Results for Tonga

Ten cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in Tonga in the last week and are likely to increase, the Minister for Health, Hon. Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola, said this morning. She urged the community to take precautions to eliminate the mosquitos that spread the disease. The cases were found in Tongatapu, Vava'u and 'Eua since 13 February. "The limited supply of chemicals has prevented spraying in schools at this time," she said.

Swire Shipping, a leading shipping company in the Asia-Pacific, reaffirmed its commitment to the region as the most reliable carrier in Asia-Oceania and on the Asia to North America West Coast (NAWC) trade lane in 2024. This was according to 12- month data published by Sea-Intelligence in their Global Liner Performance Report from Jan/Feb to Nov/Dec 2024. Chief Operating Officer Ben Pike said, “Swire Shipping has been trading into the South Pacific for over 80 years, and we recently expanded our footprint in the North Pacific through the integration of Westwood Shipping Lines and our partnership with UWL on the award-winning Sun Chief Express transpacific service.”

Tonga Police have seized cannabis plants, ammunitions, and drug-related utensils following an investigation into reports of illegal drug distribution near a school zone.

Over 13,000 kg of electronic waste in Tonga was collected to be transported to Auckland and recycled, under the Swire Shipping’s Moana Taka Partnership Initiative, helped by Samsung New Zealand.

Moana Pasifika has named their team to play the Western Force this Saturday, 15 February, launching their 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season in Perth, Australia.

The Solomon Islands government has launched an investigation into activities of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) judges, following fraud allegations made during the crowning of the Miss Pacific Islands in Honiara on Saturday, 8 February. "Despite the withdrawal of the Stop notice, the investigations are continuing. Formal charges will be made upon determination of the facts presented through the investigations," the Solomon Islands government stated today.

Thirty talented athletes make the Penina Pasifika squad for the 2025 season, as announced by Oceania Rugby. This year’s squad features strong representation from both Samoa and Tonga, with 17 Samoan and 13 Tongan players selected. The Tongan contingent includes six locally based athletes, four of whom have previously represented the national Lofa women’s team.

Talifolau Letisi received a suspended sentence for being in charge of motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Miss Tonga, Racheal Guttenbeil, placed first runner-up in the Miss Pacific Islands pageant, on Saturday at Friendship Hall, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Racheal won the “People’s Choice Award”, with over 130K online votes and the "Best Traditional Attire category". This year the new Miss Pacific Islands is Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia-Allan.