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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Wednesday 8 July 2026 11:42pm
Denver, USA : 'Ikale Tahi overcame a determined challenge from Zimbabwe claiming a 36-26 victory in their opening Pool F match of the World Rugby Nations Cup, with forward power dominating the closing stages, on 4 July 2026, in Colorado.
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Wednesday 8 July 2026 10:30pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The National Women’s Fono brought over 300 women together today, to voice concerns and opinions aimed at building women's development in the community. The three-day Fono from 8-10 July 2026,will work to develop and endorse the Tonga Women’s Platform for Action 2026–2029, a national roadmap that will guide collective action at national and community levels over the next three years. Free to view -
Wednesday 8 July 2026 12:34pm
Vienna, Austria : Tonga has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), becoming the 179th State to do so and completing universalisation of the Treaty across the Pacific region. For a part of the world deeply impacted by nuclear testing, it is a milestone long in the making. Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 10:22pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Mailoko ‘Ealelei, 28, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment for breaking into the home of a 65-year-old woman in Tofoa and stealing Tongan handicrafts valued at about $10,500 while he was on authorised prison leave. Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 10:10pm
Canberra, Australia : Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has criticised China's testing of nuclear-capable missiles in the Pacific, saying it destabilises the region. China fired the nuclear-capable long-range missile from a submarine in the Pacific on Monday. The test missile is understood to have landed between Nauru and Tuvalu. Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 9:45pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Forty-one drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, during a road policing enforcement operation by Tonga Police over the Heilala Festival weekend. Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 11:00am
Canberra, Australia : China has confirmed it has test launched a strategic missile from a submarine in the Pacific Ocean, just hours after Australia signed a landmark defence alliance with Fiji. By: Tess Ikonomou/AAP Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 10:56am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Imports continues to outweigh exports on average as Tonga recorded a trade deficit of T$185.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Tonga Statistics Department (TSD). Free to view -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 10:50am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : 'Emeline Haisila, 46, and Jayjay 'Ahome'e, 29, have been jailed after pleading guilty to possessing 1.10 grams of methamphetamine and drug utensils discovered during a police search of their Ha'alalo residence following information they were selling illicit drugs. Free to view -
Monday 6 July 2026 8:24pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A chilly 8.6° Celsius recorded in ‘Eua early this morning, 6 July, has broken the record for the lowest minimum temperature recorded in Tonga. The unusually cold conditions experienced across Tonga are associated with the current El Niño event that is present across the Pacific Ocean. Free to view
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
Promoted Content
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Wednesday 8 July 2026 4:25pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Development Bank notifies all valued customers that a copy of your Bank account statement is available every quarter upon request, free of charge. Customers may collect their statements from their nearest Tonga Development Bank office/branch. Free to view -
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : BSP Group | Bank South Pacific (BSP) is proud to announce it will be a major sponsor of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC26), highlighting its commitment to sport, community, and regional pride across the South Pacific. The opening game on 15 October, kicks off a month-long tournament including teams from five South Pacific nations – Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Free to view -
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
