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“Good governance is a gift we pass on to our children.”

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Opening of the Latimer House Dialogues. Fa'onelua Convention Center, Nuku'alofa, 23 July 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.
By Katalina Siasau

Tonga's executive, legislative, and judicial branches began their talanoa (dialogue) sessions yesterday, 23 July

These two-day sessions, held at the Fa'onelua Convention Center in Nuku'alofa, are being led by Head of the Commonwealth’s Rule of Law Section, Dr. Elizabeth Macharia.

The sessions are based on the Latimer House Principles, which are guidelines for ensuring that democracy functions effectively by keeping these three bodies of government independent, accountable, and respectful of each other’s roles.

Hosted by a Commonwealth delegation, this event marks the first time in the Pacific region that members from all three government branches have convened to discuss the Latimer House Principles.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Macharia emphasized that democracy should reflect Tonga's unique culture and traditions, and also highlighted good governance.

"Democracy can and should reflect our cultures and our traditions. Good governance is a gift we pass on to our children, like a precious family heirloom, leaving them a nation built on a strong foundation. Respect for the rule of law is a journey, it is woven, built, laboured over, by many people. It takes time, and patience. It is an ideal that brings the community together, young and old, nobles and citizens, men and women, weak and strong, in a shared project of building the nation,” she said.

"We are hopeful that this open, respectful, and inclusive dialogue which is so central to the Pacific way of life, will foster greater communication, connection and understanding between the three arms of Government which, though separate, find their optimal strength when woven carefully together," she said.

Head of the Commonwealth’s Rule of Law Section, Dr. Elizabeth Macharia. Fa'onelua Centre, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 23 July 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

Adopted by Commonwealth countries in 2003, the Latimer House Principles are a set of guidelines to make sure that democracy functions effectively by keeping the executive, legislature, and judiciary independent, accountable and respectful of each other’s roles.

The principles advocate for independent institutions, judicial integrity, and parliamentary oversight to uphold democratic values and protect human rights.

Members of Parliament at the opening of the Latimer House Dialogues. Fa'onelua Convention Center, Nuku'alofa, 23 July 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua said the Latimer House Principles serve as an overarching framework to strengthen governance, particularly in nations like the Kingdom of Tonga, by setting the standards for effective and accountable democratic systems.

"For Tonga, the Pacific’s last remaining constitutional monarchy, these principles are a bedrock of governance, especially since it’s only been a little over two decades since our 2010 democratic reforms.

"As we are ending the 2021-25 parliamentary term, I hope that as we learn more during this Dialogue, we’ll all be able to reflect how we can improve on our work as we head into a new parliamentary term at the end of this year,"

The Speaker urged all Members of Parliament to actively participate, share their insights, and apply the lessons learned from the dialogues.