Newly crowned Miss Heilala 2026-27 Silia Sitoafa Matelau shone at the Miss Heilala annual float parade celebration in Nuku'alofa today, marking the final official event of this year's pageant.
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Saturday 4 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Silia Matelau (22), was crowned Miss Heilala 2026 tonight, 3 July 2026, at the Miss Heilala Ball in the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. The US-born Tongan, who entered the pageant as Miss Lady Maria Australia 2026, won all but one of the main judging categories.
Friday 3 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Local authorities are encouraging farmers to plan and prepare for likely dry months ahead during El Niño season in Tonga, as a drought warning is in effect for the Ha'apai island groups, while the rest of Tonga is on a drought alert.
Friday 3 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A masterpiece island creation worn by Miss Tikaway Creations, Meleane Pulotufietau Brown, wowed the crowd during a showcase of impressive island creations for the Miss Heilala judging event last night, 2 July 2026 at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium.
Friday 3 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala contestants confidently modelled colourful sarong swimwear, with five of the 14 girls awarded top placings in the competition last night, 2 July 2026 at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium.
Friday 3 July 2026
The Heilala 9s rugby league tournament has returned for a second year, with teams from across Tonga gathering at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, yesterday 2 July, for the opening day of the three-day competition.
Friday 3 July 2026
Suva, Fiji
The Pacific Islands Forum Troika leaders met in Suva, Fiji this week for strategic discussions on the future governance of the Pacific regional system and key regional priorities in the lead up to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Palau.
Thursday 2 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Energy Commission has approved a lower electricity tariff from 1 July 2026, bringing the Regulated Tariff applicable to Tonga Power Limited down from 125.02 to 111.57 seniti per kilowatt-hour (seniti/kWh). - a fall of 10.8 per cent.
Thursday 2 July 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A showcase of traditional Tongan tau'olunga dancing and costume (teunga) was elegantly presented by 14 Miss Heilala contestants on Tuesday night, at Teufaiva Indoor Stadium, the first night of this week's Miss Heilala judging events.
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Thursday 2 July 2026
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Fua'amotu, Tongatapu
A fire truck for Ha'apai Airport donated by the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), was handed over to Tonga Airports Limited, on 30 June 2026, at Fua'amotu International Airport.
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Tuesday 30 June 2026
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Sydney, Australia
Tongan international Haumole Olakau'atu says improving the effort areas of his game helped him win back his place in the NSW State of Origin side after being dropped for game two of the series. By: Jasper Bruce / AAP
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Tuesday 30 June 2026
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Auckland, New Zealand
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming health systems worldwide—but for Māori and Pacific communities, ensuring it is safe, equitable, and effective remains a critical challenge.
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Monday 29 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Members of the Free Wesleyan Church from Vava'u performed a traditional Lakalaka, during celebrations marking 200 years of Methodist Christianity in Tonga, in Nuku'alofa on June 27.
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Monday 29 June 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kolomotu'a's 'Ikale (Eagles) was given the Pataloni (Patrons) shield as champions of the Tongatapu Sub-Union Pataloni title 2026 after edging Ha'ateiho Spartans 28-25 in a closely contested grand final at Teufaiva Stadium.
Monday 29 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The new petroleum prices for July to August will drop slightly, effective from 1 July 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) announced today.
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Monday 29 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga recorded its coldest June temperature on Friday, 26 June 2026, breaking a 41-year-old record.
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Friday 26 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
One of the 15 contestants in this year's Miss Heilala Pageant, has withdrawn from the competition, the Heilala Festival Committee has announced, following yesterday's orientation event. The judging events are set to begin on Tuesday next week with 14 contestants facing a pre-Pageant interview in the morning and the Tau'olunga traditional dancing event in the evening.
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Friday 26 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thirteen-year-old Mohe Lomu was named the Tonga’s best local player, at the first of its kind national chess tournament in Nuku’alofa.
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Friday 26 June 2026
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Noumea, New Caledonia
Tonga secured a historic double at the FIBA 3x3 Nations League Pacific, with both its men's and women's teams winning the competition titles in Nouméa, New Caledonia, this month and, for the first time, qualifying for the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup to be held in Wuhan, China.
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Friday 26 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Pelehake Estate holder, HSH Prince Tu'ipelehake, has won an interim injunction in the Land Court, halting further quarrying on the tax allotment known as 'Pipi' at Pelehake, Tongatapu, until a trial in October 2026 over a dispute about its registration.
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