EDITORIAL: Sport Is Vital, but Aid Must Tackle the Root of Tonga’s Health Crisis
Editorial Note from the Editor
At Tonga Independent, we believe in acknowledging progress while also demanding accountability — especially when it comes to matters of national health. This editorial reflects our position on the recent announcement by TongaHealth, in partnership with the Australian Government, to sponsor a national school athletics competition. While we welcome initiatives that promote physical activity, we also recognise the need to move beyond symbolic gestures toward long-term, structural solutions to Tonga’s obesity and NCD crisis.
This is not about questioning the value of sport — it is about asking whether we are doing enough, and whether development funds are being used wisely to drive real, lasting change for the people of Tonga.
Tonga is in the grip of a national health emergency. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity have become deeply embedded in our society, threatening the future of our youth and putting unsustainable pressure on our health system. While efforts to address these challenges are welcome, we must now ask — are we investing in the right solutions?
This week, TongaHealth, with funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), proudly announced its sponsorship of the TongaHealth Secondary Schools Athletic Sports Competition 2025. This event will promote physical activity among students across the country — a commendable objective. However, we must question whether this initiative, in isolation, represents the most effective use of Australian taxpayer-funded aid in the battle against Tonga’s growing NCD crisis.
Sport is undeniably important. Encouraging movement and fostering a culture of physical activity is essential for youth development and general wellbeing. But the obesity epidemic is not merely the result of inactivity. It is deeply rooted in Tonga’s food systems, regulatory failures, and public health neglect.
As highlighted in our recent coverage on the nation’s food environment, Tonga continues to face:
- A poorly regulated food marketplace, where produce is still sold by baskets rather than by weight. This system makes it difficult for families to buy only what they need, often forcing them to over-purchase, which leads to unnecessary waste or financial strain. It also enables price manipulation and undermines access to affordable, fresh food — pushing many towards cheaper, processed alternatives.
- Widespread access to ultra-processed, unhealthy foods, which remain cheaper and more accessible than fresh local produce, with little to no government support for healthier alternatives.
- A lack of coordinated nutrition policies, particularly in schools, where children are most vulnerable to forming long-term dietary habits without guidance or protection from unhealthy food marketing.
The national school athletics competition backed by TongaHealth and the Australian Government is a good start — but not enough. Tonga needs a national health strategy, developed with full community engagement and supported by coordinated leadership — including government ministries, a national sports council, health professionals, and civil society. Without this alignment, well-meaning events will continue to operate in isolation, without addressing the root causes of the crisis.
If TongaHealth is truly serious about tackling NCDs, it should advocate for bold structural reforms. That means pushing for:
- A sugar tax to reduce consumption of soft drinks and other high-sugar products;.
- Tax relief or subsidies on fish, vegetables, and healthy staples to make nutritious options more affordable.
- A full review of staple foods like bread, which contribute heavily to calorie intake but offer limited nutritional value.
These aren’t easy policy decisions, but they are necessary ones. TongaHealth and its partners must move beyond simply accepting what is offered. They must ask: What outcomes do we want? Then work backwards to design initiatives that create long-term impact, not just short-term visibility.
In this context, hosting an athletics event — while valuable — does not amount to a health strategy. It does not reform the systems that create obesity. It does not improve daily nutrition. And it certainly does not address the aggressive marketing of unhealthy food products targeting our children.
As a developed nation, Australia has the technical expertise and international responsibility to support meaningful change in the Pacific. If the goal is to reduce obesity and improve public health, development assistance should prioritise:
- Sustainable school nutrition programmes
- Agricultural initiatives that strengthen access to local fresh food
- Stronger food labelling laws and marketing restrictions
- Public health campaigns grounded in community realities
Events like the TongaHealth competition offer positive engagement. But without deeper structural reform, they risk becoming distractions rather than solutions.
The people of Tonga deserve more than moments of activity — they deserve an environment that enables healthy living every day. We call on our development partners, including Australia, to align funding with long-term impact, not short-term optics. And we call on TongaHealth to use its platform not just to promote sport — but to push for the real policy change this nation urgently needs.
The fight against obesity requires more than energy — it requires strategy, courage, and commitment. Let’s not settle for less.
