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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Sunday 8 June 2025 2:26pm
Nice, France : Ahead of the UN Ocean Conference, the Samoan government announced nine new marine protected areas - safeguarding 30% of its national waters—and the passage of a new law to ensure 100% of its ocean will be sustainably managed by 2030.
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Saturday 7 June 2025 9:36pm
Nice, France : HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho was welcomed at the International Ocean Science Congress (OOSC2025) in Nice, France, from 3-6 June, where she delivered the Keynote Address at the first session, recognising the vital contributions of Pacific Island nations to global marine stewardship. Free to view -
Saturday 7 June 2025 8:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Prime Minister does not have concerns that major projects in the 2025-26 budget could potentially increase the national debt and create a further burden, saying that, "The public debt is currently declining and there are no plans to take on any new debt from overseas." The budget estimate projects the total national debt to be $428.9 million as of 30 June, representing 34% of the country's GDP. Free to view -
Saturday 7 June 2025 8:25pm
Nuku’alofa, Tonga : Appointment of the Honorary Consul of India to the Kingdom of Tonga Free to view -
Friday 6 June 2025 11:20pm
Canberra, Australia : Unprecedented Ocean warming engulfed the South-West Pacific in 2024, harming ecosystems and economies, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlighted how sea level rise is threatening islands in a region where more than half the population live close to the coast. The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report estimated that each year, at least 50,000 Pacific islanders face the risk of displacement due to the adverse effects of climate change. Free to view -
Friday 6 June 2025 10:25pm
Nadi, Fiji : The stage is set for an exhilarating final showdown this Saturday 7 June, at Prince Charles Park, as the third and final round of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge 2025 kicks off in Nadi. Following two rounds of hard-fought and high-intensity rugby, the tournament now builds to its climax with all four teams eager to finish strong. Meanwhile, at Sigatoka, Fiji the 2025 Oceania Rugby Women's XV, Round 1 kicked off today with the Vodafone Fijiana XVs side defeating the Tonga Lofa XVs 59-5. Free to view -
Thursday 5 June 2025 6:04pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Six prominent leaders in Tonga’s sporting community today attained official regional certification as Master Educators and Educators under the Oceania Sport Education Program (OSEP) from the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), strengthening Tonga’s capacity to deliver high-quality community and specialised sports education.
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Wednesday 4 June 2025 10:46pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A new strategy, ‘Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry’, was endorsed by Pacific Island countries at the Regional Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture and Forestry, in Nuku’alofa, last week. Premium content -
Wednesday 4 June 2025 5:06pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Over the weekend, more than 50 individuals were arrested during a series of Tonga Police Weekend Safety Operations. The arrests were made for various offences, including driving under the influence and illicit drug-related activities. Premium content -
Tuesday 3 June 2025 11:33pm
Oxford, United Kingdom : Dr Vincent B. Luscombe DPhil, a New Zealander of Tongan descent, on Saturday graduated with a high degree from Oxford University, where he also distinguished himself in the sport of water polo. Premium content
Opinion
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Sunday 1 June 2025 4:10pm
London, United Kingdom : In the months and years ahead, investors, business leaders, and policymakers will need to keep a close eye on capital flows, demographic shifts, and ideological realignments, all of which are ushering in a more fragmented and siloed world. While there is no way to eliminate extreme uncertainty, it can at least be managed. ...Amid so much volatility, decision-makers will have to focus on adaptability. - Dambisa Moyo Free to view -
Sunday 1 June 2025 2:13pm
