The village was first mentioned in 1480 or 1481 as "Nova ecclesia in Grijsoert". The current name means "new headland". Nieuwe (new) has been added to distinguish from Oude-Tonge.[3] Nieuwe-Tonge developed shortly after a dike was built around the Het Noordland polder in 1461. It used to have a harbour, but it was relocated to Battenoord in 1504.[4]
The Dutch Reformed is a single aisled cruciform church built around 1500. The choir was damaged by fire in 1723. The church was restored between 1965 and 1969 and a baluster was added to the tower.[4] The grist mill d'Oranjeboom was in 1768. It was in service until 1960. Between 1969 and 1971, it was restored and return to active service.[5]
Nieuwe-Tonge was home to 1,121 people in 1840.[6] The village was severely affected by the North Sea flood of 1953.[4] Nieuwe-Tonge was a separate municipality until 1966, when it became part of Middelharnis.[7] In 2013, it became part of the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee.[6]
The Fauna Park Flakkee [nl] is a small zoo. It was founded in 1995, and is a non-commercial zoo run by volunteers. Originally, it specialised in birds. Since 2018, it is officially a zoo.[8]