Prime Minister's Office, Tonga

30/07/2026

29/07/2026

The Government of Tonga continues to respond to the impacts of the current Super El Niño, which has brought prolonged dry conditions across the Kingdom.

Following the declaration of a drought in Ha'apai two weeks ago, the Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, directed the immediate deployment of essential drought relief supplies, including water tanks and other critical assistance. The supplies were dispatched to Ha'apai today with the support of His Majesty's Armed Forces, ensuring timely assistance reaches affected communities.

The Government remains committed to working closely with relevant agencies to support those impacted while continuing to strengthen Tonga's resilience to the increasing impacts of climate change.

Further updates will be provided during this Friday's Cabinet Press Conference, broadcast live on Tonga Broadcasting Commission and BroadCom platforms. Members of the public are also encouraged to contact Tonga Meteorological Services directly for further information and advice.

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ʻOku hokohoko atu pē ʻa e tokanga ʻa e P**eʻanga Tonga ki he ngaahi uesia ʻo e fa’ahi ta’u Super El Niño lolotonga, ʻa ia ‘oku ne ‘omai ‘a e la’ala’a ‘i he vaha’a taimi lōloa ki he fonua.

Hili ʻa hono fakahā ʻa e la’ala’a te ne uesia ‘a e Vahefonua Haʻapai ʻi he uike ʻe ua kuo maliu atu, naʻe tu’utu’uni ai ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ke uta fakavavevave atu ʻa e ngaahi nāunau tokoni mahuʻinga ki he taimi la’ala’a, kau ai ʻa e ngaahi tangike vai mo e ngaahi tokoni kehe ʻoku mātuʻaki fiemaʻu. Naʻe uta atu ʻa e ngaahi nāunau ko ʻení ki Haʻapai ʻi he ʻaho ni ʻi he tokoni ʻa e Kau Tau ʻa ʻEne ʻAfio, ke fakapapauʻi ʻoku fakaaʻu kei taimi ʻa e tokoni ki he ngaahi komiuniti kuo uesia.

ʻOku kei tukupā ʻa e P**eʻanga ke ngāue vāofi mo e ngaahi potungāue mo e ngaahi kautaha felalāveʻi ke tokoniʻi ʻa kinautolu kuo uesia, lolotonga hono fakaivia ʻa e tu’unga mateuteu mo e malava ʻa Tonga ke matatali e ngaahi uesia ʻoku fakatupu mei hefeliuliuaki ʻo e ʻea.

ʻE ʻoatu ha ngaahi fakamatala fakamuimuitaha ki he kaveinga ni ʻi he fakataha ʻa e Kapineti ʻi he Falaite ko ení mo e kau faiongoongo, ʻa ia ʻe fakamafola hangatonu ʻi he Komisoni Fakamafolalea Tonga mo e letio ‘a e BroadCom. ʻOku ‘ata ki he kakai ‘o e fonua ke nau fetuʻutaki hangatonu ki he Va’a Vakai Matngi ‘a Tonga ki ha toe fakaikiiki mo ha faleʻi.

29/07/2026

Last week, Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, welcomed Mr Henk Rogers, Founder and CEO of Tetris and Founder of the Blue Planet Alliance, during his visit to the Kingdom of Tonga.

Blue Planet Alliance is a valued partner of the Government of Tonga since COP27, supporting island nations across the Pacific and around the world in advancing the transition towards 100% renewable energy by 2045. This partnership represents an important step in Tonga’s commitment to strengthening energy independence, enhancing resilience, and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.

During his visit, Mr Rogers paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, followed by a high-level energy committee meeting to discuss Tonga’s pathway towards renewable energy and opportunities to further strengthen this important partnership.

Beyond the discussions, Mr Rogers was welcomed through a uniquely Tongan cultural experience - a swim to welcome Tonga’s Tofua’a (humpback whales) as they return to Tonga’s waters for the season. This special experience highlighted the deep connection between Tonga’s people, ocean, and natural environment, reinforcing the importance of protecting the resources that sustain our islands and strengthening our commitment to a future powered by clean, renewable energy.

