National Summit charts Tonga’s next decade

Tonga’s National Development Summit wrapped up last Friday, setting a roadmap for the next decade with a strong focus on resilience, economic growth, and governance. Held at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa from March 18-21, the...

Tonga's Attorney General at ICJ calls for commitments to mitigate climate change

By Katalina Siasau Tonga's Attorney Genera,l Hon. Linda Simiki Folaumoetu‘i, at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands, called for States “to take collective transformational and cooperative action to mitigate climate change...

Tsunami warning as strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Tonga

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...

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...

Australia's election: Voter frustration, climate crisis, and the Pacific's rising concerns

Close to 18 million Australians will vote in the upcoming election in early May, including more than 300,000 Pacific Islanders, who make up 1.3 per cent of the population. The federal budget, unveiled by Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week, includes...

Kiribati minister has a change of heart about special seats for women in parliament

Miss Micronesia, Minister Tangariki Reete and Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing. Photo: Supplied/ Cross Kwansing Warning: This article discusses violence against women. Kiribati's Minister for Women, who came into politics last year believing women...

Sophie Siers elected new chair of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Siers thanked former chair Hinewai Ormsby for her hard work and dedication, especially after the cyclone, and also on partnerships with Māori in the region. Ormsby was first elected chair in 2022, becoming the youngest regional council chair in...

4 Strong signs WWE’s Tama Tonga will betray Jacob Fatu

The Bloodline has long been WWE's biggest ongoing saga. The story arc began in 2020 when Roman Reigns united with Paul Heyman. Over time, numerous stars have been involved in the ongoing narrative. Currently, the main trio who are still linked are...

The Growing Inequality Among Countries and the Worsening Climate Crisis

Reducing global inequality and saving the planet from climate catastrophe are intertwined. Let’s address both at once. Introduction In a fit of madness or just plain desperation, you’ve enrolled in a get-rich-quick scheme. All you have to do is...

First used oil storage facilities in Tonga

Tonga has taken a major step towards environmental sustainability with the launch of its first-ever used oil storage facilities. The initiative, led by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of MEIDECC in collaboration with the Used Oil...

Tonga Energy Commission reviews Tonga Power contract for cleaner, cheaper energy

The Tonga Energy Commission is reviewing its five-year contract with Tonga Power Limited to prioritize cleaner energy, affordable tariffs, and reliable electricity for the next five years. Siamelie Latu, CEO of the Tonga Energy Commission, told...

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...

Culture will eat your strategic planning for lunch: a call for high-performance leadership in Tonga

As Tonga’s leaders came together for the Economic Development Summit last week, they faced a significant challenge: how to turn strategic plans into real results. While having good policies and development strategies is crucial, Peter Drucker’s...

Tonga’s PM quits moments before parliament’s no-confidence motion

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...

Tonga National University hosts historic first graduation

Tonga National University (TNU) celebrated its inaugural graduation ceremony yesterday December 4th at the new Tonga High School Stadium. A total of 210 students received their certificates and degrees in a historic event presided over by His...

Tonga’s prime minister quits ahead of no-confidence vote

9 December 2024, 04:34 Tonga Prime Minister. Picture: PA Siaosi Sovaleni resigned after a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king. Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament ahead of a...

Tonga's prime minister quits moments ahead of no-confidence motion in parliament

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament on Monday ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king....

Tonga strengthens disaster response with insurance workshop

The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) hosted a workshop in Tonga last week on disaster risk financing. The session focused on ensuring effective use of insurance policy payouts...

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,...

Tongan approach to screening advised

A new study says the National Bowel Screening Programme is failing to deliver screening equitably to Pacific New Zealanders, but changes to its approach could improve participation. University of Otago, Wellington, researchers held two talanoa...