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...

Former Tonga chief justice Owen Paulsen appointed to New Zealand High Court

Wellington, NZ — Justice Owen Paulsen, who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Tonga from 2015 to 2019, has been appointed as a High Court Judge in New Zealand, effective 15 November 2025. He will sit in Christchurch, continuing a...

71 candidates for Tonga's General Election

By Katalina Siasau A total of 71 candidates have registered for Tonga's general election in November, with all 17 incumbents standing, when registration closed yesterday, 9 October at 3:00 pm. The Tongatapu 8 and 9 constituencies have the highest...

Candidates confirmed for Tonga election

A Tonga Electoral Commission banner with the message: "Vote so you can be counted". Photo: Tonga Electoral Commission Eighteen nobles have registered for the upcoming Tonga general election on 20 November. Registration of candidates closed in...

Tonga co-hosts Global Summit on Living Systems

Tonga co-hosted the Summit on the Future of Living Systems during UNGA 80 in New York. Tonga has strengthen its climate diplomacy credentials by co-hosting the Summit on the Future of Living Systems, held on 24 September alongside the 80th session...

Tonga biometric passport part of border enhancement project funded by Japan

Tonga is getting grant assistance of about 882 million yen (about US$6 million) from the Japanese government for the putting in place of a biometric passport system. A signing ceremony for the exchange of notes on the project took place recently...

Moses rushed in as duo ruled out of PM’s XIII vs PNG — Full teams for four-game blockbuster

Mitchell Moses has been rushed into the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII team for their clash with Papua New Guinea after two players were ruled out due to injury. Code Sports reported Moses, who was picked for the Kangaroos Ashes squad, will come...

Fotofili elected unopposed as Noble MP for Ongo Niua, marking start of Tonga’s general election

The 2025 general election in Tonga has officially begun with Fotofili confirmed as the Noble Representative for the Ongo Niua constituency—after standing as the sole candidate. Some of the people’s representative candidates (L-R): Former Minister...

2050 strategy to be endorsed in the Cook Islands, Tonga to be the next host for PIF Leaders Meeting

The implementation plan for the 2050 strategy is being finalised and will be endorsed by Forum leaders during their convening in the Cook Islands next month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Governance and Engagement, Sione Tekiteki said the 52nd...

PM Eke meets Trump during UNGA80, amid US climate skepticism

Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke has met US President Donald Trump in New York. Last last month, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Trump and the First Lady hosted Hon. Eke and other leaders at the Lotte on Madison...

Pacific region remains ‘a theatre of peace’: Cook Islands PM

As major geopolitical powers in the world look to strengthen and militarise parts of the Pacific, leaders of the Pacific have urged that ‘this part of the world remain a theatre of peace,’ not a theatre of conflict, says Prime Minister Mark Brown....

'Asking for help is not a weakness': Tongan researcher on mental health awareness

As Aotearoa marks Mental Health Awareness Week, a Tongan academic is calling for mental health services to better reflect Pacific perspectives. The national theme, Top Up Together, emphasises that a shared, community-based approach to wellbeing...

UPND Has No Moral Right to Talk About Tribalism- Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist

UPND Has No Moral Right to Talk About Tribalism By Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) should be the last political entity in Zambia to lecture anyone about tribalism. Under the...

Chinese Navy hospital ship completes medical service to Fiji, heads for Tonga

SUVA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Navy hospital ship "Silk Road Ark," which is on "Mission Harmony-2025," successfully completed a seven-day friendly visit and humanitarian medical service to Fiji and set off for Tonga on Wednesday. During its...

Tongan lawyer’s alarm as recent NZ court ruling revives RSE exploitation concerns

An Auckland-based Tongan lawyer has raised concerns about the risks facing Tongan workers under New Zealand’s RSE scheme, following a recent court decision that exposed serious breaches of employment law involving workers from the Solomon Islands....

THE PARTY PRESIDENT OF 3RD LIBERATION MOVEMENT MR ENOCK ROOSEVELT TONGA SAYS HE WILL ENGAGE OVER 50 OPPOSITION PARTIES SO THAT THEY CAN FIELD ONE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN 2026 

THE PARTY PRESIDENT OF 3RD LIBERATION MOVEMENT MR ENOCK ROOSEVELT TONGA SAYS HE WILL ENGAGE OVER 50 OPPOSITION PARTIES SO THAT THEY CAN FIELD ONE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN 2026 He writes: Please note that I have started an all inclusive...

PM Eke urges bold UN reform, climate justice push

Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke has called for urgent United Nations reform and climate action. Addressing the UN80 process, he described it as an opening to “ensure the United Nations remains fit for purpose”, especially as the Pacific rolls out its...

Body politics ‘Em-bodied’ in latest East Hawai‘i Cultural Center exhibit

Human bodies — and the relationships we have with our bodies plus how others present their bodies to us — are complex. Seven artists offer their unique perspectives concerning questions inherent to these relationships as part of East Hawai‘i...

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...