The death of a 31-year-old man found in Ma'ufanga last week, on 14 May, has been ruled as a suicide, Tonga Police said.
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Results for Pacific Islands
Thursday 22 May 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rt. Hon. Penny Wong visited the Masefield Naval Base in Touliki, Tongatapu, yesterday for a special programme that celebrated a long-standing Australia-Tonga partnership in Defence Cooperation. Australia has helped to develop the base under the Defence Cooperation Program with HMAF (formerly Tonga Defence Services) that goes back 38 years.
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Tonga today and reaffirmed Australia's commitment as Tonga's largest development and security partner. During her tour of three Pacific countries, she acknowledged the region's growing challenges, particularly climate change. “The Pacific peoples speak with authority on climate, and your voice should be heard in the world,” she stated.
Tuesday 20 May 2025
Sydney, Australia
Fakatapu ki he Tu’i ‘o e ‘Otu Tonga moe Fale ‘o Ha’a-Moheofo, Hou’eiki Nōpele, Fale Alea mo e Pule’anga ka e ‘um’aa ‘a e kakai ‘o e fonuā. Kae ‘ataa mu’a ke fai ha tānaki ki he fakatalanoa kuo feia meihe pāengani. Kuo mahino ko e sino pule ‘o e Pule’anga Fakavahe ‘oku taki ‘e he Pule-Fakavahe, memipa ‘a e kau ‘Ofisakolo, Fakafofonga Fale Alea, Pule ‘o e Va’a Pulengāue (Pa’anga, Tauhitohi, Ngāue Faka-Kalake moe Pule ‘o e Va’a Ngāue (Ako, Ngoue, Mo’ui, Langa, Kelekele, Sipoti). - ‘Inoke Hu'akau.
Tuesday 20 May 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Advancing sustainable management of Tuna fisheries across the region was the main topic of discussion for Pacific fisheries officials, at the 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) in Alofi, Niue, which concluded yesterday, 19 February.
Tuesday 20 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
His Majesty King Tupou VI will officially open the 2025 session of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga on Friday, 23 May. Schools will march for the occasion.
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Monday 19 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three newly renovated and highly upgraded operating theatres for Vaiola Hospital were commissioned today, 19 May, in Nuku'alofa. This project, which will will ensure improved surgical outcomes for the Tongan community, was financially supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in partnership with the Plymouth Brethren Church, the Rotary Club, and the Ministry of Health.
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Monday 19 May 2025
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Canberrra, Australia
Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, will travel to the Republic of Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Vanuatu this week, accompanied by the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on his first visit.
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Monday 19 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fifteen new dengue fever cases were reported with positive rapid tests, which brings the total cumulative cases to 756 in Tonga today, 19 May.
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Sunday 18 May 2025
Sydney, Australia
Fakatapu kihe Hau ‘o e ‘Otu-Tonga mo e Fale ‘o Ha’amoheofo, Sea moe Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, Hou’eiki Nopele mo e Tauhi Fonua, Palēmia mo e Pule’anga pea ki he Tonga kotoa. Fakamolemole kae toe ‘oatu mu’a ha faka-talanoa ko e kapikapi pē kihe fakakaukau na’e ‘oatu kimu’aa, ‘o e fakalelei kuopau ke fakakakato ki he Fa’ungapule hotau Fonua kae toki sia’a ha’atau ungangāue. - ‘Inoke Fotu Huakau
Friday 16 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The development of the private sector is the primary focus of Tonga's new budget, the Prime Minister Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke said today. His Cabinet has finalized the budget for 2025-2026, to be presented to the Legislative Assembly next week.
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Friday 16 May 2025
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Doha, Qatar
Tonga's head of mission to the United Arab Emirates, HE Ambassador Hon. 'Akauola presented his Letters of Credence, to the Deputy Emir of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, Qatar, this month.
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Thursday 15 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In a brief message on the closing of Parliament today, King Tupou VI emphasized the values of good character in government, and reminded Tongans of the sacrifices made by Tonga, together with its allies – “the countries that valued freedom” in the world wars of the last century. The King said it is important to learn from history to prevent this generation repeating past mistakes.
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Tuesday 13 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A group of ten officers from Tonga Police departed on Saturday, 10 May, for Brisbane Australia, embarking on a four-week training program that is accredited by the United Nations.
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Tuesday 13 May 2025
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Alofi, Niue
Fisheries officials and delegates from the members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), are gathering this week at the Millenium Hall in Alofi, Niue, for the 138th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Annual Officials Meeting. The five-day meeting offers an important opportunity for members to shape the direction of sustainable tuna fisheries management in the Pacific region.
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Tuesday 13 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The new Commissioner of Tonga Police, Geoff Turner was officially sworn into office yesterday, 12 May, at the Tonga Police Headquarters, in Nuku'alofa.
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Monday 12 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The latest SitRep indicates 15 new dengue fever cases confirmed through rapid tests, bringing the total cumulative number of cases to 697. The Ministry of Health has sent more blood specimen to the VDRL laboratory in Australia for serotyping.
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Monday 12 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A gale warning, heavy rain warning, and flash flood advisory currently remains in force for all of Tonga land areas today, as a low pressure system moves across Tonga. Significant rainfall and strong to damaging gale-force winds were experienced between 9:00am on Sunday, 11 May, to 7:00am this morning, Tonga Meteorological Services reported. For Tongatapu and 'Eua, gales, thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected tonight.
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Monday 12 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Papua New Guinea has taken the final spot at the OFC U-16 Mens Championship 2025, to be held in the Solomon Islands in August, after winning two matches against Tonga and American Samoa at the qualifying campaign, this month, 3-9 May, in Nuku'alofa.
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Monday 12 May 2025
Canberra, Australia
On 24 April 2025, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14285 mandating federal agencies to expedite permits for seabed mining under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980. Trump wants to establish the United States as a global leader in seabed exploitation and loosen China’s grip on the critical minerals market. This helps explain why The Metals Company (TMC) recently announced plans to apply for seabed exploration and commercial recovery permits under this relatively old act. These developments could undermine international law, commitments to peaceful use of the Area Beyond National Jurisdiction and environmental protections. It could also sideline TMC’s Pacific partners. Nauru and Tonga are currently sponsoring TMC’s activities in the Area, but it’s not clear what it’s in it for them if TMC secures a permit for seabed mining under US law. By Nicholas Bainton and Philippa Louey
