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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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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.
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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. Free to view -
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. Free to view -
Monday 23 March 2026 9:43am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A new category 5 aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle (ARFF) handed over to the Lupepau'u International Airport in Vava'u, recently, will enhance emergency response and aviation safety. Free to view -
Thursday 19 March 2026 5:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga’s Prime Minister has urged the public to stop panic buying of fuel. Lord Fakafanua said today that Tonga’s fuel supply is expected to remain stable for the next two months and is currently rated at Green Level 1, under the government’s 5-level fuel security alert system. Going forward, limits will not be imposed unless the nation’s fuel supply tightens to Levels 2, 3 or 4.
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Wednesday 18 March 2026 11:02am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : At the end of a two-day visit to Tonga, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon, visited the Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge Project at Folaha. Set to become the largest infrastructure development in Tonga, the project is being constructed by a New Zealand engineering company McConnell Dowell. Premium content -
Tuesday 17 March 2026 9:47pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon and Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua have reaffirmed a strengthening partnership between New Zealand and Tonga, pledging closer cooperation on economic growth, law and order, and regional security. The leaders met for bilateral talks in Nuku'alofa today on key issues, including the global fuel crisis linked to Middle East tensions. Premium content -
Tuesday 17 March 2026 9:08pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 42-year-old man has been found guilty of housebreaking and theft after a late-night home invasion in Sopu where the victim, Robina Nakao, was threatened with a knife and robbed of more than $6,000 paʻanga in cash and valuables. The court heard that the intruder repeatedly threatened to kill the victim. Premium content -
Tuesday 17 March 2026 12:24am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 29-year-old man from ‘Utulau died from electrocution on Friday 13 March 2026, Tonga Police confirmed. Premium content -
Monday 16 March 2026 11:45pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Rising global petroleum prices are unlikely to impact Tonga until the next fuel price review in May, the Tongan Government indicated during a media briefing on Friday, 13 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 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
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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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