Through partnerships such as this, Tonga continues to advance its efforts towards a sustainable, energy-independent future while protecting the natural heritage that defines our Kingdom.

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Naʻe talitali lelei ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua ‘i he uike kuo ‘osi ʻa Henk Rogers, ko e P**e Lahi mo e tokotaha na’a ne fokotu’u ‘a e Kautaha Tetris pea pehē ki hono fokotuʻu ʻo e Kautaha Blue Planet Alliance, lolotonga ʻene ʻaʻahi mai ki Tonga ni.

Ko e Kautaha Blue Planet Alliance ko e hoangāue mahuʻinga ia ki he P**eʻanga Tonga, ʻi hono poupouʻi ʻo e tukuimotu ʻi he Pasifiki mo māmani ʻi heʻenau fononga ki hono fakahoko ʻo e taumuʻa ke aʻu ki he ta’u 2045 kuo a’u ki he peseti ‘e 100 ‘a hono ngaue’aki ‘o e ma'u'angaivi fakafoʻou. ʻOku fakafofongaʻi ʻe he fengaue’aki ko ʻeni ‘a e tukupā ʻa Tonga ke fakalahi ʻa ʻene tauʻatāina ki he ma’u’angaivi, fakaivia ʻa ʻene mateuteu mo e tuʻu maʻu ʻi he taimi faingataʻá, pea langa ha kahaʻu ʻoku tuʻuloa mo lelei ange maʻá e ngaahi toʻutangata ka hoko mai.

Lolotonga ʻene ʻaʻahi mai, naʻe fakahoko ai ʻe Rogers ha fakataha mo e ʻEiki Palēmiá, pea hoko atu ki ha fakataha mo e Komiti ki he Ma’u’angaivi, ke aleaʻi ʻa e halafononga maʻa Tonga ki hono fakaʻaongaʻi lahi ange ʻo e ivi fakafoʻou, pea mo e ngaahi faingamālie ke toe fakamālohia ʻange ‘a e fengaue’aki mahuʻinga ko ʻení.

ʻIkai ngata pē ʻi he ngaahi fakataha, ka naʻe faka’eve’eva’i ʻa Rogers ‘o kakau mo e tofuaʻa ʻi heʻenau foki mai ki he ngaahi kongatahi ʻo Tonga ʻi he faʻahitaʻu ko ʻení. Naʻe fakaʻilongaʻi ʻe he aʻusia makehe ko ʻení ʻa e vā fetuʻutaki malohiange ʻi he vā ʻo e kakai Tonga, ʻa e tahi, mo e ʻātakai fakaenatulá, ʻo ne toe fakamanatu mai ai ʻa e mahuʻinga ke tau maluʻi ʻa e ngaahi koloa fakaenatula ʻoku ne tauhi ʻa hotau ngaahi motú, pea toe fakamaʻu ʻa ʻetau tukupā ki ha kahaʻu ʻoku fakatefito ʻi he ma’u’angaivi maʻa mo e ivi fakafoʻou.

Ko e ngaahi fengaue’aki mo e ngaahi hoangāue pehe ní, ʻoku hokohoko atu ai ʻa Tonga ʻi hono fakalakalakaʻi ʻa ʻene ngaahi ngāue ki ha kahaʻu ʻoku tuʻuloa, tauʻatāina fakama’u’angaiví, pea ʻi he taimi tatau ʻoku maluʻi ai ʻa e ngaahi koloa fakaenatula mo e tukufakaholo ʻoku ne fakamatalaʻi ʻa e tuʻunga makehe ʻo hotau fonua.

28/07/2026

The Honourable Prime Minister today received a courtesy call from Australia's Global Health Ambassador, Mr Chris Cannan, reaffirming the strong partnership between Tonga and Australia in advancing the Kingdom's health priorities.

Discussions focused on Australia's continued support for the Ministry of Health and Tonga's wider health sector through the Kaume'a Ofi Partnership, reflecting the shared commitment of both governments to strengthening health systems, improving health outcomes, and building resilient communities.

The Government of Tonga values its close partnership with the Government of Australia and welcomes the continued collaboration in supporting the health and wellbeing of the people of Tonga.

