AGP Executive Report

Tonga National University Law School Push: Senior judges visited TNU’s Pahu campus and backed plans for a Bachelor of Laws, urging a curriculum focused on Tonga’s laws, needs, and Tongan language and culture. SPC Cooperation for Development: Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua met SPC DG Dr Paula Vivili to reaffirm support across health, education, agriculture, fisheries, climate and disaster resilience, including a new SPC–WHO health MoU. Judiciary and Education: The law-school backing adds another pathway for legal training in Tonga, with curriculum work still being scoped and Cabinet consent needed for new TNU schools. Climate and Warnings: Pacific leaders are preparing for El Niño conditions that could bring unusual rainfall and reef impacts, while WMO warns people to use AI in forecasting but keep their “brains switched on.” Cyclone Preparedness: Habitat for Humanity says families in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are strengthening shelters, safe water access and local disaster plans ahead of cyclone season. Regional Health Link: Fiji declared an HIV national emergency, with Tonga’s close ties to Fiji making the outbreak a wider regional concern. Visa Costs for Tongans: Australia introduced lower specialist-skills visa fees for eligible citizens from Tonga and 12 other Pacific nations from July 2026. US Pacific Engagement: The US says it will deepen Pacific ties with more private-sector-led growth, trade over aid, and maritime security support. Volcano Science: New satellite findings suggest Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai’s volcanic cloud helped destroy some of its methane pollution.

Tsunami Preparedness: Tonga has launched a UNESCO-IOC tsunami readiness programme, targeting 20 communities for “Tsunami Ready” recognition by December, with a focus on evacuation planning, warning systems, public awareness and drills after the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai disaster. Volcano Science: New satellite research suggests the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption cloud helped destroy some of the methane produced by the volcano, using formaldehyde as a key atmospheric clue. Weather Services: Tonga hosted Pacific leaders at the Pacific Meteorological Council, where officials pushed “Early Warnings for All” and stressed that warnings must reach remote communities and people with disabilities. Law & Education: Senior Tonga judges have backed plans for a Tonga National University law school, offering help shaping a Bachelor of Laws focused on Tonga’s laws and language. Health in the Region: Three Tongan patients are receiving heart treatment in Fiji after local doctors said specialist care wasn’t available at home. Transport & Safety: Solomon Islands called for stronger marine weather and ocean services to improve maritime safety and early warnings.

Tsunami Preparedness: Tonga has launched a UNESCO-IOC tsunami readiness programme, targeting 20 communities for international “Tsunami Ready” recognition by December, with the message “Long or strong, get gone” and a focus on evacuation planning, warning systems, public awareness and drills. Health & Travel for Care: Three Tongan patients are receiving heart treatment in Fiji after Vaiola Hospital found specialist services unavailable at home, with the Ministry of Health covering travel and medical costs. Climate & Early Warnings: Tonga’s Deputy PM backed the push for “Early Warnings for All” at the Pacific Meteorological Council, stressing warnings must reach remote islands and vulnerable groups. Disaster Risk Finance: PCRIC signed MoUs with SPC and SPREP in Tonga to strengthen disaster risk financing and climate resilience cooperation across the Pacific. Volcano Science: New research suggests the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption’s volcanic cloud may have helped destroy some methane, offering clues for near-term warming reduction. Regional Safety Gap: Vanuatu’s ferry disaster highlights a gap between weather warnings and action, with officials saying meteorology can warn but cannot stop vessels leaving.

Medical Travel: Three Tongan patients are in Fiji for heart care after Vaiola Hospital found specialist treatment was unavailable at home, with procedures including angiography and stents at Pacific Specialist Healthcare in Nadi and costs covered by Tonga’s Ministry of Health. Climate & Warnings: Tonga’s deputy PM Viliami Latu backed “Early Warnings for All” at the Pacific Meteorological Council, as leaders push stronger early-warning reach for remote communities and people with disabilities. Volcano Science: New research maps major seafloor change from the 2022 Hunga eruption, deepening the caldera and highlighting how better monitoring could improve volcanic tsunami alerts. Regional Climate Prep: Fiji is preparing for Pre-COP31 with 2,000-plus delegates across three Nadi venues and a leaders’ programme in Tuvalu. Justice: A Tongan businessman was jailed for life in New Zealand over a meth shipment bound for the country. Community & Environment: Vava’u conservation group VEPA reports rat-eradication work is bringing back the Hengehenga (Tongan whistler) with renewed birdsong.

