Sophie Siers 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...

Tonga signs MOU amendment to Treaty on Fisheries with US and Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands states signed MoU with the US on Fishing Access Terms for 2025. Vodafone Arena, Suva, 2 December 2024. Photo: US Embassy Suva. Tonga and other Pacific states have signed an MOU to apply amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between...

Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds 

Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed mining. The Seabed Minerals Authority...

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...

Lord Fakafanua advocates for climate justice at global forum

The Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua, has called for urgent climate action at the XII Global Baku Forum. The forum, themed “Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities,” convened global leaders in Baku, Azerbaijan, last...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Strengthens Regional Tourism Collaboration at Tonga’s National Tourism Forum

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) recently participated in the National Tourism Forum, held from March 13-14 at the Fa’onelua Conference Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, the forum, themed “Shaping a Resilient...

Pacific Islands Forum chief meets Tonga PM ahead of finance summit

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa met with Prime Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, ahead of this week’s Special Finance Ministers’ Meeting. Mr. Waqa’s visit to Nuku’alofa comes as Pacific leaders prepare for the event scheduled for...

Tonga signs agreements for sustainable energy transition projects at COP29

Loan agreements for energy projects have been signed by Tonga and the Asian Development Bank last week, to help the transition from dependency on diesel fuel imports to renewable energy. The ADB and the governments of Solomon Islands and Tonga...

“Fossil fuel behemoth:” The climate cost of Australia’s bipartisan addiction to coal and gas

Political bipartisanship across successive Australian governments has overseen a massive expansion of oil, gas and coal production despite promises to act on climate change over the last three decades, a new report suggests. The report, Exporting...

Palau President Invites Trump To Go Snorkelling To Understand Climate Change Impact

Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 16:26 IST Trump has called climate change a scam, pulled US out of the key Paris Agreement for a second time, and ended US participation in leading climate initiatives and research Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr....

Demonstration Complex showcases sustainable farming

The China-Tonga Agro-Tech Project Demonstration Complex is showcasing impressive advancements in sustainable agriculture. The complex features lively pigs and fresh mushrooms, reflecting the project’s success in livestock breeding and mushroom...

Empowering climate change leaders in agricultural sector

The Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) has concluded a seven-day training program to improve climate data services, focusing on the agriculture sector. The training, part of the Climate Data for the Environment Services Client (CliDEsc)...

Snorkel With Me To Understand Climate Change, Palau President Tells Trump

The leader of climate-vulnerable Palau wants US President Donald Trump to come snorkelling with him to understand the "slow death" caused by climate change, he told AFP in an interview on Wednesday. "I think it's good if we go snorkelling and look...

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...

Airborne Campaign Analyzing Climate Change in the Arctic

The Arctic is one of the regions most strongly affected by climate change. In recent decades, the temperature there has risen four times as fast as the global average. The ASCCI measurement campaign coordinated by the Karlsruhe Institute of...

Tonga signs grant for renewable energy grid upgrade

Tonga signed a grant agreement for the Grid Enhancement for Sustainable Energy Transition (GREST) Project, a significant step towards achieving its renewable energy goals. Represented by the Minister for Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, the...

Tonga’s PM Hu ‘akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni faces another no-confidence vote

Rich nations pledged to contribute at least US$300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early Sunday morning in Baku. UN News Center reports that developing nations who had...

Climate finance promises must be kept, Commonwealth Secretary-General tells COP29

Commonwealth countries must unite and use their collective voice to demand that climate finance promises are kept preventing human suffering, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said at COP29 in Baku Tuesday. At an event to...

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,...