Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Monday 9 March 2026 6:44pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga will observe a one-off government public holiday on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Queen Salote College (QSC).
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Monday 9 March 2026 5:07pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : In celebration of the Commonwealth Day today, 9 March 2026, HRH Princess Nanasipau’u Eliana with the British High Commission in Tonga, launched the Commonwealth Children’s Booklet 2026, that will help children to learn more about the Commonwealth countries. Free to view -
Monday 9 March 2026 5:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga joins the Commonwealth family to celebrate Commonwealth Day on 9 March 2026 with cultural events, school activities and faith-based services. Free to view -
Monday 9 March 2026 2:50pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Champion Tongan thrower 'Atamaama Tuʻutafaiva won gold in the Women’s Shot Put at the Polynesian Championships, one of multiple medals for Team Tonga across track and field events on Saturday at The Trusts Arena in Auckland. Free to view -
Sunday 8 March 2026 8:26pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Cervical cancer, a largely preventable disease, remains a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women. In parts of the Pacific, incidence rates are up to nine times higher than in Australasia. Now, a programme made possible through a NZ$5.1 million grant from the Matariki Fund will support locally led initiatives to prevent cervical cancer of women across the Pacific Free to view -
Friday 6 March 2026 8:29pm
NSW, Australia : Tongan-born community advocate Ana Tuionuku has been recognised for her service to Pacific communities after being named the 2026 “NSW Local Woman of the Year for Bankstown” in Australia this week.
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Friday 6 March 2026 7:17pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 37-year-old female from 'Utungake has been arrested for reckless driving causing the death of a 5-year-old boy on 4 March 2026 at 'Utungake. Premium content -
Friday 6 March 2026 7:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tongan diaspora living in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf (GCC) States are urged to register with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy today encouraged those who are dual citizens to also register with their other country of citizenship in order to access possible evacuation flights, if needed, during the current Middle East conflict. Premium content -
Thursday 5 March 2026 10:04pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Tonga’s champion shot put thrower ʻAtamaama Tuʻutafaiva (28) is aiming to throw her personal best this Saturday at the Polynesian Track and Field Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. She is aiming to surpass her personal best of 16.61 metres, a mark that secured her Gold at the 2019 Pacific Games. Premium content -
Thursday 5 March 2026 7:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Government of Tonga has issued a third travel advisory urging all Tongan citizens living there to leave the region as soon as possible. Free to view
Opinion
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Friday 6 March 2026 10:01am
New York, USA : The war with Iran is widening faster than many expected. The Islamic Republic’s retaliation against Arab Gulf states has extended beyond military targets to critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, water desalination plants, and energy facilities. Hezbollah has opened a second front from Lebanon. US President Donald Trump suggests that operations could last “four to five weeks,” but with nearly 50 senior Iranian officials having been killed, it is unclear who might be positioned to negotiate an off-ramp. Trump may have wanted a localized confrontation, but he has instead lit a match in the center of the global energy system. - Carolyn Kissane Free to view -
Monday 2 March 2026 9:58am
California, USA : Despite warnings by Middle East experts to Donald Trump that a new military attack against Iran might trigger a much larger conflagration that risks enveloping the entire region, the US and Israel attacked on Saturday following weeks of threats of a major assault, with Iran counter attacking against US bases in the Middle East as well as other targets. It is possible, although unlikely, that the US could conclude a relatively painless military victory. Unfortunately,...the Trump administration is flying blind. As far as any real national defense goes, the U.S. is naked.... - William Thatcher Dowell, Asia Sentinel. Free to view -
Thursday 12 February 2026 4:05pm
Nuku'alofa, 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. Free to view -
Monday 2 February 2026 3:48pm
: The global ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty marks a decisive moment in international cooperation and ocean governance. Referred to as the High Seas Treaty, the agreement establishes a legally binding framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction. By Mohseen Riaz-Ud-Dean and Ashna Kumar. Free to view
Pacific Islands
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Wednesday 25 February 2026 2:52pm
London, UK : Australian photographer Jono Allen has been named the World Nature Photographer of the Year after capturing a rare and breathtaking image of a white humpback whale calf, known as Mãhina, with her mother, in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga. Free to view
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Monday 2 March 2026 1:40pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : In accordance with section (81 & 82) of the Financial Institution’s Act, MBF Bank Limited is hereby publishing the list of Unclaimed Monies at the MBF Bank Limited as at 31 December 2025. Free to view -
Friday 27 February 2026 2:57pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : BSP Tonga | Bank of South Pacific Tonga Limited (BSP) today announced a Net Profit after Tax of T$15.2 million for the financial year ending 31 December 2025. Free to view -
Tuesday 24 February 2026 7:34pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Since its launch in 2023, our charity project, in partnership with HM Queen Nanasipau’u’s Charity, has grown into a tradition of compassion and service to the community. Now in its third year, Swire Shipping continues to work with our customers, vendors and other valued partners to bring hope and relief to needy members of our community. Free to view
