By Katalina Siasau

The popular beachfront at Popua in the capital, Nuku'alofa, is looking cleaner today, thanks to a group of university students from New Zealand who decided to spend their last day in Tonga performing community service.

Leata Ioelu, leading the group, said they headed down to the swimming pool for a swim during the hot day, and then decided to do some clean ups.

The group comprises of 15 young women from throughout New Zealand, who met through associated community services.

They came to Tonga two weeks ago, engaging in community services and helping out local organisations, including the Women and Children Crisis Center (WCCC), the local disability centre, and 'Ahopanilolo Institute, and some others.

Their community outreach program in Tonga was "self funded" each person took care of their own travel and expenses.

Today they have cleaned up plastic wastes and all sorts of rubbish strewn along the Popua beachfront, and the Touliki swimming pool.