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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Saturday 4 July 2026 11:15pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Newly crowned Miss Heilala 2026-27 Silia Sitoafa Matelau shone at the Miss Heilala annual float parade celebration in Nuku'alofa today, marking the final official event of this year's pageant.
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Saturday 4 July 2026 2:33am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Silia Matelau (22), was crowned Miss Heilala 2026 tonight, 3 July 2026, at the Miss Heilala Ball in the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. The US-born Tongan, who entered the pageant as Miss Lady Maria Australia 2026, won all but one of the main judging categories. Free to view -
Friday 3 July 2026 7:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A masterpiece island creation worn by Miss Tikaway Creations, Meleane Pulotufietau Brown, wowed the crowd during a showcase of impressive island creations for the Miss Heilala judging event last night, 2 July 2026 at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium. Free to view -
Friday 3 July 2026 2:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Miss Heilala contestants confidently modelled colourful sarong swimwear, with five of the 14 girls awarded top placings in the competition last night, 2 July 2026 at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. Free to view -
Friday 3 July 2026 2:30pm
: The Heilala 9s rugby league tournament has returned for a second year, with teams from across Tonga gathering at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, yesterday 2 July, for the opening day of the three-day competition. Free to view -
Friday 3 July 2026 1:51pm
Suva, Fiji : The Pacific Islands Forum Troika leaders met in Suva, Fiji this week for strategic discussions on the future governance of the Pacific regional system and key regional priorities in the lead up to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Palau. Free to view -
Thursday 2 July 2026 7:11am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A showcase of traditional Tongan tau'olunga dancing and costume (teunga) was elegantly presented by 14 Miss Heilala contestants on Tuesday night, at Teufaiva Indoor Stadium, the first night of this week's Miss Heilala judging events. Free to view -
Thursday 2 July 2026 6:57am
Fua'amotu, Tongatapu : A fire truck for Ha'apai Airport donated by the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), was handed over to Tonga Airports Limited, on 30 June 2026, at Fua'amotu International Airport. Free to view -
Tuesday 30 June 2026 11:48pm
Sydney, Australia : Tongan international Haumole Olakau'atu says improving the effort areas of his game helped him win back his place in the NSW State of Origin side after being dropped for game two of the series. By: Jasper Bruce / AAP
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Tuesday 30 June 2026 11:31pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming health systems worldwide—but for Māori and Pacific communities, ensuring it is safe, equitable, and effective remains a critical challenge. Premium content
Sports
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Monday 29 June 2026 10:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Kolomotu'a's 'Ikale (Eagles) was given the Pataloni (Patrons) shield as champions of the Tongatapu Sub-Union Pataloni title 2026 after edging Ha'ateiho Spartans 28-25 in a closely contested grand final at Teufaiva Stadium. Free to view
Pacific Islands
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Friday 3 July 2026 7:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Local authorities are encouraging farmers to plan and prepare for likely dry months ahead during El Niño season in Tonga, as a drought warning is in effect for the Ha'apai island groups, while the rest of Tonga is on a drought alert. Free to view -
Tuesday 23 June 2026 11:58pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An El Niño was officially declared for Tonga for the next 3 to 6 months, following sustained warming of sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, and corresponding changes in the coupling effect of ocean-atmospheric circulation, the Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) under Ministry of MEIDECC stated, 19 June 2026. Free to view
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Thursday 2 July 2026 9:40pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Energy Commission has approved a lower electricity tariff from 1 July 2026, bringing the Regulated Tariff applicable to Tonga Power Limited down from 125.02 to 111.57 seniti per kilowatt-hour (seniti/kWh). - a fall of 10.8 per cent. Free to view -
Monday 22 June 2026 9:38pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : MEIDECC is seeking comments on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the replacement and upgrade of the Tapuhia Waste Water Treatment Plant. A copy of the EAl Report may be inspected at the MEIDECC Environment Office, Fatafehi Road, Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu. Free to view -
Thursday 18 June 2026 12:32pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Energy Commission has approved an increase in the electricity tariff from 1 June 2026, from 121.63 to 125.02 seniti per kilowatt-hour (seniti/kWh), a rise of 2.8%. The increase follows a 7.2% rise in the June wholesale price of diesel for power generation, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to push global fuel prices higher. Free to view -
Wednesday 17 June 2026 11:23pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A call is now open for applications to the Tonga Climate Change Fund for funding proposals under these thematic grant windows including: Agriculture, Agroforestry, Tourism, Fisheries, Energy, Capacity Building and Climate Finance Sustainability. These grants aim to strengthen community resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and advance Tonga’s national climate change priorities. Free to view -
Wednesday 17 June 2026 11:04pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Ko e fanongonongo ni ki he ngaahi Kautaha ni, ke fakahu mai homou tohi kole ki he ngaahi ‘elia ‘e 7 ko ‘eni ‘o kau ki ai ‘a e: Ngoue, Ngoue Tuifio mo e Vao ‘Akau, Takimamata, Toutai, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Fakalakalaka ‘o e Taukei Ngaue mo e Tolonga ‘o e Pa’anga Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea. ‘Oku fakataumu’a ‘a e ngaahi tokoni ko ‘eni ke fakamalohia ‘a e tu’unga matuúaki ‘a e Komiuniti, malu’i ‘a e ngaahi ma’u’anga mo’ui, pea mo fakalakalaka ‘a e ngaahi mahu’inga ‘uluaki fakafonua ‘a Tonga ki he feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘ea. Free to view
