Tonga's Minister of Tourism, Hon. Mo'ale Finau is stranded in Ha'apai along with at least 69 visitors who currently have no way out, after Tonga's Civil Aviation Division on Friday suspended the Lulutai Airlines domestic operations of two small aircraft, citing safety reasons. Hon. Finau told Matangi Tonga today that he does not yet know how many incoming and outgoing international visitors are affected nationwide by the suspension of flights, but confirmed 69 visitors are known to be stuck in Ha'apai.
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Results for Tonga
Monday 21 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Monday 21 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Civil Aviation Division (CAD) suspended Lulutai Airlines Ltd. operations as of Friday, 18 July, citing "safety" as the main reason, after the airline did not meet the required standard for aircraft maintenance on its Twin Otter(A3-KLT) and A3-SP aircraft.
Saturday 19 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisimani Foukimoana Koli Moa (33) was imprisoned for one year and eight months, after he entered the Emerald Hotel and pointed a .22 pistol at the forehead of an employee. “The defendant foolishly thought it appropriate to carry in his trouser pocket an unlicensed .22 pistol, while out drinking,” stated the judge.
Friday 18 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nina Halatanu won her claim against her late husband’s first wife and heir to evict them from a town allotment in Nukuleka, in a ruling by a Land Court judge who found that, for the time being, no rights exceed hers as widow.
Thursday 17 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has won the Women's Tennis gold medal at the 2025 Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF) Pacific Nations Cup, which took place from 30 June to 5 July in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Thursday 17 July 2025
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Auckland, New Zealand
Tongan researchers, Dr. Jean M Uasike Allen (Pacific Youth) and Dr. Siobhan Tu’akoi (Pacific Health), were recognized at the 2025 Te Taumata Rangahau Celebrating Research Excellence Awards, celebrating the important role of research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five people aged between 15 and 55 years were arrested on this week, during several drug operations conducted by the Police Drug Enforcement Unit across Tongatapu. Authorities also seized items included cannabis plants, methamphetamine, drug utensils and cash.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
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Suva, Fiji
Pacific representatives have called for urgent reform to climate finance and regional cooperation at a high-level panel on climate security on day one of the 2025 Pacific Regional and National Security Conference, being held in Suva, Fiji from 14-16 July.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
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Hihifo, Tonga
A Tongan-owned agribusiness is expanding its export capacity with the launch of upgraded agri-food processing equipment—part of a co-investment partnership with the Australia and New Zealand-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) program.
Monday 14 July 2025
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Lapaha,Tongatapu
His Majesty King Tupou VI commissioned the China-Aid Tongatapu Wind Power Project today, 14 July at Lapaha, Tongatapu. The 2.25MW wind farm, which began construction in May 2024, was funded by the People's Republic of China. To date, the wind farm has generated over 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, accounting for approximately 3.8% of Tonga's total annual supply, or 25% of the annual renewable energy supply.
Monday 14 July 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongan theologian, educator, and former parliamentarian, Dr. Uiliami Fukofuka, who died recently aged 77 years, took leading roles in education at a young age and, as a politician, had a life-long interest in constitutional reform.
Friday 11 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is officially supporting the ban of landmines by adopting the Anti-Personnel Mines Ban Convention and becoming a new state party member of the Mine Ban Convention.
Friday 11 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Epworth Laimani was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of 13.27 grams of methamphetamine seized in Sopu and other charges. This includes the activation of a suspended sentence of 12 months, which he breached.
Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Heilala Finau (23) is serving one year and three months in prison for obtaining $18,300 from a mother and her two daughters in a web of deception and lies, when she pretended to be a public servant handling applications for government aid to provide housing.
Thursday 10 July 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u were warmly welcomed in Fiji on Tuesday for a State Visit from 8-12 July that is reaffirming strong familial, cultural and regional connections, with high level engagements, military honours and cultural ceremonies.
Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Upgraded equipment at a local agri-food processing facility in Nukunuku, Tongatapu, was launched today, 9 July, and is set to significantly boost Tonga's export capacity, and provide new opportunities for youth, women, and the community.
Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men and one woman were jailed for possession of 20.92 grams and 13.52 grams of methamphetamine seized in a police raid outside a restaurant in Houma. In sentencing the trio at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, Lord Chief Justice Bishop said Methamphetamine is a serious scourge in Tonga. “Considering the current increase of illicit drugs in the community, deterrence and with it punishment, is of greater priority than rehabilitation.”
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Náe tali é he Poate áe Kautaha Úhila á Tonga í heénau Palani Pisinisi taú 3 mei he 2025/26-2027/28, ke holoki áe totongi úhila ki he kau maú úhila taautaha óku maúlalo é nau ngaueáki áe uhila. Koe totongi ko eni kuo ósi kamata ngaueáki ia mei he áho 1 ó Siulai 2025, ki he kau maú úhila taautaha kotoa pe óku áu ki he kilouati é 150 pe sií hifo ki he mahina. Áia é fakahoko áe totongi ko eni mei Siulai 2025 ki Sune 2028. Kuo mau folau mai eni í he uike é ono, pea í he taimi ko eni, kuo pau ke fakahoko ai é mau fakamalo.
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Board of Tonga Power Limited approved the concession to low usage consumers in its Three Years Business Plan from 2025/26 - 2027/28. The low usage concession applies from 1 July, 2025 to consumers who use 150kwh or less throughout the Three-year Business Plan period. We have been on quite a journey for the last six weeks and we need to state our gratitude.
Wednesday 9 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Manase Funaki (37) is serving three years imprisonment for reckless driving that caused the deaths of his two children aged nine and 12 years. His vehicle rolled off Hihifo Road and hit a fence, in January this year. The judge said the driver demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law and the safety of his passengers or other road users.