Court & Safety: A Sydney court has sentenced Jacob Tammer-Spence to more than eight years for the manslaughter of Tongan rugby league player Sitaleki “Leki” Filihiahekava, after a knife attack outside a fast-food shop in September 2024. Health (Tonga in Fiji): Three Tongan patients received cardiac treatment in Fiji after blocked arteries were found, with one urging Tongans not to delay care when chest pain strikes. Climate & Warnings: Vanuatu’s ferry disaster is being blamed on a gap between weather warnings and action, with meteorology leaders saying they can warn but cannot stop vessels going out. Regional Weather Readiness: Pacific leaders meeting in Tonga for the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council pushed for stronger early warnings and better coordination, including Tonga’s new multi-hazard early warning centre. Education: A new Pacific literacy and numeracy assessment highlights Tonga’s ongoing reading struggle, especially among Year 6 students. Renewables Investment: A new ADB study says private renewable energy investment remains limited across the Pacific, calling for stronger planning, grid reliability and bankable contracts.

Pacific Weather & Disaster Readiness: Pacific leaders meeting in Tonga at the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council pushed for stronger early warnings and better links between forecasts and real-world action, pointing to Tonga’s new Joint Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services Centre and policy roadmap. Tonga Health & Access to Care: Three Tongan patients received cardiac treatment in Fiji after blocked arteries were found, with one urging people not to delay when chest pain strikes. Waste & Community Voices: Grassroots recyclers from across the Pacific, including Tonga, will help shape regional waste and recycling policy at a Vanuatu workshop, arguing community experience must be central to decisions. Violence Prevention: Fiji’s Women’s Crisis Centre is running a four-week regional training for participants from Tonga and other Pacific countries on violence against women and girls, rights, counselling and legal responses. Tonga Infrastructure Disruption: A vehicle crash damaged a high-voltage power pole in Tongatapu, forcing an emergency outage in parts of Pea and Haʻateiho. Education Focus: A new Pacific literacy and numeracy assessment highlights Tonga’s serious Year 6 reading challenge, even as regional results show modest recovery since 2021.

Pacific Climate & Warnings: Pacific meteorological leaders meeting in Tonga urged stronger early-warning systems and more regional investment as cyclones, flooding, drought and sea-level rise intensify. Health & Regional Care: Tongan patients say they found new hope in Fiji heart treatment, with PSH Hospitals reporting growing demand for advanced cardiac care. Education: A new Pacific literacy and numeracy assessment shows modest recovery since the pandemic, but Tonga’s Year 6 reading challenge remains severe. Community Conservation: In Vava’u, VEPA’s long-running rat control is helping the Hengehenga (Tongan whistler) return, with birdsong now heard again. Energy Disruption: A vehicle crash damaged a high-voltage power pole in Tongatapu, triggering an emergency outage for parts of Pea and Haʻateiho. Sports (Tonga ties): Fiji Pearls push for “new best” as Oceania Netball World Cup qualifiers begin in Tonga, while Tonga’s Leka Halasima heads toward a Warriors finals milestone.

Cardiac Care in Fiji: Three Tongan patients say life-changing heart treatment in Fiji has exceeded expectations, with one receiving angiography and stents at PSH Hospitals in Nadi after doctors in Tonga said the needed services weren’t available at home. Medical Tourism Push: Fiji is positioning itself as a Pacific medical hub, citing its 130-bed PSH facility, cath lab capability and growing patient flow from across the region. Literacy Pressure in Tonga: A new Pacific schools assessment (PILNA 2025) shows modest regional recovery, but Tonga’s Year 6 reading challenge remains severe, with many students still below minimum reading proficiency. Power Outage After Crash: A vehicle hit a high-voltage power pole in Tongatapu, triggering an emergency outage for parts of Pea and Haʻateiho while crews repair the damage. Community Conservation in Vava’u: VEPA reports successful rat control on Mount Talau, with the Hengehenga (Tongan Whistler) returning and birdsong now heard again. Weather Warnings: Fiji’s meteorology chief urges people to take cyclone-season warnings seriously, especially for sea travel, as El Niño conditions continue. Pacific Fashion Milestone: The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marked 10 years at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika designers and heritage. Tongan Wedding Debate: A minister’s scolding of camera operators for not wearing taʻovala at an Auckland Tongan wedding sparked online debate over who should wear it.

