Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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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.
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Monday 6 July 2026 7:57pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The annual ‘One Tonga, Glorifying God in Song’ Choral Event, presented 12 choirs and musical groups on stage at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall last night, 5 July. Free to view -
Monday 6 July 2026 2:51pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Mo’ui he 'Ofa ‘Ofanoa (32) is serving two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges that included serious causing bodily harm, when he used a machete on another man during a drunken violent assault in 2025. The judge denounced the level of violence. "Our community needs to be safe from alcohol-crazed behaviour. If a person attacks another with a weapon, they must go to jail, unless there are extenuating circumstances," he said. Free to view -
Monday 6 July 2026 1:24pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two new Judges, Lord Colin Boyd and Sir Patrick Elias were formally sworn in as Judges of the Court of Appeal of the Kingdom of Tonga on 3 July 2026, during a ceremony held at Cabinet. Free to view -
Monday 6 July 2026 1:08pm
Suva, Fiji : Australia's attempts to limit Chinese influence in the Pacific will ramp up with a diplomatic blitz, including the signing of a treaty with Fiji. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will ink a major treaty with Fiji, elevating the nations' relationship as he prepares to meet with several Pacific leaders including Tonga, in a diplomatic blitz. By: Tess Ikonomou/AAP Free to view -
Saturday 4 July 2026 11:15pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Newly crowned Miss Heilala 2026-27 Silia Sitoafa Matelau shone at the Miss Heilala annual float parade celebration in Nuku'alofa today, marking the final official event of this year's pageant. Free to view -
Saturday 4 July 2026 2:33am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Silia Matelau (22), was crowned Miss Heilala 2026 tonight, 3 July 2026, at the Miss Heilala Ball in the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. The US-born Tongan, who entered the pageant as Miss Lady Maria Australia 2026, won all but one of the main judging categories.
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Friday 3 July 2026 7:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A masterpiece island creation worn by Miss Tikaway Creations, Meleane Pulotufietau Brown, wowed the crowd during a showcase of impressive island creations for the Miss Heilala judging event last night, 2 July 2026 at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium. Premium content -
Friday 3 July 2026 2:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Miss Heilala contestants confidently modelled colourful sarong swimwear, with five of the 14 girls awarded top placings in the competition last night, 2 July 2026 at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. Premium content -
Friday 3 July 2026 2:30pm
: The Heilala 9s rugby league tournament has returned for a second year, with teams from across Tonga gathering at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, yesterday 2 July, for the opening day of the three-day competition. Premium content
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
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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
