Tonga

Tonga rugby league coach Kristian Woolf says the kingdom can win next year's World Cup but needs a board that is truly going to support the team to reach its potential.

Tonga's restrictions under its State of Emergency have been relaxed although a night-time curfew will remain.

A Pasifika planner specialist for Auckland Council has been acknowledged in the 2020 New Zealand Planning Institute awards, having been nominated by her colleagues.

King Tupou VI will officially open Tonga's Parliament on Thursday via livestream, because of Covid-19 restrictions in place.

More bitterness within the political party founded by the late 'Akilisi Pohiva has been reported in Tongan media.

A former Tongan Prime Minister and current Noble MP has been received a two year sentence, fully suspended and a fine for passport, perjury and firearm offences.

Many families in Tonga will be commemorating their fallen heroes and servicemen from their homes, driveways or workplaces at 7am on ANZAC Day rather than the Cenotaph Pangai Si'i.

Tonga's government estimates the cost of damage caused by Cyclone Harold this month will be more than US$111 million.

There are reports from Tonga that the Democratic Party came close to ripping itself apart, but that the breach has been healed.

Tonga Police have arrested 568 people since a state of emergency was declared on 28 March to try and counter Covid-19.

A new hub for treating suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Tonga is close to completion.

Tonga and Samoa have received boosts to their Covid-19 responses from the Asian Development Bank.

Tonga has extended its border closure until mid-June

A group of youth volunteers in Tonga are doing their bit to rebuild the country post-Cyclone Harold.

One game. One win. Then nothing.

The biggest issues confronting disaster officials in Tonga following last week's battering from Cyclone Harold are the state of wharves in 'Eua and Ha'apai and some of the coastal roads.

A counselling service centre in Tonga is now in ruins due to the coinciding of Tropical Cyclone Harold and a king tide on 9 April.

One of the most notable locations in Tonga, a popular resort in Kanokupolu, has been damaged by Cyclone Harold.

New Zealanders stranded in Tonga and Fiji nationals wanting to get home will find some relief soon thanks to the announcement of special flights.