Results for Pacific Islands

Tonga's Foreign Minister, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala attended the 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers Meeting held this week, 8-9 December, in Seoul, South Korea.

A healthy democracy is often measured by how well it enables citizens to take part in the political process, with voter turnout and participation in civil-society groups serving as key indicators of public engagement. Yet as Tonga’s parliament elects its prime minister on 15 December 2025, democratic gains risk being diluted if executive power consolidates around nobility rather than the people’s representatives. By Ema Ivarature, ‘Akanesi Katoa, Henry Ivarature / EAF.

A Tongan-designed King’s Baton for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games was revealed in Nuku'alofa this week, ready for Tonga to take its turn in the worldwide relay, which leads up the Games opening in July. The relay is associated with a global Clean Ocean Inititiative, which starts next week on Tongatapu.

Three Tonga XIII officials, including the head doctor, assistant doctor and head trainer, are facing a two-year ban from the National Rugby League after an investigation into player Eliesa Katoa’s head injury last month.

Repeat offender, Funaki ‘Otuhouma (32) is serving two years in prison on serious housebreaking, theft of goods valued at around $15,806 and serious wilful damage. He also breached a suspended sentence which was added to his sentence.

A second written nomination for the position of Prime Minister Designate was received today, 10 December, by the office of the Interim Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.

Tonga Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed a Bank Guarantee Agreement in Nuku’alofa yesterday, 9 December. The agreement is designed to help small businesses loan money from the bank more easily.

Tonga Police conducted a series of drug operations on 4-5 December 2025 across Nuku'alofa, Western and Eastern Districts of Tongatapu, arresting seven, as part of ongoing their efforts to disrupt drug distribution networks

Young Tongan lawyers are building their advocacy skills through a three-day workshop in Nuku'alofa, presented by law specialists from the Victorian Bar International Advocacy Training Committee in collaboration with the Tonga Law Society, and Tonga’s former Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten KC.