Film maker and art journalist, Timothy Stone is looking for evidence left by 19th century pirates who visited Tonga in 1829. Stone is currently in Tonga on a quest to find out what happened to a small jolly boat that was left on Niuatoputapu or Tafahi and last photographed in 1970. He is also looking for locals who may be able to help identify the origins of two objects, a straw hat and a carved pipe.
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Wednesday 29 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Wednesday 29 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 34-year-old male from Ha'apai drowned on a coast in 'Utulau called Houmautulau, this morning, 29 January. 'Utulau is in western Tongatapu.

Wednesday 29 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A widower, Anthony Wilson, successfully regained possession of his home, in a court action, after he was forcefully locked out of his house on a plot of land in Mataika, he initially leased with his late wife. This was after the Court ordered that the heir, his brother-in-law, vacate the property, that he had taken over when the plaintiff had left the property for a short trip.

Tuesday 28 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Prime Minister, Hon Dr. ‘Aisake Eke announced his new cabinet ministers at the St. George Building in Nuku’alofa, today, 28 January 2025.

Monday 27 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga national ladies darts team won silver medal at the 4th South Pacific Darts Championships (SPDC) in Suva, Fiji, on 25 January.

Monday 27 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 21-year-old chess player, Gisela Vea, is the first from Tonga to represent Tonga at an international chess competition. The competition is being held in Melbourne, Australia from 24-29 January.

Monday 27 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Dr. William Lavemai, a 30-year-old medical doctor from Kolofo'ou, has died from injuries received in a car crash on Vaha'akolo Road in Vaololoa on Sunday, 26 January.

Friday 24 January 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, will pick up Tonga’s leadership role as Pacific Islands Forum Chair. He will chair pivotal ministerial meetings in 2025, including the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, and Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting.
Friday 24 January 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will host the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, qualifiers' stage, in March this year at the Teufaiva Stadium, in Nuku’alofa.
Thursday 23 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Matangi (32) is serving four and a half years imprisonment for two charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Mateaki Hafoka (29) and Sikuvea Fifita (26), when he attacked them with a machete during a drunken altercation in Talau, Vava'u in 2023.

Thursday 23 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
H.B (a pseudonym) is serving nine months in prison after pleading guilty to two charges of serious indecent assault on a victim. Lord Chief Justice Bishop in his sentencing suppressed the identity of the parties, pursuant to section 119 of the Criminal Offences Act.

Thursday 23 January 2025
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Two children aged 13 and 10 years from Sia'atoutai, died when a car rolled on Hala Hihifo in Hofoa yesterday, 22 January. The driver, who was the children's father (37), has been charged with reckless driving causing lives lost, Tonga Police reported today.

Wednesday 22 January 2025
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Tonga's new Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke, was officially appointed by HM King Tupou VI today at 9:53am, at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa.
He is married to Lusitania Latu Eke,

Tuesday 21 January 2025
Sandy-Utah, USA
As Tonga stands on the verge of potentially receiving deported individuals from the United States, many of whom are linked to gangs, it is critical that we, as a nation, prepare ourselves to meet this challenge with a holistic and compassionate approach. These deportations, specifically targeting gang members living in the U.S. illegally under the Trump administration's mass deportation plan, could see the return of Tongans who have lived abroad for most of their lives. Many of these individuals, despite their involvement in gangs, are not merely criminals but are people shaped by trauma, displacement, and a lack of belonging. Addressing their needs requires both understanding and intentional action. - Seni Penitani
Tuesday 21 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI received the Prime Minister Designate, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, at the Royal Palace this morning, ahead of the official appointment of Tonga's new Prime Minister, tomorrow, Wednesday 22 January 2025.

Tuesday 21 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kiva Kaufusi was granted a fresh Deed of Grant to his town allotment in 'Utungake, Vava’u, after a judge found that it was the Minister of Land’s mistake when he granted the land area in dispute, to his neighbour. The judge stated that this case amongst others unfortunately revealed how a simple application can create extreme consequences for all involved.

Tuesday 21 January 2025
Auckland, New Zealand
The importance of parental involvement with Pacific children with hearing loss is revealed in a review by University of Auckland academics. In Aotearoa, Māori and Pacific children and youth are over-represented in severity and prevalence of impaired hearing. New Zealand-born Tongan Palavi, is in the final year of her doctoral studies at the School of Population Health. She says improving services and empowering parents will make a positive difference for children suffering from hearing loss.
Tuesday 21 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Piliote Uasike was sentenced to four years imprisonment for two charges including possession of 3.09 grams of methamphetamine and utensils seized by Police in a vehicle, he was a passenger of in Nuku’alofa. This was his third set of drugs offences in 2024 alone.

Monday 20 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Motor vehicle registrations on Tongatapu have increased by 15 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 3307 vehicles registered at the end of 2024, according to figures released to Matangi Tonga by the Ministry of Infrastructure. However, the number of registrations appear small when compared to the 17,745 vehicles declared by households on Tongatapu during the Tonga Statistics Department household survey back in 2021.

Monday 20 January 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A person died in a major fire at Joe's Kahana Resort and Restaurant at Halaleva, on Sunday evening, 19 January. Tonga Police and Fire Services have launched a full investigation to identify the human remains found by fire fighters in the burnt out restaurant and to determine the cause of the fire.
