Lulutai Airline's Twin Otter was forced to land on Fua’amotu domestic runway on Tuesday night, 11 March, after circling for over 40 minutes due to failed runway lights. The two pilots and one passenger onboard landed safely with the help of headlights from two firetrucks.
You are here
Results for Pacific Islands
Friday 14 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Friday 14 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As of today, 13 new cases of Dengue Fever were reported with positive rapid tests, which brings up the total cumulative cases to 266 in Tonga, the Ministry of Health stated in its Situation Report for 14 March. There is ongoing case investigation and vector control to hot spots and high risk areas, and awareness programs to communities. “Faka’ilonga ‘o e pukelahi he tengi ko e langakete, fanoa toto he te’enifo, pe lua toto, pea ‘oku fiema’u ke feinga leva ki ha tokoni fakafaito’o.”

Friday 14 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Only one petrol station in Tonga complies fully with the business requirements of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, the Minister Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata told media this afternoon. He threatened to shut down all of the bowsers that did not meet the standards required, citing lax safety compliance at most of the stations.

Thursday 13 March 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will play in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in Tahiti later this year after an impressive 16-0 victory over American Samoa on the last day of qualifying action in Nuku’alofa. Tonga will join the seven other nations already qualified.
Wednesday 12 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) has received a first capitalisation contribution of 417,000,000 Japanese Yen, approximately USD$3 million, from the Government of Japan. The PRF is the first international financial institution to be collectively owned by Pacific Islands Forum member governments, dedicated to providing small-scale grant financing for Pacific communities. It will be headquartered in Tonga.

Wednesday 12 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Solomon Islands bounced back on their second game and defeated American Samoa (7-0) on Monday, 10 March, in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, qualifiers' stage tournament at the Loto Tonga Soka Centre on Tongatapu. Tonga’s Mataliki will meet American Samoa tomorrow, Thursday.

Wednesday 12 March 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new project is underway to strengthen Tonga's court services for vulnerable court users and to provide greater access to family protection orders and court services, especially in remote areas and outer islands. Tonga’s Ministry of Justice and the Courts are working to improve the court services surrounding the Family Protection Act, under this initiative to address family violence in Tonga and access to justice.
Wednesday 12 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Police Drug Squad seized drugs, firearms, and cash, and arrested four people in separate operations on the same day.

Wednesday 12 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Government is set to hold a four-day National Development Summit bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the country to collaborate and strategise the nation's sustainable development framework for the next decade. The summit will be held next week, from 18-21 March, at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, in Nuku'alofa. The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke has invited the public to attend the summit.

Tuesday 11 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Former Lulutai directors, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and Hon. Samiu Vaipulu with another member of parliament, Hon. Sevenitini Toumo'ua have pushed back on issues raised by the new government regarding the viability of the domestic carrier, Lulutai Airlines, which is owned by the Government and the Retirement Fund Board.

Tuesday 11 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ha'apai and Niuas groups remain dengue free as cases rise in Vava'u, Tongatapu, and ‘Eua. Today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 21 new cases with positive rapid test, bringing up the total cumulative dengue fever (DF) cases to 215, with 113 cases in Vava'u, 71 cases in Tongatapu, and 31 cases in ‘Eua. Community clean-ups are underway to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Friday 7 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga secured the first win of the tournament (1-0), defeating the Solomon Islands on home grounds at the Loto Tonga Soka Centre today, 7 March 2025.

Friday 7 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The government has allocated $1 million to assist 20 families affected by recent flooding in Tongatapu due to heavy rain, the Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke announced at a media briefing today, March 7, at St. George Government Building in Nuku’alofa.

Friday 7 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A prisoner from Hu’atolitoli Prison tragically died yesterday from a suspected suicide, the Prime Minister told a media briefing today. He said the prisoner was being treated for a mental health issue at Vaiola Hospital. However, it was not immediately clear whether or not the prisoner had been discharged from Vaiola Hospital at the time of his death.

Friday 7 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 35-year-old male from Fua'amotu was arrested with alleged cannabis and cannabis seeds, in a Police drug raid earlier this week.

Thursday 6 March 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The OFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers kick off tomorrow at the Loto Tonga Soka Centre in Veitongo, Tongatapu. Tonga's Junior Mataliki captain, 17-year-old Tama’a Faletau, said that it’s going to be a difficult game against Solomon Islands tomorrow but she’s confident Tonga will come out winners.
Thursday 6 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A US$107 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will support 14 Pacific Island countries including Tonga, in safeguarding their tuna industries against climate change impacts.

Thursday 6 March 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Na’e tuku atu ‘e he Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘a Tonga ́ ‘a e Fakamatala Fokotu‘utu‘u Ngāue Fakapa’anga (MPS) ki Fepueli 2025, hili hono tali ‘e he Poate ‘a e kau Talēkita ́. ‘Oku fokotu’u he MPS Fepueli 2025, makatu’unga ‘i he kei tokamālie pē ‘a e tu’unga fakalotofonua ́ mo fakatu’apule’anga ́ ‘i he kaha’u vave mai ́, ‘e kei hoko atu pē ‘a e kei faka’ai’ai pē ‘a e tupu faka’ekonōmika ́, mo fakamālohia e ngaahi founga ‘oku fakahoko ‘aki ‘e he Pangike Pule ́ ‘a e ngāue fakapa’anga ́ ke ola lelei, mo fakafaingofua’i e nō pa’anga ́.
Thursday 6 March 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) released its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for February 2025, following approval by the Board of Directors. The MPS states that since internal and external stability are expected to be maintained in the near-term, the NRBT will continue its accommodative monetary policy stance over the next six months to promote growth, while gradually strengthening its policy tools’ influence on monetary conditions, and tackle access to finance barriers.
Thursday 6 March 2025
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Palu was appointed as the temporary CEO of Lulutai Airlines, Tonga’s domestic airline, last week, taking over from former CEO Poasi Tei. The Minister for Public Enterprise, Hon. Piveni Piukala said that Palu, owner of the former Real Tonga Airline, was chosen for his expertise.
