Tonga Overview Country Overview Tonga is an archipelago of 172 islands in the South Pacific, most of which are uninhabited, covering an area of 7700 sq km (3000 sq miles). The major island groups are Tongatapu and ’Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u. Tonga’s high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Sightseeing on Tongatapu should include the Royal Palace on the waterfront in Nuku’alofa. The grounds are decorated with tropical shrubs and flowers. The Mala’ekula (Royal Tombs) are situated in the southern part of the business district along Taufa’ahau Road. Other sights include: The Anahulu Cave, an underground cavern of stalactites and stalagmites near the beach of the same name. Local staples are ’ufi (a large white yam) and taro. Other dishes include lu pullu (meat and onions, marinaded in coconut milk, baked in taro leaves in an underground oven). Nightlife is sedate, limited to music and dancing in the hotels. Tongan feasts and entertainment are also organised. General Information Area: 748 sq km (289 sq miles). Population: 99,657 (1999). Population Density: 133.2 per sq km. Capital: Nuku’alofa. Population: 22,400 (1996). GEOGRAPHY: Tonga is an archipelago of 172 islands in the South Pacific, most of which are uninhabited, covering an area of 7700 sq km (3000 sq miles). The major island groups are ’Eua, Ha’apai, the Niuas, Tongatapu and Vava’u. Tonga’s high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava’u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over. Nuku’alofa, on Tongatapu Island, has a reef-protected harbour lined with palms. The island is flat with a large lagoon, but no running streams, and many surrounding smaller islands. ’Eua Island is hilly and forested with high cliffs and beautiful beaches. The Ha’apai Islands, a curving archipelago 160km (100 miles) north of Tongatapu, have excellent beaches. Tofua, the largest island in the group, is an active volcano with a hot steaming lake in its crater. The Vava’u Islands, 90km (50 miles) north of Ha’apai, are hilly, densely wooded and interspersed with a maze of narrow channels. They are known for their stalagmite-filled caves. Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence within the Commonwealth in 1970. Head of State: King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV since 1965. Head of Government: Prime Minister HRH Prince ’Ulukalala-Lavaka-Ata since 2000. Language: Tongan and English. Religion: Wesleyan Church, Roman Catholic and Anglican. Small denominations of the Muslim, Baha'i and Mormon faiths. Time: GMT + 13. Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 676. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900. Network operators include Tonga Communications Corporation (website: www.tcc.to). Fax Services are provided by Cable & Wireless. Internet ISPs include Tonga Communications Corporation (website: www.tcc.to). Post The main post office is located in the centre of Nuku’alofa and open Mon-Fri 0830-1600. All mail must be collected from the post office. Airmail to Europe takes approximately ten days. There are branch offices on Ha’apai and Vava’u. Press The Tonga Chronicle, Matangi Tonga and The Times of Tonga are the English-language newspapers. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.36 9.740 6.195 3.915 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 17.74 11.71 9.645 6.110 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 1 Yes Australian Yes 1 Yes Canadian Yes 1 Yes USA Yes 1 Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes 1 Yes PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. VISAS: 1. Visas are issued on arrival to nationals of countries in the table above, and to nationals of the following countries, provided visitors have a valid passport, valid onward or return tickets, proof of adequate funds for their stay, a valid visa for the onward destination (if applicable) and relevant health certificates (a yellow fever certificate and/or a valid cholera certificate is required by all travellers over one year old arriving from an infected area): The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Naru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Tahiti and her islands, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine and Vanuatu. Types of visa and cost: Tourist: Free for first 30 days and T$26 for extensions. Business: T$75. Other visas: T$30. Validity: Visitors are usually allowed stays of up to 30 days. Extensions for a maximum of six months require permission from the Principal Immigration Officer. Application to: Visas are issued on arrival. For enquiries, contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section. Money Currency: Pa’anga (T$) = 100 seniti. Notes are in denominations of T$50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 seniti. Currency exchange: Foreign exchange is available at banks and at major hotels. Credit & debit cards: Limited use of both Diners Club and Visa. Travellers cheques: Accepted at banks and at some hotels and tourist shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Australian Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign or local currencies. