Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Wednesday 22 July 2026 4:19pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga Police has offered a $5,000 pa’anga cash reward for information leading to the recapture of two escapees who fled the Central Police Station in Nuku’alofa on Sunday.
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Wednesday 22 July 2026 2:43pm
Canberra, Australia : Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, meeting with her Chinese counterpart in Manila, has criticised the launch of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. The missile is understood to have landed near Tuvalu. A foreign ministers' meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum will be held in August, where the issue is likely to be discussed. By: Tess Ikonomou/AAP Free to view -
Wednesday 22 July 2026 9:31am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The conflicts in the Middle East continue to affect Pacific nations, including Tonga, driving up inflation and slowing economic growth. The impact of the resulting energy crisis is expected to cost the Tongan government between $40 million and $50 million, according to the National Budget Statement FY2027. Free to view -
Tuesday 21 July 2026 7:50pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An infant in Tonga has received life-saving surgery at Vaiola Hospital without having to leave the country, thanks to a specialist paediatric surgical team deployed from New Zealand. The team arrived in Tonga on 25 June. Free to view -
Tuesday 21 July 2026 7:02pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : One prison escapee has been captured by Tonga Police, who are continuing a search for the remaining two escapees - a New Zealand national and a Fijian national. Police issued a public warning today regarding three escapees who were described as "dangerous". Free to view -
Tuesday 21 July 2026 5:07pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga Police have confirmed that a 37-year-old man from Tatakamotonga died by suicide on Monday, 20 July 2026. Free to view -
Tuesday 21 July 2026 10:30am
New York, USA : The Kingdom of Tonga has signed three major United Nations treaties aimed at banning nuclear weapons and nuclear testing, while strengthening the protection of marine biodiversity in international waters. The Permanent Mission of Tonga to the United Nations said the treaty actions reaffirm the Kingdom's commitment to international peace, security, environmental stewardship and the rule of law. Free to view -
Tuesday 21 July 2026 10:22am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Four road incidents, including collisions with electrical poles and a coconut tree, were recorded during a weekend traffic operation by Tonga Police, while 45 people were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Free to view -
Saturday 18 July 2026 6:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Para archers from five Pacific nations competed in the first inaugural Oceania Para Archery League (OPAL) competition in Tonga today,.
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Saturday 18 July 2026 5:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga College 'Atele was named champion of the Secondary Schools’ Rugby 2026, after defeating the defending titleholders Tupou College-Toloa in a hard-fought senior Under-18 final at Teufaiva Stadium. Premium content
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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Saturday 18 July 2026 6:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Public Consultation on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Peng Chen's new Multi-purpose Building at Vaini, Tongatapu. The Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications (MEIDECC) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the New Multi-Purpose Building at Vaini, Tongatapu. Comments must be received by 31st July 2026. Free to view -
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
