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.
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Tuesday 3 June 2025
Oxford, United Kingdom
Friday 30 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will observe a public holiday on Monday, 2 June to commemorate Emancipation Day, the day King Siaosi Tupou I officially abolished serfdom in Tonga in 1862, as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.
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Wednesday 28 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Mano Totau (76), one of six Tongan boys who were stranded for 15 months on the uninhabited 'Ata in 1965-66, returned to the island for the first time this month, for the filming of a new documentary about their famous story of survival. Although he did not want to return, Mano told Matangi Tonga he did so because their story is important.
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Friday 9 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Commissioner Shane McLennan (62) farewelled Tonga Police at a marching out parade at the Tonga Police College, Longolongo, this morning, 9 May.
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Friday 25 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A special memorial Mass for the late Holy Father, Pope Francis, will be held this Saturday at 6:00pm, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in Ma'ufanga, Tongatapu. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, is expected to attend.
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Wednesday 23 April 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A funeral for a Tongan bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, Assistant Bishop Afa Vaka, who died in New Zealand recently, will be held in Nuku’alofa this week.
Tuesday 22 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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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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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Wednesday 5 March 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's enrolment rate for girls in primary education stands at 99%, with 68% in secondary education. "The numbers reflect the ambition and capability of Tongan women, yet they also remind us that there is still work to be done," said The Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Sinai Tu'itahi, yesterday on International Women's Day.
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Friday 21 February 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Touring six Pacific countries, a group of Pacific dancers, the Projekt Team, will arrive in Tonga next week, to host a dance competition the ‘Pacific Ring’ qualifiers, on 28 February at the Digicel Square in Nuku’alofa.
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Tuesday 31 December 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
It's a tradition for festive Brass Bands to play around Tonga homes over Christmas and New Year. Out spreading joy for New Year's Eve was Tailulu College's brass band from Havelu who were performing all day and finished up at Ma'ufanga. Swimmers flocked to the beaches to cool off in the sea.
Tuesday 17 December 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three newlyweds tied the knot this afternoon, 16 December 2024, at the Registry Office, in Nuku’alofa, joining the rush before government offices close at the end of this week for Christmas holidays.
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Friday 22 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An ANU Masters graduate in Public Administration, Vika ‘Unga, completed a leadership program in Ngunnawal, Australia, this week. The Tongan participant was among 19 participants who are learning how leadership can make a positive difference in their communities.
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Monday 18 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Former Education Minister, Dr. ’Ana Maui Taufe’ulungaki (78) passed away at 8:15 am this morning, at her home ‘Api ko Faka’amunoa, in Ha’ateiho, after an illness. A funeral service will be held tomorrow morning, Tuesday 19 November, at 9:00 am, at the Free Wesleyan Church in Ha’ateiho, before the funeral proceeds to the Makamaka Cemetery.
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Friday 15 November 2024
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Wellington, New Zealand
A New Zealander of Tongan descent, Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu from the University of Otago, Wellington, has been awarded the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Callaghan Medal for science communication.
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Thursday 14 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Australia will support development of a new solar training facility at Tonga's School of Science and Technology, the Acting High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Erin Gleeson, announced today, when she opened a changing facility for female students at at Fokololo 'oe Hau Technical Institute in 'Anana.
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Thursday 7 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Twelve youth members from Tongatapu 7 and 8 districts participated in a basic business training yesterday, 6 November, in Veitongo. The training is one of two programs implemented by the Youth Development division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
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Friday 1 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has two new Fire Commanders, with the promotions of AFC Sione Lavaka and AFC Vika Unga-Martinez, Tonga Fire and Emergencies Services announced today.
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Thursday 31 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Farewell Parade was held by Tonga Police today for Superintendent Siaosi Paseka who is retiring after 37 years of service. He was celebrated by the police force and police partners from Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police, families and friends at the Tonga Police College, in Longolongo.
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Friday 18 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u visited the USA from 27 September to 10 October, the Palace Office in Nuku’alofa reported today. The royal visit was welcomed at the General Conference Seventh-day Adventist Headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland, the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., and the Loma Linda University Health in the city of Loma Linda in San Bernardino County, California.
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