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Pa’anga against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 2.62 2.79 2.80 2.66 $1.00= 1.80 1.84 1.77 1.67 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0830-1130. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into Tonga without incurring customs duty by persons over 18 years of age only: 200 cigarettes or 250g of cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of alcoholic liquor (only for persons 21 years and over); reasonable quantity of perfume; 1 camera and personal belongings. Note: (a) The import of arms, ammunition and pornography is prohibited. (b) Birds, animals, fruit and plants are subject to quarantine regulations. (c) The export of valuable artefacts and certain flora and fauna is restricted. Public Holidays Dec 4 2002 Tupou I Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. Apr 25 ANZAC Day. May 4 HRH the Crown Prince’s Birthday. Jun 4 Independence Day. Jul 4 HM King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV’s Birthday. Nov 4 Constitution Day. Dec 4 Tupou I Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. Apr 25 ANZAC Day. May 4 HRH the Crown Prince’s Birthday. Jun 4 Independence Day. Jul 4 HM King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV’s Birthday. Nov 4 Constitution Day. Dec 4 Tupou I Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. 2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised. Food & drink: Mains water is chlorinated and safe to drink in the main towns. Elsewhere, drinking water should be considered a potential health risk and sterilisation is advisable. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry and seafood are generally considered safe to eat. To prevent serious stomach ailments, wash vegetables and fruit with boiled water and boil any questionable drinking water before use. Other risks: Hepatitis A and B occur. Sporadic outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur; dengue fever may also occur. Health care: The Government provides comprehensive medical and dental facilities for residents and visitors. There are hospitals in Vaiola (Tongatapu), Hihifo (Ha’apai) and Neiafu (Vava’u), which will treat minor ailments and dispense medicines. There are also clinics, dispensaries, chemists and pharmacies. However, serious medical problems should be taken to Pago Pago (American Samoa), Hawaii, Australia or New Zealand. Visitors only pay a token fee for medicines. There are also competent private medical practitioners. Health insurance is recommended. For emergency services, dial 911. Travel - International AIR: The main airlines serving Tonga are Royal Tongan Airlines (WR) and Air Pacific. Air New Zealand and Polynesian Airlines also serve the country. Air passes: The Polypass (offered by Polynesian Airlines) allows the holder to fly between the Southern Pacific destinations of American Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga; Honolulu (Hawaii) and Los Angeles in the USA; Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. The pass is valid for one year. Once a reservation has been made and travel begun, all travel must be completed within a maximum of 45 days. Tickets will be issued against the Polypass by any Polynesian Airlines office (a valid passport is also required). For further information, contact Polynesian Airlines (website: www.polynesianairlines.com). The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and New Zealand (Chirstchurch, Wellington, Auckland). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Approximate flight times: From Nuku’alofa to London is 20 hours. International airports: Fua’Amotu (TBU) is 13km (8 miles) from Nuku’alofa. Transport by taxi and bus is available. There are car hire services (Avis), bars, bank/bureau de change, shops, tourist information and a duty-free shop. Departure tax: T$25 for all passengers. Children under one year and transit passengers are exempt. SEA: Ports of entry are Nuku’alofa, Pangai, Neiafu and Niuatoputapu. There are no regular passenger services, but berths may be available on cruise ships. Travel - Internal AIR: Royal Tongan Airlines (WR) provides regular services between Vava’u, Ha’apai, ’Eua, Niuatoputapu and Tongatapu. Bookings and information are available from Royal Tongan Airlines, Nuku’alofa. SEA: Local ferries sail between all the island groups. There are regular sailings from Faua Wharf in Nuku’alofa to Ha’apai and Vava’u. Ferry schedules are subject to change according to demand or the weather. ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. There is a good network of metalled roads, although with some potholes. Horses are often used. The low speed limits are strictly obeyed. Bus: Minibus services are available throughout Tongatapu. Taxi: Saloon-car taxis, minimokes and mini-buses are available. Car hire: May be arranged through various agencies. Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available. Documentation: A current local driving licence is required, available from the Police Traffic Department in Nuku’alofa on production of a valid national or international licence, the fee and a passport. The minimum driving age is 18. