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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Friday 13 March 2026 11:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 43-year-old fisherman from Tokomololo has been reported missing at sea after departing Tongatapu on 3 March, aboard the longliner FV Pacific Horizon.
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Friday 13 March 2026 5:39pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A new development initiative aimed at nurturing young rugby league players both on and off the field was launched in Nukuʻalofa, today, 13 March 2026, in an effort to strengthen the sport’s grassroots development in Tonga. Free to view -
Thursday 12 March 2026 11:34pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Queen Salote College marked its centennial today, 12 March 2026, with church service followed by a grand celebration at Mala'e Pangai Lahi in Nukuʻalofa, honouring the history and legacy of the college established in 1926. Free to view -
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : New Zealand’s Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon will visit Tonga next week, 17-18 March, in a Pacific Mission that will include a cross-party delegation of approximately 80 members. Free to view -
Tuesday 10 March 2026 6:04pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Inflationary shocks are expected to hit Tonga because of the war in the Middle East, raising concerns for the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT), which has introduced its February 2026 Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) aimed at strengthening Tonga’s economic resilience.
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Tuesday 10 March 2026 5:47pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A donation of 50 chairs from the Rotary Clubs of Ballarat West and Nuku’alofa was handed over to the Ālonga Centre on 9 March 2026, providing new seating for residents and visitors while also creating an opportunity for the centre to generate income. Premium content -
Monday 9 March 2026 6:44pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga will observe a one-off government public holiday on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Queen Salote College (QSC). Premium content -
Monday 9 March 2026 5:07pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : In celebration of the Commonwealth Day today, 9 March 2026, HRH Princess Nanasipau’u Eliana with the British High Commission in Tonga, launched the Commonwealth Children’s Booklet 2026, that will help children to learn more about the Commonwealth countries. Premium content -
Monday 9 March 2026 5:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga joins the Commonwealth family to celebrate Commonwealth Day on 9 March 2026 with cultural events, school activities and faith-based services. Premium content -
Monday 9 March 2026 2:50pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Champion Tongan thrower 'Atamaama Tuʻutafaiva won gold in the Women’s Shot Put at the Polynesian Championships, one of multiple medals for Team Tonga across track and field events on Saturday at The Trusts Arena in Auckland. Premium content
Opinion
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Friday 13 March 2026 6:35pm
Auckland, New Zealand : The Tongan general election of November 2025 was interesting, particularly because of the short life of the Eke administration, the election period itself, and of course the outcome and subsequent formation of the Fakafanua-led government. If we were to describe the election process and its outcome in two words, it would be: certain uncertainty. Or, as the French say: “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” - the more things change, the more they stay the same. - Malakai Koloamatangi. Free to view -
Friday 6 March 2026 10:01am
New York, USA : The war with Iran is widening faster than many expected. The Islamic Republic’s retaliation against Arab Gulf states has extended beyond military targets to critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, water desalination plants, and energy facilities. Hezbollah has opened a second front from Lebanon. US President Donald Trump suggests that operations could last “four to five weeks,” but with nearly 50 senior Iranian officials having been killed, it is unclear who might be positioned to negotiate an off-ramp. Trump may have wanted a localized confrontation, but he has instead lit a match in the center of the global energy system. - Carolyn Kissane Free to view -
Monday 2 March 2026 9:58am
California, USA : Despite warnings by Middle East experts to Donald Trump that a new military attack against Iran might trigger a much larger conflagration that risks enveloping the entire region, the US and Israel attacked on Saturday following weeks of threats of a major assault, with Iran counter attacking against US bases in the Middle East as well as other targets. It is possible, although unlikely, that the US could conclude a relatively painless military victory. Unfortunately,...the Trump administration is flying blind. As far as any real national defense goes, the U.S. is naked.... - William Thatcher Dowell, Asia Sentinel. Free to view -
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
Pacific Islands
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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
Promoted Content
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Monday 2 March 2026 1:40pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : In accordance with section (81 & 82) of the Financial Institution’s Act, MBF Bank Limited is hereby publishing the list of Unclaimed Monies at the MBF Bank Limited as at 31 December 2025. Free to view -
Friday 27 February 2026 2:57pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : BSP Tonga | Bank of South Pacific Tonga Limited (BSP) today announced a Net Profit after Tax of T$15.2 million for the financial year ending 31 December 2025. Free to view -
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
