Tonga Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) has paid tribute to its long-standing partnership with the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS), acknowledging two decades of support that have significantly strengthened the kingdom’s emergency response capabilities.
For more than 20 years, the collaboration has delivered substantial benefits to Tonga’s frontline services, including the donation of over 28 fire trucks, ongoing training, operational assistance, and vital knowledge-sharing initiatives.
TFES said the partnership has played a crucial role in enhancing the country’s preparedness for urban fires, bushfires, rescues, and disaster response.
Two additional fire trucks donated in November 2025 have already been deployed across the country. TFES confirmed that one of these vehicles responded to a 999 emergency call just yesterday, arriving at the scene within nine minutes of dispatch.
Officials said such improvements in response time demonstrate the practical life-saving impact of the long-term support from South Australia.
Tonga Fire & Emergency Services responds to more than 400 urban and bush fire incidents annually, placing heavy demands on equipment and personnel. TFES said the continued support from SAMFS is vital for maintaining and improving its operational readiness.
“This partnership reflects strong friendship, shared values, and a unified commitment to protecting our communities,” the service said in a statement.
Melbourne Storm’s coach says he doesn’t know if Tongan rugby league star Eli Katoa will ever play the code again.
The 25-year-old underwent brain surgery in November after suffering seizure activity due to multiple head knocks before and during a Test against the Kiwis.
He suffered a horrific head knock before the match began, but was allowed to take the field, where he suffered two more blows.
The former Warrior posted on Instagram at the time that his “recovery is going well and hopefully I can keep ticking all of the boxes that I need!”
Craig Bellamy told Channel 7 that Katoa was “doing really well at the moment,” but was unsure if doctors would clear him to return to the game.
“I don’t know if he’ll play next year… I don’t know if he’ll play again,” Bellamy said.
“The doctors haven’t made that decision, and I don’t know when that decision will get made to be quite honest.
“I imagine after a certain amount of time he’ll have more tests and go from there.”
Bellamy described Katoa as “one hell of a player”.
“It was a major injury, and we want him to live the rest of his life in a normal way, so fingers crossed.
“But we’d love to have him back playing footy and playing with us.”
Despite being ruled out for the entire NRL season, Katoa still working with the Storm squad in a mentorship role.
Bellamy said the role has been instrumental in advancing the development of younger players.
Nuku’alofa — The Supreme Court has this afternoon convicted Latalaga Lata Tangimana, the Minister of Finance, for breaching Tonga’s Electoral Act in connection with the 2025 General Election campaign.
Lata I Faingata’a Tangimana
Tangimana, also the MP for Niua 17, was found guilty on charges relating to bribery, following evidence presented to the court showing that he had offered benefits to voters during the campaign period.
It is understood that this case forms part of a broader set of complaints reportedly filed against several Members of Parliament, including the representatives for Tongatapu 2, Tongatapu 4, Tongatapu 9, Tongatapu 10, Haʻapai 12, Haʻapai 13 and Vava’u 16 with additional filings from other constituencies also anticipated.
The judgment, reported on FM 87.5, claims that the minister committed offences under the laws governing electoral conduct.
The conviction automatically triggers constitutional implications.
Under the Constitution and the Electoral Act, a candidate or elected representative found to have committed bribery is subject to the court’s ruling and may subsequently lose their seat.
However, Tangimana retains the right to appeal the decision if he believes the ruling is flawed or that legal errors were made in the judicial process.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of electoral conduct in Tonga, especially as similar cases in previous election cycles have led to the unseating of Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers.
Further proceedings will now depend on whether Tangimana files an appeal to challenge the ruling.
West Harbour, AU — West Harbour Rugby Union has announced with deep sadness the passing of club legend Fetaiaki Langi, a towering figure in the club’s history and a beloved member of the wider rugby community.
Fetaiaki Langi was a celebrated Tongan international rugby player and a legendary figure for the West Harbour Rugby Union club.
Langi, a former Tongan international and three‑time Herald Cup champion (1987, 1988, and 1991), is being remembered as one of the greatest players ever to wear the Western Suburbs jersey.
Teammates and long‑time supporters described him not only as an exceptional athlete, but as “an even greater human being”—a man admired for his character, humility, and impact both on and off the field.
In a statement, the club said it “extends its deepest condolences to Fetaiaki’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” noting that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of West Harbour players.
A funeral service to honour Fetaiaki Langi’s life will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 11.30am at the North Chapel, Pinegrove Memorial Park.