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Nuku’alofa to other major centres on Tonga. Air Sea Neiafu (Vava’u) 1.00 24.00 Pangai (Ha’apai) 0.30 18.00 ’Eua 0.10 3.00 Accommodation HOTELS: There are excellent hotels, guest-houses, and island and beach resorts made up of Tongan-style houses. Traditional boarding houses are also very popular with tourists. There is a growing selection of accommodation and capacity is expected to increase to 900 rooms. A government tax of 7.5 per cent plus service charge is added to hotel bills. For a complete list of available accommodation, contact the Tonga Visitors’ Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). CAMPING: Niu-akalo Hotel offers camping grounds. Tongatapu Group The largest island in the Kingdom of Tonga, Tongatapu is home to two thirds of its people. A roughly triangular shaped island, it measures approximately 34km (21 miles) across from west to east. Most of the island is less than 17m (56ft) above sea level. NUKU’ALOFA: The capital, home to Tonga’s government, is a slow-paced city of 34,000 inhabitants. Sightseeing itineraries should include the white Victorian Royal Palace on the waterfront, just beyond Vuna Wharf. The Palace was completed in 1867. When HM King Taufa’ahau Tupou is in residence, the royal standard flies from the Palace. The grounds are decorated with tropical shrubs and flowers. While visitors are not allowed to enter the Palace or gardens, there are good views from the low surrounding walls. The Mala’ekula (Royal Tombs) are situated in the southern part of the business district along Taufa’ahau Road. The tombs have been a burial place for Tongan royalty since 1893. THE WEST: One of the most impressive sights in Tonga are the Blow Holes, found along the coastline at Houma, 14.5km (9 miles) from Nuku’alofa. Waves send sea water spurting some 18m (60ft) into the air through holes in the coral reef. This stretch of coastline is known as the Mapu ’a Vaea (the Chief’s Whistle) by Tongans because of the whistling sound made by the geyser-like spouts. At Kolovai, 18km (11 miles) west of Nuku’alofa, visitors can find the rare flying foxes, dark brown fruit bats, some with wingspans of up to 1m (3ft). The Ha’atafu and Monotapu beaches are also situated at the western end of the island; they are easily accessible and well protected. THE EAST: On the eastern end of the island are the Langi (Terraced Tombs), 9.5km (6 miles) from the Ha’amonga Trilithon towards Nuku’alofa. The tombs form quadrilateral mounds faced with huge blocks of stone rising in terraces to heights of 4m (13ft), built for the old Tu’i tonga (Spiritual Kings). The stones are of coral, built around AD 1200, possibly carried from Wallis Island on large canoes known as lomipeau. Ha’amonga Trilithon is a massive stone arch possibly used as a seasonal calendar, erected at the same time as the Terraced Tombs and again made from coral. Each stone is thought to weigh in the region of 40,000kg (about 39 tons). The Anahulu Cave is an underground cavern of stalactites and stalagmites near the beach of the same name, about 24km (15 miles) from the capital. Oholei Beach is good for swimming. ’EUA: The island of ’Eua, a ten-minute flight away from Tongatapu, has recently been promoted as a tourist destination. It has a blend of modern comfort (the island has one hotel and a motel) and the traditional South Sea island lifestyle. Many species of exotic bird live on the island. Outlying Islands HA’APAI GROUP: This group of 68 small islands forms the geological and geographical centre of Tonga and is characterised by white sandy beaches, pristine water and spectacular coral reefs. The group’s main island, also named Ha’apai, has the quaint old town of Pangai as its centre. Most of the 68 islands are small, low-lying coral atolls, the exception being the volcanic islands of Tofua (whose volcano is still active) and the extinct Kao to the West. The famous mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789 is said to have taken place in the waters surrounding these islands and it was from here that Captain William Bligh and his loyal men began their epic 6500km (4063-mile) journey to Timor – in a rowing boat. Captain James Cook used these islands as a place of rest and relaxation, making stopovers at Nomuka in 1774 and 1777 and visiting Lifuka in 1783. During April, a week-long festival culminates with the crowning of the local beauty queen. In 1995, the entire Ha’apai group was declared a Conservation Area with a view to protect the fragile ecosystems and coral reefs. VAVA'U GROUP: Lying 240km (150 miles) north of Tongatapu, this cluster of 50 or so thickly wooded islands has one hotel, one motel, one beach resort and four guest-houses. There is a daily one-hour flight from the capital and a weekly ferry service; private cruisers and ferries also operate from the harbour at Neiafu, the main town. There is excellent diving, with visibility often as much as 30m (100ft). Other attractions include the Fangatongo Royal Residence, the view from Mount Talau and Sailoame Market in Neiafu. Sport & Activities Watersports: Tongan coral reefs provide great beauty and variety for scuba diving and snorkelling; fully-equipped boats, scuba diving and snorkelling equipment can be hired. Contact the Tonga Visitors Bureau for information. There