AGP Executive Report

Justice: Tongan-born New Zealand judge Soana Moala was moved to tears as the family of a pregnant teenager killed in a crash forgave the driver, who avoided jail. Community Impact: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 international award for environmental and climate-resilience work, including rainwater storage and safer community facilities. World Cup: Tonga’s 24-man rugby league squad is set for the tournament, with a Round 2 clash against Lebanon ahead. Climate: Drought has been declared in parts of Tonga as El Niño intensifies, raising concerns over water security. Politics: Family members of MPs removed over electoral offences have reclaimed both parliamentary seats. Regional Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Lātū joined Pacific leaders in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials on cooperation and development.

Tsunami Watch: A powerful earthquake off Panama raised concerns about tsunami waves crossing the Pacific. New Zealand authorities assessed the risk to their country as low, but Tonga Met had yet to issue advice on any threat to the Kingdom. Community Award: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 international award for its climate resilience work, including rainwater cisterns and safer school facilities. China-Tonga Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Latu led Pacific leaders in talks with China’s Wang Yi in Beijing, discussing cooperation and support for development paths chosen by island nations. Election Fallout: Family members reclaimed both parliamentary seats vacated after rulings over electoral offences and bribery. World Cup: Tonga has confirmed its Rugby League World Cup squad, with Tyson Frizell among the headline selections as the team prepares for the tournament. Drought: Parts of Tonga have been declared in drought as El Niño conditions intensify.

Tsunami Threat: A powerful earthquake off Panama has raised Pacific-wide concerns, including for Tonga. New Zealand’s initial assessment found a low risk to its shores, but Tonga’s Met Service had not yet issued an update. Mate Ma’a Tonga: Junior Amone has been cleared for the Rugby League World Cup, with Moeaki Fotuaika cut from the final squad. The team opens against England on October 17. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as El Niño intensifies, with warnings in place for the next three months and agencies working to get water and support to communities. Parliament: Voters in two by-elections chose the brothers and son of MPs removed over bribery convictions to fill their relatives’ vacant seats. Regional Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Latu led Pacific leaders in talks with China’s foreign minister in Beijing. Community: Friends of Tonga has won a global environmental award for backing locally led projects, including food relief, water access and safer classrooms.

Drought: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as strong El Niño conditions persist. Officials warn impacts may continue for months and say water and other support are being coordinated for communities. Politics: Voters in two by-elections chose the brother and son of former MPs who resigned after bribery convictions. Alvin Lafu Sika and ‘Aminiasi Tonga Pauu Tangimana won the vacant seats. World Cup: Tonga’s final Rugby League World Cup squad includes Junior Amone, cleared to play after his return to the game; prop Moeaki Fotuaika was cut. Tyson Frizell is also set to become the first player to represent three countries at three World Cups. Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Latu led Pacific leaders in talks with China’s Wang Yi in Beijing, where both sides backed closer cooperation. Community: Friends of Tonga won a global environmental award for funding locally led projects, including emergency food relief and water access. Climate finance: Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua says the Pacific Resilience Facility remains US$320 million short of its US$500 million target.

Drought Alert: Tonga has declared drought across major islands including Tongatapu, Haʻapai and ʻEua as El Niño strengthens. Niuafoʻou remains on warning and Vavaʻu on alert; authorities say impacts may persist after the climate pattern peaks. By-elections: Voters chose close relatives of two MPs removed over electoral offences to fill their seats. Alvin Lafu Sika won Tongatapu 2, while ʻAminiasi Tangimana took Ongo Niua 17. World Cup: Playmaker Junior Amone has been cleared to represent Tonga, with prop Moeaki Fotuaika dropping out of the final squad. Tyson Frizell and NRL stars Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaiya Katoa and Jason Taumalolo headline the team, which opens against England on October 17. Pacific Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the new Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million target for community-led climate projects.

Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua says the Pacific Resilience Facility is US$320 million short of its US$500 million target, despite new pledges at pre-COP31 talks in Fiji. Justice: Relatives are seeking answers after Tongan father of four Ingold Guttenbeil, 34, was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies in Sacramento; a witness disputes officials’ account of the encounter. Parliament: Relatives of two former ministers whose seats were voided over election offences have won the Tongatapu 2 and Ongo Niua 17 by-elections. World Cup: Tonga has named a strong Rugby League World Cup squad, with Tyson Frizell among the forwards; the tournament begins next week. Local Development: A FIFA-funded TOP$2.5 million artificial turf project in Veitongo is expected to create jobs and development opportunities for Tongan workers. Island Life: On Fotuhaʻa, residents joined forces to haul a van ashore and up a rocky track, underscoring the challenges of transport without a wharf.

