Silia Matelau (22), was crowned Miss Heilala 2026 tonight, 3 July 2026, at the Miss Heilala Ball in the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. The US-born Tongan, who entered the pageant as Miss Lady Maria Australia 2026, won all but one of the main judging categories.
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Results for Travel
Saturday 4 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Friday 3 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A masterpiece island creation worn by Miss Tikaway Creations, Meleane Pulotufietau Brown, wowed the crowd during a showcase of impressive island creations for the Miss Heilala judging event last night, 2 July 2026 at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium.
Friday 3 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala contestants confidently modelled colourful sarong swimwear, with five of the 14 girls awarded top placings in the competition last night, 2 July 2026 at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium.
Thursday 2 July 2026
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A showcase of traditional Tongan tau'olunga dancing and costume (teunga) was elegantly presented by 14 Miss Heilala contestants on Tuesday night, at Teufaiva Indoor Stadium, the first night of this week's Miss Heilala judging events.
Friday 26 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
One of the 15 contestants in this year's Miss Heilala Pageant, has withdrawn from the competition, the Heilala Festival Committee has announced, following yesterday's orientation event. The judging events are set to begin on Tuesday next week with 14 contestants facing a pre-Pageant interview in the morning and the Tau'olunga traditional dancing event in the evening.
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Thursday 25 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fifteen contestants vying for the Miss Heilala 2026 crown, made their official public appearance this morning at Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Nuku’alofa, 25 June.
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Saturday 20 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
National sporting events are set to take place in Tongatapu as two major women's and youth tournaments return for the annual Heilala Week festivities 2026.
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Friday 12 June 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten contestants have been named to appear in the Miss Heilala Pageant 2026, while the organisers expect further entries ahead of the annual pageant, which opens in a week, on 25 June.
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Tuesday 28 April 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A small aircraft that was damaged at Fua'amotu Airport on Friday 24 April, remains grounded at the domestic airport. The FFA aircraft was being operated by the Tonga Government for maritime surveillance operations.
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Monday 23 March 2026
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new upscale hotel, resort, and convention centre is set to be built at Tonga’s Parliament precinct, in a move expected to deliver significant economic benefits and strengthen the country’s tourism sector. The development follows an MOU signed earlier this month between Sudima Hotels and King Tupou VI.
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Wednesday 23 July 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lulutai Airlines Y12 and Twin Otter aircraft flights to Ha'apai and other islands resumed, under a temporary lifting of a suspension by the Civil Aviation Office today, 23 July. However, the lifting of the 3-day old suspension is provisional and the compliance will be closely monitored, the Civil Aviation Office noted.
Tuesday 22 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Civil Aviation Office announced via Facebook this morning, its suspension of the Lulutai Airlines Ltd's Part 145 Maintenance Certificate, stating it was due to "confirmed breaches of the Civil Aviation Rules."
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Monday 21 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Minister of Tourism, Hon. Mo'ale Finau is stranded in Ha'apai along with at least 69 visitors who currently have no way out, after Tonga's Civil Aviation Division on Friday suspended the Lulutai Airlines domestic operations of two small aircraft, citing safety reasons. Hon. Finau told Matangi Tonga today that he does not yet know how many incoming and outgoing international visitors are affected nationwide by the suspension of flights, but confirmed 69 visitors are known to be stuck in Ha'apai.
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Monday 21 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Civil Aviation Division (CAD) suspended Lulutai Airlines Ltd. operations as of Friday, 18 July, citing "safety" as the main reason, after the airline did not meet the required standard for aircraft maintenance on its Twin Otter(A3-KLT) and A3-SP aircraft.
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Saturday 5 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosi’ana Taumoepeau, a crowd favorite, has been crowned the new Miss Heilala 2025-226, near mid-night tonight, 4 July, at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa. Her mother Anita Roberts (Miss Heilala 1997) comes from Fasi and Kotu.
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Friday 4 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fantastic island creations using traditional materials were showcased tonight, 4 July, by the Miss Heilala contestants during the Miss Heilala Pageant crowning night at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Friday 4 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Miss Heilala Pageant 2025 contestants modeled traditional Tongan Puletaha (a formal outfit in one colour) during the final competitions tonight, 4 July, at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 3 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The seven Miss Heilala contestants showcased captivating and entertaining talents last night, 2 July, during the first show of the three-night pageant at the Tonga High Stadium in Nuku’alofa.
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Thursday 3 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala contestants showcased bright and colourful sarongs in the Sarong wear competition last night, 2 July, in the first of the three-night shows, held at the Tonga High Stadium in Nuku’alofa. The top three contestants in this category will be announced on the finale night, Friday, 4 July.
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Tuesday 1 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An official investigation found that a tripped circuit breaker was a primary issue in the Lulutai Airline’s Saab 340B accident on 8 December last year. The report concludes that a more thorough understanding of the hydraulic system and a complete review of the abnormal checklist would have provided the crew with a better understanding of the auxiliary hydraulic system's limitations, including the risk of losing wheel braking action. The aircraft's right landing gear collapsed on the taxiway to the terminal, and the plane ran into a concrete bund, while carrying a full load of 35 passengers and three crew.
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