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Naʻe talitali ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ha ‘a’ahi mei a Mr. Chris Cannan, ko e ‘amipasitoa ‘a ‘Aositelelia ki he Mo’uilelei Fakamamanilahi lolotonga ʻene ʻaʻahi mai ki Tonga.

Naʻe fakataumuʻa ʻa e ngaahi alealea ki he hokohoko atu ʻo e fengāueʻaki ʻa e P**eʻanga Tonga mo e P**eʻanga ʻAositelēlia ʻi he malumalu ʻo e Polokalama Kaumeʻa Ofi, tautautefito ki he hokohoko atu ʻa e poupou ʻa ʻAositelēlia ki he Potungāue Moʻui ʻa Tonga pea mo e sekitoa ki he moʻui fakalūkufua.

Naʻe toe fakapapauʻi ʻi he fakataha ko ʻeni ʻa e mālohi mo e tolonga ʻo e vā fetuʻutaki fengaue’aki ʻa Tonga mo ʻAositelēlia, pea mo ʻena tukupā ke fakaivia ʻa e ngaahi polokalama mo e founga tokangaekina ʻo e moʻui lelei, pea mo fakaleleiʻi ʻa e tuʻunga moʻuilelei ʻa e kakai ʻo Tonga.

28/07/2026

The Tonga Parliament Building Project Steering Committee met today to review the progress of the new Parliament Building project and discuss the next steps in its delivery.

The meeting provided members to receive project updates, assess progress to date, and continue coordinating efforts to ensure the successful development of a modern parliamentary precinct.

Recent developments at the site included the discovery of fragments of Lapita pottery.

The Government remains committed to delivering a Parliament Building that reflects the values, heritage, and aspirations of the Kingdom while supporting the effective functioning of Tonga's democratic institutions.

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Na'e fakataha 'a e Komiti Ngaue ki he Langa Fale Alea 'o Tonga he 'aho ni, ke vakai'i e tu'unga 'oku 'i ai e ngaue ki he poloseki langa mo alea'i e sitepu hoko ki he ngaue.

Naʻe alea’i ʻi he fakataha ní ha faingamālie ki he kau mēmipa ke nau maʻu ‘a e fakamatala fakamuimui taha ki he polosekí, vakaiʻi ʻa e fakalakalaka kuo lava ʻo aʻu ki ai, pea hokohoko atu ʻa e ngāue fakataha ke fakapapauʻi ʻoku a’usia hono langa ʻo ha Fale Alea fakaonopōni.

ʻOku kei tuʻu maʻu pē ʻa e P**eʻangá ki hono langa ha fale fakataha’anga Fale Alea ke ne fakafofongaʻi ʻa hono mahuʻinga, tukufakaholo mo e ngaahi ʻamanaki ʻa e fonua, pea ʻi he taimi tatau ke poupouʻi ʻa e ngāue lelei pea ke toe lelei ange ʻa e ngaue’anga faka-temokalati ko eni ma’a Tonga.

27/07/2026

"The future of our rural communities depends on the opportunities we create today for our youth and women.” - Hon. Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua

Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, officially launched the Tonga Rural Innovation Project III (TRIP III), a US$19.36 million investment that will support 122 rural communities and more than 35,000 people across Tonga over the next six years.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister highlighted that the long-term success of Tonga's rural communities depends on empowering youth and women, recognising them as central to building stronger, more resilient communities and a thriving rural economy.

TRIP III reflects this vision by investing in the resilience of small-scale farmers, helping communities adapt to climate change, sustainably manage natural resources, strengthen food security, and create greater opportunities through improved market access and agricultural value chains. At its core, the project places community empowerment at the forefront, with a particular focus on women, and youth.

Through strengthened community planning, climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, institutional capacity building, and disaster recovery support, TRIP III will help rural communities not only respond to today's challenges, but build a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.

