Results for Pacific Islands

Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, will pick up Tonga’s leadership role as Pacific Islands Forum Chair. He will chair pivotal ministerial meetings in 2025, including the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, and Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Two children aged 13 and 10 years from Sia'atoutai, died when a car rolled on Hala Hihifo in Hofoa yesterday, 22 January. The driver, who was the children's father (37), has been charged with reckless driving causing lives lost, Tonga Police reported today.

As Tonga stands on the verge of potentially receiving deported individuals from the United States, many of whom are linked to gangs, it is critical that we, as a nation, prepare ourselves to meet this challenge with a holistic and compassionate approach. These deportations, specifically targeting gang members living in the U.S. illegally under the Trump administration's mass deportation plan, could see the return of Tongans who have lived abroad for most of their lives. Many of these individuals, despite their involvement in gangs, are not merely criminals but are people shaped by trauma, displacement, and a lack of belonging. Addressing their needs requires both understanding and intentional action. - Seni Penitani

The importance of parental involvement with Pacific children with hearing loss is revealed in a review by University of Auckland academics. In Aotearoa, Māori and Pacific children and youth are over-represented in severity and prevalence of impaired hearing. New Zealand-born Tongan Palavi, is in the final year of her doctoral studies at the School of Population Health. She says improving services and empowering parents will make a positive difference for children suffering from hearing loss. 

A person died in a major fire at Joe's Kahana Resort and Restaurant at Halaleva, on Sunday evening, 19 January. Tonga Police and Fire Services have launched a full investigation to identify the human remains found by fire fighters in the burnt out restaurant and to determine the cause of the fire.

Helping local technicians to develop skills in biomedical engineering, are eight young biomedical engineering students from the University of Canterbury who are spending five weeks in Tonga conducting various trainings with technicians from the Ministry of Health, in Vaiola Hospital.

Kuo tali ‘e he kau Komisiona ‘o e Komisoni Ma’u’anga Ivi ke fakahoko atu ‘a e holo ‘a e totongi ‘uhila ‘aki ‘a e seniti ‘e 3.52 ki he kWh.  Ko e holo ‘aki ‘eni ‘a e seniti 2.22 ki he kWh pe ko e peseti ‘e 3.8% mei he kuata ‘o ‘Okatopa ki Tisema 2024 ‘i he taimi na’e seniti ai ‘e 91.69 ki he kWh.  Ko e totongi ‘uhila fo’ou ni ‘e kamata ngaue’aki ‘i he ‘aho 1 Sanuali, ko e seniti ‘e 89.47 ki he kWh. The Commissioners of the Energy Commission are pleased to announce a power tariff reduction of -3.52 seniti per kWh (kilowatt hour). This is a -2.22 seniti per kWh or -3.8% reduction from the quarter Oct-Dec 2024 when the power tariff was 91.69 seniti per kWh.  The new electricity tariff for Tonga is therefore 89.47 seniti per kWh, a decrease from the current tariff of 91.69 seniti per kWh.

The Tonga Statistics Department has launched the nationwide 2025 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, to gather vital data on the economic and social well-being of the people of Tonga.

Volcanic activities at Home Reef Volcano in Tonga is continuing and thermal anomaly is still observed up to the present day, the Geohazards Team of the Tonga Geological Services reported today. “We still see no indicators for major explosive eruptions at this point.” However, all Mariners are advised to remain at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice