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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.

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”.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr Vincent B. Luscombe DPhil, a New Zealander of Tongan descent, on Saturday graduated with a high degree from Oxford University, where he also distinguished himself in the sport of water polo.

Tonga’s biggest ever budget of $992.8 million for the 2025-26 financial year was presented by the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, to Parliament today, 3 June. An anticipated budget deficit of $29.1 million will be offset by the issuing of $30 million in local currency bonds.