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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Tuesday 19 May 2026 9:37pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tongan government has proposed a national budget estimate of $929.5 million paʻanga for 2026/27, with a projected $38.1 million deficit, presented to Parliament yesterday, 18 May 2026, by Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua. He said a decline in Tonga's economic growth is driven largely by conflicts in the Middle East resulting in energy-related challenges and associated economic pressures.
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Tuesday 19 May 2026 8:43pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A parliamentary delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Tonga has concluded an official visit to the People’s Republic of China held from May 6 - 15, 2026. Free to view -
Tuesday 19 May 2026 8:16pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Meteorological Service says there is a highly likely chance of El Niño developing during the June to August 2026 period, with warmer-than-average ocean conditions expected to continue across Tonga waters. Free to view -
Tuesday 19 May 2026 6:13pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Tongan Olympic officials are attending the LA28 Oceania Forum in Auckland, this week, aimed at strengthening regional preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. Free to view -
Tuesday 19 May 2026 6:01pm
Sydney Australia : Addin Fonua-Blake, NSW Blues debutant almost gave up on playing State of Origin before changes to NRL eligibility rules opened the door to his long-awaited Blues call-up. Free to view -
Tuesday 19 May 2026 2:31am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two members of parliament were sworn in today, 18 May 2026, as the Legislative Assembly reconvened after a four-month hiatus. Meanwhile, one member, the Minister for Lands, has yet to take his oath and the Speaker called for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to respect and prioritise requirements set out by the Constitution. Free to view -
Tuesday 19 May 2026 2:26am
Manila, Phillipines : The World Health Organization has issued an open call inviting governments, academic institutions, civil society groups, private sector organisations and international agencies to submit case studies showing measurable health benefits from climate mitigation or adaptation efforts outside the health sector. The selected case studies will be showcased at the Pre-COP32 meeting in Fiji, in October this year Free to view -
Monday 18 May 2026 12:42pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : With an AUD 10 million investment from the Australian government, Tonga is strengthening its disaster preparedness, response, and recovery systems through the official signing of the Tala Kei Kapa: Prepare, Respond, Recover humanitarian investment. Free to view -
Friday 15 May 2026 11:30pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Tongan man serving life imprisonment for importing more than 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from the United States has lost his appeal against conviction in Tonga’s Court of Appeal today.
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Friday 15 May 2026 4:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tongan Court of Appeal has dismissed appeals against conviction and sentence brought by former Member of Parliament Vatau Hui, upholding his convictions for indecent assault and common assault against a woman. “In some ways it is an aggravating factor that the appellant was a Member of Parliament; he is someone who ought to have set an example in law-abiding conduct as a leader of the community,” the judgment said. Premium content
Opinion
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Thursday 14 May 2026 9:57am
Port Vila, Vanuatu : Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a legal opinion on climate change with a clarity of purpose not seen since the 2015 Paris agreement. It left no doubt that states have a legal obligation to prevent significant harm to the climate system, and that failure to do so carries legal consequences. By Ralph Regenvanu in Port Vila. Free to view
Sports
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Tuesday 5 May 2026 11:15pm
Australia : Tongan Judoka, Paula Monta secured a silver in the Senior Men +100kg division, at the Oceania Open on Saturday, 2 May, in Mandurah, Australia. Free to view
Pacific Islands
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Tuesday 12 May 2026 8:48pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga must begin immediate preparations for the 2031 Pacific Games, according to senior Pacific Games Council officials who visited the Kingdom this week, warning that delays in planning, governance and technical readiness could place significant pressure on the host nation. Premium content -
Monday 11 May 2026 10:05pm
: For farmer Nafetalai Makaui from Houma, improvements to Tonga’s watermelon export pathway have translated into practical changes on the ground. Working with Nishi Trading under a PHAMA Plus-supported fertigation pilot, he increased production on a one-acre plot from 8 tonnes to 21 tonnes, enough to fill a 20-foot shipping container. “The watermelons are sweeter now because we’re keeping the soil consistently moist,” Makaui said. “Before, we relied on rain, and it just wasn’t consistent enough.” Free to view -
Thursday 7 May 2026 10:48pm
Suva, Fiji : The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Treaty has officially come into force, marking a major step for Pacific countries working together on climate resilience, clean energy, and community adaptation. Free to view
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Tuesday 19 May 2026 2:10am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : 1. Kuo fakahü mai ki he Potungäue MEIDECC 'a é 'Oku fakamalumalu ai e Va'a Fakamatata'ea, Ma'u'anga Ivi, Ma'u'anga Fakamatala, ‘Ofisi Tokangaekina 'a e Ngaahi Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, 'Ätakai, Feliuliuaki 'o e 'Ea pea mo e Fetu'utaki, ha Lipooti Fakafuofua 'o e ngaahi uesia ki he 'Ätakai (or EIA report) ki he Polöseki 'oku ‘iloa ko e Tonga 1. Kuo fakahü mai ki he Potungäue MEIDECC 'a é 'Oku fakamalumalu ai e Va'a Fakamatata'ea, Ma'u'anga Ivi, Ma'u'anga Fakamatala, ‘Ofisi Tokangaekina 'a e Ngaahi Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, 'Ätakai, Feliuliuaki 'o e 'Ea pea mo e Fetu'utaki, ha Lipooti Fakafuofua 'o e ngaahi uesia ki he 'Ätakai (or EIA report) ki he Polöseki 'oku ‘iloa ko e Tonga Climate Resilient Project. Ko e ngäue ko ‘eni ko hono fakalelei'i pea mo toe fakamalohi'i ange e ngaahi matäfanga 'o Talafo'ou lele ai ki Nukuleka, fakafuofua ko e kilomita e 2-3 pea pehé ki he matäfanga to Manuka lele ai ki Kolonga ta ia 'oku fakafuofua ko ha kilomita 'e 2. 'Oku fakaafe'i atu heni 'a e kakai 'o e fonua ke fakahoko mai ha nau faka'eke'eke ki he fakaikiiki to e lipooti ni, 'a ia ko e Polöseki EIA fika 189/2024 - 25. Free to view -
Monday 18 May 2026 8:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications (MEIDECC) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Tonga Climate Resilient Project— a proposed 2-3 km revetment for Nukuleka - Talafo'ou and a 2 km coastal protection for Manuka - Kolonga shoreline. MEIDECC is seeking comments on this EIA report to be received by 26 May 2026. Free to view -
Friday 1 May 2026 11:39am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : In our continued effort to enhance account security and prevent fraudulent activities, all customers are recommended to migrate to BSP Tonga’s digital banking products as the primary service and payment platforms. Free to view -
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
