Patriots defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga’s lifelong journey one of patience, persistence, and reflection

A future in professional football was never a certainty for Tonga, who battled homelessness as a teenager and briefly spent time in jail as a junior in high school. Thanks to his adoptive parents, George and Siu, Tonga was able to find his way...

Tonga want home Test while Taumalolo still on deck

The Australian government allocated $600 million over 10 years last December towards rugby league in the Pacific. While $290 million of that was dedicated to the operations of the PNG side that will enter the NRL in 2028, there was also $250...

Tonga King urges to ‘vote wisely’ as parliament term ends ahead of November poll

The Tongan Legislative Assembly has formally closed its 2024-2025 session Wednesday ahead of the general election next month. In a brief soft-closing ceremony, three nobles, Lord Tu‘iha‘ateiho, Lord Ve‘ehala and Lord Luani, delivered the address...

Tonga edges closer towards pivotal general election

By Jean Marc ‘Ake, USP intern The November general election in Tonga is just around the corner and all 71 registered candidates’ campaigning efforts are well in motion. While some have sat down face to face with their respective constituents...

With election looming, ATS still in control as gov’t takeover of ground-handling service falters

Despite a government deadline of September 30 to transfer ground-handling services from Air Terminal Services (Tonga) Limited (ATS) to the government’s Tonga Airports Ltd (TAL), ATS remains in control at Fua‘amotu International Airport. The...

Tonga’s Tourism Sector Takes First Steps toward Phasing out Single-Use Plastics and Strengthening Agritourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Government of Australia-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), joined forces to support the Pacific tourism...

Tonga advances sustainable mining practices and environmental governance

The Kingdom of Tonga has taken a significant step forward in strengthening its environmental governance framework following the successful completion of a comprehensive five-day workshop on terrestrial aggregate mining guidelines and Environmental...

SPTO Board of Directors Convenes in Vava’u, Tonga

Key Resolutions Passed to Advance Regional Tourism Governance and Strategic Planning The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors convened its annual meeting on Monday, 20 October 2025, at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Tonga....

3rd Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit Opens in Vava’u, Tonga

The 3rd Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit officially opened today at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, under the theme Midway to 2030: Realigning, Reaffirming and Recommitting to Sustainable Tourism. The Summit marks a...

Inaugural Forum Opens in Vava’u, Tonga to Champion Youth Leadership across the Region

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) officially launched the inaugural Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Tourism (PYFST) today in Vava’u, Tonga, with a powerful opening address by SPTO Chair Lady Adela Issachar Aru. The Forum marks a historic...

King urges to ‘vote wisely’ as parliament term ends ahead of November poll

The Legislative Assembly formally closed its 2024-2025 session yesterday ahead of the general election next month. In a brief soft-closing ceremony, three nobles, Lord Tu‘iha‘ateiho, Lord Ve‘ehala and Lord Luani, delivered the address on behalf of...

Police band to perform at Samoa vs Tonga match

The Royal Tonga Police Band has arrived in Brisbane ahead of the Rugby League Pacific Championships, set to perform in support of the Tonga national side. The band is preparing to join the Samoa Police Band at the high-profile clash between Toa...

Tonga, World Bank agree action plan to boost project delivery

Tonga and the World Bank have committed to a time-bound action plan following their latest portfolio review. The government of Tonga and the World Bank held a joint Country Performance Portfolio Review (CPPR) earlier this month in Nuku‘alofa,...

'Vote wisely' King Tupou VI urges electors ahead of general election

from left- Lords Ve'ehala, Tu'iha'ateiho, and Luani. 2021-2025 Legislative Assembly soft closing. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 23 October 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga. By Katalina Siasau HM King Tupou VI today reminded voters that, "Economically, there is...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Builds Local Capacity on Digital Marketing and Research in Vavaʻu, Tonga

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has concluded a series of focused capacity-building workshops in Vavaʻu, Tonga, designed to strengthen digital marketing, branding, and research skills among local tourism stakeholders. The training supports...

Pacific Community (SPC) governing meetings hosted by Kingdom of Tonga appointed new Director-General to lead the organisation

The Pacific Community (SPC) and the Kingdom of Tonga were pleased to welcome government officials, regional leaders, and international partners to Nuku’alofa for the 55th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and...

ADB approves 10 mln USD grant to build economic resilience in Tonga

MANILA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Thursday that it has approved a 10-million-U.S.-dollar policy-based grant to help enhance public sector management and social and economic resilience in Tonga. The Improving...

ATTA Joins Pacific Leaders at the 2025 Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit in Vava’u, Tonga

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) was honored to participate in the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit, hosted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in Vava’u, Tonga. The event brought together representatives...

Reviving black tapa — traditionally reserved for Tongan royalty

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In 1953, Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London, famously riding through the rain in an open carriage. This act, as many recall, “won the affection of the British...

Only four weeks before Tonga Election

By Kalafi Moala The campaigns for the 20 November general elections are in full motion. As usual, the intensity of campaigns come from the 71 candidates seeking people’s representation from all 17 constituencies, and not so much from among the...