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Saturday 29 January 2022 8:35pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : When Tongatapu’s small business community met on Thursday Jan. 27, to discuss their concerns, amid an unfolding national catastrophe, following volcanic eruptions and devastating tsunamis, they slumped in chairs and their faces showed how seriously concerned, worried, exhausted and frustrated they are. But after all of that, what's really destroying them is the total failure of Tonga's international communications two weeks ago. Tonga's telecommunications authorities have put spectrum licensing roadblocks around the local private sector's ability to find relief in a commercial satellite broadband service solution. By Mary Lyn Fonua.
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Friday 28 January 2022 11:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Around 95 children and youths, among the families evacuated from ‘Atata Island after the tsunamis destroyed their homes on Saturday Jan. 15, are currently staying at a Church Hall in Kolomotu'a, Nuku'alofa and also at a Hofoa evacuation station, where the Talitha Project is actively supporting their recovery from trauma. By Eleanor Gee. Premium content -
Friday 28 January 2022 11:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : “We were lucky that it was daylight when the tsunami happened and we fled to higher grounds,” said ‘Aliki Moavuka (53), a school principal, on the outer island of Fonoifua, one of the worst affected by the natural disaster in the Ha’apai Group. -
Friday 28 January 2022 10:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The World Bank has donated USD$8 million to Tonga for emergency support due to the widespread damage caused by tsunamis generated by the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption on January 15. Premium content -
Friday 28 January 2022 10:06pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Eleven people on Pangaimotu Island climbed into a fau tree as tsunamis ravaged the coast of the low-lying atoll on Jan. 15, following the massive explosion at Hunga volcano. Premium content -
Friday 28 January 2022 8:52pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 20-year-old man from Malapo died after he was allegedly assaulted on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Hofoa. Premium content -
Friday 28 January 2022 8:46pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An intoxicated driver, Siuta Taufa (25), who was speeding to get home before the midnight curfew, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of his passenger in an accident on Taufa‘ahau Road, at Malapo in July 2021. They had had been drinking alcohol and taking methamphetamine. He awaits sentencing. Premium content -
Thursday 27 January 2022 4:38am
Sacramento-CA, USA : Earlier this month, an underwater volcanic eruption near the Pacific Island nation of Tonga unleashed a sonic boom heard thousands of miles away, The explosion generated was really massive. The pressure wave from this has been recorded all around the world. The devastating wave and toxic ash from the eruption will have long-term impacts on life for residents of Tonga. By Ed Fletcher. -
Thursday 27 January 2022 3:43am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : With a little help from the Tongan tug boat, the Australian Defence Force staff docked the HMAS Adelaide themselves, at Vuna Wharf in Tonga yesterday evening, after fears over COVID-19 transmission. There are 29 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on board the ship that berthed at 6:39 pm. Premium content -
Thursday 27 January 2022 2:17am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Two highly specialised ships need to come to Tonga – one to assess the current state of the Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha’apai volcano, and another to repair Tonga's submarine fibre optic cable and restore communications with the world. Premium content -
Tuesday 25 January 2022 2:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Sixty two survivors, including about 18 children and babies, evacuated from Mango Island, Ha'apai Group, were brought to Tongatapu on Saturday Jan. 22 by a Tongan navy patrol boat. Two Tonga Red Cross trauma counsellors were meeting the families and talking to them after their extraordinary ordeal. The community leaders have shared their stories of survival. By Linny Folau and Eleanor Gee -
Tuesday 25 January 2022 12:47pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Only underground water supplied by the Tonga Water Board may be used for bottled water that is processed in Tonga, to sell for public consumption, the Ministry of Health said on Monday, Jan 17. The restriction was introduced following the volcanic eruption at Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai islands on Jan. 15, which spread tons of ash over Tonga, affecting water tanks collection. Meanwhile, some water processing companies had filtered water reserves in their tanks that was in heavy demand after the eruption. Premium content -
Tuesday 25 January 2022 10:53am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : “The people that can withstand difficulties are those that stand together,” King Tupou VI said in an address to the nation that was recorded over the telephone from hi residence in ‘Eua and broadcasted on local radio at around 6:00pm, Thursday January 20. -
Monday 24 January 2022 1:28am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The people evacuated from Mango island in Ha'apai are being brought to Tongatapu, to relieve pressure on Nomuka, where the whole population of Mango were moved last week, the new Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, said on Friday Jan. 21, at his second public briefing, following the Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha‘apai volcanic eruption and tsunamis that hit Tonga on Saturday Jan. 15. The government has declared two States of Emergency for the whole of Tonga, and outlined their responses during the briefing. By Matangi Tonga reporters. Premium content -
Saturday 22 January 2022 1:15pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : We are emotional. One week after the catastrophic Hunga explosion and multiple tsunamis in Tonga, we have a chance to let you, our readers, know that we at Matangi Tonga are fine. You may have seen reports coming out of Tonga by satellite phone and through a few people who have full internet access. Tonga is dealing with a disruptive catastrophe. From our office we felt the massive blast of the Hunga eruption and watched many powerful tsunami waves arrive. We have articles and reports to bring you, but right now we're just saying “we're back - and thanks for all the well wishes and concerns”. We will upload our articles and photos when and as we can. 'Ofa atu, Pesi and Mary Lyn Fonua1 comment -
Saturday 15 January 2022 10:40am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A team of Tongan geologists who went out to observe the Jan. 14 eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano witnessed spectacular explosions on the dangerous mission on Friday afternoon. The pulsating explosions throughout the day were also viewed from weather satellites in space. -
Saturday 15 January 2022 9:59am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Mikaele Hoponoa Pahulu (42) was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months imprisonment for manslaughter in a sadistic, brutally violent attack on a frail 71-year-old patient at the Psychiatric Ward in Vaiola Hospital. “This was manslaughter just short of murder, possibly only because that was not charged. Why murder was not charged has never been explained,” said the Supreme Court judge. “It is just barbaric.” Another person stood alongside, watched and walked away leaving the victim unconscious on the ground. Premium content -
Friday 14 January 2022 7:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga is lifting a restriction in order to allow repatriation of over 300 passengers from New Zealand and Vanuatu next week. Changes to repatriation protocols were outlined by the new Minister for Health, Hon Dr Saia Piukala this morning, 14 January, and include repatriating from countries with COVID-19 in the community. Premium content -
Friday 14 January 2022 7:15pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Today's eruption of the Hunga volcano, continuous for over 12 hours, reached 20km above sea level - the largest in a series of eruptions since December. Tsunami waves of up to 30cm were still being recorded at 6:00pm on the Nuku'alofa tidal gauge, according to the latest official monitoring reports. -
Friday 14 January 2022 4:50pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Four elected members of parliament were absent from the opening session of the new 2022-25 parliament yesterday, including the Speaker of the House Lord Fakafanua. No explanation was offered to the public for the absence of the Speaker and three others, at the swearing-in of newly elected members. From the House by Pesi Fonua Premium content
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Tonga weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK. See also Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Center, Tonga, for latest local weather bulletin.