Black Sea Search: Bulgaria has suspended the hunt for the crew of the Tonga-registered cargo ship Alfa Watan, believed to have sunk off Bulgaria. Reports say 10 to 12 crew members, likely Syrian, are missing. Climate Priorities: Former Tonga prime minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni urged Pacific leaders to recognise climate losses to culture, health, heritage and community ties—not just financial damage—and called for accessible, grant-based support. World Cup: Tonga has named a powerful squad for the Rugby League World Cup, with Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake and Isaiya Katoa among the stars; Tyson Frizell is also set to represent Tonga. The team opens against England on October 17. Organised Crime: Tonga has used its anti-terror law in court for the first time, convicting an Australian deportee over efforts to establish a Comancheros gang chapter. He faces up to 25 years in prison. Infrastructure: Tonga has broken ground on its first artificial football pitch, in a TOP$2.5 million FIFA-funded project.

World Cup Squad: Tonga has named a star-studded squad for the Rugby League World Cup, with Tyson Frizell joining Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake and Isaiya Katoa. Frizell says he expects to be fit despite a rib injury. Organised Crime: Tonga has used its counter-terrorism law in court for the first time, convicting Australian deportee Eneasi Taumoefolau over an attempt to establish a Comancheros chapter. He faces up to 25 years in prison. Climate Cooperation: Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua met Nepal’s foreign minister at climate talks in Tuvalu, discussing shared risks facing small islands and mountain regions. Football: Tonga has broken ground on its first artificial football pitch, a TOP$2.5 million project funded by FIFA. Earthquake: A magnitude 5.0 quake struck Tonga in the Pacific; no further details were reported.

NRL & Tonga ties: Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has confirmed his immediate retirement after winning a fourth premiership, ending a one-club 15-year career of 307 games and 198 tries—while the news lands as Tonga World Cup squad talk continues around Roosters players. World Cup squads: New Zealand has named Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai to debut for the Kiwis at the Rugby League World Cup, and Tonga’s own 2026 squad has been announced with major additions including Tyson Frizell and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Pacific climate push: Young people from Australia and the Pacific, including Tonga, have urged stronger climate action ahead of COP31, while a Pre-COP Leaders’ Event in Tuvalu highlighted shared climate risks for mountain and island states. Justice & security: Tonga has used its anti-terror law for the first time, convicting an Australian deportee linked to the Comancheros gang. Health costs: Health NZ says unpaid public healthcare bills from tourists and migrants have topped $70m, with a large portion likely unrecoverable. Labour opportunities: Japan’s worker shortage is creating openings for skilled Pacific workers, with immigration policy still a sensitive issue.

Rugby League World Cup squads: Tonga has confirmed its 24-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, led by Jason Taumalolo and Isaiya Katoa, with Tyson Frizell making history by representing a third nation and Junior Amone earning a comeback chance after returning to form in Queensland Cup. Regional climate diplomacy: Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev says Small Island Developing States were put at the front of COP29 priorities, while Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga host Pre-COP Leaders’ Event discussions focused on urgent climate action. Tonga in the headlines: Tonga also welcomed a kava declaration, and a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean near Tonga. Pacific opportunity & resilience: Japan’s labour shortage is opening pathways for skilled Pacific workers, and Tonga’s World Cup build-up continues to draw attention across the region.

Rugby League World Cup (Tonga): Tonga have confirmed a 24-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Kristian Woolf set to trim to 23 before the opener against England on 17 October in Perth. The squad is led by NRL stars including Jason Taumalolo, Jojo Fifita and Isaiya Katoa, and features a standout international first: Tyson Frizell, who will play for a third different country at a World Cup. Junior Amone is also named after a comeback from an earlier hammer-assault conviction, pending final eligibility and integrity approval. Rugby League World Cup (Samoa): Samoa unveiled a stacked squad with Junior Paulo co-captaining, but Payne Haas is out due to hand surgery. Rugby League World Cup (England): England named their 23-man squad with Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis selected over Leeds halfback Jake Connor, and Tonga are England’s first opponent. Local sport (Tonga football): Tonga Football Association has broken ground on a TOP$2.5m FIFA-funded artificial pitch at Veitongo, aimed at keeping football training and matches going through wet and dry seasons. Tonga news (earthquake): A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Tonga in the Pacific Ocean, with the epicentre reported near Ohonoa.

