Overview

The Kingdom of Tonga is a Polynesian country that lies to the south of Samoa, southeast of Fiji and north east of New Zealand. The Tongan archipelago is comprised of 176 islands, 36 of which are inhabited by a population of approximately 106,000. The islands are divided into four main groups – Tongatapu (including ‘Eua), Ha'apai, Vava'u and the Niuas. The capital Nuku'alofa is located on the main island of Tongatapu.

Political overview

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, making it unique in the Pacific. Tonga’s monarchy is over 1,000 years old and its constitution dates to 1875. Following the death of King George Tupou V in March 2012, his younger brother became king and took the title King Tupou VI. King Tupou VI's official coronation was held on 4 July 2015. As Head of State the King is Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Armed Forces. The King is advised by a Privy Council whose members he appoints.

The governing structure comprises the Executive (Cabinet), Legislature and Judiciary. A reformed constitution was agreed by the Legislative Assembly in December 2009 and implemented through legislation passed in April 2010. The new constitution devolved much of the King’s power to the Cabinet. Cabinet now answers to the Legislative Assembly however the King retains the right to veto legislation.

The Legislative Assembly comprises 17 People's Representatives and nine Noble Representatives elected from among the holders of Tonga's 33 noble titles. The King appoints the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, and Cabinet Ministers on the Prime Minister’s advice. The King may appoint up to four additional Cabinet Ministers from outside of the Legislative Assembly, based on the Prime Minister’s advice.

The most recent election was held in November 2021. In December, the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku became the new Prime Minister after winning a ballot with 16 of the 26 votes in the Legislative Assembly and being appointed by the King.

Tonga hosted the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in August 2024 and has assumed the role of Chair.

Bilateral relations

Australia and Tonga enjoy a close bilateral relationship, supported by our development cooperation, Defence Cooperation Program, the Tonga Australia Police Partnership and people-to-people links. The Tongan Government established a High Commission in Canberra in August 2008. In 2025, Tonga and Australia will celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations. 

People to people links

Australia is an important focus for Tongans seeking education, travel and business opportunities. The largest communities of Tongans in Australia are in Victoria and NSW, with smaller groups in the ACT and Queensland. Over 40,000 Australians identify themselves as having Tongan ancestry.

Since labour mobility restarted in September 2020, several thousand Tongans have arrived in Australia as part of Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.

Australia has provided over 400 scholarships (Australia Awards) to Tongan students since 2007. Tertiary-level scholarships are focused on addressing Tonga’s skills shortage in the fields of education, health, engineering, economics and public sector management.

Open to all Australian undergraduates, the New Colombo Plan supports around 10,000 students a year to experience living, studying and undertaking work experience in the Indo-Pacific. Over 150 have undertaken mobility projects in Tonga, in fields of study including nursing, tourism, and sustainability.

The Australian Volunteers Program matches a broad range of skilled Australians with partner organisations in the Indo-Pacific region, to support them to achieve their own development goals. By supporting sustainable development, the Australian Volunteers Program contributes to continued economic growth and improved stability and security. Australia supports volunteer assignments in Tonga working with government and non-government partner organisations.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami: Australia’s Disaster Response

Australia responded rapidly and comprehensively to the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami in Tonga on 15 January 2022, guided by the requests and priorities of the Tongan Government, and in close coordination with our likeminded partners.

We delivered over 370 tonnes of emergency supplies and construction materials, including some supplies from partner nations and organisations. Australia also conducted 24 RAAF relief flights and deployed HMAS Adelaide, Supply and Canberra to deliver supplies, lead clean-up operations and restore telecommunications.

Tonga’s two Australian-gifted Guardian-class Patrol Boats and landing craft were instrumental in the Tongan Government’s response, and evacuated affected populations.

Australia provided an AUD 16 million recovery and reconstruction package for Tonga, including funding for reconstruction, telecommunications restoration, support for vulnerable groups, and COVID-19 support. The package included funding for local non-government organisations to support community-based initiatives under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.

Development assistance

More information on development assistance to Tonga

Defence cooperation program

The Defence Cooperation Program in Tonga includes the provision of Australian Defence Force advisors, a range of training and capacity building initiatives and support for bilateral and regional exercises. As part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Tonga received two Guardian-class Patrol Boats. Australia also contributes to the Tonga Australia Police Partnership, a joint undertaking between Tonga and Australia, which aims to build police capacity and service standards.

Economic overview

Tonga’s small, open economy is reliant on remittances, tourism, agriculture and foreign aid. Given its small size, the economy is vulnerable to external shocks. The US is the main source of remittances, followed by New Zealand and Australia. Foreign development assistance in the form of loans, grants and direct aid is an important component of the Tongan economy.

Construction and infrastructure projects funded by donor grants and soft loans are sources of growth. Despite its economic challenges, Tonga remains one of the best performers in the Pacific in terms of progress against the Sustainable Development Goals. Agriculture is the leading productive sector. The manufacturing sector is very small.

Tonga's main trading partners are New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, the United States and Japan. Most Tongan exports are agricultural produce while imports cover the full range of consumer and industrial goods.

Find out more information about Australia’s trade and investment with Tonga.

High level visits

• In August 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Hon Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, visited Tonga for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.
• In August 2023, President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Sue Lines visited Tonga for the 3rd Conference of the Pacific Islands Parliaments Group.
• In June 2023, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley visited Tonga as part of a Pacific program, and met with His Majesty King Tupou VI and the Government of Tonga.
• In December 2022, the Hon Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, visited Tonga for meetings with Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku and Cabinet.
• In June 2022, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Tonga for introductory meetings with His Majesty King Tupou VI, Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku and Foreign Minister ‘Utoikamanu.
• In September 2019, Australia's Assistant Defence Minister and then-Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, visited Tonga to represent Australia at the official funeral of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
• In March 2019, then-Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, visited Tonga to strengthen our relationship with the Tongan government.