BUSINESS

Australia is finalizing an agreement with ANZ Group to retain the bank’s Pacific branches, a strategic move designed to support regional financial stability amid rising competition from China. This arrangement comes as Pacific Island nations face significant reductions in banking access due to closures by Western banks. In particular, ANZ’s Pacific network, the largest in […]

Tonga Power Limited (TPL) has been at the centre of public frustration due to a series of management struggles, service interruptions, and skyrocketing electricity costs. Over the past few years, TPL’s operational challenges have deeply affected the quality of life for Tongans, with service disruptions and high prices creating widespread dissatisfaction.   One of the

During Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni’s tenure, Tonga faced some of the most challenging crises in recent memory: the devastating Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption, a destructive tsunami, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s immediate response centred on securing international aid to stabilize the economy and meet urgent recovery needs, which was

In a developing legal standoff between Tonga’s key financial institutions, the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) has sought an injunction against the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) over a series of regulatory directives that threaten to change the leadership and operations of the TDB. Despite both banks being controlled by the Tongan government, they are

Tonga has maintained its position as the largest exporter of Kava into Australia, as revealed by the latest findings from the DFAT Pacific Integration and Economic Division Office during the Regional Kava Development Strategy and Geographical Indication (GI) for Kava meeting. Assistant Director Caroline Kempeneer highlighted the substantial progress made since the initiation of the

The recent report on International Visitors to Tonga, released by the Tonga Statistics Department, presents some intriguing findings. This is the first time such a report has been compiled, providing Tourism with crucial insights into visitors’ perceptions of Tonga. Covering the period from January to April 2023, the report offers valuable insights into international visitors’

Nuku’alofa – In a startling turn of events, Lulutai Airlines is urgently seeking a leased aircraft to maintain its vital domestic flight services after its Saab 340B(Plus) aircraft was involved in a damaging collision at Fua’amotu Airport on December 8, 2023. The incident, which occurred during taxiing post-landing, saw the aircraft unexpectedly collide with a

In a dramatic turn of events, Tonga’s sole local airline, Lulutai, was forced to divert its flight to Vava’u and subsequently return to Tongatapu due to hydraulic problems. The incident unfolded as the pilot, preparing to land in Vava’u, detected issues with the aircraft’s hydraulics, prompting a swift decision to return to Tonga for the

In a decisive move, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has cracked down on an entity operating under the name “Famili Tonga USA Trading” for conducting investment activities without the required license, a violation of the Banking Act 2020. The NRBT’s investigation revealed that Famili Tonga USA Trading was operating without the necessary banking