Results for Government

The government has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML) together with The Metals Company (TMC) this week, 4 August, in New York.

The suspension of Lulutai Airline’s engineering licence on 19 July was due to a "misunderstanding between the Civil Aviation Office and Lulutai regarding the hangar.” the Acting Prime Minister, Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, told a media briefing today. MPE Minister Piukala said he received multiple complaints from whale watching companies, businesses, private individuals, and also Ministers over the suspension of flights to outer islands for several days earlier this week.

An increasing number of Tongan civil servants have been exiting government work since 2022, with 861 vacancies recorded in 2025, the Budget Statement for 2025/26 reveals. Higher pay on donor funded projects and migration are cited as two factors in the trend. While acknowledging the economic benefits of remittances, the government said a pressing concern is the "brain drain" phenomenon.

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.

Tonga will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its Constitution on 4 November with a week-long celebration, that will also recognise the 55th anniversary of Tonga's diplomatic ties with Australia and New Zealand, and the 10th anniversary of the reign of King Tupou VI.

Mr. Franz Koenig Tu’uhetoka is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Public Service Commission, appointed by the Prime Minister for a four year term starting today, 24 March 2025.

The Government is set to hold a four-day National Development Summit bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the country to collaborate and strategise the nation's sustainable development framework for the next decade. The summit will be held next week, from 18-21 March, at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, in Nuku'alofa. The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke has invited the public to attend the summit.

Tevita Palu was appointed as the temporary CEO of Lulutai Airlines, Tonga’s domestic airline, last week, taking over from former CEO Poasi Tei. The Minister for Public Enterprise, Hon. Piveni Piukala said that Palu, owner of the former Real Tonga Airline, was chosen for his expertise.

Traffic congestion in and around Nuku'alofa, as well as inflation, food security and waste disposal, are issues of growing concern for Tonga's new Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke who held a media briefing, following a Cabinet meeting on 14 February, at St. George Government Building in Nuku’alofa.