Tonga artisans showcase at Shanghai’s Global Trade Expo

Tonga made a powerful impression at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, running from November 5 to 10, 2024. This prestigious global trade event brought together nations and businesses to explore new markets and foster...

NZ-Tongan artist spotlights Pacific immigration challenges with humour

Christchurch-based Tongan artist John Vea’s new exhibition, “Ini Mini Mani Mou,” humorously highlights the bureaucratic hurdles Pacific migrants face in New Zealand. Opened on March 8 at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the...

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...

Global leaders pledge bolder cooperation and solidarity to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition and climate resilience

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ministers from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific have recommitted to exploring collaborative opportunities to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition. At...

Million dollar climate funding to protect Tonga’s tuna stocks

Tonga is among 14 Pacific nations to receive a US$107 million Green Climate Fund (GCF) grant to safeguard their tuna industries from climate change impacts. Announced at the Honiara Summit 2025, the funding—one of the largest ever to the Pacific...

Kiwi Aid Agencies Urge Government To Increase Climate Finance & Foreign Aid Spending – Council for International Development

In the lead-up to the 2025 budget, an open letter from New Zealand’s international development NGOs has asked the government to increase aid spending in the Pacific region, at a time of significant cutbacks by other bilateral donors. Aotearoa’s...

I condemn Francis Kapwepwe (Why Me) for his unacceptable attack against  Tonga people- Miles Sampa

*About attacks on the Tonga good people of the Southern Province and the Bemba good people of Northern Province* Today, I want to take a moment to address the kind of politics that I and my supporters stand against. We believe in respectful...

Kiwi Aid Agencies Urge Government To Increase Climate Finance & Foreign Aid Spending

Press Release – Council for International Development The letter, from the Council for International Development (CID), the peak body for New Zealand NGOs and charities in the international development and humanitarian space is addressed to...

Lulutai Airlines in crisis: Tongan government faces tough choices amid financial struggles

Tonga’s national airline, Lulutai Airlines, is facing a critical financial crisis, requiring a substantial bailout from the government to remain operational. Minister for Public Enterprises, Piveni Piukala, revealed at a media briefing on 21...

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

The climate crisis is having profound effects across the globe, from more intense heat waves and drought to catastrophic floods and wildfires. Solving the crisis requires aggressive action across industries like energy, transportation,...

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...

Climate financing, a major challenge for COP29

This issue is part of the core of the debates at COP29, which will be held until November 22 in the capital of Azerbaijan with the participation of representatives from 197 States and the European Union (EU). Huge banners reading “Pay Up!”...

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...

Air pollution exceeds limits, poses ‘significant health concern’ for Pacific Island people: study

The findings highlight an urgent need for robust air quality standards and long-term monitoring programs in the region. New air quality research has shown highly concerning levels of airborne pollution in Pacific Island urban areas and their...

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,...

Solomon Islands leader takes aim at Trump over 'regrettable' climate position

The Solomon Islands prime minister has pushed back on Australia's attempts to extract strategic concessions from his country in return for a $190 million policing package announced late last year, saying officials are trying to hammer out a...

Youth vote guide relaunched ahead of polls

Tonga’s youth-led Take The Lead (TTL) has introduced a new digital Tonga Youth Vote Handbook, backed by island-wide outreach. The relaunched guide gives first-time voters clear, accessible tools on how to register, vote and engage politically....

Pacific news in brief for 28 October

Angau Memorial Hospital (file image) Photo: RNZI Papua New Guinea Power outages in Papua New Guinea is affecting Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae, Morobe province, the regional hospital's chief executive says. The National newspaper reports...

Tonga Police and Chinese Embassy strengthen security cooperation for local Chinese community

Tonga’s Police Commissioner Shane McLennan met with Chinese Ambassador Liu Weimin and representatives of the Chinese community in Tonga on Wednesday to discuss measures for enhancing public safety. The tripartite dialogue, held on October 30,...

USD 157 million Green Climate Fund grant aims to support Pacific Island tuna fisheries

Fourteen Pacific Island countries have received a USD 156.8 million (EUR 145.6 million) grant to respond to tuna stock shifts caused by climate change. The funding comes from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which has pledged USD 107 million (EUR...