Geneva, Switzerland : Adoptions of the first global agreement to make the world safer from future pandemics and increased financial support to the World Health Organization, were the highlights of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, which ran from 19–27 May. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the commitment shown by the Organization’s Member States which, during nearly two weeks of meetings, adopted historic measures to make the world safer and healthier. Free to view -
Tuesday 20 May 2025 9:14pm
Sydney, Australia : Fakatapu ki he Tu’i ‘o e ‘Otu Tonga moe Fale ‘o Ha’a-Moheofo, Hou’eiki Nōpele, Fale Alea mo e Pule’anga ka e ‘um’aa ‘a e kakai ‘o e fonuā. Kae ‘ataa mu’a ke fai ha tānaki ki he fakatalanoa kuo feia meihe pāengani. Kuo mahino ko e sino pule ‘o e Pule’anga Fakavahe ‘oku taki ‘e he Pule-Fakavahe, memipa ‘a e kau ‘Ofisakolo, Fakafofonga Fale Alea, Pule ‘o e Va’a Pulengāue (Pa’anga, Tauhitohi, Ngāue Faka-Kalake moe Pule ‘o e Va’a Ngāue (Ako, Ngoue, Mo’ui, Langa, Kelekele, Sipoti). - ‘Inoke Hu'akau. Free to view
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Thursday 5 June 2025 10:43pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The National Reserve Bank of Tonga launched Tonga’s FinTech Regulatory Sandbox Framework, with the support of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) at the Pacific Central Bankers’ Meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tuesday 3 June 2025 at Faonelua Convention Centre. Free to view -
Tuesday 3 June 2025 8:07pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Six Pacific region central banks are meeting in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, this week, to explore how financial inclusion can strengthen economic resilience and social equity across the region. The high-level gathering from 3-6 June will focus on accelerating the Pacific’s financial inclusion agenda, with an emphasis on digital innovation, resilience, and access to financial services. Free to view -
Friday 30 May 2025 7:44pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Government of Tonga announced a leap forward in its national digital transformation journey with the launch of a new e-government portal, the TongaPass digital identification system, and a sophisticated API integration platform on 29 May 2025. These initiatives are set to improve the delivery of public services and enhance the end-user experience for all Tongans. Free to view -
Thursday 29 May 2025 12:28am
Canberra, Australia : Naʻe fakafiefia ‘eku toe foki ki Tonga he uike kuoʻosi, ‘o fakataha ai mo e Tama Pilinisi Kalauni Tupoutoʻa ‘Ulukalala mo e ‘Eiki Palēmia Aisake Eke ‘o vakai ki he hāsino mai e kaukaua, mālohinga mo e ngaahi talēniti ‘o e kakai Tonga. ‘Oku mau laveʻi heʻikai lava ‘e ha fonua ‘o tuʻu tokotaha ke aʻusia ‘a e kahaʻu ‘oku tau fiemaʻu. ‘Oku tau kaukaua ange ‘i heʻetau tuʻu fakataha. Ko e ‘uhinga ia ‘oku mau ngāue vāofi ai mo hotau ngaahi kupu fekauʻaki fakafeituʻu ke tokoni ke faaitaha ‘etau fāmili Pasifiki, pea ‘e hokohoko atu ‘emau hoko ko e hoa ngāue falalaʻanga, ‘o ngāue ‘i he founga fakaPasifiki ke poupou ki he feituʻu ‘oku melino, maʻumaʻuluta pea koloaʻia. Fakamālō atu ki he kakai mo e puleʻanga ‘o Tonga ‘i hoʻomou talitali māfana mo vahevahe mai hoʻomou ‘ulungaanga fakafonua. - Mei he Minisitā Kimuli ‘a ‘Aositelēlia - Kongatohi Free to view -
Thursday 29 May 2025 12:22am
Canberra, Australia : What a pleasure it was to be back in Tonga last week, meeting with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Prime Minister Eke and to see the strength, pride and talents of Tonga on full display. We know that none of our nations can achieve the future we want on our own. We are stronger together. That’s why we have worked closely with our regional counterparts to help the Pacific family stay united, and will continue to be your reliable partner, working in the Pacific way to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Thank you to the people and Government of Tonga for your warm welcome. - Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Free to view -
Sunday 25 May 2025 5:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Unlocking new opportunities for Tongan businesses, ANZ Tonga and the Palladium Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance access to ANZ eGate, the country’s first international payment gateway. David Dudley, Country Head of ANZ Tonga, said: “This partnership is about empowering local businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy. With the support of Palladium and MDF, we’re helping to remove a key barrier to growth for Tongan entrepreneurs—access to secure, reliable international payment solutions.” Free to view
