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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Thursday 26 February 2026 7:51pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A week of service, sport and games is set for Nuku’alofa this April, as Khyiris Tonga and his family give back to Tonga through a charity initiative inspired by faith, resilience and love for home. A highlight of the week will be an Easter egg hunt hosted at Pangailahi in Nuku'alofa, an initiative of his mother Siu Tonga and co-hosted by HRH Princess Mata’aho.
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Thursday 26 February 2026 7:25pm
Nuku'alofa Tonga : A ‘Walk for Life' walkathon raised 10,000TOP with over a hundred people walking from Teufaiva Stadium to ‘Apifo’oou College, on Tongatapu last Saturday morning. The funds were presented to the Takataka Gym at Teufaiva Stadium to support its stroke rehabilitation work. Free to view -
Thursday 26 February 2026 7:07pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Edwin Liava'a has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Tonga Post Limited (TPost) for a four-year term effective from 24 February, 2026. Free to view -
Thursday 26 February 2026 3:50pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Investigations will determine the cause of a major fire that broke out at Loumaile Lodge, a large derelict building in the Nuku'alofa Central Business District, on Wednesday evening. Free to view -
Thursday 26 February 2026 11:21am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A senior government official is among four men arrested and charged with possession of drug utensils following a Tonga Police drugs operation on Monday, 16 February 2026. The suspects aged between 35 and 59 years, include an official at the Prime Minister's Office. Free to view -
Wednesday 25 February 2026 8:50pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Prime Minister's Office has referred one of its employees to the Public Service Commission for disciplinary action after police confirmed the staff member’s arrest in connection with the possession of illicit drug utensils, officials said today. Free to view -
Wednesday 25 February 2026 2:52pm
London, UK : Australian photographer Jono Allen has been named the World Nature Photographer of the Year after capturing a rare and breathtaking image of a white humpback whale calf, known as Mãhina, with her mother, in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga. Free to view -
Wednesday 25 February 2026 9:27am
Tokyo, Japan : Japan’s Minister of Defence, Shinjiro Koizumi, called for collective action to “safeguard the Pacific as the ocean of peace” as he opened the 3rd Japan Pacific Islands Defense Ministers Dialogue (JPIDD) in Tokyo on 23 February. The meeting brought together representatives from 28 countries, including defence ministers from Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island Countries (PICs), as well as partner nations and ASEAN member states. Free to view -
Tuesday 24 February 2026 3:17pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Police Maritime has suspended its search and rescue operation for a man reported missing at sea after no new information was uncovered following the rescue of his two companions last Wednesday, 18 February. Free to view -
Monday 23 February 2026 11:30pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The sound of bouncing basketballs echoed through the Atele Indoor Stadium on Saturday, 21 February, as the Tonga National Basketball Association (TNBA) tipped off its first event of the year — a 3x3 tournament designed to spark youth interest and teach children the fundamentals of the game.
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Opinion
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Thursday 12 February 2026 4:05pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Deep seabed mining is often presented as a new economic frontier for Pacific nations—a source of revenue, jobs, and minerals needed for the global energy transition. But when we look beyond the promises and examine the evidence, the conclusion for Tonga is clear: deep seabed mining is a high-risk gamble we cannot afford to take. This is not an argument against development. It is an argument for choosing development paths that protect our people, our ocean, and our future. - Johnny Grattan Vaea Taione. Free to view -
Wednesday 4 February 2026 9:41am
Geneva, Switzerland : Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study examines 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation – and for the first time – nine cancer-causing infections. Three cancer types – lung, stomach and cervical cancer – accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women, globally. Free to view -
Monday 2 February 2026 3:48pm
: The global ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty marks a decisive moment in international cooperation and ocean governance. Referred to as the High Seas Treaty, the agreement establishes a legally binding framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction. By Mohseen Riaz-Ud-Dean and Ashna Kumar. Free to view -
Monday 2 February 2026 12:54pm
Toronto, Canada : Timothy Snyder sees in the public executions of US citizens by federal agents a move to turn the entire US into a border zone. Free to view
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Tuesday 24 February 2026 7:34pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Since its launch in 2023, our charity project, in partnership with HM Queen Nanasipau’u’s Charity, has grown into a tradition of compassion and service to the community. Now in its third year, Swire Shipping continues to work with our customers, vendors and other valued partners to bring hope and relief to needy members of our community. Free to view -
Suva, Fiji : The journey back to the lecture halls of The University of the South Pacific for Lesieli Fekitamoelotu Huihahau, was a powerful declaration that it’s never too late to chase your dream. The 30-year-old, who hails from Ha‘apai, recently graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture from USP’s Tonga Campus. Free to view -
Tuesday 20 January 2026 8:32pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Commissioners of the Energy Commission are pleased to announce an electricity tariff reduction of 2.58 seniti per kWh (kilowatt hour). This is a 4.1% reduction from the last quarter (Oct–Dec 2025) when the electricity tariff was 92.16 seniti per kWh. The new electricity tariff for this quarter is $0.8958 seniti per kWh. / Kuo tali ‘e he kau Komisiona Ma’u’anga Ivi ke fakahoko atu ‘a e holo ‘a e totongi ‘uhila ‘aki ‘a e seniti ‘e 2.58 ki he kWh. Ko e holo ‘eni ‘aki ‘a e peseti ‘e 4.1% mei he kuata (‘Okatopa-Tisema 2025) ‘i he taimi na’e seniti ai ‘e 92.16 ki he kWh. Ko e totongi ‘uhila fo’ou ni ke ngaue’aki ma’ae fonua fakalukufua ko e seniti ‘e $0.8958 ki he kWh. Free to view
