New furniture for Parliament gifted by NZ [1]
Monday, June 11, 2018 - 17:25. Updated on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - 10:54.
Office furniture worth $110,000 pa’anga for Tonga's Legislative Assembly was donated by the New Zealand Government on June 6, as part of the Cyclone Gita recovery efforts.
The Speaker Lord Fakafanua in thanking the New Zealand High Commissioner HE Tiffany Babington, said this would allow MPs and staff to efficiently carry out their work, at their new location.
The High Commissioner hoped this contribution would help Parliament and MPs to function better. She said New Zealand supports good governance and their donation was aimed to raise the standard of Parliament.
The office furniture included desks and chairs.
Parliament office said the assistance was made after the Legislative Assembly office sought assistance from the New Zealand High Commission Office in Nuku’alofa.
Parliament relocated to the Tonga National Cultural Centre compound, after severe Tropical Cyclone Gita demolished Parliament House in February this year when the old parliamentary furniture was crushed.