Latest news in Tonga? September 25th, 2026

Key developments and news in Tonga around late September 2026:

• Migration and Travel Numbers: Official data revealed a net outflow of 374 people in August (departures outpacing arrivals), even as inbound air tourism recorded an uptick.

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• Higher Education Partnerships: Tonga National University (TNU) finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with New Zealand’s Massey University to broaden academic cooperation, following recent endorsements from senior judiciary members for a dedicated domestic law school.

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• Media & Digital Training: Tongan journalists joined regional counterparts at a digital skills intensive in Savusavu, Fiji, focused on modernizing newsrooms and addressing press sustainability across the Pacific.

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• Civil Service Integrity: Veteran journalist and Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) President Kalafi Moala raised public concerns, warning that institutional corruption has increasingly migrated into Tonga’s civil service operations.

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• Domestic Aviation Operations: The Prime Minister publicly addressed persistent operational losses at national carrier Lulutai Airlines, attributing financial shortfalls primarily to mandatory aircraft payload and cargo weight restrictions.

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• Economic Pressures: Households continue to navigate significant cost-of-living constraints as Tonga’s annual inflation rate reached 12%, driven sharply by higher imported food, fuel, and transportation prices.

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