Education: A new Pacific literacy and numeracy assessment shows modest recovery since the pandemic, but Tonga’s Year 6 reading remains a major weak spot, with only 30% meeting the minimum reading standard in the last cycle. Health: Three Tongan heart patients say they’re grateful after receiving life-changing cardiac treatment in Fiji, where PSH Hospitals continues to build its role as a regional medical destination. Power & Infrastructure: A vehicle crash damaged a high-voltage power pole in Tongatapu, triggering an emergency outage for parts of Pea and Haʻateiho from 1pm–3pm as crews repair the line. Culture & Community: Debate erupted in Auckland after a minister appeared to reprimand camera operators for not wearing taʻovala at a Tongan wedding—while some men in the ceremony also seemed not to wear it. Regional Sports: Cook Islands netball heads to Tonga for the Oceania Qualifiers aiming for a top-three finish and a 2027 World Cup spot. Business: MBf Bank and Business Link Pacific launched a new Tonga lending facility to cut SME borrowing costs, targeting women-led enterprises. Volcano Science: New research on Hunga’s 2022 caldera collapse highlights how rapid underwater changes can affect volcanic-tsunami monitoring and early warnings.

Volcanic Safety & Early Warnings: New research on the 2022 Hunga eruption shows the caldera collapse reshaped the seafloor and could improve monitoring for volcanic tsunamis, after deadly waves and damage to subsea cables. Power & Outages: A vehicle crash into a high-voltage power pole in Tongatapu has forced an emergency outage across parts of Pea and Haʻateiho, with a scheduled 1pm–3pm cut and safety advice for residents. Health in the Pacific: Three Tongan heart patients say they’re grateful for cardiac treatment in Fiji, highlighting Tonga’s referral pathway when services aren’t available at home. Climate & Water Stress: Pacific leaders at Tonga’s meteorology meeting pushed for stronger early warnings as El Niño dries remote islands and sea-level rise plans may be based on wrong land-height assumptions. Pacific Policy & Migration: New Zealand First proposes a two-year clemency for Pacific visa overstayers, while warning of deportation and a permanent visa ban after the period. Business Support: MBf Bank and Business Link Pacific launch a NZ$1m lending facility to cut borrowing costs for Tonga’s small and medium businesses, including women-led enterprises.

Pacific climate and warnings: Tonga’s deputy PM Dr Viliami Uasike Latu urged Pacific leaders to make early warnings reach every community, saying no village is too small or remote, as meteorological leaders meet in Nuku’alofa to reset priorities for the next decade. Sea-level and data concerns: Experts warn some climate plans may be based on wrong land-elevation readings, while UN reporting says the world is on track to overshoot 1.5°C—meaning higher seas and flooding impacts will still hit the Pacific. Human rights and community support: Fiji says children made up all High Court rape victims recorded in 2025, calling for a whole-of-society response to child sexual abuse. Tonga in the spotlight: Tonga’s Leka Halasima is set for his 50th Warriors appearance in the NRL finals qualifier, and Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup featuring Tonga. Economy and access to finance: MBf Bank and New Zealand’s Business Link Pacific launched a NZ$1m facility to cut borrowing costs for Tonga SMEs, including women-led businesses. Immigration policy debate (NZ): NZ First proposes a two-year clemency window for Pacific overstayers, followed by deportation and permanent visa bans for those who overstay after the deadline.

Pacific Rugby & Sport: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, with Tonga among eight men’s teams and Tonga also in the women’s Oceania 7s Women’s Cup, alongside Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Solomon Islands. Immigration Policy: New Zealand First says it will offer Pacific overstayers a two-year clemency period to apply to stay legally, but warns of deportation and a permanent visa ban for those who overstay after the deadline. Business & Finance: MBf Bank and New Zealand’s Business Link Pacific launch a NZ$1m facility to cut borrowing costs for Tongan small and medium-sized businesses, including women-led enterprises. Weather & Early Warnings: Tonga’s deputy prime minister urged that no community is too remote for effective warnings as Pacific meteorological leaders meet in Nuku’alofa, while Fiji and the Cook Islands push for stronger, last-mile early warning systems amid El Niño. Climate Science: Experts warn some sea-level risk planning may be based on flawed land-height data, risking misjudged vulnerability for low-lying Pacific communities. Infrastructure Disruption: A vehicle crash damaged a power pole in Nukunuku, forcing a temporary outage across several western Tongatapu communities while repairs are carried out.

