Those who advocate for reducing the monarchy's power should recognize that every nation carries a unique political history and corresponding political theology, shaping its governance and societal values.... For democracy to succeed in Tonga, its proponents must address the foundational issue of unity. Efforts to replace the monarchy must consider the cultural, religious, and historical fabric that holds the nation together. Democracy cannot thrive in a fractured environment...Tonga’s unique context demands a governance model that respects its traditions while accommodating aspirations for representation and reform. - Peni Senituli.
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Sunday 5 January 2025
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Utah, USA
Friday 3 January 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thermal volcanic activity at the Home Reef Volcano is continuing into the New Year. “The island continues to grow along the northeastern side. The newly formed lava lobe, as of 2 January, 2025, is ~67,000 square meters, covering about 42% of the island’s total area,” Tonga Geological Services advised today, and issued a hazard alert for mariners to keep 2 nautical miles away from the area.
Friday 3 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tropical Disturbance, TD02F, located west of Fiji, no longer poses a threat to Tonga, the Tonga Meteorological Service advised this morning, 3 January. “The potential to develop into a Tropical Cyclone remains very low with no further intensification.”
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Thursday 2 January 2025
Wellington, New Zealand
Fuel recovery is now underway from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa. Commodore Andrew Brown said today that salvor divers had begun extracting fuel and other pollutants from the ship, during a complex environmental protection operation that is expected to take a number of weeks. The navy ship sank after running aground on a reef on the southern coast of Upolu in October.
Wednesday 1 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tropical Disturbance TD02F located to the west of Fiji (or about 1500km west northwest of Nuku'alofa) does not pose a threat to Tonga in the next 24 to 48 hours, the Tonga Meteorological Service, advised at 2:00pm today, 1 January 2025.
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Tuesday 31 December 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
It's a tradition for festive Brass Bands to play around Tonga homes over Christmas and New Year. Out spreading joy for New Year's Eve was Tailulu College's brass band from Havelu who were performing all day and finished up at Ma'ufanga. Swimmers flocked to the beaches to cool off in the sea.
Monday 30 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 40-year-old man in Tonga who received a vehicle stolen from a car rental business in New South Wales, Australia, that was shipped to Tonga, is serving one year in prison, after being found guilty of money laundering and receiving stolen property.
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Tuesday 24 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's new Prime Minister Designate, Hon. 'Aisake Eke has plans for his new government in 2025. He wants to tackle a culture of silence in the civil service, build a bridge and control the traffic, encourage fishing and invest in biogas projects to reduce the cost of electricity.
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Tuesday 24 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's new Prime Minister Designate, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke is currently addressing the House after winning a ballot 16 votes to 8 votes, to defeat the rival nominee Dr Viliami Latu. There were 24 total votes in the secret ballot in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga this morning. Dr Eke is a former Minister of Finance, with a PhD in business administration from an Australian university.
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Tuesday 24 December 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Swire Shipping, a leading provider of sustainable and innovative shipping and logistics solutions, recently organised a charity drive in partnership with HM Queen Nanasipau’u Charity. Fifty care packages, put together with donations from Swire Shipping and generous contributions from local partners, will be distributed to families in need by the Charity.
Tuesday 24 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The two nominees for Tonga's new Prime Minster Designate are Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke and Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, both People's Representatives, the Lord Speaker announced this morning in a special meeting of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, where elected representives will take part in a secret ballot to elect the PM. Results were awaited at 3:00pm.
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Monday 23 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two nominations for Tonga's Prime Minister Designate, were received by the office of the Legislative Assembly before the closing time today, 23 December. The names will be revealed tomorrow morning, Tuesday, when the Legislative Assembly meets to choose the new Prime Minister..
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Monday 23 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Home Reef Volcano is growing and changing shape with a new lava lobe covering an estimated 75,000 square meters on the island between 4-15 December 2024, Tonga Geological Services reported today. The volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava’u and Ha’apai communities. However, all Mariners are advised to sail beyond two nautical miles from Home Reef until further notice.
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Monday 23 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Secondary Entrance Examination (SEE) result this year revealed a low pass rate of 36% out of the 1399 Form 2 students in Tonga Government Middle Schools (GMS) who sat the examination.
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Monday 23 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory are now in force for Tongatapu, 'Eua, and Ha'apai land areas, Tonga Meteorological Services issued at 1:00 pm this afternoon. There is a cloudy, rainy, gusty outlook for Christmas in these areas, with isolated thunderstorms.
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Monday 23 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Starlink has been granted approval to provide high-speed internet services in Tonga, the Regulator for Communications, (MEIDECC), announced.
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Saturday 21 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The first sealed nomination for Prime Minister Designate was submitted yesterday, 20 December, to the Speaker's Office, of the Legislative Assembly. Written nominations close on Monday 23 December and will be opened on Tuesday.
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Saturday 21 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With a total budget of $19.6 million panga (AUD 12.9 million) over five years, the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities Program will fund community driven infrastructure projects, including cyclone shelters and water supply systems. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and MORDI Tonga Trust on 20 December signed a Finance Agreement for the TARCP program.
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Friday 20 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Form Six and Seven Certificate exam results for 2024, released yesterday 19 December, showed that Tonga High School achieved the most Distinction grades out of eight schools.
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Friday 20 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A New Zealand company is set to privatize and renovate the Lupepau’u airport in Vava’u, however, no further information regarding the company was revealed by the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, at a Press Conference with local media today.
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