are sandy beaches and excellent swimming throughout the islands, with pools at some hotels. There is a world-standard surfing beach on the island of ’Eua, 11km (7 miles) from Tongatapu. Niutoua Beach, on the main island, and Ha’apai and Vava’u islands are also good for surfing. Tongan waters are excellent for fishing. There are plentiful game fish including barracuda, tuna, marlin and sailfish. Charter boats are available. Whale watching: Humpback whales arrive in Tongan waters from around June through to November to calf and to mate. Special speakers for whale-watching are plugged into a hydrophone installed on board the Phoenix catamaran based at Neiafu; only the male whales sing. Horseriding: Horses are still a means of transportation on all the main island groups. Hotels and tour operators can make arrangements for hiring horses. Saddles are not normally available and previous riding experience is strongly recommended. Social Profile Food & Drink: Restaurants have table service, and are found mainly in hotels. Apart from hotel dining rooms, there are restaurants featuring Tongan, French, German, Italian, Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine. Local staples are ’ufi (a large white yam) and taro. Other dishes include lu pulu (meat and onions, marinated in coconut milk, baked in taro leaves in an underground oven), feke (grilled octopus or squid in coconut sauce), devilled clams, ’ota (raw fish marinated in lemon juice) and lobster. Tropical fruits and salads are excellent. Feasts play a major role in the Tongan lifestyle. Up to 30 different dishes may be served on a pola (a long tray of plaited coconut fronds), and will typically include suckling pig, crayfish, chicken, octopus, pork and vegetables steamed in an umu (underground oven), with a variety of tropical fruits. Nightlife: Nightlife is sedate, limited to music and dancing in the hotels, clubs and occasionally at the Yacht Club. Floorshows are held on some nights in the main hotels and the Tongan National Centre. Tongan feasts and entertainment are also organised. Shopping: Special purchases are hand-decorated and woven tapa cloth, woven floor coverings, Ta’ovala pandanus mats, woven pandanus baskets, ‘Ali Baba’ laundry baskets, polished coconut-shell goblets and ashtrays, model outrigger canoes, tortoiseshell ornaments, brooches, earrings, rings and silver-inlaid knives. Tongan stamps and coins are collectors’ items; complete sets are on sale at the philatelic section of the Tongan Treasury. There are duty-free shops on Tongatapu and Vava’u. A government tax of five per cent is added to all bills for goods and services. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Special Events: For a complete list of special events in Tonga, contact the Tonga Visitors’ Bureau (see Contact Addresses). The following is a list of special events occuring in 2003: Jan New Year Celebrations. Mar 10 Commonwealth Day. Apr Easter Festival. May Vava’u Festival; Red Cross Festival and Grand Ball. May 4 HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a’s Birthday Celebrations. Jun Ha’apai Tourism Festival. Jun/Jul Heilala Week Festival. Jul 4 Birthday of His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV. Sep Tonga International Billfish Tournament, Vava’u. Nov Miss Galaxy Contest (beauty contest for fakaleitis or transvestites), Nuku’alofa. Dec King George Tupou IV Memorial Week. Social Conventions: Shaking hands is a suitable form of greeting. Although by Western standards Tongan people are by no means rich, meals served to visitors will always be memorable. A token of appreciation, while not expected, is always welcome, especially gifts from the visitor’s homeland. Casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. It is illegal to take off one’s top in public. Sunday is regarded as a sacred day, an aspect of Tongan life thrown into sharp relief by the controversy surrounding the so-called ‘Tongan loop’. The International Date Line forms a loop around the islands, thereby making them a day ahead of Samoa, even though Samoa is almost due north of Tonga. Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church therefore maintain that a Tongan Sunday is really a Saturday, and are unwilling to attend church on a day which is only a Sunday because of an apparently arbitrary manifestation of international law. This complex and almost insoluble problem may cause visitors a certain amount of confusion, but travellers to Tonga are advised to respect the religious beliefs of the islanders. Tipping: Not encouraged, but no offence is caused if services are rewarded in this way. Business Profile Economy: Agriculture is the strongest part of Tonga’s economy, producing coconuts, vanilla and pumpkins as cash crops, and a variety of fruit, vegetables and nuts for domestic consumption. The fishing industry was relatively underdeveloped and has been a focus of government plans to expand the economy. Industrial activity is mostly light and small-scale: textiles, handicrafts, brewing and the production of furniture and construction materials predominate. More recently, these have been joined by enterprises engaged in small manufacturing operations and food processing. The search for oil, which