Siesina Latu to receive King’s Service Medal for her support to Tongan and Pasifika families.

A Tongan community leader says she was in disbelief when told she would receive the King’s Service Medal for her support of Pacific families. Siesina Latu, based in Timaru, New Zealand, is recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for over a...

Pacific tourism chiefs land in Vavaʻu for major forum

Ministers and delegates from across the Pacific arrived last Saturday in Vavaʻu to open the Pacific Tourism Forum 2025. They were greeted by the Hon. Moale Finau, Tonga’s Minister for Tourism, and the Governor of Vavaʻu in a formal ceremony held...

Pacific heads of agriculture and forestry unite to endorse the agriculture and forestry strategy, a milestone towards resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems

Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry from Pacific Island countries and territories endorsed the Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry at the 4th Regional Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, held in...

Nauru, Metals Company revise deep sea mining agreement

Nauru President David Adeang at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 25 August 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis Nauru has revised its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals Company for deep...

Nauru, Metals Company announce revised deep sea mining agreement

Nauru President David Adeang at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 25 August 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis Nauru has announced an update to its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals...

Tonga Parliament resume, discuss earthquake and tsunami alert report

Parliament reconvened today, with deliberations led by MEIDECC Minister Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi on the recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake and tsunami response. Dr. Fusimalohi presented a situational report from the National Disaster Risk...

Pacific Agriculture and Forestry ministers endorse new strategy

A new strategy, ‘Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry’, was endorsed by Pacific Island countries at the Regional Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture and Forestry, in Nuku’alofa, last week. The Pacific Week of Agriculture...

Tonga secures major Australian development financing

Australia and Tonga have agreed to an AUD$85 million (TOP$125 million/US$53.55 million) budget support programme over the next four years to support a stronger economy and national budget. This is the largest investment in our partnership’s...

Pacific islands agree on long-term agriculture plan

Pacific Island ministers have endorsed a landmark strategy to overhaul agriculture and forestry across the region by 2050. The “Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy” was formally adopted at the 4th Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and...

Tonga secures AUD85 million Australian development financing

Australia and Tonga have agreed to an AUD85 million (TOP125 million) budget support program over the next four years to support a stronger economy and national budget. “This is the largest investment in our partnership’s history,” stated a joint...

Deep-Sea Mining: Who Will Control the Pacific’s Mineral Wealth?

Unlock the geopolitical battle over deep-sea mining, where U.S.–China rivalry, rare earth dominance, and oceanic power plays shape the future of global supply chains. The seabed is legally designated as the “common heritage of mankind,” but in...

Deficit budget announced in Tonga; largest ever spend

St George Government Building, Nuku'alofa CBD Photo: Matangi Tonga Tonga's 'Aisake Eke Government has produced its first budget, pumping up spending by more than 10 percent compared with last year. It has some key elements that differ from...

Fijiana XV ready to face Tonga this week

The Vodafone Fijiana XV side is ready and raring to go as they prepare to take on Tonga in the opening match of the Oceania Rugby Women’s XV Championship this Friday at 2pm at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Head coach Ioan Cunningham says the team has...

Pacific ministers endorse new strategy for resilient agriculture and forestry systems

Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry from Pacific Island countries and territories today officially endorsed the “Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry.” This landmark decision, made at the 4th regional meeting of Pacific...

Fuel prices fall across Tonga for June

Tongan motorists will see fuel prices drop from 3 June, easing pressure on household budgets. The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development announced that the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA) has approved new retail prices for June 2025. Petrol...

PM presents Tonga's biggest budget $992.8 million

By Katalina Siasau Tonga’s biggest ever budget of $992.8 million for the 2025-26 financial year was presented by the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, to Parliament today, 3 June. The total budget estimate for the coming year 2025-26 includes...

Tonga showcases stunning travel deals at Auckland Travel Show

Tonga Tourism is making a strong impression at the first-ever Auckland Travel Show, taking place from March 22 to 23. The Auckland Travel Show is a brand-new event, bringing together exhibitors from across the travel industry to help Kiwis plan...

FAO strengthens ties with Tonga amid regional agrifood focus

The FAO’s Pacific chief has formalised collaboration with Tonga, aligning efforts on food security and climate resilience. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and FAO Representative to Tonga,...

SI to host next regional agriculture and forestry event

The 5th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry will be hosted by Solomon Islands in 2027. This was decided by the Pacific Ministers for agriculture and forestry at the final day of the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry held in Tonga,...

Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives

Fiji’s exports to Papua New Guinea reached more than FJD$25.3 million (about K43.9 million/US$10.93 million) in 2023, with items such as electric conductors, sweet biscuits and garments, according to Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica....