Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tongan royals to celebrate age-old ties with Fiji at high chief’s installation ceremony
Pacific Media Network
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The King and Queen of Tonga are visiting Fiji to attend the installation ceremony of the chiefly titles of Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau, Tui Nayau, and Tui Lau. The installation ceremony will be held on Lakeba Island, and the royal couple has been invited...
Politician speaks out after third of Tuvalu’s citizens apply for Australian visas
Seven News
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July 2, 2025
Pacific Island nation Tuvalu has poured cold water on a report that a huge chunk of its citizens are eager to move to Australia through a world-first climate visa. It is instead likely that many applicants are ineligible, have applied multiple...
Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
RNZ
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July 1, 2025
Photo: 123RF A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country's health data hack is a "wake-up call" for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga's cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the 15 June...
Ex-Wales centre Halaholo set for Tonga debut
BBC
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July 4, 2025
Former Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo is set to make his Tonga debut in August. The 34-year-old won the last of his Wales caps in April 2022 and can now play for Tonga under global governing body World Rugby's eligibility rules. Halaholo...
Prime Minister's office only given hour's notice before Winston Peters' speech dismissing 'trade war'
RNZ
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July 4, 2025
Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Prime Minister's office was only given an hour's notice of the contents of a speech by the Foreign Affairs minister, in which Winston Peters criticised the language used by...
Tonga Government face US$1M ransom for cyber-attack on health system
Island Times
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July 1, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA (TALANOAOTONGA) — A cyberattack on Tonga’s National Health Information System (NHIS) has entered its second week, crippling access to vital health records. Police Minister Dr. Paula Piukala revealed at a press conference Thursday that...
Ratu Tevita Mara says being a leader is to uplift people’s lives
Fijivillage
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Being a leader is to uplift people’s lives. That is the comment from the newly installed Tui Lau, Sau Ni Vanua O Lau and Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Mara after an elaborate ceremony in Tubou Village in Lakeba. Ratu Tevita also called for the support of...
Tonga-made products on show at Trade Fair 2025
Matangi Tonga Online
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June 30, 2025
The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 opens on Thursday 3 July at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, when more than 40 local businesses will showcase Tonga-made products. The exhibition will run through to Saturday. With a theme “Buy Tonga Made”, the fair is...
Government brings money‑laundering law up to date
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 30, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Taniela Fusimalohi told reporters last week the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill will update the 2001 law to include modern technology and devices. The revised legislation enables authorities and the...
MPs urge for more Tongan seasonal worker opportunities in Australia
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
A high-level Tongan delegation has wrapped up an official visit to Australia focused on deepening regional cooperation. Led by former Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, the delegation met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Minister...
Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka says China’s military bases are ‘not welcome’ in the Pacific
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has delivered a blow to China’s security ambitions in the Pacific, declaring his country would “not welcome” any Chinese military bases in the region. But Rabuka has also stressed he doesn’t believe that China...
Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara installed as Tui Lau
Fijivillage
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It was a spectacular scene at Tubou Village in Lakeba with the culmination of the installation ceremony of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as the Sau ni Vanua o Lau and Tui Lau. Firstly, Ratu Tevita took his oath during the church service in front of...
Cambodia Praises Tonga's Accession to Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
AKP
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AKP Phnom Penh, July 03, 2025 -- Cambodia is celebrating Tonga's accession as the 166th State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Treaty. This marks a significant victory for global humanitarian mine action,...
Vava’u Leads The Way: Tonga’s Bold Step Toward A Sustainable Blue Future
Scoop
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Vava’u, a small but nature’s beautifully crafted island in the Kingdom of Tonga, is a place of breathtaking beauty. As you stand at the top of the hill of Vava’u’s Mt Talau, the vibrant hues of the water stretch out before you, a mesmerising blend...
Historic joint submission of Extended Continental Shelf areas to the UN…
Pacific News Service
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Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu have today taken a major step to secure 453,400 square kilometres of shared ocean heritage. The countries submitted three Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) submissions to the United Nations Commission on the...
Fiji PM says China's military bases are 'not welcome' in the Pacific
RNZ
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July 2, 2025
By Stephen Dziedzic, ABC News Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: X / @slrabuka Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has delivered a blow to China's security ambitions in the Pacific, declaring his...
King Tupou VI arrives in Lakeba for historic Lau installation
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 9, 2025
King Tupou VI has arrived in Lakeba for Tui Lau ceremony, rekindling ties with Fiji. King Tupou VI, Queen Nanasipau’u, and Princess Royal Pilolevu landed on Lakeba Island today for a historic chiefly installation. They departed Nausori Airport...
Power bills to drop next year, says minister Piukala
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 2, 2025
Electricity prices will fall from 1 January 2026, the Minister for Public Enterprises has announced. Speaking at a press conference last week, Minister Paula Piukala confirmed the electricity rate for households using under 150 kilowatt-hours per...
Over 50 business displays at Tonga Trade Fair
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 2, 2025
The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 opens today, showcasing over 50 local businesses in Nuku’alofa with the Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala to launch this year’s fair. The annual event runs from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 July at Queen Salote Memorial Hall,...
Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to be installed as Tui Lau this hour
Fijivillage
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It is a spectacular scene at Tubou Village in Lakeba with the culmination of the installation ceremony of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as the Sau ni Vanua o Lau and Tui Lau. Firstly, Ratu Tevita took his oath during the church service in front of...