Rugby League World Cup (Tonga vs England): England have named their 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis selected over Leeds half-back Jake Connor in a surprise omission; England open against Tonga on Oct 17 in Perth. Tonga Sports Infrastructure: Tonga has broken ground on its first FIFA-funded artificial football pitch at Veitongo (TOP$2.5m), aiming to keep training and matches going through wet and dry weather, with construction due to start soon and completion targeted for March 2027. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Tonga in the Pacific Ocean, with the USGS reporting an epicentre about 71km from Ohonoa at a depth of 10km. Road Safety: Tonga Police say they’ve charged 50 motorists with drink-driving in a recent weekly operation, adding to earlier arrests and renewing calls for “if you drink, do not drive.” Pacific Climate Diplomacy: Only two leaders from outside the Pacific are attending a crucial pre-COP meeting in Fiji, as Australia pushes to keep focus on climate threats to the region. Tonga Legal/People Smuggling Allegations: Police have arrested a 51-year-old Chinese woman in an investigation into alleged trafficking of Tongan women to China via prospective marriage arrangements.

Rugby League World Cup (Tonga focus): Sydney Roosters centre Rob Toia has confirmed he’ll represent Tonga at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, ending the tug-of-war with Australia’s Kangaroos as coach Kevin Walters prepares to name his squad. World Cup squads: Walters’ 23-man Kangaroos squad is set to be revealed Monday, with Latrell Mitchell returning and six debutants included, while England’s World Cup plans also include Wigan’s Zach Eckersley. Local justice (Tonga): A Tongan man deported from Australia has been convicted in Tonga for his role in setting up a Comancheros gang branch, with the case described as the first test of Tonga’s counter-terrorism and transnational crimes law. Community & faith (Tonga diaspora): Tonga’s Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi danced at celebrations marking 50 years of Tongan Catholic chaplaincy in Australia. Sports (Pacific youth): Tonga U18 suffered a heavy loss to Taranaki U19, while Samoa U18 beat Tonga 38-33 in another youth rugby league result.

Rugby League World Cup: Sydney Roosters centre Rob Toia has declared for Tonga, ending the “tug-of-war” with Australia as Kevin Walters prepares to name the Kangaroos squad Monday. NRL Grand Final & Pacific talent: Five Samoan hopefuls are set for the Roosters–Knights decider, including Roosters’ Spencer Leniu and Benaiah Ioelu plus Knights’ Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua. Tonga jersey meaning: Samoa co-captains Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai say wearing the Toa Samoa jersey is tied to family sacrifice and the growth of rugby league in the islands. Tongan Catholics in Australia: Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi danced at the Tongan Catholic Chaplaincy of Australia’s 50-year Golden Jubilee celebrations in Sydney. Climate diplomacy: Pre-COP31 in Nadi is pushing Pacific leaders to avoid a “weak” climate deal, with Tonga’s Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua among those attending. Tonga-linked sport & health: A Tonga-to-Australia ultra-trail runner, Duane Harris, says he’s in remission after stage four colon cancer, using hard races as a second chance.

Rugby League World Cup: Australia coach Kevin Walters will watch the NRL grand final closely as he prepares to name the Kangaroos squad on Monday, with Roosters centre Robert Toia caught between Australia and Tonga ahead of the World Cup opener against England. Tonga in the spotlight: Tonga-eligible players Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong are also expected to be available for selection, but Toia’s decision remains unclear as both camps wait. Climate push at Pre-COP31: Tonga and Pacific negotiators are warning leaders not to accept a weak climate deal, with Environment and Climate Change Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael saying “no decision” is better than a weak one and that just transition must be tied to finance. Disaster readiness: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu to strengthen national forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings. Pacific ocean funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25m to ocean conservation across Tonga and four other Pacific island nations. Local sport ties: Catalans Dragons have signed Tonga forward Hame Sele on a two-year deal.

Tonga Health: Tonga’s Health Minister says two suspected influenza deaths are under investigation, with one case testing positive for Influenza A but officials still checking whether flu was the direct cause. Disaster Preparedness: Tonga has commissioned a new $15 million weather and disaster management centre in Matatoa, Tongatapu, to bring national forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings under one roof. Healthcare Milestone: Vaiola Hospital has completed Tonga’s first-ever hip and knee replacement surgeries, with a New Zealand team performing seven joint replacements in three days and the first patient already discharged and walking. Tonga Rugby Union Governance: The Tonga Rugby Union has called a Special General Meeting for Oct 9 to review 2024 audited accounts, update the 2025 audit, and elect two remaining board members after PM Lord Fakafanua raised transparency concerns. Pacific Security: Australia joined Pacific partners on Operation Nasse, a maritime fisheries patrol aimed at detecting and deterring illegal fishing and improving regional coordination. Sports Roundup: Samoa U18 beat Tonga U18 38-33 in Hamilton, while Tonga-linked NRL and rugby news continues to build toward major finals and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.