Tonga

Five years after Starlink satellites started orbiting the Earth, Pacific Island countries are still weighing up its benefits despite calls to approve its services.

Pacific leaders are ramping up pressure on France over tensions in New Caledonia, pressing Paris to allow a "high-level" Pacific delegation to visit the troubled territory before a critical regional meeting next month.

Pacific Island workers coming home from Australia say it's a long and complicated process to get their superannuation — and the barriers appear to be stopping many from claiming their money.

The Mavericks will be kicking themselves after sleeping on Uneeq Palavi, who wowed crowds in Sydney as she took the court for the Swifts. The rookie goal shooter almost got her new side over the line, as three tight games in Round 12 got fans excited for the finals.

The first Pacific Engagement Visas will be granted in late 2024. Experts and community leaders welcome the scheme, but say the government needs to manage it carefully.

In the two years since the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption, scientists have continued to study the effects on our climate.

The capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa has been evacuated after 6.6 magnitude earthquake was detected.

The 28-year-old Sydney writer says Chris Lilley's Jonah was not a fair representation of her community — and her debut novel seeks to set the record straight.

Many people deported to Tonga arrive with few connections to the country — a trend experts say is fuelling the country's drug problem. But a group of returnees are helping others find their feet in the Pacific country.

Many people deported to Tonga arrive with few connections to the country — a trend experts say is fuelling the country's drug problem. But a group of returnees are using their own experiences to help others find their feet in the Pacific country.

Pacific Island nations are looking abroad for workers, and taking control of labour mobility schemes at home, as they look to address labour shortages hitting employers. But experts say it's too early to say whether they're succeeding.

Nearly 1,500 Pacific ancestors are held in 13 museums and universities across Australia — but for the most part, the institutions are not repatriating remains and some believe there are cases that "might prove impossible".

A strongly worded document from Tonga's Foreign Affairs Ministry gives insight into the Pacific nation's view of Australia and New Zealand's diplomatic efforts. 

China is maintaining its policing push into the Pacific, sending a delegation from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to Tonga ahead of a critical regional leaders meeting.

The visit comes ahead of a critical meeting of Pacific leaders later this year, with officials seeing the meeting as yet another sign that China is intent on pushing its presence in the region.

The eyes of the Tongan public will this week settle on a remote island in the Pacific nation's north, where a meeting of the king with his advisers could determine the government's future.

For many children of Pacific migrants, this generation is living out the dreams of their ancestors. But breaking glass ceilings also means getting a few cuts and bruises along the way.

Australia's neighbours have targeted palm oil, chicken wings, rice and other essentials to curb inflation. But experts say there's one thing the most successful responses have in common.

The internet powers almost every aspect of our modern life and is key for governments, intelligence agencies, and banks – and there's a worldwide struggle for control happening under the radar and under the waves.

In Tonga the royal family is almost universally revered, yet this week's drama has left many Tongans questioning their king's logic — and left many questions unanswered.

The remains of two Tongan males stored in the Australian Museum's collection in Sydney have been repatriated to their present-day descendants and laid to rest in a royal funeral service attended by hundreds.

Lisala Folau, known as Tonga's "Aquaman", survived 27 hours in open ocean after being swept from his island home. Two years on from that day, his island is abandoned.   

After COP28's central document was approved, Samoa's lead delegate delivered a critical assessment of the Dubai climate summit agreement's flaws — and pointed out the Pacific Islands delegates were not even in the room when the deal was done.

Three Pacific ministers attend a high-level meeting on police cooperation between China and Pacific Island nations as Beijing continues its push to cement deeper security ties with the region.