Results for Pacific Islands

The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) treaty is set for ratification at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in September, it was announced at the conclusion of the Forum Economic Ministers' Meeting (FEMM) in Nuku'alofa this week, from 25-26 March.

A truck driver was arrested at a traffic checkpoint near near the Tonga National University in Kolofo'ou, after allegedly refusing to follow Police instructions, on Friday morning, 21 March. A Police officer and the driver were involved in an altercation and both required medical attention.

The Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa called for Pacific unity against external pressures and economic challenges, at the opening of the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) today, 26 March, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center in Nuku'alofa. He noted that intensifying geopolitical contest in the blue Pacific “brings promise and peril.”

An initiative to support all people with disabilities to fully participate in the democratic process in Tonga was launched last week by the Tonga Electoral Commission, who will set up a working group to consult with the disabled community on electoral issues. Tonga will hold a general election in November this year.

Mr. Franz Koenig Tu’uhetoka is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Public Service Commission, appointed by the Prime Minister for a four year term starting today, 24 March 2025.

During a month of extremely high rainfall in parts of Tonga in February, the highest 24-hour rainfall was 181.9mm recorded in Ha’apai on 15 February.

BSP Tonga | Bank of South Pacific Tonga Limited (BSP) today announced a Net Profit after Tax of T$11.6 million for the financial year ending 31 December, 2024. The results are a 20.9% decrease from FY2023, attributed to an increase in loan impairments and inflationary pressures, which in turn saw an increase in Operating Expenses.

Weak border security makes Tonga vulnerable to the import of illicit drugs, Acting Police Commissioner, Cmdr Filipe Fifita, told a consultation session on Security and Illicit Drugs, at the National Development Summit in Nuku'alofa this week.

Ko e fakamole ki ha Komisoni fakatotolo ‘e lahi pea ko e ha hano ‘aonga kapau he’ikai ke lava ‘omai ‘akinautolu na’a nau fakahoko tu’utu’uni kenau taliui (accountable) ki he’enau ngaue. Mahalo ko e ‘aonga fakapolitikale pe. He’ikai ha’ane tokoni ‘a’ana ki he tu’utu’uni (pending decision) ‘oku hangaatu ki ai ‘a e Poate Lolotonga ‘oe Lulutai pea mo e Pule’anga – ke ma’u ha kautaha vakapuna ke hoangaue mo e Lulutai pea mo e kautaha Retirement Fund ‘a e kaungaue fakapule’anga ke hokohokoatu e fepuna’aki fakalotofonua. ... ‘Oku ‘ikai teu tui ko ha koloa fakalukufua ‘a e sosaieti (common public good) ‘a e fefolau’aki vakapuna fakalotofonua ke kei hokohokoatu pe hono fakalele mole ‘e he Pule’anga. - Samiuela T. Tukuafu.