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“ʻOku makatuʻunga ʻa e kahaʻu ʻo hotau tukui kolo ki ʻuta ʻi he ngaahi faingamālie ʻoku tau faʻu he ʻaho ni maʻá e toʻutupu mo ha’a fefine.” – ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua

Naʻe faka’ilonga’i ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ʻa e kamata ‘o e Polokalama Ngaue fo’ou ki he Tukuikolo ki ‘Uta ‘a Tonga hono III pe Tonga Rural Innovation Project III (TRIP III), ʻoku feʻunga fakapa’anga mo e US$19.36 miliona, ʻa ia ʻe fakahoko ʻi he taʻu ʻe ono ka hoko, ke tokoni ki he tukuikolo ki ʻuta ʻe 122 pea mo e kakai ʻoku laka hake he toko 35,000 ʻi Tonga.

ʻI heʻene me’a fakaava, naʻe fakamamafaʻi ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia ʻoku makatuʻunga ʻa e lavameʻa ʻo e polokalama ni ʻi hono fakaivia mo fakaʻaiʻai ʻa e toʻutupu mo e kakai fefine, ke nau ʻiloʻi ko kinautolu ʻa e uho ʻo hono langa ha komiuniti ʻoku mālohi ange, tuʻu mateuteu ange, pea mo ha faingamalie fakaʻikonōmika fakakolo ʻoku tupulaki.

ʻOku fakahaaʻi ʻe he polokalama TRIP III ʻa e faingamālie ki hono fakaivia ʻa e kau faama iiki, tokoniʻi ʻa e ngaahi kolo ke nau feʻunga mo e ngaahi liliu ʻo e ʻea, tokangaʻi fakapotopoto ʻa e ngaahi koloa fakanatula, fakaivia ʻa e malu ʻo e meʻatokoni, pea fakatupu ha ngaahi faingamālie lahi ange ʻo fakafou ʻi he fakaleleiʻi ʻo e hu ki he maketi mo e ngaahi ngaue mahuʻinga ki he ngoue (agricultural value chains). ʻI hono uho, ʻoku fakamuʻomuʻa ʻe he poloseki ʻa hono fakaivia ʻo e ngaahi komiuniti, tautautefito ki he kakai fefine mo e toʻutupu.

27/07/2026

Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, received a courtesy call from Mr Donald Brown, Associate Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and his visiting delegation during their visit to Tonga.

IFAD is an international financial institution and specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated exclusively to transforming agriculture, improving food security, and strengthening rural livelihoods.

The courtesy call focused on Tonga's development priorities and explored how IFAD can further strengthen its partnership with the Government of Tonga in supporting sustainable agriculture, rural development, and resilient communities.

The Government of Tonga values its partnership with IFAD and looks forward to continued collaboration to advance opportunities for Tonga's agricultural sector and the wellbeing of its people.

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Naʻe faingamalie ‘a e ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ke talitali ‘a e ‘a’ahi meia Donald Brown, ko e Tokoni Palesiteni ʻo e Kautaha Faka-Pa’anga Fakavaha’apule’anga ki he Fakalakalaka ‘o e Ngoue pe International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), fakataha mo ʻene kau muimuifolau lolotonga ʻenau ʻaʻahi mai ki Tonga.

Ko e IFAD ko ha kautaha fakapaʻanga fakavahaʻapuleʻanga pea ko ha kautaha makehe ia ʻa e P**eʻanga Fakatahataha, ʻoku nau tokanga’i hono liliu mo fakalakalakaʻi ʻo e ngoue, fakaleleiʻi ʻa e malu ʻo e meʻatokoni, pea mo fakaivia ʻa e moʻui mo e maʻuʻanga moʻui ʻa e kakai ʻi he tukui kolo mo e ngaahi feituʻu ki ‘uta.

Naʻe fakatefito ‘a e ngaahi alea he ʻaʻahi ni ki he ngaahi ngaue mahuʻinga ki he fakalakalaka ʻa Tonga, pea mo vakaiʻi ʻa e ngaahi founga ʻe lava ai ke toe fakaivia ‘e he IFAD ʻene fengāueʻaki mo e P**eʻanga Tonga ʻi hono poupouʻi ʻo e ngoue tuʻuloa, fakalakalaka ʻo e tukuikolo, pea mo hono langa hake ʻo e ngaahi komiuniti ʻoku malava ke matatali ‘a e ngaahi faingataʻá.

