From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The settlement of Patangata in eastern Nuku‘alofa, right next to Tukutonga, the capital’s rubbish dump, has long been an example of urbanisation gone wrong, because of its unkempt and makeshift dwellings.

The beautification of Patangata got a major boost this year from the ‘Aloua Ma‘a Tonga, Women in Development Association, who used a $3000 grant to build rock walls around trees that have been planted along the village waterfront facing the Nuku‘alofa harbour.

Patangata and eight other villages on Tongatapu are receiving financial assistance under an AusAid Tree Planting Project.

The completion of the project was marked with prayers and speeches, and the guest of honour, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Mr Angus McDonald, was presented with gifts from the people of Patangata. Mr McDonald marked the occasion by planting a tree near the waterfront.

Government has plans to eventually close down Tukutonga and to move the dump outside of town.