Results for Pacific Islands

For years the whale watch industry in Vavau has fought to have better practices and less licenses due to an over-saturation of licenses, badly behaved skippers and, in recent years, clients who believe they can do whatever they want in the water with the whales. Why is there no list of operators, their boats, skippers and guides and passenger numbers? I and others in the industry ask: Why are more licenses being issued and to boats that are not suitable for the purpose of whale watching?  - Kirsty Bowe.

South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) met Wednesday in an exclusive meeting in Nuku’alofa, held at the Leadership Center, Masefield Naval Base. Tonga's CMDR Taniela Tuita said the 14 heads of the maritime forces will share knowledge, skills and action plans. Sitting alongside the Pacific Islands maritime forces leaders, are Australia's Chief of Navy, VADM Mark Hammond and New Zealand's Acting Chief of Navy, CDRE Andrew Brown. “We know each other. We are partnering nations, that's the first thing," said CDRE Brown.

Stray dogs are being rounded up in Nuku'alofa this week, ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting here at the end of August. Assisted by Tonga Police and volunteers, a team of vets from Animal Fiji has commenced a “Trap Neuter & Return” program around the designated hotel accommodation and conference areas. The neutering is expected to make the dogs less aggressive and less likely to roam and fight.

Team Tonga swimmer, Noelani Day, and sprinter, Maleselo Fukofuka, completed their events on Saturday 3 August, at the Paris24 Olympics. Noelani finished third in her heat, in the 50m Women's Freestyle at the Paris Aquatics Centre, while Maleselo recorded a personal best time in the Men's 100m sprint at the Stade de France. Tonga's four Olympians have all now completed their events at Paris24.

The Hinemoana II, a traditional voyaging canoe, with an all-female crew, docked at the Inter-island Ferry Terminal in Nuku’alofa this evening, 2 August 2024, after a 10 days voyage from New Zealand.

KlickEx Pacific and SPBD Microfinance, following their successful 12-month partnership facilitating money transfers to Samoa, today announced an expansion of their services to Tonga, which will allow Tongans living in New Zealand and Australia to send money home easily and securely.

Tonga Netball named 16 players for trials to select an Under-21 National team that's set to join the World Youth Cup (NWYC) Oceania Qualifiers in September in the Cook Islands.

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga will reconvene on Thursday, 1 August, after a month long adjournment since 26 June, following the passing of the 2024/2025 Budget Estimates.

The Queensland Reds defeated Tonga’s Women’s team, the Lofa (65-0) at Teufaiva Stadium on Friday 26 July 2024 .