Results for Tonga

Initial reports have confirmed no casualties in Vava'u which has escaped major damage to infrastructure, apart from fallen trees due to Tropical Cyclone Ula. A state of emergency issued only for Vava’u and Ha’apai remains in force to be reviewed. While Tonga's climate experts say that a lack of moisture to drive the system prevented it from intensifying into a devastating Category 4 or 5 storm.

Tonga continues to brace itself for destructive winds expected from Tropical Cyclone Ula, for the next 12 hours . The eye of Ula passed 55km to the north of Vava’u at 6:00am this morning with the strongest wind gusts of 80 knots (about 160kph) recorded at 7:00am. Photos by Linny Folau.

A year after Tonga’s second democratically elected government came into power at the end of December 2014, Tongan politics is stuck in the doldrums. The repetition by PM Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva that his government has the will to "take action" guided by the high moral principles of "good leadership, rule of law - justice for all and the fair distribution of national wealth," so far, are just hot air. The difference between what has been said and what has happened, speaks for itself. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

As government offices closed for the holidays, Christmas cheer was spread around Nuku’alofa today, Wednesday 23 December, by the Tonga Police brass band.

New Zealand national netball player, Temalisi Fakahokotau, a Silver Ferns defender, is visiting Nuku’alofa for christmas and took the opportunity to share her netball skills with young players this morning Tuesday, 22 December.

New solar powered street lights were commissioned by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala on the small island of Nomuka in Ha’apai on Thursday, 17 December.

The new Miss Galaxy Queen 2015, Diamond Vea of Fasi (Miss Fafa Island Resort) was crowned during the final night of the pageant on Thursday, 17 December in Nuku’alofa.

December is the wedding season in Tonga and today Thursday, 17 December was one of the two busiest days for nuptials for the year, when 23 marriages were registered in Nuku’alofa.

Paea Winston Helu (32) has been jailed for seven and a half years for killing 19-year-old Feleti Veikoso, whom he beat up and left severely injured in front of Hala-‘o-vave Primary School in Nuku’alofa last year.