Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
-
Monday 22 June 2026 10:34pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tongan scholar Sootino Taungakava has won recognition in the regional “Say It Loud” competition, with her poem ‘Culture is Not a Cage’ earning a merit award for its message on women’s empowerment and cultural identity.
Free to view -
Monday 22 June 2026 5:37pm
Honolulu, Hawaii : Tonga's senior military leadership has joined defence counterparts from across the Indo-Pacific at a regional security symposium aimed at strengthening cooperation among allied and partner nations, in Honolulu Hawaii. Free to view -
Monday 22 June 2026 2:01pm
Rarotonga, Cook Islands : The University of the South Pacific (USP) paid tribute to Chancellor King Tupou VI in the Cook Islands, during what is expected to be his final graduation ceremony in the role before his term as the 32nd Chancellor ends this month. Free to view -
Monday 22 June 2026 1:58pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A new multipurpose hall for Kolovai's Free Wesleyan Primary and Middle School, renovated by the Government of Japan, was commissioned by Prince Ata on Friday, 19 June 2026. Free to view -
Saturday 20 June 2026 7:12pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : National sporting events are set to take place in Tongatapu as two major women's and youth tournaments return for the annual Heilala Week festivities 2026. Free to view -
Saturday 20 June 2026 7:02pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Longolongo and Lapaha opened their 2026 Heilala Manongi Cup campaign as Tongatapu's Women's football competition opened today. Free to view -
Friday 19 June 2026 11:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A police investigation is underway to identify a male body that was discovered on Thursday, 18 June 2026 near the Masefield Naval Base, in Touliki.
Premium content -
Friday 19 June 2026 10:58pm
Suva Fiji : Community and regional responses are essential to combat the rise in transnational crime in the Pacific, particularly the drug crisis, regional law enforcement experts have warned. Premium content -
Suva Fiji : As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies spread rapidly across the Pacific, leaders are warning that the same tools creating new opportunities for youth, education and cultural preservation, also increase the risks of misinformation, online harm and social division. Premium content -
Thursday 18 June 2026 10:59pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : During a late sitting tonight, the Legislative Assembly of Tonga approved the national annual Budget of $949.4 million pa'anga for FY 2026-2027, passing the Appropriation Bill with amendments. By: Katalina Siasau / Matangi Tonga. Premium content
Opinion
-
Saturday 20 June 2026 7:29pm
New Delhi, India : The prospect of artificial general intelligence—systems capable of performing any human cognitive task—has inspired both hope and anxiety. While AGI could usher in an unprecedented increase in global living standards, it could also sharply reduce demand for human labour, fueling unemployment, social unrest, and conflict. Much of the AI debate in recent years has swung between these two extremes. By: Kaushik Basu Free to view
Sports
-
Friday 5 June 2026 11:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga's athletics team returned with a haul of 38 medals from the Oceania Championship Cup 2026 in Darwin, including 10 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze, while setting new records and securing international qualification standards. Free to view
Pacific Islands
-
Monday 15 June 2026 4:11pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Pacific Islands leaders are appealing for global peace, expressing their concern about increasing global tensions among major powers. A collective message published on 13 June, called for all world leaders “to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and to tolerate and respect the rights and dignity of all peoples and nations”. Pacific Islands Forum Leaders affirmed their declaration of the Blue Pacific Continent as an Ocean of Peace in 2025. Free to view
Promoted Content
-
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 -
Tuesday 16 June 2026 9:18pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Government of Tonga has showcased ten years of ocean governance reform at the Australia-Pacific Ocean Business Leaders Summit, demonstrating how a whole-of-government approach is supporting the sustainable management of its entire ocean estate. The reforms, anchored by Ocean7 and strengthened through new policy and legislative tools, position Tonga at the forefront of integrated ocean governance in the Pacific. Free to view -
Friday 22 May 2026 10:46pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : BSP Tonga customers and businesses are experiencing faster and more reliable payment transactions following the rollout of upgraded EFTPoS terminals across the country. More than 400 older terminals have been replaced with new Verifone V660P 4G devices as part of BSP’s wider K1.2 billion modernisation program aimed at strengthening digital banking infrastructure and improving customer service across the Pacific. Free to view