West Harbour Rugby Union says the community is united in grief, but equally united in celebrating a life that enriched so many and left an unforgettable imprint on the club’s history.
The British High Commissioner to Tonga made an unexpected on‑air appearance during the Television Tonga weather segment this evening in celebration of World Meteorological Day.
High Commissioner, His Excellency Philip Malone
World Meteorological Day is celebrated every 23 March to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1950 and to highlight the global importance of weather, climate, and water services.
It raises awareness about how meteorology protects lives, supports development, and strengthens disaster preparedness.
This year’s theme, Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow, highlights how today’s weather and climate observations provide the vital knowledge needed to safeguard lives, strengthen communities, and protect the environment in the years ahead.
According to the Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS), Director Laitia Fifita and his staff were “delighted” to welcome the High Commissioner, His Excellency Philip Malone, who joined them on screen to present the weather and to publicly acknowledge the work of Tonga MET while extending warm World Meteorological Day greetings to the Kingdom and the global community.
The United Kingdom holds a particularly strong historical and technical connection to World Meteorological Day, driven by the work of the UK Met Office, one of the world’s leading meteorological agencies.
The Met Office hosts the World Meteorological Centre (WMC) in Exeter, serves as a Lead Centre for Annual‑to‑Decadal Climate Prediction, and operates as a Global Producing Centre for Long‑Range Forecasts, all under World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) designation.
It is also globally recognised for championing open, high‑quality data exchange, helping advance international weather and climate forecasting standards.
The UK’s involvement further extends into climate and development initiatives, including support for WMO’s capacity‑building programs such as the Voluntary Cooperation Programme, and UK‑funded global projects like the WISER Programme and WCSSP China, which strengthen early‑warning systems and climate services across vulnerable regions.
The Met Office’s Hadley Centre is also a major contributor to the IPCC reports, which often shape the annual theme of World Meteorological Day.
Tonight’s appearance by High Commissioner Malone marked a rare but warmly received gesture, underscoring both the UK’s longstanding partnership with Tonga in meteorology and the global importance of the work carried out by national weather services.
A man has been sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tonga for possessing more than 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, with the court also ordering the forfeiture of cash, a vehicle, and mobile phones linked to the offence.
Rodney ‘Ofa ki Tafuna Tōmasi. Photo/Supplied
Rodney ‘Ofa ki Tafuna Tōmasi was convicted and sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, after being found guilty of possessing the drugs.
The Court found that he played a significant role in the drug supply chain, highlighted by his direct communication with an overseas supplier, Ika ‘Ofa, his dealings with an informant, and the substantial quantity of methamphetamine in his possession.
His sentencing had been delayed several times to allow for submissions, documentation, and the preparation of a presentence report by the Probation Office.
In its submissions, the Crown sought a starting point of 15 years’ imprisonment, relying on comparable authorities and the volume of the drugs.
The Crown also asked the Court to order the forfeiture of assets linked to the offending, including a Mazda motor vehicle, more than $21,000 in cash, and two mobile phones used in drug-related communications.
Mitigating submissions filed on behalf of Tōmasi highlighted his family circumstances, personal background, and letters of support from his local community, including the town officer of Lapaha, a parish priest, and members of his family.
Defence counsel proposed a lower starting point of 13 years, suggesting a final sentence of between 8 and 9 years with partial suspension.
The presentence report recommended that rehabilitation was possible and supported a partially suspended sentence.
In delivering the sentence, Lord Chief Justice Bishop said the Court had considered all submissions but stressed that each case must be determined on its own facts. He noted the serious harm caused by illicit drugs in Tonga and the Court’s responsibility to deter such offending.
A starting point of 15 years was adopted, reflecting international comparative sentencing bands and the scale of the offending.
The Court deducted two years to account for Tōmasi being a first-time drug offender, despite having historic convictions more than a decade old.
The final two years of the 13-year sentence were suspended for three years under conditions, including probation supervision, compliance with reporting requirements, and a condition not to commit any imprisonable offence.
The custodial term was backdated to 14 November 2025. The Court also ordered the destruction of the methamphetamine by incineration and the forfeiture of the vehicle, cash, and mobile phones used in connection with the offending.
Mr Bishop said the orders reflected the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect the community from the ongoing harms of illicit drugs.
Tōmasi will now serve 11 years in prison, followed by a two-year suspended period under supervision and strict conditions.
