King and Queen lead $24m project to build new settlements for Kanokupolu and Mango people

King and Queen lead $24m project to build new settlements for Kanokupolu and Mango people [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Saturday, June 11, 2022 - 00:55. Updated on Saturday, June 11, 2022 - 10:12.

Concept drawing of the Kanokupolu resettlement project at Matatua, Tongatapu. Image: ‘Paletu’a Project’.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u are leading a ‘Paletu’a Project’ for the resettlement of hundreds of people whose homes were destroyed by the Hunga tsunamis in January.

The Crown Estate of Kanokupolu in western Tongatapu, with a population of around 320 people, was among the most severely damaged areas in the natural disaster on January 15.

The Royal Family's project aims for the resettlement of the Kanokupolu people at Matatoa, situated near the Royal Villa residence on Tongatapu, by building a new neighbourhood with modern sustainable cyclone resistant housing and community facilities.

The King had already consented to allocate land for the resettlement, following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunamis.

The resettlement project will cost an estimated $24 million pa'anga, to be raised from various sources, including donor funding.

'Recovery with Greater Resilience'

Principal Assistant Secretary at the Office of the Lord Chamberlain, Mosese Vakasiuola, released details and illustrations of the proposed project on 7 June in Nuku'alofa.

He said it was clear that both Crown estates of Kanokupolu and Mango Island are not fit for settlement, due to their vulnerability to natural disasters.

“In the past it has been the responsibility of the country to relocate these people to safer areas, but in this project Their Majesties have stepped in to lead this work,” he said.

The development will build a new neighbourhood, with viable low cost cyclone resistant housing, accessibility to water and electricity, a roads system, a multipurpose hall, a church, a sports field, and other developments.

Draft plan for a small, low cost cyclone resistant house, for a new resettlement neighbourhood. Image: ‘Paletu’a Project’.

However, Vakasiuola said that the project is still in the early stages, with funding to be secured from various sources, including fundraising from abroad and donors they had talked to.

The design report, will be finalised by the end of June, including a timetable for the project in moving foward.

Salesi Fotu the Real Estate Office Representative said it was expected that 30 poles would be allocated to each family out of a total of 29.8 acres of land allocated for this resettlement.

The number of houses allowed for the area and other details will be confirmed later.

Government assistance

Meanwhile, Government is assisting the project in specific areas, which includes the road work, clearing and preparation of the land for resettlement, using its heavy machinery.

Vakasiuola said a majority of the work to prepare the land have been carried out, with the next stage being the land sub-division and allocation.

The costs of the land preparation are estimated to be around $1.8 million pa'anga, he said.

The King and Queen will oversee the project; the Palace Office is the Executing Agency, while a Project Steering Committee as Implementing Agencies will include the Government and a Joint Technical Working Group [Paletu'a Project and Government].

Mango Island

Meanwhile, the Mango islanders' resettlement will be to Ta'anga in 'Eua, which had been consented to by the King earlier.

The resettlement technical design component is under the Paletu'a Project, while its implementation is left to Government.

Mango islanders are expected to relocate to temporary shelters at Ta'anga soon, while their new houses are to be constructed.

Plans for a multi-purpose community hall. Image: ‘Paletu’a Project’