Pesi Siale Fonua, founder-publisher of Matangi Tonga Online, has died aged 78.
He passed away yesterday 12 October at Vaiola Hospital, his family confirmed in a statement published by Matangi Tonga.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Pesi Siale Fonua (78), well known Pacific Islands journalist, publisher of Matangi Tonga Online … who died on 12 October 2025, at Vaiola Hospital in Tonga,” the announcement read.
Fonua co-founded Vava‘u Press Limited in 1979 with his wife Mary Lyn, first publishing a quarterly magazine before steering the business into online news platform now known as Matangi Tonga Online.
Tonga Media Association president Taina Kami Enoka expressed condolences; “Pesi spoke at our class at Queen Salote College (QSC), in 1987, on why, how and the challenges of becoming a journalist.”
‘”I was hooked. I taught at QSC for a year and joined at Tonga Chronicle in December, 1990. Rest in Peace, Pesi Fonua. You will be dearly missed. ‘Ofa atu, Mary and family.”
Matangi Tonga journalist Linny Folau recalled him as “humble and gentle giant with an infectious laugh, funny and always up for a cold beer.”
New Zealand journalist Michael Field described him as “a towering figure in Pacific journalism and culture: gracious, funny, always well informed, a proud Tongan and inspiring editor.”
Fonua is survived by his wife Mary Lyn, children Lano, Helen and Finau, and his grandchildren.
