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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Monday 23 February 2026 10:33am
Auckland, New Zealand : The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery is set to launch its first Pacific Strategy this week at the 2nd Pacific Peoples Fono in the Community, hosted by The Cause Collective in Manukau, New Zealand.
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Sunday 22 February 2026 2:27pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, and senior government officials witnessed dramatic changes to the active Home Reef volcanic island, during a United States Government Pacific regional jet demonstration flight hosted by the United States Embassy. Free to view -
Sunday 22 February 2026 1:49pm
Washington D.C., U.S.A : The United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will visit Hawaii, Tonga and two other Pacific Islands countries, Fiji, and Samoa for high-level meetings from February 22 to March 2, 2026. Free to view -
Saturday 21 February 2026 10:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Land Court has ordered Yong Chen to vacate a restaurant business he was operating unlawfully in a building on a town allotment in Vaini, after granting an eviction order in favour of the registered allotment holder. Free to view -
Saturday 21 February 2026 1:26pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Lord Ve’ehala, President of the Tonga Football Association, and General Secretary Lui ‘Aho received an equipment grant of 160 footballs from TASANOC CEO Netina Vea and Australian volunteer Yi Yi. Free to view -
Saturday 21 February 2026 12:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two men were arrested by Tonga Police on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, following reports of the alleged sale of methamphetamine. Free to view -
Friday 20 February 2026 11:51am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A search remains underway for one man still missing at sea, Deputy Commissioner and Head of Tonga Police Maritime, 'Atunaisa Taumoepeau, confirmed to Matangi Tonga this morning, 20 February 2026. The update follows the rescue yesterday morning of two Tongans who had been missing at sea for more than ten days.
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Thursday 19 February 2026 8:55pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two Tongan fishermen missing for days in a wooden boat, Mysterious Wonder, were dramatically rescued after a routine RNZAF surveillance flight turned into a life-saving mission in the Southwest Pacific. Premium content -
Wednesday 18 February 2026 9:52pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Launched last year, a bilingual Tongan English sign language booklet ‘Tohi talanoa Nima’ is more than just a learning resource — it has sparked the formation of a national body determined to secure equal access to education, information and opportunity for deaf Tongans. Premium content -
Wednesday 18 February 2026 9:15pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A gift of food supplies for children with disabilities was donated to the 'Ofa Tui Moe Amanaki (OTA) Centre by Rev. Aminiasi Vuki and the women of the Free Wesleyan Church (FWC) of Longolongo. Premium content
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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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
