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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Results for Pacific Islands
Tuesday 19 May 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tuesday 19 May 2026
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.
Tuesday 19 May 2026
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.
Tuesday 19 May 2026
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.
Tuesday 19 May 2026
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.
Monday 18 May 2026
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.
Monday 18 May 2026
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.
Thursday 14 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over the next two days students and job seekers will have the opportunity to interact directly with employers, TVET providers, businesses, and government exhibitors at the Tonga Career Expo 2026, a two days joint initiative between Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, and TVET, in association with the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industries, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, in Nuku’alofa
Thursday 14 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Pea man who attacked two family members with a machete during a heated family dispute has been sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment, fully suspended for three years, by the Supreme Court of Tonga. During sentencing, Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC stressed the seriousness of machete violence in Tonga.
Thursday 14 May 2026
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.
Wednesday 13 May 2026
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Canberra, Australia
The surge in the trafficking, availability and use of methamphetamine across Pacific Island countries is explosive, fuelling an escalating epidemic of HIV, and undermining human, national and regional security, says a new paper from the Pacific Security College released today. The paper proposes a cross-sector regional summit in 2027 to shape coordinated responses to the escalating methamphetamine crisis across the Pacific.
Tuesday 12 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa
A total of 60 cases of Dengue fever have been confirmed across Tonga, an increase of 2 cases since the last report, the Ministry of health reported today (Sit rep#19) 12 May 2026.
Tuesday 12 May 2026
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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.
Monday 11 May 2026
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.”
Monday 11 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Police completed the Women’s Advisory Network Leadership training programme on 8 May 2026 after a week-long initiative aimed at strengthening women’s leadership within the organisation.
Saturday 9 May 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Energy Commission (the Commission) has approved an increase to the electricity tariff, effective from 1 May 2026. The Regulated Tariff will increase from 89.58 seniti per kilowatt-hour (seniti/kWh) to 121.63. seniti/kWh, an increase of 35.8%. The increase is the direct result of a significant rise in the global price of diesel fuel.
Thursday 7 May 2026
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.
Thursday 7 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men from Te'ekiu were arrested by Tonga Police during an ongoing operation targeting illegal drug activity on Tongatapu.
Thursday 7 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Police are currently searching for a suspect who allegedly threatened a journalist of Kele'a Publication Ltd., with a gun, on 23 April 2026 at the organisation's office. Police are urging public to come forward with information that may help with their investigation.
Wednesday 6 May 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new Justice of the Supreme Court of Tonga, Hon, Mr. Edward Targowski KC was formally sworn in on 4 May 2026, at a ceremony held at the Cabinet room, in Nuku'alofa.


