Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Tongan RSE workers thrive in Hawke’s Bay after cyclone disaster
Hundreds of Tongans are working in Hawke's Bay under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, two years after Cyclone Gabrielle left them stranded. A Tongan government official says around 1800 workers are engaged in pruning and harvesting...

Health minister asks public not to share hacked data
The Health Minister has pleaded with the public not to share sensitive patient information leaked by hackers. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister for Health Hon. Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola confirmed that although hospitals remain open, cyber...
Tonga's government mum on health cyber breach
A cyber expert from Australia has been in the country for nearly a week and local media report more personnel are being brought in. Photo: 123RF The Tongan government has yet to reveal more details about a cyber breach of its health records that...

Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara installed as Tui Lau
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...

Parliament members on Australia visit
A high‑level delegation from Tonga’s Legislative Assembly is visiting Australia from 21–28 June, under an Australia‑led push to strengthen regional ties. Led by Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and Lord Tu‘ilakepa, the group includes Hon. Dr Mo‘ale ‘Otunuku,...

192 years old and still trucking
Johnathan celebrated quite the milestone in 2022 when he turned 190 years old and added to his Guinness title of the world’s oldest living animal, becoming the oldest tortoise ever. He took the honor from Tu’i Malila, a radiated tortoise that was...
Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai hono i te po, joins other Pacific royals for historic Fijian chiefly investiture
Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai hono i te po has travelled to Lakeba, an outer island in Fiji, to attend the installation of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as Tui Nayau, a paramount chiefly title that holds authority over the Lau Islands. Tui Nayau is the...

Government launches first National Security Policy consultations
The government, through its Ministry of Police, launched consultations yesterday for its inaugural National Security Policy (NSP), aiming to strengthen national resilience and sovereignty. The framework seeks a whole‑of‑government strategy to...

WWE makes an embarrassing botch following Tonga Loa’s sudden return
One of the many surprises at Night of Champions 2025 was the unexpected WWE return of Tonga Loa, who showed up to help Solo Sikoa in his match against Jacob Fatu. However, the promotion botched his name on social media, where they referred to him...

Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to be installed as Tui Lau this hour
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...

Ratu Tevita Mara says being a leader is to uplift people’s lives
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 SAYS RAPID KWACHA GAINS ARE POLITICAL MANIPULATION, PREDICTS ARTIFICIAL ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS.
TONGA SAYS RAPID KWACHA GAINS ARE POLITICAL MANIPULATION, PREDICTS ARTIFICIAL ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS. By:Sun FM TV Reporter The opposition Third Liberation Movement has described the recent rapid appreciation of the Kwacha...

Parliament passes record National budget for 2025/26
By Katalina Siasau Tonga’s Parliament has unanimously approved a record TOP$992.8 million national budget for the 2025/26 financial year, effective on 1 July, 2025. The budget includes TOP$748.9 million in cash spending and TOP$243.9 million in...

Tonga's Lulutai breaking even, in talks with investor
Lulutai Airlines (L8, Tongatapu) is breaking even after years of losses, the Kaniva Tonga digital newspaper reports citing Tonga's deputy prime minister, Taniela Fusimalohi. At the same time, the government has reportedly ruled out additional...
Historic joint submission of Extended Continental Shelf areas to the UN…
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...

Mapa: ¿en qué países es legal el matrimonio homosexual? ¿Dónde fue legal primero?
Por CNN Español El matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo es una realidad en al menos 39 países, según un reporte de la Asociación Internacional de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Trans e Intersex (ILGA, por sus siglas en inglés) y la suma de...

Tonga Ministry of Health hit with cyberattack affecting website, IT systems
Tonga’s top health official warned the island country’s residents that a ransomware attack has taken down its National Health Information System. The Ministry of Health published statements on Wednesday explaining that it is dealing with a...

Tonga mobilises as US travel ban threatens nationals
Tonga is preparing a response to the US travel restrictions affecting its citizens. The Prime Minister ʻAisake Eke says the US State Department has placed Tonga on a list of 36 countries facing restrictions, citing concerns over national security,...

Parliament approves $992m budget, targets private sector push
The Legislative Assembly has approved a $992 million national budget for the 2025–26 financial year, the Prime Minister said. Key investments include infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy projects. Budget details reveal $748.9million will be...

Clear government ownership structures can help boost SOE performance-PSDI
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (24 June 2025)—Pacific governments can improve the performance of their state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and reduce fiscal risks by implementing clearer and more consistent government ownership and oversight arrangements, according...