The Land Court of Tonga has ordered the removal of a fence at the centre of a land dispute in Neiafu, Vava’u.
The case involved Adrian and Emaluisa Manarangi, who hold Lease 7427, and neighbouring leaseholder Pafilio Tangitau, who holds Lease 6351.
The court found that Tangitau had erected a fence and other structures inside the Manarangis’ lease, a fact confirmed through multiple boundary surveys and supported by earlier Court of Appeal findings
The Land Court of Tonga has ruled in favour of Adrian and Emaluisa Manarangi in a long-running land dispute in Neiafu, Vava’u, ordering neighbouring Tangitau to remove a fence and several structures found to be unlawfully built on the Manarangis’ land.
The dispute concerned adjacent government leases along the Neiafu waterfront.
The Manarangis hold Lease 7427, originally granted to Moorings Ltd in 2006 and transferred to them in 2023, while Tangitau holds Lease 6351, registered in 1999.
The court confirmed that surveys and boundary markers clearly placed the fence and other developments inside Lease 7427.
Justice Tupou relied on earlier findings by the Court of Appeal, which confirmed that boundary mark V169, the point where Tangitau constructed his fence in 2021, lay within the Manarangis’ lease and had never been part of Tangitau’s land.
The Court of Appeal also found that Tangitau had no consent from Moorings Ltd and that any claims he made about assurances from the Minister of Lands were either time-barred or legally irrelevant.
Tangitau sought leave to file another amended defence, claiming he believed the disputed area formed part of his lease and that past actions, including his developments, gave him rights to the land.
However, the court dismissed this attempt, saying the proposed changes contradicted previous admissions, attempted to revive arguments already rejected on appeal, and would only delay proceedings.
Court Rejects Unsound Filing
Justice Tupou described the application as frivolous and prejudicial to the plaintiffs.
In granting summary judgment, the court found that the Manarangis had clear possessory title to Lease 7427 and that Tangitau’s fence constituted trespass.
The court said continuing trespass remained actionable and noted that the Manarangis only became aware of the encroachment when the Ministry of Lands confirmed the boundary survey results in January 2024.
Justice Tupou found no genuine factual dispute requiring a trial.
The court ordered Tangitau to remove the fence and any belongings from within Lease 7427 within 60 days of the ruling.
It also left open the possibility of further orders if the Manarangis pursue restoration of their land.
Costs were awarded to the plaintiffs for both the summary judgment application and their opposition to Tangitau’s attempt to amend his defence
Auckland, New Zealand — Tongan New Zealander Vi Hausia, the man behind the historic Papatoetoe Local Board election re‑run, is being praised across the Tongan community for his courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to fairness.
Vi Hausia pictured in a moment of quiet determination, reflecting his commitment to protecting the integrity of the Papatoetoe community’s vote. Photo/Auckland Council
The former deputy chair of the Ōtara‑Papatoetoe Local Board, took the local board election to court after receiving multiple reports that voting papers had been stolen from Papatoetoe residents and fraudulently submitted without their consent.
Hausia alleged widespread theft and irregularities, prompting a formal petition challenging the integrity of the 2025 Papatoetoe subdivision election.
A court investigation later uncovered at least 79 irregularly cast votes, some in the names of people who confirmed they had never voted.
The judge concluded that fraudulent voting had likely “permeated or infected” the election to a degree that materially affected the result, leading to the election being declared void and a court‑ordered re‑run.
Hausia reportedly said he acted out of concern for democratic integrity, emphasising that if he had remained silent, “nothing would have happened.”
“If I’m not going to do this, who’s going to do it?” he said, reflecting on the decision to challenge the original result.
The phrase has resonated deeply within the Tongan community, many of whom see Hausia’s actions as embodying core Pacific values: courage (lototoa), service (ngaue ‘ofa), and responsibility (fatongia).
Local Tongan families have called it a proud moment, noting that Tongans are often underrepresented in decision‑making spaces. Hausia’s stand, they say, opens the door for others to participate more confidently.
When Hausia brought the case into public view, his actions caught the attention of leaders throughout South Auckland.
Among them was Makalita Kolo, a member of the Māngere‑Ōtāhuhu Local Board, who publicly praised him for his courage.
Kolo described Hausia in Tongan as a proud son of the Tongan community, acknowledging that his stand embodied the values of resilience, service, and collective responsibility cherished by Tongans across generations.
