Winston Peters touches down in Tonga with cross-party NZ delegation

Photo: RNZ/Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters landed in Nuku'alofa last night with a cross-party delegation on a Pacific trip to emphasise New Zealand's commitment to the region no matter who is in charge. Peters is...

Pacific Islands focus: sustainable fishing, nuclear legacy, foreign aid and development

Introduction by Croakey: In the lead up to COP30 in Belem, Brazil, an alliance between the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon in Brazil, the Pacific Islands and First Nations people of Australia articulated a declaration to seek Indigenous...

Tonga leads the way in invasive species eradication in Ha’apai

Tonga has successfully removed invasive rats and feral pigs from Kelefesia and Tonumea islets in the Ha’apai Group, marking a significant step in protecting local biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience. Led by Tonga’s Department of...

Fears Pacific climate change “not on the agenda” for U.S aid…

Donald Trump’s 90 day pause on all USAID funding threw the sector into chaos. As the administration assesses which programme are considered suitable use of funds, it’s clear one area doesn’t fit that brief: climate change. It’s also the biggest...

Earthquake today: 7.1-magnitude quake strikes near Tonga, tsunami alert withdrawn; no immediate damage reported

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga on Sunday, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of...

Earthquake today: 7.1 magnitude quake near Tonga, tsunami alert withdrawn

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga on Sunday, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of...

7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes near Tonga in South Pacific; no initial damage reported

TOKYO (AP) — A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of...

Tonga to host final leg of first Pacific Game Fishing Tournament

Tonga will play a key role in the inaugural NPDL Pacific Island Tournament, hosting the final leg of the groundbreaking event next year, from May 5th to May 10th, 2025. The tournament, spanning Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, is the first...

Solomon Islands wins bid to host 2026 Council of Tourism Ministers’ Meeting 

Solomon Islands will host the 2026 Council of Tourism Ministers’ Meeting following a successful bid by Minister of Culture and Tourism (MCT), the Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas who is attending the 2025 event in Tonga this week. The event presents a...

Tonga's parliament elects a new prime minister after his predecessor quit this month

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Tonga 's parliament elected Aisake Eke as the country's new prime minister on Tuesday in a special session of the house on Christmas Eve, after his predecessor quit earlier this month just ahead of a no-confidence vote by...

The implications of the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption

The Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption of January 2022 was expected to warm the planet, as hundreds of millions of tonnes of water vapour was injected into the atmosphere. But it didn’t according to US researchers. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai is a...

Inkfish reveals new discoveries in Tonga’s deep seas

Scientific research in Tonga’s waters has taken a major leap forward with new findings from Inkfish Expeditions, a deep-sea exploration group. Inkfish presented its latest discoveries to Tonga’s Legislative Assembly last week, including Speaker...

10 Least-visited countries in 2025: Offbeat travel destinations for crowd-free getaways

Travel News As global travel surges again in November 2025, finding destinations untouched by overtourism is becoming harder. Yet, some corners of the world remain blissfully calm, places where you can experience raw beauty, authentic cultures,...

Iraqi school's plan to save water among Zayed Sustainability Prize winners

Back row, left to right: Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga, Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco, Wavil Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, Surangel Whipps, President of Palau, Nana...

Tonga prepares to elect new prime minister

As Tonga prepares to elect a new prime minister following the resignation of Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni amidst a Vote of No Confidence filed by Dr Aisake Eke and 10 other MPs, the leadership race has gained momentum. On Friday, 20 December...

Tonga addresses International Court of Justice on Climate Change

Tonga presented its oral statement at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during historic proceedings on states’ obligations regarding climate change. Attorney General Hon. Linda Simiki Folaumoetu‘i and external legal counsel Ms. Gitanjali...

Polyfest50: Tongan volunteer aims to become a police officer

Siosiana Maile, who aspires to become a police officer, is making a positive impact in her community by volunteering at Polyfest. Originally from Tonga, Maile is currently training for a career in the police force at MSL Training in Manukau. “I’m...

Solak: Why Drake Maye should be MVP, a defense of Caleb Williams, four trades that must happen

It's good to be back. The Tuesday column has been quiet since Week 1, as I took 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)....

Queen’s Charity donates books, medical supplies to Tonga High

Tonga High School has received a donation of books and medical supplies from HM Queen Nanasipau‘u Charity, supporting students’ education and well-being. The donation includes 10 boxes of library books, five boxes of teaching materials, 10 boxes...

Media leaders in PNG and Tonga discuss mutual concerns

Eight of Tonga's senior journalists met with their counterparts in Port Moresby to discuss issues affecting them and look at solutions to the issues they face. Photo: Pacific Media Assistance Scheme There are hopes that a formal meeting of...