Pacific Climate & Warnings: Tonga’s Deputy PM Dr Viliami Uasike Latu urged “Early Warnings for All” so no village is too small or too remote, as Pacific Meteorological Council leaders push stronger early-warning systems and community-ready weather, climate, water and ocean services. Sea-Level Reality: A UN overshoot report says the Pacific can’t count on avoiding sea-level rise—adaptation is now “no longer optional,” with even small warming cuts slowing future flooding. Power Disruption in Tonga: A vehicle crash broke a power pole at Nukunuku, forcing Tonga Power Limited to cut electricity to multiple western Tongatapu communities from about 1am to 4am for emergency repairs. Health Tragedy: Tonga’s Health Ministry mourned Staff Nurse Diplomate Siokapesi Hefa, who died after a small boat sank near Faua Wharf, with a funeral delegation led by the Health Minister. Regional Governance & Crime: Fiji’s Justice Minister Siromi Turaga warned prisons could be exploited by organised criminal networks unless safeguards keep pace. Sport & Community: Tonga’s battle for Oceania rugby 7s spots begins next week, with Tonga among men’s and women’s teams competing for SVNS 3 qualification.

Weather Warnings for All: Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Uasike Latu told the Pacific Meteorological Council that warnings must reach every village, including outer islands and remote communities, so people can act to protect lives and livelihoods. Power Disruption in Tongatapu: A vehicle crash damaged a power pole at Nukunuku, forcing Tonga Power Limited to cut electricity to multiple western Tongatapu communities early this morning while crews replace the pole. Crime Risk in Prisons: Fiji’s Justice Minister Siromi Turaga warned that transnational organised crime networks could exploit corrections systems unless safeguards are strengthened across the region. Media Trained for Climate Action: Pacific journalists in Nuku’alofa were urged to turn weather and climate reporting into clear knowledge and warnings that communities can use. Kava Declaration Sparks New Fight: Pacific leaders endorsed a Kava Declaration to protect the crop’s cultural and economic value, even as “Pacific Kava” is already being claimed through a US trademark application. Sports Pathways: Tonga netball and rugby league developments continue to build momentum, with Tonga set to host the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier and Pacific sport expanding through new opportunities.

Aviation & Tourism: Fiji Airways will launch direct Nadi–Western Sydney International flights from March 19, 2027, with three services weekly and 53,000+ seats annually, as Fiji hits a historic one-million visitors mark. Health & Community: Tonga’s Ministry of Health attended the funeral of 22-year-old nurse Siokapesi Hefa, who died after a small boat sank near Faua Wharf on Sept 2, with two others hospitalised. Weather & Resilience: Tonga Met Chief Laitia Fifita urged Pacific media to turn weather and climate science into clear stories and action, warning that cyclone season runs from November to April. Regional Sports: Tonga hosts the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier next week, with five teams chasing two spots, while Tonga’s Tala are tipped as favourites. Local Justice: Tonga’s Supreme Court issued urgent interim orders stopping the PM’s Office from excluding Tonga Chronicle and 88.1 FM journalists from Government press conferences. Education & Culture: Tonga National University’s first fully Tongan-language degree programme has entered accreditation evaluation, a first for TNQAB standards.

Health & Community: Tonga’s Ministry of Health sent a delegation led by Health Minister Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola to the funeral of 22-year-old Staff Nurse Diplomate Siokapesi Hefa, who died after a small boat sank near Faua Wharf, with colleagues holding a vigil and failotu as the health workforce mourned. Weather & Resilience: Tonga Meteorological Services urged Pacific media to move beyond reporting forecasts—turning weather and climate science into clear warnings and practical action as the cyclone season approaches. Regional Health Funding: Samoa’s Acting Health Minister signed an agreement for nearly US$3m in medical equipment and supplies under an ADB-backed vaccine systems project covering Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Local Justice for Media: Tonga’s Supreme Court issued urgent interim orders stopping the Prime Minister’s Office from refusing Tonga Chronicle and 88.1 FM journalists entry to government press conferences. Culture & Language in Education: Tonga’s first fully Tongan-language degree programme has entered accreditation evaluation by TNQAB, marking a major step for Lea Faka-Tonga in higher education. Sport Spotlight: Tonga hosts the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier next week, with five teams chasing two spots. Visa Access: VFS Global announced a New Zealand visa application centre in Nuku’alofa will open from 14 September, with appointment booking and support services.