Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Friday 17 July 2026 6:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Nine new law practitioners were admitted to the Bar this morning, 17 July, during a brief admission ceremony held at Court 1 of the Supreme Court of Tonga in Nuku’alofa.
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Lepeka Moala (30) is serving six months in prison, after the Appeal Court quashed her 30 months fully suspended sentence for obtaining $88,000 by false pretences from two people, whose vehicle purchases never arrived. Free to view -
Friday 17 July 2026 6:14pm
: Japan has strengthened its support for football development in Tonga with a donation of training equipment to the Tonga Football Association (TFA), reinforcing more than five decades of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Free to view -
Thursday 16 July 2026 9:19pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Former and current students of Tonga High School performed traditional cultural dances for HRH Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita during the groundbreaking ceremony for the school's new clock tower at the Faa'imata grounds, today. Free to view -
Thursday 16 July 2026 5:37pm
New York, USA : Tonga acknowledged the economic impacts of the Middle East crisis on its economy, despite its geographical distance, citing rising costs and constrained fiscal space, during a series of high level meetings this week in New York, USA. Free to view -
Thursday 16 July 2026 1:30pm
Houma, Tongatapu : The construction of one of four planned aged care facilities in Tonga, began yesterday, 15 July, with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Houma Aged Care Centre in Houma. Free to view -
Thursday 16 July 2026 1:19pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A concern that Tonga has limited resources to reintegrate returnees who have been deported from other countries was expressed by the Crown Prince, at the launching of Tonga’s first National Returnees Reintegration Policy and Strategic Plan, which aims to reduce stigma and strengthen community support for returnees. Free to view -
Wednesday 15 July 2026 5:27pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tangi Mei Moana partnership between the University of Otago and the Tonga National University (TNU) is continuing to create opportunities for the next generation of Tongan and Pacific scientists. Free to view -
Wednesday 15 July 2026 5:18pm
London, United Kingdom : The Tongan 'Tala' will arrive in the United Kingdom in London ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with supporters from across Wales and England expected to gather at Heathrow Airport to welcome the national netball team Wednesday morning. Free to view -
Tuesday 14 July 2026 5:37pm
Alberta, Canada : ‘Ikale Tahi could not defeat Spain’s Los Leones (lions) strong attack who won with a score of 32-19 in their Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifying clash.
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Opinion
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Saturday 18 July 2026 5:46am
Suva, Fiji : Last week, governments from across the world gathered in Geneva for the first session of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, and a presentation of the inaugural report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. It marked an important step towards building global rules for artificial intelligence. The Pacific can contribute to global AI governance. Pacific representation in the forums shaping AI's future can and must emphasise the distinction this region brings to shape AI models and applications of the future. By Kanni Wignaraja and Munkhtuya Altangerel Free to view -
Thursday 9 July 2026 12:55pm
Christchurch, New Zealand : On Monday this week, a Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Naval submarine launched a long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the South Pacific. The missile appears to have landed in international waters near the EEZ of Taiwan ally Tuvalu. The United States recorded a path of space debris from Japan to the central Pacific. China’s missile test is a display of military force, signalling that the PLA now has a second-strike nuclear deterrent. The splashdown was in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established by the Treaty of Rarotonga, which China signed in 1987. - By: Professor Anne-Marie Brady. 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 -
Tuesday 7 July 2026 11:02pm
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 -
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