ʻOku houngaʻia ʻa e P**eʻanga Tonga ʻi heʻene fengāueʻaki mo e IFAD, pea ʻoku ʻamanaki ke hokohoko atu ʻa e vā fengāueʻakí ko eni ke fakalahi ʻa e ngaahi faingamālie ki he sekitoa ngoue ʻa Tonga pea mo e lelei fakalukufua ʻo hono kakaí.

27/07/2026

On Friday, the Honourable Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, received a drought preparedness payout from the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC), marking the third payout under Tonga's drought insurance policy.

The payout, totalling US$33,978 (TOP$78,981.00), was triggered to support early drought preparedness efforts in Ha'apai (US$18,480) and Tongatapu (US$15,498), enabling timely action to strengthen community resilience ahead of worsening drought conditions.

The cheque was presented by PCRIC Board Chair, Mr Siosiua 'Utoikamanu, Chief Executive Officer, Mr 'Aholotu Palu, and Chief Finance Officer, Mrs Kilisitina Tuaimei'api, joined by PCRIC's development partners, Mr Akihiko Nakano representing the Government of Japan and Ms Melissa Williams representing the United Kingdom, together with Mr Laitia Fifita of the Tonga Meteorological Services.

The Government of Tonga acknowledges PCRIC and its partners for their continued support in strengthening disaster risk financing and ensuring resources are available to protect communities through early preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

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Na’e foaki ki he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ha tokoni paʻanga ki he tokateu ki he laʻalaʻa mei he Kautaha Malu’i ko e Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC), ‘i he Falaite kuo ‘osi, ko hono tolu ia 'o e tokoni fakapa'anga kuo maʻu ʻe Tonga mei he polokalama maluʻi ki he laʻalaʻā.

Ko e tokoni paʻanga ko ʻení na’e feʻunga mo e US$33,978 (TOP$78,981.00), pea naʻe tuku atu ia ke tokoniʻi ʻa e ngaahi ngāue tokateu ki he laʻalaʻa ʻi Haʻapai ko e US$18,480 mo Tongatapu ko e US$15,498. ʻE tokoni ʻa e paʻanga ko ʻení ke fakahoko ha ngaahi ngāue taimi totonu ke fakaivia ʻa e ngaahi ngāue mo e mateuteu ʻa e ngaahi komiuniti kimuʻa pea toe kovi ange ʻa e nunuʻa ʻo e laʻalaʻā.

Naʻe foaki ʻa e sieke tokoni ko ʻení ʻe he Sea ʻo e Poate ʻa e PCRIC, Siosiua ʻUtoikamanu, fakataha mo e ʻOfisa P**e Ngāue, ʻAholotu Palu, pea mo e ʻOfisa P**e Paʻanga 'o e Potungaue Pa'anga 'a Tonga, Kilisitina Tuaimeiʻapi. Naʻe kau fakataha foki ki heni mo e ngaahi hoa ngaue fakalakalaka ʻa e PCRIC, ʻa ia ko Akihiko Nakano, ko e fakafofonga ʻo e P**eʻanga Siapani, mo Melissa Williams, ko e fakafofonga ʻo e P**eʻanga Pilitānia, pea pehē kia Laitia Fifita mei he Va’a Vakaimatangi ʻa Tonga.

Na’e fakahaaʻi ʻe he P**eʻanga Tonga ʻene houngaʻia ki he Kautaha Malu’i PCRIC mo hono ngaahi hoa ngaue fakalakalaka ʻi heʻenau kei hokohoko atu ʻa e poupou ki hono fakaivia ʻo e ngaahi founga fakapaʻanga ki hono tokangaʻi ʻo e ngaahi fakatāmaki fakanatula, pea mo hono fakapapauʻi ʻoku ʻi ai maʻu pē ʻa e ngaahi maʻuʻanga tokoni ke maluʻi ʻa e ngaahi komiuniti ʻo fakafou ʻi he mateuteu taimi totonu mo hono langa hake ʻo e tu’unga mateuteu’e tuʻuloa.