Tonga Independent News

31/07/2025

Promises fulfilled. President is leading to the "Great Rejuvenation". 🇨🇳
Cr: XH_Lee23 on X

31/07/2025

Tonga’s successful bid to host the 2031 South Pacific Games has reignited debate among Members of Parliament. Some, particularly those aligned with the late Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, have expressed doubts, echoing his 2019 decision to cancel the Games over fears of excessive spending and a lack of tangible return. More 👉

Tonga’s successful bid to host the 2031 South Pacific Games has reignited debate among Members of Parliament. Some, particularly those aligned with the late Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, have expressed doubts, echoing his 2019 decision to cancel the Games over fears of excessive spending and a...

31/07/2025

Petroleum retail prices for August 2025 A notable 10 seniti increase per litre.

31/07/2025

The recent arrest of former Mormon missionary William James Purdy in the United States for the alleged sexual abuse of at least 14 boys in Tonga has sent shockwaves through our region. The full weight of this case, reported by ABC Radio Australia, is not just a tragedy for the victims and their families — it is a stain on the silence that too often follows such violations when they are tied to powerful institutions.More 👉

By Melino Maka – Political and Economic Commentator on Tonga and Pacific Issues, Chair of the Huelo Matamoana TrustThe recent arrest of former Mormon missionary William James Purdy in the United States for the alleged sexual abuse of at least 14 boys in Tonga has sent shockwaves through our region...

30/07/2025

Last week, Pacific fisheries ministers gathered in Niue for the 24th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting. The outcome was packaged in a carefully worded press release, circulated by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and echoed by regional media outlets with little analysis. The headline? A breakthrough agreement on South Pacific Albacore tuna allocations after 20 years of negotiation. More 👉 https://tongaindependent.com/opinion/opinion-they-say-its-a-breakthrough-but-what-does-it-really-mean-for-tongas-people/

30/07/2025

Nice day to test the tsunami warning siren — other than that, it's business as usual, folks!

30/07/2025

Sai ke tau ilo

The difference between 1 hectare and 1 acre lies mainly in their size and usage:

📏 Size Comparison:

Unit Size in m² Size in acres

1 hectare 10,000 m² ≈ 2.471 acres
1 acre 4,046.86 m² = 0.4047 hectares

🟢 Easy Way to Remember:

1 hectare is larger than 1 acre.

1 hectare = about 2.5 acres

1 acre = about 0.4 hectares

🌍 Usage:

Hectare is commonly used in metric-system countries (e.g., Europe, Africa).

Acre is used in imperial-system countries (e.g., USA, UK).

✅ Summary:

✅ 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters

✅ 1 acre = 4,046.86 square meters

✅ 1 hectare ≈ 2.47 acres

29/07/2025

New Commissioner of Prisons Appointed
Nuku'alofa – Mr. Laini Koula ‘Univesiti Manuofetoa, 42, of Holonga, Vava’u and Fatai, Tongatapu, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Prisons, effective today, Tuesday, 29 July 2025.
Mr. Manuofetoa signed a three-year contract and took his oath of office before the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, in his capacity as Minister for Prisons. The ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.
He began his career with the Government of Tonga in 2004 as a Junior Prison Officer. From 2013 to 2015, he served as a Cadet Officer before being promoted to Superintendent of Prisons (2015–2019). In 2019, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, a role he held until his promotion to Commissioner today.

29/07/2025

Oku lolotonga longoa’a lahi ‘a e fonua hono fehu’ia kohai ‘a e ma’u mafai ‘i Tonga ni, na’ane tokoni’i ‘a e Faka’iloa William James Purdy ke mavahe mei Tonga ni, lolotonga ia ‘oku lolotonga tali ‘ene hopo ki he hia mamafa ko e pa’usi’i fakalielia ‘a e longa’i fanau ‘e toko 14 ‘o fakatatau mo e fakamatala. more 👉

‘Oku lolotonga longoa’a lahi ‘a e fonua hono fehu’ia kohai ‘a e ma’u mafai ‘i Tonga ni, na’ane tokoni’i ‘a e Faka’iloa William James Purdy ke mavahe mei Tonga ni, lolotonga ia ‘oku lolotonga tali ‘ene hopo ki he hia mamafa ko e pa’usi’i fakalielia ‘a e longa’i fanau...

28/07/2025

Na’e fakamahino ‘e he Kolisi ko Tupou ki he fanau mei he Funga Manamo’ui ko e ‘apiako tupu’a kinautolu ‘o e ‘akapulu talu mei tuai, ‘enau ikuna ‘a e vainga fakaholo mamata ‘o e fainolo ‘o e timi Senior he mala’e Teufaiva ‘i he ‘aho Falaite. ‘I he ifi mai ‘a e taimi kakato mei tu’a ‘oku Toloa 39-36 ‘Atele. More 👉 https://tongaindependent.com/news/fakamahino-toloa-ki-atele-ko-e-apiako-tupua-kinautolu-o-e-akapulu-i-he-vainga-malie-toloa-39-36-atele/