Results for Pacific Islands

Film maker and art journalist, Timothy Stone is looking for evidence left by 19th century pirates who visited Tonga in 1829. Stone is currently in Tonga on a quest to find out what happened to a small jolly boat that was left on Niuatoputapu or Tafahi and last photographed in 1970. He is also looking for locals who may be able to help identify the origins of two objects, a straw hat and a carved pipe.

Prime Minister, Hon Dr. ‘Aisake Eke announced his new cabinet ministers at the St. George Building in Nuku’alofa, today, 28 January 2025.

A 21-year-old chess player, Gisela Vea, is the first from Tonga to represent Tonga at an international chess competition. The competition is being held in Melbourne, Australia from 24-29 January.

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.