“Ko’etau ki’i foha koia ko Vi Hausia na’ane fai hono fakatokanga’i pea hopo’i ai ‘ae ngaue hala/kakaa ko’eni. Malo Vi Lehops V Hausia e ngaue lahi ko’eni,” Kolo wrote in Tongan when congratulating Hausia.
Cocaine use has hit an all-time high in New Zealand, exceeding MDMA consumption for the first time, according to new wastewater testing data.
The data, released by police on Monday, showed a surge in cocaine consumption in the last quarter of 2025.
An estimated average of 9.4kg of cocaine was consumed nationwide each week, according to results from all locations tested. This was 98% more than the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
All districts in the country recorded higher-than-usual cocaine use over those four quarters.
Meanwhile, methamphetamine use averaged an estimated 34.7kg per week, around 8% higher than the previous four quarters
Record levels of cocaine use detected in wastewater testing
Recreational Class A drug overtakes MDMA has the high of choice in the last quarter of 2025.
Record levels of cocaine use detected in wastewater testing2:19
Recreational Class A drug overtakes MDMA has the high of choice in the last quarter of 2025. (Source: 1News)
NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said the new data was more evidence that our approach to drugs was not working.
‘Prices down, harm increasing’
“The dramatic increases in methamphetamine and cocaine consumption over the last two years are unprecedented,” she said.
“A long-term under-investment in treatment and harm reduction, coupled with an over-reliance on supply side measures hasn’t worked. Consumption is at record levels, drug use is diversifying, prices are down, harm is increasing, and new potent drugs are arriving.”
Helm said every indicator was “screaming at us to change our approach”, although she acknowledged the Government’s recent Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm would go some way in responding to the increase in harm.
“If we could wave a magic wand, we would do two things: Vastly increase the spending on addiction treatment and harm reduction, and change our drug laws,” she said.
“While these things won’t remove all problems, the evidence is clear that it would reduce the worst harms and provide us with more tools to tackle the increase in harm. But if we continue doing more of the same, things will continue to get worse.”
Per capita, cocaine use was highest in the Bay of Plenty police district, while methamphetamine was highest in the Northland police district . The Southern district had the highest MDMA consumption.
Wastewater testing occurred for one week each month across the country, with drug use calculated from the concentration of each biomarker detected.
Nationwide testing began in November 2018, with current testing sites covering up to 77% of New Zealand’s population.
Nearly 180kg of cocaine seized in last quarter of 2025
The bricks featured various brandings, including Volvo, Porsche, and an image of a hamster wearing a crown. (Source: Supplied)
Nearly 180kg of cocaine was reported seized by Customs between October and December 2025 – 107kg at the Port of Tauranga.
In late October, Customs found 35kg of cocaine branded with the Lacoste logo in a shipping container at Dunedin’s Port Chalmers.
An unsuspected worker found 36kg of cocaine stashed inside a container carrying legitimate goods at an Auckland business on November 3.
Two seizures of cocaine totalling an estimated 33kg were seized from in refrigerated containers at the Port of Tauranga on November 20.
In early December, Customs officers at the Port of Tauranga intercepted an estimated 45kg of cocaine – with an estimated street value of $15.75 million – during routine inspections.
The bricks featured various brandings, including Volvo, Porsche, and an image of a hamster wearing a crown.
On Boxing Day, an estimated 8kg of cocaine was uncovered alongside 10kg of methamphetamine in a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga.
Last last year, the Government announced maritime operations led by Customs, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Government Communications Security Bureau to disrupt drug networks in the Pacific region.
The operations aimed to detect, deter, and disrupt drug shipments originating from Central and South America destined for New Zealand and Pacific nations.
By Kate Newton of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission
RNZ launched a political poll in April 2025 in partnership with the longstanding and reputable polling company Reid Research.
Photo: RNZ
The poll builds on the former Newshub-Reid Research Poll, which ran successfully from 2009 to 2023.
The polls, which will run about four times a year, involve 1000 online interviews nationwide.
Each poll includes standard questions about party vote preference and preferred prime minister, along with whether respondents feel the current government is taking the country in the right direction.
Responses to these questions will be collated and updated on this page each polling cycle.
Each poll also includes several topical questions. The results of these will be reported as part of that cycle’s news coverage.
Party vote
The crucial question asked in each polling cycle focuses on who respondents would give their party vote to if a general election was held the following day.
These are the results of the most recent poll.
