POLITICS

By Jessica Finau, Financial Correspondent The Tonga Development Bank (TDB) will soon release its highly anticipated 2023 Annual Report, a move that comes after increasing concerns among parliamentarians and the public over delays in receiving updated financial information. The Finance Minister ,Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti confirmed during a parliamentary session last week that the report would […]

During the recent Pacific Island Forum held in Tonga, the country’s Foreign Affairs secretaries scrambled to cancel a secret invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to insiders. The cancellation was reportedly ordered by Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who also chaired this year’s Pacific Island Forum—the quadrennial summit for the 14 small island nations

The National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government’s promise to deliver $16 billion in income tax cuts without slashing frontline public services crumbled in the face of a harsh winter of discontent. Health, education, and child protection systems in Aotearoa were pushed to the brink, exposing the stark reality behind the government’s austerity measures.Decades of underfunding, particularly in

By Edwin Liava’a 21 July 2024 The recent Starlink shutdown in Tonga, while a setback, has also sparked a crucial conversation about the future of connectivity in our nation. As I wrote in my previous blog post, the government’s decision to delay the approval of SpaceX Starlink’s commercial license raised concerns about its commitment to

By Edwin LiavaaBlockchain Wiz/IT Expert/Telecom Specialist The Starlink Shutdown in Tonga: A Tale of Conflicting Interests and Citizen Awareness Today’s press conference by the Tonga Prime Minister shed further light on the ongoing Starlink shutdown controversy. His remarks, however, raised more questions about the true motivations behind the decision to block the satellite-based internet service.

An Auckland family’s desperate fight to stop their aunt Loasi Latu from being deported has paid off.The Tongan migrant, who overstayed her student visa in New Zealand by 20 years, has been granted a temporary five-year visa by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk. This ministerial decision follows months of vigorous campaigning by family, friends, and

Politicians and community members are rallying behind Loasi Latu, a Tongan migrant facing deportation after overstaying her visa for over 20 years. Latu, the full-time caregiver for her intellectually disabled brother Viliami Takapautolo, is deeply concerned about his future if she is forced to leave New Zealand.Labour’s Phil Twyford has written to Associate Immigration Minister

Concerns are mounting in Tonga about whether a planned housing development will be completed in time to accommodate over 1,000 attendees of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August. This development is crucial to address the significant demand for accommodation during this high-profile event, which brings together leaders from across the Pacific region.

New Caledonia’s UnrestNew Caledonia, a French-ruled territory in the Pacific, has experienced significant turmoil due to a controversial electoral reform. This reform is perceived by pro-independence groups, primarily representing the indigenous Kanak population, as a threat to their political influence. The reforms propose to extend voting rights to residents who have lived in New Caledonia

In a strategic move to bolster its influence in the Pacific region, US President Joe Biden announced on Monday, 26 September 2023, that the United States officially recognizes the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign and independent states. This recognition marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, aimed at strengthening ties and ensuring a