FROM OUR ARCHIVES

From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001.

By Pesi Fonua.

The Tongan  Royal Family is the epi-centre of Tongan politics, a traditional role that was later formalised by the 1875 Tongan Constitution, which spelled out the power of the King and the law of succession to the throne.

The rest of the people of Tonga contribute to this Tongan political thinking machine through the members of the Privy Council and the Cabinet who are appointed by the King, and a Legislative Assembly where nine of the 25 members are elected by the people.

While in most western countries one could follow political trends by studying the manifestos and the working agenda of political parties, in Tonga one has to understand the political thoughts of the King and the members of the Royal Family. This is no easy task, because of the exclusiveness that surrounds the Royal Family in their daily lives.

The major difference between Western political systems and Tonga’s political system, is that while leaders of political parties are obligated to campaign for public support, the Royal Family do not have to campaign, because traditionally and culturally the public are obligated to render their support to their traditional political leaders who formulate decisions, set strategic plans and take action on what they think is best for the country.

The responsibility and the work of the King under such a system is an intensive life-time commitment. Tongan kings, unlike other monarchs, are very involved with the running of the government, a heavy responsibility on one man, even though there is readily available assistance that the King can call upon from his hand-picked ministers. Despite the heavy work load Tongan  kings reign for a long time. Tupou I reigned for 48 years from 1845, Tupou II, 25 years from 1893, Queen Salote Tupou III, 47 years from 1918, and King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV has been on the Tongan throne for 36 years. His Majesty is doing fine for a man of his age, and at 83 years remains a national role model for seeking fitness and healthy living.

The Tongan Royal Family is always the centre of political curiosity in Tonga, and people are always wanting to know the line of succession to the Tongan throne, one of the oldest in the world and the only one in Polynesia.

The heir to the throne is Crown Prince Tupouto‘a, now 53, who  made it known when he turned 50 in 1998 that he was too old to be married and that marriage was not on his agenda. He has adopted Princess Latufuipeka Mata‘aho, the eldest daughter of his youngest brother Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata.

The question some people ask is that when the Crown Prince becomes King, who will become the heir to the throne of the next generation? Being groomed for the role are Prince ‘Aho‘eitu, the eldest son of Prince ‘Ulukalala, and ‘Aho‘eitu’s older sister, Princess Mata‘aho, the adopted daughter of Crown Prince Tupouto‘a.

The Tupou dynasty

Tupou I, 48 years 1845-93,
Tupou II, 25 years 1893-1918,
Queen Salote Tupou III, 47 years 1918-65,
HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV 36 years from 1965