Results for Pacific Islands

Three people were arrested on Monday for possession of methamphetamine and utensils, during a Tonga police Drug Enforcement Unit operation at a residence in Ha'alalo, in Western Tongatapu.

When King George Tupou V surrendered the Executive Power to the Prime Minister in 2010, many assumed he was stepping into a purely ceremonial role. He did not seek to erase the monarchy’s political relevance — he sought to rebalance power between the elected representatives and the King in a way that would safeguard Tonga’s sovereignty and values for generations. The present government’s decision honors that vision and strengthens our nation’s ability to stand firm in an ever-changing world. - Seni Penitani.

Two Tongan scholars, Ms. Ilaisaaneliki Fonua and Ms. Tokilupe Takau, who received master’s degrees from the International University of Japan (IUJ), were congratulated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today, in Nuku'alofa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be replaced by His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services, a key reform under the His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service Bill 2025, which was passed by the Tonga Legislative Assembly on 5 August, 2025.

Disaster preparedness equipment will be sent to 13 islands in Tongatapu and Ha’apai, to help communities better respond and cope with the aftermath of natural disasters.

In the fight against a continuing Dengue Fever outbreak in Tonga, the Ministry of Health is urging every Tongan family to take responsibility and halve dengue cases before the next rainy season. Dr. Reynold Ofanoa, outlined a community-centred action plan, during the release of the first Dengue Study this week.

A Cabinet minister and a Noble were suspended from Parliament this morning, 4 August, after a heated argument in the House boiled over. The Minister for Police, Hon. Piveni Piukala, and Vava’u Noble’s Representative no. 2, Lord Tu’ilakepa have been suspended from the Legislative Assembly for five days.

A new Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Laini Koula ‘Univesiti Manuofetoa (42), was appointed on 29 July 2025. He has served as the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons since 2019.

Three urgent Government Bills, including a Constitutional amendment, were passed by the Legislative Assembly of Tonga this week, in Nuku’alofa. The Constitutional amendment introduces the word “customs”. People’s Representatives Vaipulu and Sovaleni expressed concerns about the future limitations of using “customary law” and potential confusion in court.