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...

LIVE LIGHT launch targets Tonga’s obesity crisis

Health Minister Dr ‘Ana ‘Akauola has launched the LIVE LIGHT Campaign, aimed at curbing Tonga’s chronic disease burden by tackling obesity. Phase One — “60 minutes a day – stronger every way” — will mobilise youth aged 11–19 to become more active....

WCCC slams Parliament’s sexist remarks, demands change

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) say recent Parliamentary remarks mocking women’s leadership reflect deep-seated misogyny. Through a social media post yesterday, the WCCC voiced alarm at comments made during debates on motions from the...

Govt enacts sweeping Consumer Protection law

Parliament has passed its new Consumer Protection Act on 19 September 2025 to strengthen rights and fair trade. The law, backed by the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, modernises consumer safeguards and...

70 corruption complaints filed ahead of Tonga’s election—Police called in to assist investigation

Nuku’alofa — Tonga’s Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, has confirmed that police detectives have been asked to assist the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in resolving 70 complaints lodged ahead of the country’s general election in November....

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...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – October 17 – 23, 2025

Political Leadership and Regionalism, Peace and Security Outspoken Former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani Passes Away (In-depth Solomons) New Caledonia: FLNKS concerned about the postponement of provincial elections, “satisfied” with the green...

New SPC head

TE Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health governing council member Dr Paula Vivili is the incoming 23rd director-general of the Pacific Community, previously known as SPC. Dr Vivili also makes history becoming the first Tongan...

Joint Communique – South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting

Department of Defence Defence Ministers or their representatives from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga gathered in Viña del Mar for the 10th South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) from 22 to 24...

The CFO's Guide to Services CPQ: Driving Accuracy, Efficiency, and Growth

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How to watch Pacific Championships 2025: free streams, fixture list for rugby league tournament

If the opening round thrillers between the Kiwis and Toa Samoa in the men's Pacific Cup and the Kiwi Ferns and Fetū Sāmoa in the women's Pacific Cup are any indication, the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations, once a yawning chasm, is getting...

Senate confirms Yusuf as NPC chairman, others as commissioners

The Senate Tuesday confirmed appointments of Dr Aminu Yusuf from Niger state, as Chairman of the National Population Commission ( NPC) . The red chamber also confirmed the appointments of Kigbu Joseph Haruna from Nasarawa State and Tonga Betara...

No room for silence: Deputy Speaker demands global action against GBV

The annual parliamentary dialogue has become a vital platform for legislators across the world to exchange perspectives on global priorities, and to reaffirm our collective duty in advancing democratic governance and human rights through...

PACER Plus partners with SPTO to promote sustainable tourism in the region

VAVA’U, Tonga – The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) provided funding support and took part in the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) meetings held in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, from 20 to 22 October 2025. The three-day gathering included the...

Redress System For Abuse In Care Bill — First Reading

Press Release – Hansard Redress System For Abuse In Care Bill First Reading 21 October 2025 Sitting date: 21 Oct 2025 REDRESS SYSTEM FOR ABUSE IN CARE BILL First Reading Hon ERICA STANFORD (Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response...

Kaniva News denies Dr Lafitani’s lies over translation request

The Editor of Kaniva News has strongly denied what he describes as blatant lies and fabrications made by Dr Siosiua Lafitani, founder of the controversial Lo‘au University. The most recent claim, made publicly by Dr Lafitani on Facebook on October...

From Baku to Belem – Change and continuity for the Pacific climate champs to...

Eight Pacific political climate champions heading into COP30 are providing a high-level regional line-up blending change and continuity on key priorities including Loss and Damage, Climate Finance, Gender and Social Inclusion, the Ocean-Climate...

BSP Supports 44th PILON Annual Meeting

In a show of commitment to regional legal excellence, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) proudly sponsored the closing dinner of the 44th Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network (PILON) Annual Meeting, to be held from 27 to 31 October at APEC Haus in...

Second undersea cable manufacturing now complete

Tonga has reached a major milestone in its digital infrastructure upgrade. The manufacturing phase of Tonga’s second international undersea telecommunications cable, a 383-kilometre branch of the Hawaiki Cable system, is now complete and the cable...