Tupou Veamatahau looked up at the aircraft heading towards him and knew he was saved.

An Air Force Orion is joining the search for a Tongan fisherman missing since Saturday.

Kiwi scientists have helped discover new volcanoes beneath the Pacific Ocean.

Three people were killed and 40 people were hurt when the bus plunged down a bank.

Sue Baxalle discovers Mystic Sands, mysterious stones and snorkelling pigs.

Eleanor Barker checks into a waterfront room on an island kingdom.

Tonga is in mourning after the queen mother dies in hospital, aged 90.

A Kiwi scientist has unexpectedly discovered what appears to be a huge undersea volcanic eruption near the main island of Tonga.

Tevita Lokotui, who plays the tuba in the school's brass band, is recovering after having his leg amputated at the knee as a result of the Christmas Eve bus crash.

Passenger complained to attendant about New Year's Day flight seating arrangements - then things got nasty.

Leticia Malakai's death brings the holiday road toll to 19 - the highest since the 2011/2012 period.

Sombre music rang out as the band opened the service with a tribute to Sione Taumalolo, 11, and Talita Moimoi Fifita, 33, killed in the bus crash.

Crash survivors still weak but 'doing okay' after their flight from Gisborne.

Survivors of the deadly Christmas Eve bus crash in Gisborne will perform a tribute concert today - the same day the bus was recovered from the scene.

The surviving members of the Tongan band involved in last week's bus crash will fly to Auckland tomorrow, courtesy of Air New Zealand.

Fund will help the people injured in Gisborne bus crash.

The 11-year-old boy who died in the Christmas Eve bus crash was "quiet, kind and smiley" his sister says.

State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Wairoa will be closed at some point over the next two days to investigate at fatal bus crash.

A man and his son missing at sea off Tonga since Saturday have been found safe by the NZ Defence Force.

Two men who died in the Kaipara Harbour tragedy will today be buried by their families.

More than 400 people have been deported for a criminal offence in the last five years - the majority from Samoa, China and Tonga.

A flight from Auckland to Tonga was forced to turn back because of an issue with runway lighting in the island nation.

Pre-visit research shows me the name Nuku'alofa means "abode of love" and Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, means "Sacred South".

Tonga's internet-breaking Olympic flag-bearer is ready to tread the catwalk tonight as part of the inaugural Pacific Fusion Fashion Show.

Tonga's well-oiled Olympic flag-bearer may have single-handedly triggered a tourist boom for the Pacific island.

The oiled Tongan flagbearer has bared all about being a professional athlete.

'Very oily!' Today hosts lose the plot as they rub coconut oil over Tonga's shirtless flag-bearer, Pita Taufatofua.

The Tongan Prime Minister has laid a wreath at Auckland War Memorial Museum this afternoon.

Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva arrives in Auckland tomorrow [WEDNESDAY] for his first official visit as Prime Minister.

A tranquil lodge on a beach with spectacular sunsets makes for the perfect island getaway, writes Sue Baxalle.