Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tongans divided over bill granting monarch control of key ministries
RNZ
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August 18, 2025
King Tupou VI inspects the guard of honour during his official state visit to Fiji in July 2025. Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government The recent move by Tonga's Legislative Assembly to introduce and pass a bill that transfers oversight of two key...
Young South Africans don’t bother with elections: would lowering the voting age make a difference?
The Conversation
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August 19, 2025
South Africa is due to hold local government elections in 2026. In the last election in 2021, only 15% of the eligible voters aged 18 to 21 registered for the election. In view of this, it’s worth considering whether the minimum voting age of 18...
How Tonga’s flawed constitution forces five PMs to choose: Tolerate royal scandals or demand reform
Kaniva Tonga
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August 19, 2025
Explainer – Significant scrutiny of Tonga’s political system, sparked in the early 1980s, rapidly transformed public daily conversation, replacing talk of plantations and fishing with intense political debate. A new radio program known as Matalafo...
Forum backs Australia COP bid
Islands Business
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August 24, 2025
TONGA’s King Tupou VI has taken control of the Foreign Affairs portfolio in a move seen by democracy activists as a blow to self-determination efforts in the kingdom. Some members of the pro-democracy movement have spoken out, but many Tongans...
Very strong mag. 6.0 earthquake - Tonga on Monday, Aug 18, 2025, at 11:03 am (GMT -12) - information
Volcano Discovery
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August 18, 2025
Date and Time Mag Depth Distance Location Details Map Aug 16, 10:52 am (GMT -12) 5.5 35 km 19 km (12 mi) to the SE South of Tonga I FELT IT Info Jul 17, 08:57 pm (GMT +13) 5.0 10 km 33 km (21 mi) to the NE South of Tonga Info Jul 17, 08:15 pm (GMT...
Japan greenlights $17.7m upgrade for Tonga’s main airport
Pacific Media Network
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Tonga’s main airport is getting a major upgrade following the signing of a multi-million-dollar grant agreement with Japan’s aid agency, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The improvements follow the Tongan government’s initial...
November General Election date awaits Writ of Election
Matangi Tonga Online
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August 19, 2025
By Katalina Siasau The date for Tonga's November General Election has not yet been set, said the Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki today, as the Electoral Office await the Writ of Election to be issued by King Tupou VI. “The King will issue the...
Australian voyage to investigate Tonga’s eruption of the century
Scimex Newsfeed
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August 18, 2025
From: University of Tasmania A team of scientists from the University of Tasmania, in collaboration with the Tonga Geological Services and other Australian and international partners, has embarked on a 54-day scientific voyage to Tonga aboard the...
Vanuatu and Tonga advance maritime safety with oil spill drills, training
Hellenic Shipping News
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August 18, 2025
The Governments of Vanuatu and Tonga have completed a series of intensive maritime safety workshops and oil spill response drills, marking important steps toward safer shipping and stronger marine environmental protection. In Vanuatu, the...
ADF continues support for Pacific security
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
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August 23, 2025
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has continued its successful support to surveillance operations in the Pacific region. Under Operation Solania, the ADF assisted the Solomon Islands through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to...
Tonga King's move to control foreign affairs 'a step backwards' - democracy advocates
RNZ
·
August 15, 2025
Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at their coronation in 2015. Photo: Supplied / PMN There are growing concerns in Tonga about the King's plan to remove oversight of a critical ministry from democratic control and place it under the...
Tonga’s democracy in name only: A flawed 2010 system built on the Commonwealth’s most ‘poorly’ written constitution
Kaniva Tonga
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August 14, 2025
Explainer – In November, Tonga’s so-called democracy will mark 15 years—an anniversary not of progress, but of deception. What was once heralded as a historic shift from absolute to representative governance has proven to be little more than an...
Celebrating Lea Faka Tonga: NZ academic honours heritage in Oxford presentation
Pacific Media Network
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A law lecturer from the University of Auckland recently honoured her Tongan heritage by speaking in her native language, lea faka-Tonga, at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. This comes ahead of Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga -...
Tonga’s democracy in name only: A flawed 2010 system built on the Commonwealth’s ‘poorest constitution’
Kaniva Tonga
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August 14, 2025
Commentary – In November, Tonga’s so-called democracy will mark 15 years—an anniversary not of progress, but of deception. What was once heralded as a historic shift from absolute to representative governance has proven to be little more than an...
PM Rabuka to skip Pacific Foreign Ministers meet today
The Fiji Times
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August 13, 2025
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka will not attend todays Pacific Foreign Ministers meeting in Suva. The Pacific Islands Forum has confirmed Fiji will be represented by Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Special Envoy of the...
Tongan Canoe Project launches
FBC News
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August 13, 2025
Unveiling of Taha Pe [Source: Supplied] A fleet of hybrid traditional canoes, merging the Fijian Drua and Tongan Kalia designs, was officially launched in Suva, marking a major milestone in the Tongan Canoe Project. The month-long collaboration...
Tongans revive canoe-building skills
Islands Business
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August 13, 2025
AUSTRALIA will send three ministers into the Pacific ahead of a regional leaders’ forum and against a backdrop of renewed attempts by China to influence foreign policy in small island countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard...
Tonga joins Pacific advocates urging action after ICJ climate ruling
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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August 13, 2025
Tonga and Pacific civil society call for swift leadership following ICJ advisory opinion demanding climate accountability and reparations. Pacific nations are calling for urgent, decisive leadership following a landmark advisory opinion by the...
Tonga: “We need to take a Pacific stand” -Veteran activist flags…
Pacific News Service
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By Lisa Williams in Apia Samoa Pacific nations grappling with the loss and damage caused by climate change are relying on fast and decisive action from their leaders on next steps following the ICJ ruling, says veteran civil society leader Drew...
Tongan family faces deportation after shock news of immigration adviser’s imprisonment
Pacific Media Network
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A Tongan family, facing deportation, is urgently seeking ministerial intervention after discovering that their former unlicensed immigration adviser has been imprisoned. Taniela and Lilio Tonga, along with their two children, are just days away...