Results for Tonga

Salesi Fa’aoa (33) was found guilty of receiving stolen timber valued at around $35,572 from T Construction Company, in a judgement in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, on 26 March. Two co-accused also pleaded guilty. Lord Chief Justice Bishop also ordered a police inquiry into Fa’aoa's allegations of police misconduct.

A power tariff increase of 8.31 seniti per kWh (kilowatt hour) approved by Energy Commission came into effect on 1 April 2025. This is a 9.29% Increase from the last quarter (Jan – Mar 2025) when the power tariff was 89.47seniti per kWh. The new electricity tariff for Tonga is therefore 97.78 seniti per kWh. Totongi ‘uhila ‘o kamata ‘i he ‘Aho 1 ‘Epeleli 2025: Kuo tali ‘e he kau Komisiona Ma’u’anga Ivi ke fakahoko atu ‘a e hiki ‘a e totongi ‘uhila ‘aki ‘a e seniti ‘e 8.31 ki he kWh.

Tapi Panuve (44) is serving seven months in prison for several charges including possession of 1.45 grams of methamphetamine in Longolongo last year. He was sentenced on 31 March in the Magistrate's Court in Fasi.

Mrs. Loupua Pahulu-Kuli, was appointed as the Chief Magistrate in Tonga, effective on Friday 28 March, becoming the first woman and the youngest appointee to hold the position.

‘Atunaisa Fa’uhiva (32) received a fully suspended sentence of 16 months imprisonment for the possession of a loaded .22 rifle, ammunition without a licence, and illicit drugs, including dried cannabis seeds, in Neiafu, Vava’u. The Lord Chief Justice emphasized that the courts in Tonga must prevent conduct that could lead to a surge in criminality involving lethal weapons.

The new petroleum prices for April, were approved by the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA), effective today, 1 April 2025. Wholesale prices for petrol, kerosene, and diesel prices will decrease. Retail diesel price will decrease, while retail prices of petrol and kerosene for Tongatapu will remain unchanged.

A medivac flight on Sunday airlifted a critically ill teenager from Niuatoputapu to Tongatapu for emergency treatment at Vaiola Hospital yesterday, 30 March 2025, after the Niuatoputapu health service was running out of oxygen.

At least 3000 to 4000 people swiftly evacuated from the Nuku'alofa coastal areas to evacuation centres and inland areas in Tongatapu after the tsunami warning was issued last night, likely influenced by lessons learned from the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai event, said NDRMO Director, Mr. Mafua Maka. "Many families quickly moved inland, with some parking in safer, higher areas and staying in their vehicles."

A strong magnitude 7.0 magnitude earthquake was felt in Tonga early this morning at 1:18 am triggering a tsunami warning and evacuation alert for people in coastal areas. In the capital, civil defence sirens woke families. Some people on coastal areas evacuated inland and to higher ground where they stayed during early hours of the morning.