An increasing number of Tongan civil servants have been exiting government work since 2022, with 861 vacancies recorded in 2025, the Budget Statement for 2025/26 reveals. Higher pay on donor funded projects and migration are cited as two factors in the trend. While acknowledging the economic benefits of remittances, the government said a pressing concern is the "brain drain" phenomenon.
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Thursday 12 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wednesday 11 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Bank South Pacific notifies customers that in line with industry practices, a cash handling fee will be applied to cash deposits and cash withdrawals that exceed $20,000 during a business day, effective from 7 July 2025. BSP is making substantial investments to enhance our customers’ ability to manage their physical cash needs.
Wednesday 11 June 2025
Christchurch, New Zealand
Over 90 countries will participate in the eighth international Adaptation Future (AF2025) event, to be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, from 13-16 October. The world's largest and most important climate adaptation event, will be co-hosted by United Nations’ World Adaptation Science Programme and the University of Canterbury, and will have a particular emphasis on issues for the Pacific and Indigenous people.
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Nice, France
Tonga has reasserted its commitment to protecting marine life and advocating for the legal and ethical recognition of whales as fellow beings of the ocean, to mark World Oceans Day. HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho represented the kingdom at the Launch of “I’m a Person Too” Campaign at UNESCO Ocean Literacy Pavilion in Nice, France yesterday, 9 June.
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Finance has received the largest allocation in the 2025-26 budget, amounting to $241.6 million, which is 23% of the total funds.
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Former All Black midfielder, Ngani Laumape was signed to Moana Pasifika for the 2026 and 2027 Rugby Pacific seasons. Ngani Laumape who was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, descends from the villages of Nukuhetulu and Folaha in Tonga.
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A government negotiation to increase the supply of fish to the Tongan domestic market through a stop-gap arrangement with Chinese and Japanese fishing fleets, met with opposition in the House last week. PM Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke, said that the imports are needed while Government is waiting for delivery of three new vessels from China, next year.
Monday 9 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fine Tevita Fifita (31) and Vaivevea Mafi (45) are serving life imprisonment after being found guilty on charges that included the unlawful importation of 1157.4 grams of methamphetamine, concealed inside a crate in a container shipped from the United States of America in 2023.
Monday 9 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Red Cross Society is calling on the public to donate blood this Friday, 13 June, during a Blood Drive held at its headquarters in Nuku’alofa, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This year’s theme for World Blood Donor Day is: “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”.
Monday 9 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Forty-two individuals were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and public intoxication, during a Tonga Police weekend operation.
Sunday 8 June 2025
Nice, France
Ahead of the UN Ocean Conference, the Samoan government announced nine new marine protected areas - safeguarding 30% of its national waters—and the passage of a new law to ensure 100% of its ocean will be sustainably managed by 2030.
Saturday 7 June 2025
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Nice, France
HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho was welcomed at the International Ocean Science Congress (OOSC2025) in Nice, France, from 3-6 June, where she delivered the Keynote Address at the first session, recognising the vital contributions of Pacific Island nations to global marine stewardship.

Saturday 7 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister does not have concerns that major projects in the 2025-26 budget could potentially increase the national debt and create a further burden, saying that, "The public debt is currently declining and there are no plans to take on any new debt from overseas." The budget estimate projects the total national debt to be $428.9 million as of 30 June, representing 34% of the country's GDP.

Saturday 7 June 2025
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Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Appointment of the Honorary Consul of India to the Kingdom of Tonga

Friday 6 June 2025
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Canberra, Australia
Unprecedented Ocean warming engulfed the South-West Pacific in 2024, harming ecosystems and economies, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlighted how sea level rise is threatening islands in a region where more than half the population live close to the coast. The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report estimated that each year, at least 50,000 Pacific islanders face the risk of displacement due to the adverse effects of climate change.

Friday 6 June 2025
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Nadi, Fiji
The stage is set for an exhilarating final showdown this Saturday 7 June, at Prince Charles Park, as the third and final round of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge 2025 kicks off in Nadi. Following two rounds of hard-fought and high-intensity rugby, the tournament now builds to its climax with all four teams eager to finish strong. Meanwhile, at Sigatoka, Fiji the
2025 Oceania Rugby Women's XV, Round 1 kicked off today with the Vodafone Fijiana XVs side defeating the Tonga Lofa XVs 59-5.

Thursday 5 June 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga launched Tonga’s FinTech Regulatory Sandbox Framework, with the support of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) at the Pacific Central Bankers’ Meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tuesday 3 June 2025 at Faonelua Convention Centre.
Thursday 5 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Six prominent leaders in Tonga’s sporting community today attained official regional certification as Master Educators and Educators under the Oceania Sport Education Program (OSEP) from the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), strengthening Tonga’s capacity to deliver high-quality community and specialised sports education.

Wednesday 4 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new strategy, ‘Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry’, was endorsed by Pacific Island countries at the Regional Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture and Forestry, in Nuku’alofa, last week.

Wednesday 4 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over the weekend, more than 50 individuals were arrested during a series of Tonga Police Weekend Safety Operations. The arrests were made for various offences, including driving under the influence and illicit drug-related activities.
