Nuku'alofa's first Food Mart was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano at the Tonga Post Building in central Nuku'alofa on Friday evening, 14 November.

The Food Mart is the second phase of a Tonga Post Ltd. development program to capitalize on its  asset, the Nuku'alofa General Post Office in central Nuku'alofa.

Tapu Panuve, the chairman of the board of directors of Tonga Post Ltd, said at the lauch that it was clear that Tonga Post had to diversify its operation to stay in business because of a marked decline in its normal business of delivering mail and parcels. He said that with the advent of the internet technology, very few people were still writing letters to be delivered by postal services. So early this year Tonga Post Ltd embarked on phase one of a project to renovate thePost Office, and create commercial office spaces to rent to government ministries and private enterprise.

The Food Mart was the second phase of their diversification program, and it cost $800,000 to renovate the northern side of the Nuku'alofa General Post Office to accommodate four food outlets. These have been taken up by the Maikai, offering Tongan food; the Tiger Inn, a noodle bar; the Spice, offering Indian cuisine and the Mad Chef, with casual cuisine.   

The Tonga Post Ltd. a public enterprises, is also responsible for the operation of Tonga Print.