Tonga Police seek help in Viliami Taulaki case

Tonga Police are appealing to the public for information regarding the circumstances surrounding a critical injury case involving Viliami Taulaki. Early Thursday morning, January 9, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Taulaki was admitted to Vaiola...

Pacific 'needs predictability' in a 'changing environment' - Solomon Islands official

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order announcing the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, after his inauguration in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter...

Foreign Minister wraps up Tonga visit, heading to Hawai'i

Tonga's Prime Minister 'Aisake Valu Eke and New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters Photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Fiavaai The New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded the Tonga leg of his Pacific mission and is now en route...

First Tonga Police medical facility launched

Tonga Police have opened their first-ever medical facility, funded by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), to support staff wellbeing. The new medical office was officially launched in Nuku’alofa, with AFP Assistant Commissioner Alison Wegg and...

NZ's Foreign Minister wraps up Tonga visit, heading to Hawai'i

Tonga's Prime Minister 'Aisake Valu Eke and New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters Photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Fiavaai New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded the Tonga leg of his Pacific mission and is now heading to...

NFL takes on Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, plus trade offers

It's good to be back. The Tuesday column has been quiet since Week 1, as I took my paternity leave following the arrival of my second kid. She's real stinkin' cute, and her big sister loves her (if perhaps a little too enthusiastically at times)....

Fiji and Tonga forge closer ties in Nadi talks

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Tongan Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke met on the sidelines of the TROIKA Leaders gathering, marking their first bilateral engagement. The leaders discussed enhancing collaboration in trade, investment,...

Queen Elizabeth II’s 2007 Range Rover estimated to go for up to £60k at auction

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Fiji intends to have a mission in Tonga: PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged Tonga’s interest in establishing a fully-fledged diplomatic mission in Fiji. The first bilateral meeting between the two leaders was held on the sidelines of the TROIKA Leaders’ gathering at the...

Fiji and Tonga relations set to deepen

Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka (left), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke. [Photo Credit: Fiji Government/ Facebook] Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka...

U.S-China competition: Blinken heading to New Zealand, Tonga, Australia

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Pacific this week – his third foray to the region – to discuss security co-operation with New Zealand and Australia. The State Department said Blinken would also attend the Fifa...

Tsunami warning issued after 7.1 earthquake hits near Tonga

A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country. TOKYO -- A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country. The U.S....

Tonga Tourism launches 2025 with Ha’atafu beach cleanup

The Ministry of Tourism in Tonga has initiated 2025 with a beach cleanup at Ha’atafu beach. Led by CEO Viliami Takau, the ministry’s staff joined the Ha’atafu community in collecting plastic waste along the shoreline. This cleanup aligns with...

Design for Tonga’s new climate-resilient parliament unveiled

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has unveiled Tonga’s future Parliament design. The new Fale Alea complex will be constructed on the elevated Lakalakaimonu Estate in Pea, Tongatapu, aiming to mitigate risks from cyclones and rising...

NZ's Foreign Minister wraps up Tonga visit now heads to Hawai'i

(L-R) Tonga' Prime Minister 'Aisake Valu Eke and New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters Photo: RNZ Pacific/Grace Fiavaai The New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded the Tonga leg of his Pacific mission and is now en...

Fiji Pearls ready for Tonga

Fiji Pearls Head coach Unaisi Rokoura acknowledges the challenge of facing Tonga, as they haven’t defeated them in a while. To ensure readiness, the team has engaged in warm-up matches and focused on mental preparation. “When we play Jamaica it’s...

Tonga: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs in South Pacific Ocean Jan. 10

A weather system is impacting Jordan and Lebanon through at least Jan. 12. As of early Jan. 10, the Lebanon Meteorological Service warned that a low-pressure system is forecast to approach Lebanon the afternoon of Jan. 10, bringing rainfall and a...

Pacific nations demand stronger climate action as IMO vote approves carbon pricing for ships

The International Maritime Organisation, a United Nations body that oversees shipping regulations, recently announced that most of its member countries have voted to implement a global pricing system and reduce carbon emissions from ships. Pacific...

Peter Dutton’s climate policy backslide threatens Australia’s clout in the Pacific – right when we need it most

Australia’s relationship with its regional neighbours could be in doubt under a Coalition government after two Pacific leaders challenged Opposition Leader Peter Dutton over his weak climate stance. This week, Palau’s president Surangel Whipps Jr...

Make an impression: Take a honeymoon cruise in the work of art that is French Polynesia

You can’t get much more paradisical than the Pacific islands of Polynesia. Even the names ooze romance — Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea. The crystal clear sea is more shades of dazzling blue than you can name. The lush, dormant volcanoes rising from...