Pacific Magazine > 2007 Pacific Almanac
Tonga
The Basics
Population: 101,134 (2006 census)
Capital: Nuku’alofa
Land Area: 747.34 sq. km
Political Status and Form of Government: Constitutional monarchy
Languages: Tongan, English
Currency: Tongan Pa’anga
Number of Islands: 171 islands (36 inhabited)
The Numbers
Gross Domestic Product: T455.9 million (US$235 million) (2004-05)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: T4,560 (US$2,350) (2004-05)
Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 2.5% (2004/05 FY)
National Budget: T168,699,500 (US$82.6 million) (2004/05)
Aid per capita: A$5.5 million, NZ$2.3 million (FY01/02)
Life Expectancy: Male: 70.12 years (2007) Female:
Ethnicity: Polynesian
Nationality: Tongan
Age Distribution:0-14 years: 34.65%, 15-64 years: 61.2%, 65+: 4.2% (2007 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 0.4% (2004)
People in Power
Head of Government: Dr Feleti Sevele
Head of State: King Siaosi Tupou V
Cabinet Members: Dr. Viliami Ta’u Tangi, Deputy Prime Minister and Health; Sonatane Tu'akinamalohi Taumoepeau-Tupou, Foreign Affairs; Malia Viviena ‘Alisi Numia Afeaki Taumoepeau, Justice and Attorney General; Siosaia Ma'Ulupekotofa Tuita, Lands, Survey and Natural Resources; Siosiua 'Utoikamanu, Finance; Dr. Tevita Palefau, Education; Nuku, Works; George ‘Aho, Police; Lisiate ‘Akolo, Labor, Commerce and Industry; Sione Peauafi Haukinima, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Fineasi Funaki, Tourism; Paul Karalus, Transport; Afu’olo Matoto, Public Enterprises; Tui’ivakano, Employment, Training, Youth and Sports.
Representative Body: The Parliament: unicameral, composed of a Speaker appointed by the Monarch, the Cabinet, nine Nobles elected by 33 hereditary Nobles and nine representatives elected by the people.
Regional Organizations
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OWB, PIF, SOPAC, Sparteca, SPC, SPREP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, USP, WCPFC, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Media & Internet Service Providers
Media: 1 AM radio, 4 FM stations
TV: 3 television services
Print: One weekly newspaper The Times of Tonga, which is published in New Zealand. Eva and Matangi Tonga magazines are quarterlies, online Planet Tonga.
Telecommunications: 2 ISPs, access to the communication systems, including telephone, facsimile, e-mail, Internet, Packet Switching, Frame Relay and Prepaid phone cards services are readily available.
Recent News
Tonga’s government, judiciary and citizens spent much of 2007 trying to recover from the November 16, 2006 riots, which left the capital and economy in ruin. About 80 percent of Nuku’alofa’s central business district was destroyed, with none of it yet reconstructed. A state of emergency imposed after the riots remains in force.
The ADB estimates the cost of reconstruction at over $50 million, prompting the Tongan government to sign a soft loan agreement with China. The loan must be paid back within 20 years with a 2 percent interest per year and a 5 year grace period. The loan caused some tension in Tonga, but the government said the Head Contractor had undertaken to use as many Tongan laborers as possible during rebuilding work.
Other funders have agreed to help pay for reconstruction. The European Community will grant 1.8 million euros under the 9th European Development Fund, including support for sustainable long-term urban planning and environmental management.
New Zealand has announced a grant of $4 million towards the reconstruction. Australia earlier pledged $5 million.
Delays in implementing political changes and an ongoing state of emergency has been underlying tension remain in Tonga. Five elected lawmakers—all of them from the pro-democracy camp—are still facing charges of sedition over their participation in the November protests. Their case has been adjourned until August 2008. Other riot related cases have seen six people acquitted of multiple offenses, including riotous assembly, damaging property and arson.
In economic news, the government began implementation of income tax changes designed to encourage potential foreign investors and give local entrepreneurs more incentives to re-invest in their businesses.
The ADB says Tonga’s fiscal outlook will depend “largely on the appraisal of reconstruction needs. It is anticipated that the current account deficit will widen as urban reconstruction gets under way, but that the provision of donor funds for this purpose will support foreign reserves.”
Tonga became the 151st and newest member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007. And it successfully hosted the Pacific Islands Forum leader meeting in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u in October, with Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele instrumental in helping broker agreement between the Forum and Fiji over an election timetable.
Finally, the Tongan government has announced that the Kingdom’s next election of Nobles’ and People’s Representatives will be held on Wednesday 23 April and Thursday 24 April 2008 respectively.
Airlines, Shippers Serving Countrys
Air: Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Pacific Blue, Air Peau Vava'u for internal flights. Shippers: Uta Shipping, Shipping Corp. of Polynesia.
Main Government Contact
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 62, Nukualofo, Tonga
Ph: (676) 21300/24644
Fax: (676) 23888
Web:
www.pmo.gov.to
Tonga Reserve Bank
Web:
www.reservebank.to
Sources and Tonga on the Web
SPC
www.spc.int/prism/country/to/to_index.html
WHO
www.who.int/countries/ton/en/
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
www.forumsec.org.fj/
ADB
www.adb.org
CIA World factbook
www.cia.gov/
Map courtesy UH Press, The Pacific Islands; an Encyclopedia
Click map for larger image
