Tonga shortlists two airlines for Lulutai amid negotiations over $6m retirement fund loan

The government has shortlisted two companies from the pool of bidders seeking to operate Lulutai Airlines. Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke confirmed this to Kaniva News this morning, following the government’s call for private ownership bids...

Chinese naval hospital ship provides medical services in Tonga

SUVA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, arrived at Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, on Monday, starting a seven-day visit featuring medical services and cultural activities during its Mission Harmony 2025. This is the...

Tributes pour in for Pesi Siale Fonua, 'a steady voice of truth' and Matangi Tonga founder

Fonua's family announced his passing on Monday. Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta Pesi Siale Fonua, a veteran Pacific journalist and the publisher-editor of Tonga's leading news website, Matangi Tonga Online, has died at the age of 78. Fonua's family...

Unifying Global Force: Philippine Army, 18 other nations join world's biggest-ever military exercise

Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps training participants join the multi-national contingent for Exercise Talisman Sabre that is being held across various locations in Australia from July 13 to August 5, 2025. By OACPA July 15, 2025 FORT...

Tonga Government denies walking out during Israeli PM’s UN speech

The Tongan government has rejected as false reports circulating on social media that its delegation walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations two weeks ago. The claims sparked backlash online,...

Military looks to Papua New Guinea for alternative to Red Hill facility

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...

Tonga’s support for Israel amid genocide allegations sparks deep community division

Tonga’s vote at the United Nations in support of Israel—despite widespread international condemnation over alleged genocide in Gaza—has triggered sharp divisions within the Tongan community both at home and abroad. The United Nations General...

Fauono sets Milestone for Pacific Representation in Local Government

Source: Radio New Zealand. Fauono Ken Laban has been elected Mayor of Lower Hutt, making history as Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Pasifika mayor. Fauono secured 8704 votes, comfortably ahead of Brady Dyer (6974), Karen Morgan (5529), and Prabha...

CITES Parties in the Pacific take part in training on implementation through fisheries legal frameworks

The waters of the Pacific Islands countries (PICs) are home to numerous aquatic species that are listed in the CITES Appendices, and which support livelihoods and economic opportunities for communities in over a dozen Parties to the Convention....

Tongans turn on each other as celebrations turn sour

Victory turned into a vicious onslaught as jubilant Tongans armed with poles turned on each other, felling victims with brutal head butts, the Daily Telegraph reports. New footage has emerged of a night of shocking violence as Tongan supporters...

Silk Road Ark starts free medical services in Tonga from 14 October

The Chinese hospital ship Silk Road Ark will dock at Vuna Wharf in Nuku‘alofa from 13 October, offering free medical services across Tongatapu. According to its schedule, the ship’s medical team will operate at: Vuna Wharf on 14 October (1:30...

Tonga prepares to appoint first local police commissioner after 15 years of foreign leadership: Police Minister

Tonga is set to reclaim local leadership of its police force for the first time in over 15 years, as current Police Commissioner Geoff Turner prepares to hand over the role to a Tongan successor once his contract ends. Minister of Police Piveni...

Tonga marks Constitutional milestone, pushes Climate Justice and UN reform at…

Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke, used his address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last week to highlight Tonga’s constitutional legacy, call for urgent global climate action, and press for reforms to strengthen...

Local elections 2025: Ben Fraser to join Alan Taylor as Whanganui’s Horizons representatives

“People may tell you they voted for you, or that they haven’t voted for you, but the people you talk to are only a tiny fraction of the constituency,” he said. “I intend to do the best I can, with Ben, to make the greatest impact we can for the...

Tensions flare: Police Minister in near altercation with former MP Lavulavu

An angry outburst from Minister of Police Piveni Piukala nearly escalated into a physical confrontation with former Cabinet Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu during a press briefing yesterday—forcing Deputy Prime Minister Dr Taniela Fusimālohi to step in....

Local Election 2025: Phil Nixon wins South Taranaki mayoral race

“I’ve still got things I want to do for the district and so I’m looking forward to having the privilege of leading the district for the next three years. “I just really appreciate the mandate from the community.” Nixon said the priority will be to...

Local elections 2025: Hawke’s Bay Regional Council restanding councillors keep their seats

Preliminary results will be announced on Monday. They include votes received today, but special votes are still not included. Current councillor Neil Kirton and chair Hinewai Ormsby were on Saturday in the box seat to be elected to the Ahuriri...

Pacific government administration summit coming to Tonga

The Government is currently preparing to host some of the high-level officials and ministers from member countries of the Pacific Community – SPC. The 55th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations, as well as...

Fotofili secures noble seat before general election, 71 candidates registered

The general election has formally begun with Fotofili confirmed as the sole noble candidate. Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili was declared the Noble Representative for the Niuas after standing unopposed, marking an early milestone in Tonga’s election...

Two bidders in the running for Tonga's Lulutai

Tonga's prime minister ʻAisake Eke has confirmed that two companies, including dormant carrier Fly Niu Airlines (Tongatapu), have expressed interest in acquiring Lulutai Airlines (L8, Tongatapu). The government has been seeking to offload and...