Latest poll results: political parties
How poll respondents would use their party vote if a general election was held tomorrow0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%
Labour
35.6%
National
30.8%
NZ First
10.6%
Greens
10.1%
ACT
7.0%
Te Pāti Māori
3.2%
TOP
2.0%
Others
0.7%
Results exclude 57 undecided or non-voters and have a maximum margin of error of +/-3.1%, at a 95% confidence level.
And here is how the party vote trend has evolved over time.
Which party do voters prefer?
How poll respondents’ party vote preferences have fluctuated over timeJan21AprJulOctJan22AprJulOctJan23AprJulOctJan24AprJulOctJan25AprJulOctJan2605101520253035404550%
ACT
National
Greens
NZ First
Labour
Te Pāti Māori
Reid Research did not poll between the 2023 election and March 2025. The dotted line shows a rolling average for all other major political polls carried out during this period.
Chart: Kate Newton / RNZSource: Pre-March 2025 data: Wikipedia | Ongoing data: RNZ-Reid Research poll
RNZ uses these party vote results to calculate the seats each party would be allocated in Parliament.
Under current rules, parties must receive 5 percent of the vote or win an electorate seat to be returned to Parliament.
For the purposes of this poll, if support for a party currently in Parliament falls below the 5 percent threshold, but that party currently holds an electorate seat, RNZ assumes that party will retain its share of the party vote.
New Zealand does not vote for its party leaders but a leader’s popularity or support is strongly linked to party support.
In the most recent poll, this is where the current party leaders and other contenders stood.
Latest poll results: preferred PM
Percentage of poll respondents who named the following leaders as their preferred Prime Minister
Hipkins
20.7%
Luxon
17.3%
Peters
13.1%
Swarbrick
6.8%
Seymour
6.8%
Results have a maximum margin of error of +/-3%, at a 95% confidence level.
Chart: Kate Newton / RNZSource: RNZ-Reid Research poll
And here is how party leaders’ support has changed over the last few years.
Who do voters prefer as prime minister?
Preferred prime minister rankings among poll respondents, for party leaders and MPs with significant results.Jul2021OctJan2022AprJulOctJan2023AprJulOctJan2024AprJulOctJan2025AprJulOctJan2026051015202530%
Seymour
Luxon
Swarbrick
Peters
Hipkins
Reid Research did not poll between the 2023 election and March 2025. The dotted line shows a rolling average for all other major political polls carried out during this period.
Chart: Kate Newton / RNZSource: Pre-March 2025 data: Wikipedia | Ongoing data: RNZ-Reid Research poll
As well as outright preferences, the RNZ-Reid Research Poll also asks respondents how well the leaders of National and Labour are performing in their roles.
The overall outcome (the difference between respondents who believe a leader is performing well and those who believe they are not performing well) is represented in this chart of net favourability.
Major party leaders’ net favourability
The proportion of poll respondents who said the current Labour leader or National leader was performing well, minus those who said they were performing poorly.20162017201820192020202120222023202420252026−200204060%Labour22 May 2016−11.1%Labour22 May 2016−11.1%
Christopher Luxon becomes National leader
Chris Hipkins becomes Labour leader
Favourable
Unfavourable
National
Labour
Chart: Kate Newton / RNZSource: RNZ-Reid Research poll
We also ask how respondents feel about the overall direction of the country under the current government.
How do people feel about New Zealand’s current direction?
Proportion of poll respondents who said New Zealand was heading in the right direction under the current government, the wrong direction, or that they didn’t know.Jan21AprJulOctJan22AprJulOctJan23AprJulOctJan24AprJulOctJan25AprJulOctJan26010203040506070%Neither/Do not know(poll average)5 Oct 20219.6%Neither/Do not know (poll average)5 Oct 20219.6%
Right direction
Wrong direction
Neither/Do not know
Reid Research did not previously poll on this question. The dotted line shows a rolling average for other major political polls carried out prior to March 2025, for questions with similar wording.
Chart: Kate Newton / RNZSource: Pre-March 2025 data: Wikipedia | Ongoing data: RNZ-Reid Research poll
The RNZ-Reid Research poll margins of error (expressed at a 95 percent confidence level) are:
Percentage result is 10 percent or 90 percent: +/- 1.9 percent
Percentage result is 20 percent or 80 percent: +/- 2.5 percent
Percentage result is 30 percent or 70 percent: +/- 2.7 percent
Percentage result is 40 percent or 60 percent: +/- 3.0 percent
