A $3 million Conference Hall for the October Forum of Pacific Leaders is currently under construction at the Fa'onelua Garden, Nuku'alofa.

The Director of the Ministry of Works, Sione Taumoepeau, said that work began earlier this month and is expected to be completed by early October, just in time for the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting, from October 23-26. Sione was confident that the work would be completed in time for the Forum, "because building materials will arrive from China, already pre-fabricated, making construction work much easier and faster. The first shipment of building supplies has arrived."

Sione said that the 900 metres square Conference Hall will accommodate one main conference hall, offices, meeting rooms, a lounge and bathroom facilities. The hall will also be equipped with its own sound system and Internet access facilities.

The construction is funded with a grant from the Chinese government and will be carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation CCECC, with the Ministry of Works as the local contractor. The CCECC is the same Chinese contractor that built the new Tonga High School campus.