two pilots who reported seeing white clouds or steam emissions from the location rising to 10,000 feet. Home Reef is about 45 nautical miles from the Lupepau'u Airport in Vava'u. Tonga Geological Services stated today that the volcanic activity poses a low risk to the communities of Vava’u and Ha’apai, however, mariners are advised to stay two nautical miles away. Premium content
Opinion
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Monday 26 January 2026 9:40am
Edinburgh, Scotland : On January 27, US President Donald Trump’s second withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement will finally take effect. This follows his announcement on January 7 that the United States would leave an additional 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN bodies, now deemed unacceptable to the administration. The inclusion of agencies supporting girls and women underscores the move’s arbitrariness and vindictiveness. It will have dire consequences for people around the world. - Gordon Brown. Free to view -
Monday 12 January 2026 10:44pm
New Zealand : As the founding Director of Ocean of Light International Schools I have been a close observer of Education in Tonga. I read with interest that Tonga High School shone brightly with the local examinations. They should shine even brighter because effectively they have the "Cream of the Crop" to work with. As Ocean of Light comes to its 30th Anniversary in February it also looks back on outstanding successes- Alan Cairns Free to view
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Suva, Fiji : The journey back to the lecture halls of The University of the South Pacific for Lesieli Fekitamoelotu Huihahau, was a powerful declaration that it’s never too late to chase your dream. The 30-year-old, who hails from Ha‘apai, recently graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture from USP’s Tonga Campus. Free to view -
Tuesday 20 January 2026 8:32pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Commissioners of the Energy Commission are pleased to announce an electricity tariff reduction of 2.58 seniti per kWh (kilowatt hour). This is a 4.1% reduction from the last quarter (Oct–Dec 2025) when the electricity tariff was 92.16 seniti per kWh. The new electricity tariff for this quarter is $0.8958 seniti per kWh. / Kuo tali ‘e he kau Komisiona Ma’u’anga Ivi ke fakahoko atu ‘a e holo ‘a e totongi ‘uhila ‘aki ‘a e seniti ‘e 2.58 ki he kWh. Ko e holo ‘eni ‘aki ‘a e peseti ‘e 4.1% mei he kuata (‘Okatopa-Tisema 2025) ‘i he taimi na’e seniti ai ‘e 92.16 ki he kWh. Ko e totongi ‘uhila fo’ou ni ke ngaue’aki ma’ae fonua fakalukufua ko e seniti ‘e $0.8958 ki he kWh. Free to view -
Wednesday 14 January 2026 9:51am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Energy Commission has confirmed the reappointment of Col (Ret’d) Siamelie Latu as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a further three-year term, commencing 13 January 2026. Free to view -
Monday 12 January 2026 10:08pm
Suva, Fiji : The University of the South Pacific (USP) continues to empower emerging leaders across the region, with alumni such as Paea Tau’aika from Tonga driving innovation in renewable energy and sustainable economic growth. Free to view
