Activist urges end to violence in Upper Nile State

Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: 5 hours ago John Lwong Oyiech, Executive Director of Royal Aid Development. (Photo: Courtesy). MALAKAL, (Eye Radio) – A civil society activist in Upper Nile is urging both the state and national governments to end...

‘Why us?’ NZ raises alarm as U.S eyes travel ban on Tonga, Vanuatu and Tuvalu

The New Zealand Government has voiced serious concerns over a proposed United States travel ban that could block citizens from three Pacific nations, Tonga, Vanuatu and Tuvalu from entering the country. It’s part of U.S President Donald Trump’s...

Tongan sister-duo release Matariki album to celebrate culture and language

Photo: NZ Musician Ōtautahi-based music group, Loopy Tunes - known for their vibrant Pasifika music for pre-schoolers - have released a new album celebrating Matariki, New Zealand's Māori New Year. The album, Mā: Matariki for Tamariki, which is...

Solak: Why Drake Maye should be MVP, a defense of Caleb Williams, four trades that must happen

It's good to be back. The Tuesday column has been quiet since Week 1, as I took paternity leave following the arrival of my second kid. She's real stinkin' cute, and her big sister loves her (if perhaps a little too enthusiastically at times)....

Pacific immigration conference opens in Tonga

The Minister for Foreign Affairs HRH Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala has officially opened the 27th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) at Fa‘onelua Convention Centre today. The five‑day conference, running...

Tonga-NZ Relations Strengthened

Rt Hon Winston Peters Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs 11 April 2025 New Zealand’s relationship with Tonga has been strengthened by the visit of a cross-party delegation to Nuku’alofa, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says....

Ivy League environmentalists, pagan religions, and the rest of us:

Ivy League environmentalists, pagan religions, and the rest of us: at loggerheads By Curtis Dahlgren October 23, 2009 "Over-specialized elites often can't tell the difference between a wave and a RIP tide." — C.D....

Tongan NRL stars hooked on fishing tradition

Tongan NRL players are reconnecting with their roots through fishing, blending relaxation with cultural significance. Cronulla winger Sione Katoa has sparked a fishing craze among his teammates, sharing his adventures on “The Tongan Fisherman”...

FR. FRANK BWALYA URGES PF TO CONDEMN TRIBAL REMARKS OVER REJECTED TONGA GOSPEL SONG AT FUNERAL GATHERING

FR. FRANK BWALYA URGES PF TO CONDEMN TRIBAL REMARKS OVER REJECTED TONGA GOSPEL SONG AT FUNERAL GATHERING Lusaka, Thursday 12 June 2025 — United Party for National Development (UPND) Presidential Support System Director General for Media, Fr. Frank...

The culture of architecture

Andrew Tu’inukuafe and Barrington Gohns are a powerful pair who, together and separately, have made a profound difference to architecture in our region. Each epitomises the ideal of a Luminary, creating change that is inclusive, diverse and...

Full throttle: Wildfires centre on fast track to Tonga selection

Unfurling Tongan identity: Spirituality and migration in Tongan art at King Street Station

Tapa (2020), by Benedicta Kongaika, Office of Art and Culture Sina exhibit, 2025. Photo by Dawn Dailey. Climbing up the stairs of King Street Station to enter the Office of Art and Culture, one is immediately struck by a giant work of art by...

Trailblazing Women in Media Fiji Conference kicks off, Championing gender equality and leadership in Pacific Journalism

SUVA, 17 JUNE 2025 (WOMEN IN MEDIA FIJI/FBC NEWS/FIJI TIMES): The inaugural Women in Media Fiji Conference has officially commenced at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. This landmark event brings together female media professionals from across the...

Fukofuka, Tonga’s Rugby‑League pioneer, laid to rest

Dr Viliami Fukofuka, a 77-year old scholar, politician and advocate for rugby league in Tonga who died on Monday was laid to rest today. Born 25 February 1948 in Tatakamotonga, Tongatapu, Fukofuka earned a Bachelor’s from Auckland University in...

Tongan food stall funds nine children’s education

A Tongan family has successfully funded their nine children’s education through their food stall at Auckland’s Polyfest. For over 30 years, the ‘Aholelei family has operated their Tongan food stall at Polyfest, offering traditional dishes such as...

Tonga hosts groundbreaking women’s rugby forum to tackle gender equity

Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) kicked off its first Grassroots to Global Forum last Thursday aimed at advancing women’s rugby. The two-day event held at at Tungi Colonade in Nuku’alofa brought together local female rugby leaders to drive meaningful...

Tonga’s remote islands get first on-site dental care

For the first time, children in Vava’u’s sub-islands have received on-site dental care, thanks to the Dental Malimali Project. The initiative, led by Tonga’s Ministry of Health, has completed its first round of visits to primary schools in Ovaka,...

Tonga secures $2.2 million grant to boost education

Tonga has secured a US$2.2 million grant to enhance its education system. The System Transformation Grant (STG), provided by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and administered by Save the Children Australia (SCA), will be implemented by...

Joint Communique – South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting

Department of Defence Defence Ministers or their representatives from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga gathered in Viña del Mar for the 10th South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) from 22 to 24...

NFL takes on Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, plus trade offers

It's good to be back. The Tuesday column has been quiet since Week 1, as I took my paternity leave following the arrival of my second kid. She's real stinkin' cute, and her big sister loves her (if perhaps a little too enthusiastically at times)....