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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Monday 2 March 2026 8:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : HM King Tupou VI officially commissioned the Mango Housing Resettlement in ‘Eua on Saturday, 28 February 2026, handing over 12 newly completed homes to families displaced by the devastating Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption of 15 January 2022.
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Monday 2 March 2026 8:27pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Zimbabwe reaffirmed a longstanding diplomatic relations with a meeting between Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua and Zimbabwe's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade on Friday, 27 February 2026, in Nuku'alofa. Free to view -
Monday 2 March 2026 8:24pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga Police has warned the Public to avoid participation in the BG Wealth Sharing fundraising programme, following a central bank warning about the scheme. Free to view -
Sunday 1 March 2026 7:01pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tropical Cyclone Urmil (Cat, 2) passing through the coastal waters of Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau today, is expected to move out of Tonga's maritime boundary by later tonight. In a 5:00pm forecast Tonga Meteorological Services maintained a Tropical Cyclone warning for southern Tonga and warned that heavy rain and strong to damaging gale force winds could affect some areas. Free to view -
Saturday 28 February 2026 11:59pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tongan Government has urged its citizens in the Middle East and North Africa to exercise heightened caution and register with its embassy following reports of military strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States. Free to view -
Saturday 28 February 2026 4:16pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Despite U.S. government efforts to increase educational opportunities for Tongan students, ongoing visa restrictions have left around 60 students unable to resume their studies at Brigham Young University (BYU). This dilemma was highlighted by Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua at a press briefing held yesterday at the St. George Government Building in Nuku'alofa. Free to view -
Friday 27 February 2026 11:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Money laundering has become an increasing concern across the Pacific and Tonga following a surge in crimes linked to illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, said senior officials from the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) today, in Nuku’alofa.
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Friday 27 February 2026 6:19pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The United States and Tonga signed an enhanced maritime security agreement today, Friday during a brief but high-level visit by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, deepening cooperation to combat illegal fishing, drug trafficking and transnational crime across the Pacific. Premium content -
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. Premium content -
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. Premium content
Opinion
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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 -
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
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
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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
