Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Wednesday 24 December 2025 10:43pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tongatapu's Hihifo District is sparkling for Christmas, where villages are lit up with colourful lights and festive decorations ahead of Christmas this year.
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Wednesday 24 December 2025 10:33pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Pacific Energy confirmed that the fuel supply chain for Tonga returned to normal on 19 December, following petrol shortages throughout Tonga over several months. Free to view -
Tuesday 23 December 2025 5:18pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : HM Queen Nanasipau’u and Princess Eliana presented gifts to the Paediatric Ward at Vaiola Hospital, including new furniture, colorful sofas, chairs, a child-sized table and a gift basket for the young patients. Free to view -
Monday 22 December 2025 8:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Ashok Kumar (58) is serving seven years in prison for one count of trafficking in person, when he lured a 36-year-old woman from Fiji under the pretence of a potential hotel employment opportunity in Nuku’alofa, last year.
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Monday 22 December 2025 8:25pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Penisimani Fisi’ihoi (43) is serving one year and six months imprisonment for obtaining $20,000 from a complainant, who was made to believe that he was surrendering over his town allotment in Kolomotu’a by falsifying a letter and stamp of the Ministry of Lands. Premium content -
Monday 22 December 2025 8:37am
Neiafu, Vava'u : A new packhouse and processing facility will enable Fakatoumafi Kava, a family-run enterprise in Vava'u, to meet increasing market demand while upholding the highest quality and safety standards. Premium content -
Friday 19 December 2025 7:07pm
Brisbane, Australia : A young chess player, Donald Tonutonu, scored a win and a draw for Tonga at the Oceania Youth Chess Championship in Brisbane, Australia this week. Premium content -
Friday 19 December 2025 7:03pm
Suva, Fiji : Fiji is facing one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world, with 1,226 HIV cases recorded in the first half of 2025 alone. A new study by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) reports that the reuse of needles and syringes for drug use, puts people at high risk of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other injection-related infections. Methamphetamine was the most commonly injected drug. Premium content -
Friday 19 December 2025 12:12am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : King Tupou VI has appointed Lord Fakafanua (40) as the 20th Prime Minister of Tonga. The Royal Warrant of Appointment was presented during a private audience attended by the Prime Minister's family and his parliamentary supporters, at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, this afternoon, 18 December 2025. Lord Fakafanua told reporters that he hoped to have his new Cabinet sworn in before Christmas. Premium content -
Wednesday 17 December 2025 10:14pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Supporters of the outgoing Prime Minister Hon. Dr. 'Aisake Eke failed to convince their fellow People's Representatives to keep the premiership within their table on Monday. The election of the new Prime Minister from the Noble's table proved a marked shift in alliances, with Dr Eke's own deputy, Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, publicly declaring support for the rival candidate, Lord Fakafanua, along with close allies of Eke's predecessor PM, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku (PR Tongatapu 3). Premium content
Opinion
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Friday 12 December 2025 3:21pm
Canberra, Australia : A healthy democracy is often measured by how well it enables citizens to take part in the political process, with voter turnout and participation in civil-society groups serving as key indicators of public engagement. Yet as Tonga’s parliament elects its prime minister on 15 December 2025, democratic gains risk being diluted if executive power consolidates around nobility rather than the people’s representatives. By Ema Ivarature, ‘Akanesi Katoa, Henry Ivarature / EAF. Free to view
Pacific Islands
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Tuesday 16 December 2025 11:08pm
Auckland, New Zealand : A new study led by Research Fellow Dr Samuela ‘Ofanoa at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, reveals that TikTok videos about gout frequently contain misleading and inconsistent information. The research highlights the urgent need for evidence-based content. “For Pacific peoples, gout is not simply a lifestyle disease. ...We need a culturally grounded education that explains science and supports families without judgment.” Free to view
Promoted Content
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Friday 5 December 2025 10:42am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Growing up in Fasi Moe Afi, on the island of Tongatapu, 'Isitolo Siale's classroom wasn't just in school, it was in the local market. At the age of 10, Siale, found himself selling produce to contribute to his single mother's income. This experience fuelled his desire to build a better life for his family and became the foundation for his success at The University of the South Pacific (USP), where he has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Free to view -
Tuesday 25 November 2025 1:21pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Na’e tali ‘e he Fakamaau’anga Tangí ‘i he ‘aho 20 ‘o Nōvema 2025, ‘a e tangi ‘a e Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tongá (NRBT), Kōvaná, Seá mo e Poaté, ‘o tu’utu’uni ai ko e ngaahi faka’ilo na’e fakahoko ‘e he Komisiona ki he Fakafepaki’i ‘o e Ta’efaitotonú (ACC) na’e “tōnounou pea ‘ikai tali” pea “na’e totonu pē ke ‘oua ‘e fakahoko ha faka’ilo”. Free to view -
Tuesday 25 November 2025 1:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : On 20 November 2025, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal by the NRBT, its Governor, Chairman and Board, declaring the proceedings as brought by the ACC (Anti-Corruption Commissioner) as “doomed to fail” and that “the claim should not have been brought”. Free to view -
Tuesday 18 November 2025 3:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : ANZ has announced some strategic leadership changes in Cook Islands and Tonga. Subject to the relevant regulatory approvals, Jason Murray, currently Country Head, Cook Islands, will become Country Head, Tonga and David Dudley, currently Country Head, Tonga, will take on the role of Country Head, Cook Islands, effective from 1 March 2026. Free to view
