The Papal flag and diplomatic flags were flown at half staff in Nuku'alofa today following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday at the Vatican. His Eminence Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga and Niue, is scheduled to depart for Rome this week. The date and time for Pope Francis's funeral has yet to be confirmed by the Vatican.
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Tuesday 22 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Monday 21 April 2025
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Rome, Italy
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. The Vatican stated that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35am local time (6:45pm Tonga time) today. The Pope had frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, and had bilateral pneumonia in February this year.
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Thursday 17 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The dengue outbreak in Tonga has exceeded 500 cases recorded, with eight new cases of dengue fever reported with positive rapid tests today, bringing the total cumulative number of cases to 520. Eight cases are in a stable condition in hospital.
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Thursday 17 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u will make a State visit to Fiji from 8 to 12 July to attend the installation ceremony of the Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau and Tui Lau chiefs.
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Thursday 17 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
More than 20 Town and District Officers from Tonga are visiting Hainan Province in China to attend a two-week seminar on administration. The seminar, specifically designed for them, is being held from 16-29 April in Haikou City.
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Thursday 17 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs, HRH Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, met with Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Iwaya Takeshi, yesterday, to discuss Tonga-Japan relations. The Crown Prince and Princess are visiting Japan to attend Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
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Thursday 17 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three men from Vaini were arrested during a recent Tonga Police Drug Squad operation. Authorities seized drug-related utensils and cannabis, among other items.
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Wednesday 16 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In a significant step towards enhancing disaster preparedness, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) has completed its final consultation with District and Town Officers of Tongatapu. This marks the conclusion of the initial phase of a nationwide effort to decentralize Disaster Risk Management (DRM), placing leadership, planning, and decision-making at the village level .
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Wednesday 16 April 2025
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Nukku'alofa, Tonga
A 24-year-old man from Fatai has been charged with reckless driving, after the van he was driving crashed on Sunday evening at Hihifo Road. Tonga Police said the accident occurred when the driver of the van attempted to overtake another vehicle. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
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Tuesday 15 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
“The global and regional development landscape is evolving very fast, and the only way we can navigate this successfully is if we stay united as a region,” said the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, while attending the PIF Troika this week, in Nadi, Fiji. Leaders will discuss a range of regional priorities.
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Tuesday 15 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 41-year-old man from Popua has been arrested on charges relating to a house break-in and theft. Authorities recovered multiple items alleged to have been stolen, including jewellery, electronic devices, and 41 cans of corned beef.
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Tuesday 15 April 2025
Ahau, Rotuma
A team of scientists and filmmakers from National Geographic Pristine Seas begins its expedition this week in support of marine protections in Fiji and Rotuma. The crew, which is made up of local and international experts,will study the South Pacific waters from the deep sea to shallow reefs. The team’s first stop is Rotuma — a volcanic island surrounded by uninhabited islets. To date, there has been no research conducted in Rotuma's biodiverse deep-sea ecosystems.
Monday 14 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A ‘Safe Boating Awareness Program’, was launched by the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Winston Peters, during his one-day visit to Tongatapu on Friday, 11 April. The new program highlights the importance of maritime safety, ‘Mateuteu keke hao’ or
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Monday 14 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Police are investigating a serious crash that occurred on the Hihifo Road, west of Hofoa, on Sunday evening. A white Toyota passenger van left the road and crashed into post and a power pole, landing on its side.
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Monday 14 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kulisitafu Fehoko (32) is serving eight months in prison for two charges that included possession of 1.28 grams of methamphetamine and utensils siezed in his vehicle, when he was intercepted by Police in Vaololoa last year.
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Friday 11 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's new NZD$32 million parliament complex set to be completed by 2027, was virtually introduced to the visiting New Zealand delegation and members of the parliament, by the Falealea project manager, Andrew Tu’inukuafe, today, 11 April 2025.
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Friday 11 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
New Zealand and Tonga are exploring opportunities to strengthen their bilateral relationship and enhance diplomatic and development cooperation. New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, along with a cross-party delegation, met today, 11 April, in Nuku'alofa with Tonga's PM, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, and the Tongan Cabinet to discuss these opportunities. Peters earlier met Tonga's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala.
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Friday 11 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Alaisia Matangi (37) is serving a two-year imprisonment sentence for the theft of a vehicle and its contents worth $24,000 outside the Cowley Bakery in Nuku’alofa. The theft occurred while the owner was inside the bakery for a few minutes.
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Friday 11 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Taniela Ngaluafe (25) stole electronics, including iPhones valued at around $78,180, from his employer Superfone Ltd. Qiwu Huang (60) received some of the stolen property valued over $10,000. Both received fully suspended sentences under certain conditions.
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Thursday 10 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Legislative unanimously passed the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, with all 23 Members of Parliament voting in favour, yesterday 9 April, at the Parliament Chamber in Nuku’alofa. Finance Minister, Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke announced that the TOP$31 million budget will fund several key government initiatives, with the largest allocation being $10 million for road infrastructure.
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