Culture will eat your strategic planning for lunch: a call for high-performance leadership in Tonga

As Tonga’s leaders came together for the Economic Development Summit last week, they faced a significant challenge: how to turn strategic plans into real results. While having good policies and development strategies is crucial, Peter Drucker’s...

Tonga National University hosts historic first graduation

Tonga National University (TNU) celebrated its inaugural graduation ceremony yesterday December 4th at the new Tonga High School Stadium. A total of 210 students received their certificates and degrees in a historic event presided over by His...

Tonga’s PM quits moments before parliament’s no-confidence motion

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

'Shining anus' volcano in Tonga coughs up cloud of smoke during recent eruption — Earth from space

QUICK FACTS Where is it? Tofua, Ha'apai, Tonga [-19.73996943, -175.072336] What's in the photo? Smoke coming from a volcanic cone near the island's summit Which satellite took the photo? Landsat 9 When was it taken? April 23, 2022 This stunning...

Tonga’s prime minister quits ahead of no-confidence vote

9 December 2024, 04:34 Tonga Prime Minister. Picture: PA Siaosi Sovaleni resigned after a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king. Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament ahead of a...

Tonga's prime minister quits moments ahead of no-confidence motion in parliament

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament on Monday ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king....

New creative hub helps preserve Tongan culture through song

A new creative hub in West Auckland is reviving traditional Tongan music, ensuring rare songs are not lost to history. Te Puna Creative Hub, now occupying the former Whoa! Studios in Henderson, recently hosted Ocean Star Fetu’u Moana Academy for a...

2010s Again: Are the Patriots Back Among the NFL’s Elite?

With a new coach and an emerging young quarterback, New England is the surprising leader of the AFC East. It leads to the old question: Are they an NFL contender or pretender? We search for answers. The New England Patriots have been one of the...

Map: 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Near Tonga Promps Brief Tsunami Alert

Note: Map shows the area with a shake intensity of 4 or greater, which U.S.G.S. defines as “light,” though the earthquake may be felt outside the areas shown. The New York Times A major, 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific Ocean...

Disturbing discovery is made THREE times on Australia's doorstep in the space of a few months - as national security expert warns we are powerless

Ghost ships laden with drugs have been spotted sailing closer to Australian shores, with one expert warning the country is not prepared to deal with them. There have been at least three sightings over the last few months of unmanned 'narco subs',...

Stigma affecting Pasifika participation in medical studies, says researcher

AUCKLAND: A Wellington-born Tongan researcher wants to see more Pasifika included in clinical studies in Aotearoa New Zealand. Melemafi Porter is a junior research fellow at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) and also a PhD...

Research is key to address and sustain SARV responses

Dr Bomai D Witne SARV is complex and the legal criminal justice system faced many challenges including administration and interpretation of the law. Many perpetrators are not arrested because of the limited police personnel who lack resources such...

Digital Online Game Research Makes Space For Pacific Female Youth Voices

A Pacific academic says indigenous youth voices largely absent from ‘digital online game’ research have an opportunity to be heard. University of Auckland Senior Lecturer Dr Jean M Uasike Allen from the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy, says...

Fitting the ‘missing puzzle pieces’ – research sheds light on the deep history of social change in West Papua

Owing to its violent political history, West Papua’s vibrant human past has long been ignored. Unlike its neighbour, the independent country of Papua New Guinea, West Papua’s cultural history is poorly understood. But now, for the first time, we...

Preserving Tonga’s rare and traditional songs

A new creative hub in West Auckland is helping to preserve Tongan culture through song and dance. Te Puna Creative Hub has taken over the Whoa! Studios building in Henderson, and occupies the former children’s theatre. The hub has helped reconnect...

Australian researchers call for greater diversity in genomics

Funder: This research is supported by John Brown Cook Foundation, Ms Lysia O'Keefe, Joseph Palmer Foundation and Snow Medical Research Foundation. From: Garvan Institute of Medical Research Australian researchers call for greater diversity in...

England face Ashes mountain but international rugby league set for long-awaited shot in the arm

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

'Heaps of stigma' affecting Pasifika participation in medical studies, says researcher

Porter says Pasifika are also underrepresented in clinical studies. Photo: 123rf A Wellington-born Tongan researcher wants to see more Pasifika included in clinical studies in Aotearoa New Zealand. Melemafi Porter is a junior research fellow at...

Tongan education officials impressed with Buk bilong Pikinini’s learning program attracts visitors from Tonga

BUK bilong Pikinini (BbP) hosted a high-level visit of members from the Ministry of Education of Tonga. The visit took place at BbP’s Vabukori village Library Learning Centre. The team highlighted that Tonga, as a Pacific Island nation, has made...

Leica Store & Gallery New York Presents "Within One Breath:" A Solo Exhibition by Matt Draper

A decade in the making, Draper's breathtaking black-and-white photographs reveal the silent beauty of marine life and celebrate Leica's enduring legacy of craftsmanship and innovation. NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leica Gallery New York...