New Weather Radar in Tonga Enhances Early Warning Capabilities

Mr. Peters expressed pride in the launch of the radar facility, located at Fua’amotu Airport, which fulfills New Zealand’s commitment to the region.

A new weather radar in Tonga, inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, is set to significantly enhance forecasting and early warning systems, providing vital protection for communities during hazardous weather events. The announcement was made during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.

Mr. Peters expressed pride in the launch of the radar facility, located at Fua’amotu Airport, which fulfills New Zealand’s commitment to the region. “We’re pleased to see the commissioning of this crucial installation, following the funding announcement during our visit in February,” he said.

As the first of its kind in the Pacific, the radar will equip Tonga with the capability to issue critical early warnings, helping to mitigate the impact of severe weather. Mr. Peters also highlighted that the Tongan radar would play a key role in expanding radar coverage across the Pacific region, known as the Blue Continent.

The NZ$4 million radar project was funded by New Zealand in collaboration with the Tonga Meteorological Service and New Zealand MetService. It is part of New Zealand’s broader $20 million contribution to the Weather Ready Pacific Programme. The New Zealand MetService also provided construction support and training for the radar’s operation.

The radar was officially launched on Tongatapu by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister Peters, Director-General of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Sefanaia Nawadra, and Tonga’s Minister for Meteorology, Disaster Management, Environment, and Climate Change, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu.

This project is a key component of the Weather Ready Pacific Programme, led by the Pacific Meteorological Council and endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum. The program aims to strengthen the Pacific region’s contribution to the United Nations’ ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative.