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Matangi Tonga - Tonga's leading news website
Breaking news
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Thursday 21 May 2026 8:55pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The 101st University of the South Pacific (USP) Council Meeting was officially opened today by the Prince Regent, HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, at ‘Api Mataka, Ministry of Education, in Nuku’alofa, with a call for principled leadership to guide the region’s future.
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Thursday 21 May 2026 5:56pm
Darwin, Australia : Tonga's teen athletes are stepping up at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, producing strong performances in field events against some of the region's best this week.Tonga's young teen athletes are stepping up at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, producing strong performances in field events against some of the region's best this week. Free to view -
Thursday 21 May 2026 5:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Pacific trade leaders gathering in Nuku’alofa have been urged to ensure regional trade agreements deliver meaningful benefits for the people most vulnerable to economic hardship, as the 10th Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee opened today, 21 May 2026. Free to view -
Thursday 21 May 2026 12:44pm
Geneva, Switzerland : The Kingdom of Tonga has reaffirmed its commitment to global cooperation in digital health, climate-resilient health systems, and stronger primary care during its national statement, presented by Minister of Health, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Free to view -
Thursday 21 May 2026 12:12pm
Melbourne, Australia : A humpback whale has travelled a distance further than 15,100 kilometres, in a record for longest proven migration by the species. By Duncan Murray/AAP Free to view -
Wednesday 20 May 2026 2:43pm
Suva, Fiji : The growing threat of illicit drugs in the Pacific has gathered policing leaders in Fiji in an unprecedented “Pacific Transnational Crime Summit” to address the drugs crisis in the Pacific. It comes as 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, has been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific region since January. Free to view -
Wednesday 20 May 2026 2:38pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga will host its first national chess championship next month, a three-day tournament at Tonga High School from 23-25 June, with an open call for Tongan players. Free to view -
Wednesday 20 May 2026 11:10am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : During April 2026, a total of 81 earthquakes were recorded within the Tonga region (Figure 1). Most earthquakes recorded during the month were small to moderate in magnitude and occurred at deep depths beneath the earth’s surface. Free to view -
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. Free to view -
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
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.
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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
