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The Tongan general election of November 2025 was interesting, particularly because of the short life of the Eke administration, the election period itself, and of course the outcome and subsequent formation of the Fakafanua-led government. If we were to describe the election process and its outcome in two words, it would be: certain uncertainty. Or, as the French say: “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” - the more things change, the more they stay the same. - Malakai Koloamatangi.

Queen Salote College marked its centennial today, 12 March 2026, with church service followed by a grand celebration at Mala'e Pangai Lahi in Nukuʻalofa, honouring the history and legacy of the college established in 1926.

Inflationary shocks are expected to hit Tonga because of the war in the Middle East, raising concerns for the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT), which has introduced its February 2026 Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) aimed at strengthening Tonga’s economic resilience.

Tonga will observe a one-off government public holiday on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Queen Salote College (QSC).

Tonga joins the Commonwealth family to celebrate Commonwealth Day on 9 March 2026 with cultural events, school activities and faith-based services.

Cervical cancer, a largely preventable disease, remains a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women. In parts of the Pacific, incidence rates are up to nine times higher than in Australasia. Now, a programme made possible through a NZ$5.1 million grant from the Matariki Fund will support locally led initiatives to prevent cervical cancer of women across the Pacific

A 37-year-old female from 'Utungake has been arrested for reckless driving causing the death of a 5-year-old boy on 4 March 2026 at 'Utungake.

The war with Iran is widening faster than many expected. The Islamic Republic’s retaliation against Arab Gulf states has extended beyond military targets to critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, water desalination plants, and energy facilities. Hezbollah has opened a second front from Lebanon. US President Donald Trump suggests that operations could last “four to five weeks,” but with nearly 50 senior Iranian officials having been killed, it is unclear who might be positioned to negotiate an off-ramp. Trump may have wanted a localized confrontation, but he has instead lit a match in the center of the global energy system. - Carolyn Kissane

Due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Government of Tonga has issued a third travel advisory urging all Tongan citizens living there to leave the region as soon as possible.