A new $2.3 million ‘Api Tonga multipurpose hall was opened by Fiji’s Speaker of Parliament, Hon Ratu Epeli Nailatikau in Suva on 2 November.

According to Fiji Parliament, Hon Ratu Epeli was invited in his capacity as a representative of King Tupou VI.

‘Api Tonga means home for Tongans. The new building is located on Laucala Bay Road in Suva, near the University of the South Pacific.

Hon Ratu Epeli said in his keynote speech that the centre had been a long time coming for all Tongans since 2008.

"Today we celebrate the opening of 'Api Tonga."

He said the initial idea of ‘Api Tonga was born in the 1960’s when many Tongans were first moving to Fiji for employment and educational opportunities.

“The Tongan language Sunday services once a month were the first meetings for the community back then and was envisioned by the elders to preserve culture, language, and tradition and to live them whilst being away from home.

“To preserve the language, it is important to preserve the tradition, heritage and a cultural identity of a people. And the foresight of those elders is an admirable illustration of the principal all Tongans uphold, of respect, obligation, loyalty and love of God, and love of Tonga.”

He added that ‘Api Tonga is a centre of distinction and the apex of the conviction and harmonious spirit of the Tongan community, especially  in Suva as well as around the world “and I am honoured to be part of the celebrations today, as is my wife and my two other brothers”.

According to a Fiji Sun article [2] in August 2019, the Tongan community in Fiji and overseas contributed to the funds raised to build ‘Api Tonga, a double storey structure.

The 300-seater multipurpose hall upstairs will be used for functions, meetings, Sunday services and more for the Tongan community. The ground floor has accommodation facilities for Tongans who go to Fiji for reasons such as study, medical treatments, and visas.