MTO Featured Story block
Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Friday 27 March 2026 6:52pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tongans will soon face higher fuel costs and possible disruptions to daily life, as the war in the Middle East continues to impact oil distribution to the rest of the world. During a media briefing today, 27 March 2026 at the St. George Government Building in Nuku‘alofa, government leaders acknowledged rising fuel prices and the risk of supply disruptions, while assuring the public that the situation remains stable, for now.
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Friday 27 March 2026 6:42pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A call for action in Tonga marked International Women’s Day 2026 with the launch of two major national policies aimed at reshaping the future for women and the young people of all genders. Tonga's young population—56 percent under the age of 24—was seen as a powerful driver for change and for closing the gender gaps. Free to view -
Friday 27 March 2026 12:34am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga has taken full ownership of key agricultural export standards as the PHAMA Plus program concluded its 15-year engagement in the kingdom, handing over the Tonga Kava Standard and Watermelon Technical Guidelines to government authorities on 26 March 2026. Free to view -
Thursday 26 March 2026 11:29pm
Nuku’alofa, Tonga : A 35-year-old man from Mataika was arrested on 21 March 2026, in connection with the theft of a red Nissan Juke used by a Digicel staff member for work and delivery of Digicel cards. Free to view -
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Pacific Detector Dog Working Arrangement, signed this month between New Zealand Customs and Police and Tonga Police and Customs will enhance Tonga’s ability to combat transnational crime. Free to view -
Tuesday 24 March 2026 10:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The arrival of a second international undersea telecommunications cable for Tonga was celebrated with a handover ceremony in Vava'u. The Tonga Hawaiki Submarine Cable Branch System, which officially landed in Vava'u on 18 March, is expected to bring enhanced regional and global connectivity when it comes into service.
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Tuesday 24 March 2026 8:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A tsunami warning remains in force for the Vava'u Group following a major earthquake and aftershocks in the region this evening. A one-foot wave, detected at Neiafu, Vava’u at 6:30 pm, was the only wave recorded. Tonga Meteorological Services has cancelled the tsunami warning for the rest of Tonga except for Vava'u at 7:18 pm on 24 March 202 Free to view -
Monday 23 March 2026 11:26pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A new upscale hotel, resort, and convention centre is set to be built at Tonga’s Parliament precinct, in a move expected to deliver significant economic benefits and strengthen the country’s tourism sector. The development follows an MOU signed earlier this month between Sudima Hotels and King Tupou VI. Premium content -
Monday 23 March 2026 11:18pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Four men have been arrested after a confrontation between in-laws escalated into a shooting incident in ‘Anana last week, Tonga Police say. Premium content -
Monday 23 March 2026 12:08pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A cricket session at His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) naval base on Taufaʻahau Road marked the end of a week-long Australian Defence Force (ADF) sports training program in Nukuʻalofa on 19 March 2026. 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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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
