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Thursday 12 February 2026 4:05pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Deep seabed mining is often presented as a new economic frontier for Pacific nations—a source of revenue, jobs, and minerals needed for the global energy transition. But when we look beyond the promises and examine the evidence, the conclusion for Tonga is clear: deep seabed mining is a high-risk gamble we cannot afford to take. This is not an argument against development. It is an argument for choosing development paths that protect our people, our ocean, and our future. - Johnny Grattan Vaea Taione. -
Thursday 12 February 2026 3:06pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Mekiloni Fotu Aso (39) is serving one year in prison for counts that included the cultivation of 63 cannabis plants weighing 427.95 grams and possession of 266.08 grams of cannabis seized at his home in Fua’amotu last year.
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Thursday 12 February 2026 2:58pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Pita Lolohea is serving 18 months in prison for counts that included the theft of electronics valued at around $14,756 pa'anga and serious wilful damage when he broke into the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in March last year. Premium content -
Wednesday 11 February 2026 10:29pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Several consignments containing undeclared firearms and rounds of ammunition, alcohol, and fireworks, with no permit, were intercepted by Customs officers between December 2025 and January 2026. Premium content -
Wednesday 11 February 2026 10:27pm
Nadi, Fiji : Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Viliami Latu, attended the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting, joining more than 250 delegates, in Nadi, on Monday, 9 February. Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey said the meeting comes at a time when many people feel unsettled by political uncertainty, economic volatility and environmental threats. Premium content -
Tuesday 10 February 2026 9:43pm
San Francisco, USA : New Zealand-born Tongan, George Holani, made his Super Bowl LX debut yesterday, 9 February 2026, at the Levi Stadium, San Francisco - where his team the Seattle Seahawks emerged champions - defeating the New England Patriots, who also had a player of Tongan heritage in their team. Premium content -
Tuesday 10 February 2026 3:18pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : There's a moderate to high risk of Tonga being affected by at least one severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) by the end of the tropical cyclone season for 2025-26, during its peak between February to March 2026, says the latest seasonal outlook from Tonga Met released today. Premium content -
Tuesday 10 February 2026 2:52pm
Neiafu, Vava'u : Illegal firearms and ammunitions, among other unlawful items, were seized by Tonga Police in a recent special operation in Vava'u. Premium content -
Tuesday 10 February 2026 2:46pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Over 500 volunteers rallied by TASANOC, picked-up around 50,000 items of plastics from the Nuku'alofa foreshore and two beaches in Tongatapu, concluding the King’s Baton Relay in Tonga from 1-7 February. The clean-up is part of the Commonwealth Games’ Global Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.1 comment -
Tuesday 10 February 2026 12:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 13-year-old teen died from electrocution in Holonga on Saturday, 7 February, when he came into contact with an exposed electrical source in a chicken coop. Premium content -
Monday 9 February 2026 5:19pm
Auckland, New Zealand : Tongans are among those losing significant amounts of money to a Ponzi-style investment scam, currently circulating in Tonga, New Zealand and the USA, warns New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. Premium content -
Monday 9 February 2026 5:11pm
New York, USA : A practical digital infrastructure, or data-hub, could help Pacific Small Island Developing States better prepare for disasters, deliver services and attract investment by turning information into coordinated action, driven by shared data systems, digital tools and real-time dashboards. Premium content -
Monday 9 February 2026 5:05pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A 50-year-old male from Havelu was arrested following a police operation on Saturday, 7 February, during which authorities say they seized several packages of methamphetamine, drug-related utensils, cash, electronic devices, and the vehicle involved in the incident. Premium content -
Saturday 7 February 2026 9:04pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Food sales and food-related gatherings in Hofoa have been restricted, starting from 27 January until 27 March 2026, the Ministry of Health announced this week, as part of their preventative measures to contain the spread of typhoid fever. -
Friday 6 February 2026 7:56pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The construction of classrooms and a multipurpose hall for the Free Wesleyan Primary and Middle School in Kolovai will improve the quality of education for students, in a project funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP), which was officially signed in a ceremony yesterday. Premium content -
Friday 6 February 2026 3:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga women’s basketball 3x3 team has qualified for the 3x3 women’s basketball competition at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, to be held in July. Premium content -
Thursday 5 February 2026 6:33pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Johann David Wadephul, has called for a more flexible, energetic and visible European Union presence in the Pacific, saying island states expect partners to move beyond shared values and deliver concrete action. -
Thursday 5 February 2026 5:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Weather warnings remain in force for Tongatapu, ʻEua and Haʻapai, as an active low-pressure trough continues to affect much of the Kingdom, bringing heavy rain, strong to gale-force winds and hazardous marine conditions. Premium content -
Thursday 5 February 2026 3:40pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Commander Rose Apikotoa has become the first Australian of Tongan heritage promoted to the rank of captain n the Australian Navy at a ceremony in Canberra on 29 January, 2026, and will soon take up a new Canberra-based role as Chief of Staff to the Head of Military Personnel. Premium content -
Thursday 5 February 2026 3:25pm
Tu'anuku, Vava'u : A new kindergarten facility opened this week in the village of Tu'anuku, Vava'u, with a celebration held on 3 February 2026 to mark a milestone for early childhood education in the community. Premium content
