Tonga inks $6M e-Passport deal with Japan

Tonga and Japan have formalised a US$6 million grant to introduce electronic passports. Crown Prince Tupouto’a ’Ulukalala attended the signing of the “Project for Enhancing Border Management Capacity” in Nuku‘alofa on Thursday, where Japan’s...

Military to build new fuel facility in Papua New Guinea

The U.S. military is continuing to pursue its post-Red Hill refueling strategy in the Pacific with a new facility under construction in Papua New Guinea. Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the Hawaii-­based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the...

Student-led effort makes legal history in efforts to reshape global policy: 'It's a pretty grim thing to have to do'

"What I was pouring into my assignments was my own worries about the implications … on me as a person." by Drew JonesOctober 6, 2025 A group of law students at the University of the South Pacific (USP) has turned rising tides and failing climate...

Dora Siliya’s Convenient Amnesia on Tribalism and Legacy Politics

Dora Siliya’s Convenient Amnesia on Tribalism and Legacy Politics By Michael Lombe In a wide-ranging interview with British veteran broadcaster Martine Dennis, former Minister Dora Siliya retraced her political journey and the hurdles she faced as...

Sons of late PM 'Akilisi Pohiva to contest Tonga's 2025 election

A Tonga Electoral Commission banner with the message: "Vote so you can be counted". Photo: Tonga Electoral Commission Two sons of the late Tongan Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva will contest the upcoming general elections. Tongans will go to the...

Congresswoman Amata and Tonga Speaker meet in D.C.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata met this past Thursday with Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, Tonga’s Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He came to the U.S. Capitol, including visiting the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives....

Mumbi Phiri’s Remarks on Electoral Strategy Spark Intense Tribal Political Debate

A political storm on tribalism has erupted following remarks attributed to Patriotic Front senior member Mumbi Phiri concerning electoral strategy for the 2026 general elections, drawing sharp condemnation from the ruling party and a prominent...

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Unveils First Line-Up Of Performers For Upcoming New Zealand Shows

Press Release – The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Todays announcement sees over 30 bands and cultural groups from more than 12 countries set to perform in The Heroes Who Made Us at Eden Park from 19-21 February. Celebrating 75 years with ‘The...

OPINION | Cakobau’s political ambitions

I wish to apologise at the outset for missing out in the last two weeks. This was because I was out of the country on a long-delayed trip and there was accumulated work to plough through upon return. I will write about that trip later. Prior to...

Growing concern for Tonga’s neglected elderly 

Soana Aholelei | Reporter / Director Care for the elderly is a growing concern in Tonga. With its ageing population increasing and family members living abroad, Tongan elders are left with very little support. Holding the hand of 94 year old Mele,...

Japan boosts Tonga’s maritime security

Japan has handed over two patrol boats to Tonga last week, lifting the kingdom’s ability to fight drug smuggling by sea. H.E. Mr Inagaki Hisao, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, presented the vessels under Japan’s Non-Project Grant Assistance (NPGA)...

HiAnime Returns as 'Priority Notorious Streaming Site' in New U.S. Government Watch List

Popular anime streaming site HiAnime is listed as a "priority notorious streaming site" in a new list of piracy sites being targeted by the U.S. court system. As seen via Torrent Freak, the Motion Picture Association published a response for...

Young man with previous brushes with the law charged with disturbing the peace

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 13, 2025, a concerned mother called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to request assistance regarding her son, who was allegedly causing a disturbance in their home. The suspect was charged with Count 1:...

Electricity tariff goes up, government maintains subsidy scheme

From 1 October 2025, Tonga households will face a power tariff rise to 92.16 seniti per kWh, driven by rising diesel costs and a retained government subsidy. The Competent Authority has approved a $0.14 seniti per litre diesel increase (7.10 %)...

USP School of Law delivers winning verdict at the annual Inter-Tertiary Moot finals

USP’s School of Law team: (L-R) Soane Kualepeli Tupola, Fololeni Loloma, and Ope’anga Hoto Ngu Paunga. Photo: The University of the South Pacific. Ann-Tauilo Motuga | Reporter/Videographer Three Tongan students representing the University of the...

Rugby stars give back to Tonga

Youth In Union Founders Lachlan and Eddie. Photo: Supplied. Australian Rugby stars, Taniela Tupou (Wallabies) and Lachlan McCaffrey (Waratahs coach), will conduct a ‘Youth in Union’ tour in Tonga nest week, from 7-14 October. The tour aims to...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Te Pāti Māori ‘a long way away’ from Government amid Toitū Te Tiriti split

Speculation about the party’s instability had grown since Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was suddenly demoted from the party’s whip position last month, replaced by co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris has also...

Japan, Tonga boost naval ties in Nuku’alofa

Japan and Tonga launched two defence cooperation initiatives in Nukuʻalofa during this month. For the first week of September, the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2025 (IPD25) contingent of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force carried out a bilateral...

UNGA80: Tonga’s Prime Minister meets US President Trump

New York — On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, joined world leaders at a high-level reception hosted by United States President Donald Trump and First...

OPINION | The lead-up to cession

The original move to Bau IT is important to trace and understand how Bau was linked to and presided over much of maritime Fiji pre-1850. For this we need to go back to the occupation of Bau. Oral tradition has it that Kubuna chiefs, notably Ratu...