has been licensed to foreign consortia, continues offshore despite repeated failures to find deposits. Tonga’s own energy requirements are currently met from renewable sources, principally wave and solar power. Most of the growth in the economy and the best immediate prospect for Tonga’s economic future lie in tourism which has been expanded under a recently completed ten-year development programme. The industry is now worth $10 million annually to the Tongan economy. Nonetheless, the Government is constantly looking for other projects to diversify the island’s economy. A further vital source of revenue is remittances from the many thousands of Tongans working abroad, mainly in New Zealand and Australia. Current annual GDP growth and inflation are both around three per cent. Tonga is a member of the South Pacific Forum and the South Pacific Commission. The creation of a regional free-trade area is under discussion among Pacific governments. Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Fiji and Japan are Tonga’s main trading partners. Some UK exports appear in Tonga as re-exported products from Australia and New Zealand. Business: Shirts and ties will suffice for business visits. English is widely spoken followed by French. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries, PO Box 110, Nuku’alofa (tel: 23688; fax: 23887; e-mail: Tongatrade@candw.to); or Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Taufa’ahau Road, Tungi Arcade, PO Box 1704, Nuku’alofa (tel: 25168; fax: 26039; e-mail: chamber@kalianet.to). Conferences/Conventions: For advice, contact the Tonga Visitors’ Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). Climate Tonga’s climate is marginally cooler than most tropical areas. The best time to visit is from May to November. Heavy rains occur from December to March. History and Government History: The ruling family of Tonga, the last remaining Polynesian kingdom, can be traced back more than 1000 years. The 170-island group was first visited by the Dutch in the early-17th century, and later by the British seafarer Captain Cook, who dubbed the archipelago the ‘friendly islands’ in 1773. The adoption of Christianity by the ruling family – which followed the arrival of Methodist missionaries in the 1820s – and an overall policy of accommodation with the British, then the principal imperial power in the area, meant that the islands were not formally colonised. King Taufa’ahau Tupou I, the great-great-great grandfather of the present ruler and the first chief to rule over all of Tonga, was the founder of the present dynasty and took power in 1831. He also introduced representative government to the islands during his reign. A Treaty of Friendship was signed with the British in 1879 which afforded Tonga the unique status of a ‘Protected State’ (as distinct from a Protectorate, which allowed for less autonomy in government). However, the British subsequently decided that the kingdom was better off as a protectorate, which it became in 1900. Between 1918 and 1965, Tonga was ruled by Queen Salote Tupou III. Upon her death, she was succeeded by King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, who has ruled ever since and presided over the greatest change in Tonga’s constitutional status. In 1968, the islands assumed complete responsibility for internal affairs, before being granted full independence in 1970. King Taufu’ahau has pursued a uniformly pro-Western foreign policy, including (unusually for the region) expression of support for French nuclear testing in the Pacific. At home, there has been little by way of a threat to the dominant political position of the King. There are no organised political parties, and the Legislative Assembly, which meets once a year, does little more than ratify the edicts of the monarch. Critics of the regime continue to risk arrest and imprisonment. The Human Rights and Democracy Movement, formed in 1992, began to apply consistent pressure on the King to democratise. So far, he has proved disinclined to do so at more than the most sedentary pace, but the performance of the Movement in the most recent election in March 1999 suggests that they have a significant political base. Prince Lavaka Ata Ulukalala took over the premiership in 1992, and was reappointed to the post in 2000. Changes are afoot, however: the King, who is in his 80s, is in poor health and by late 2001, political tension was growing as both traditionalists and reformers prepared for the post-Taufu’ahau era. (The King’s decline may have been accelerated by the actions of the official court jester who, in October 2001, vanished after defrauding the monarchy of more than T$25 million.) Government: Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch, who has ultimate executive power, is head of both state and government, and appoints a ten-member Council of Ministers. The single-chamber Fale Alea (Legislative Assembly) has 30 members: nine are elected for a three-year term by popular vote in multi-seat constituencies; nine are elected by a convention of the islands’ traditional chiefs; the remaining 12 are ex-officio appointees from the privy Council and the governors. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.