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Public returns to a bare Nuku'alofa [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 15:26.  Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 18:40.

Photos by Linny Folau

The public has this week been moving through the ghost town of central Nuku'alofa after most of the restrictions on the flow of traffic into the CBD were lifted on Monday January 22.

Much of the central Nuku'alofa Business District has vanished. Site of the former Tungi Arcade, looking toward Mala'e Kula.



Talamahu Market, once the centre of a bustling shopping area now overlooks an empty space where Molisi Tonga Supermarket and Hone's Store used to stand.

After feeling the shock of the empty spaces, there is little to keep people in town, except for a few pockets of shops that are starting to reopen, while a couple of cafes that had carried on business in the restricted zone mainly serving the police and military, are now serving the public again.

Unrecognizable, Hala Taufa'ahau in what used to be the heart of the Central Business District.



'Uliti Uata's Building stands in the company of the TCF parking lot tree on Hala Uelingatoni. Gone are the Fakalato store, the corner traders, TCF Spermarket and Narottams. In the far distance, Teta Tours is the only building on the intersection.



View from Hala Uelingatoni towards Hala Lelue, concrete foundations are all that remain of the burned Kafua Plaza, Lalita Store, Fung Shing Photo Studio, Rowena House and the ANZ Bank.

Parts of some roads where partly-damaged buildings arre still standing, however, remain closed to traffic. Hala Fatafehi between the Royco Building and Hala Uelingatoni, and along Hala Taufa'ahau, between the Look Sharp Store and Hala Laifone the orange cordons remain. It is still not possible to drive the full length of Hala Taufa'ahau.

It will be a long time before the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga, regains its vigour.

Hala Fatafehi with the remains of the Royco Building (centre).



On Hala Fatafehi the remains of the Taumoepeau Building.



Talamahu Market, now centre of a ghost town.



A few small shops remain opposite the Talamahu Market taxi stand.



Looking southward along Hala Lelue with the Nuku'alofa Central Police Station on the right and Talamahu Market on the left.



Hala Taufa'ahau, looking southward, used to be jammed with traffic and small shops. All that remains is the Fund Management Building (right), Bhagwan (left). and in the distance the Maseia Plaza.



On Hala Taufa'ahau, looking northward, with the O G Sanft Building (left), and Bhagwan's and the 'Uliti Uata Building (right).



Hala Uelingatoni and Hala Taufa'ahau. Boarded (let) the remains of Leiola Duty Free and, (right) the empty E. M. Jones.



A small enclave of normality remains on Hala Taufa'ahau around the Friend's Cafe, New Zealand High Commission and old Prime Minister's Office.
Nuku'alofa riots [2]
Tonga riots [3]
16/11 [4]
16 November 2006 [5]
Photo News [6]

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Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2007/01/30/public-returns-bare-nukualofa

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[1] https://matangitonga.to/2007/01/30/public-returns-bare-nukualofa [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/nukualofa-riots?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga-riots?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/1611?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/16-november-2006?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/topic/photo-news?page=1