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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Monday 6 April 2026 10:54pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tropical Cyclone “VAIANU” (CAT 2) has intensified into a Severe Category 3 cyclone at 7:00pm on Monday 6 April, located about 295km west north west of Suva, Fiji. “At the moment, the system does not pose any threat to the land areas of Tonga in the next 24-48 hrs,” stated Tonga Meteorological Service at 10:00pm
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Monday 6 April 2026 9:56pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An inclusive table tennis program run by the Tonga Table Tennis Federation has expanded to Tonga’s outer islands for the first time, with outreach activities held in Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, recently. Free to view -
Monday 6 April 2026 9:04pm
New York, USA : A step toward protecting its ocean, Tonga is currently participating in global negotiations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, attending the Third Session of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom III) for the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), held from 23 March to 2 April 2026. Free to view -
Thursday 2 April 2026 2:03pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : National fuel supply for Tonga is currently at level "green" meaning there is enough petrol, kerosene, and diesel, expected to last through April and May. However, concerns are growing over potential disruptions as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East enters its fifth week, affecting global fuel supply chains. Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has urged the public to use fuel responsibly during the current period of uncertainty. Starting from yesterday’s increases, Tongans are now facing some of the highest fuel prices ever.
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Wednesday 1 April 2026 8:48pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Supreme Court judge has convicted a man of arranging the transport of more than five kilograms of methamphetamine, while acquitting his co-accused, in a case involving the evidence of police informants in Nuku'alofa. Premium content -
Wednesday 1 April 2026 11:09am
Sydney, Australia : Conflict in the Middle East risks pushing Pacific Island Countries into an energy crisis, with around 80% of their energy reliant on mostly imported oil products. A new analysis on the impact of the conflict on oil prices and Pacific Island economies, released today, estimates that Tonga's annual refined fuel import bill could rise by USD 55 million (9% of GDP). Fiji's annual refined fuel import bill could rise by USD 670 million, a 115% increase from 2025 levels, while Vanuatu's refined petroleum import costs could surge by USD 120 million (11% of GDP). Premium content -
Tuesday 31 March 2026 11:51pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : HM King Tupou VI welcomed four Heads of Missions at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa during the first Diplomatic Week for the year from 25-27 March 2026. Four Ambassadors and High Commissioners presenting their Letters of Credence to the King, included Estonia, Pakistan, India, and Türkiye. Premium content -
Tuesday 31 March 2026 11:44pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Supplies for use in a humanitarian emergency response situation were donated by the Australian Government to MORDI Tonga Trust help prepare for a more rapid response during times of crisis in Tonga. Premium content -
Monday 30 March 2026 7:55pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga has taken a major step toward improving food security with the launch of its first-ever Tonga National Soil Strategy, aimed at strengthening soil management and supporting sustainable agriculture. Soil scientist and former Agriculture CEO Dr. Siosiua Halavatau, also highlighted an urgent need to build technical capacity in soil science for Tonga. Premium content -
Saturday 28 March 2026 7:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 29-year-old woman, Lepeka Moala, has been sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment, fully suspended, after admitting to obtaining a total of $88,000 by false pretences in two separate incidents involving vehicle scams conducted on Facebook. Premium content
Opinion
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Friday 13 March 2026 6:35pm
Auckland, New Zealand : The Tongan general election of November 2025 was interesting, particularly because of the short life of the Eke administration, the election period itself, and of course the outcome and subsequent formation of the Fakafanua-led government. If we were to describe the election process and its outcome in two words, it would be: certain uncertainty. Or, as the French say: “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” - the more things change, the more they stay the same. - Malakai Koloamatangi. Free to view -
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 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
Promoted Content
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Tuesday 31 March 2026 11:03pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Capital Insurance Tonga Ltd has changed its company name to TISA Insurance (Tonga) Limited on 27 November 2025 as part of the Company’s rebranding initiative. Free to view -
Tuesday 31 March 2026 8:45pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : MBF Bank Limited has announced strong financial results for the Financial Year 2025 (FY2025), marking a year of solid growth and strategic transformation focused on supporting entrepreneurs, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and women led businesses. Free to view -
Thursday 26 March 2026 11:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga Gas Limited advises the public that LPG supply across Tongatapu and the outer islands remains stable and continues without interruption. Our supply volumes are sufficient for 100% of Tonga’s gas requirement. Free to view -
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
