By Katalina Siasau, with photos by Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

HM King Tupou VI led the groundbreaking of the new Tonga Legislative Assembly building today, 4 November, at the Talangaholo Royal Estate, at Pea, Tongatapu..

The King was joined by the New Zealand Governor General, HE Dame Cindy Kiro; the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, HE Bob Dadae; the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Brek Batley; and Tonga’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke and the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua,.

This NZD$32 million project, jointly funded by the New Zealand and Australian governments, is expected to be completed by 2027.

The area is expected to be designated as part of the capital Nuku'alofa, in order to comply with the requirement in Tongan law that the parliament must convene in Nuku'alofa.

King Tupou VI welcomed the guests and shared some historical insights on the Talangaholo Royal Estate.

“Welcome to the site of the new Parliament of Tonga, which for legal reasons, has to be declared part of the Nuku’alofa township. However, behind me, there have been rifle shots from this spot, the site of a fort, forming the last resistance of the rebels against Tupou I, and the reunification of Tonga. This reunification allowed the laws promulgated in the Vava’u Code to apply nationally to all of Tonga, and to set the stage for the 1875 Constitution, of which we commemorate its 150th year today," the King said.

He noted the Constitution has historical links to many previous codes and legislation from our neighbours, including from Hawaii, Tahiti, and New South Wales.

Protection for Tongans

“It was from his trip to Sydney in 1863 — that Tupou I saw landless, indigenous people, that influenced him to seek protection from this ever happening to Tongans in their own country. He sought protection for Tongans being landless in their own land. That protection, he believed came partly from the Constitution and laws, plus the smooth functioning of a responsible parliament that is responsive to the needs of the Tongan people. At that time of colonisation, this was the balancing act required to keep this Kingdom free and functional,” he said.

New parliament site to be part of Nuku'alofa

Seven years ago, Tropical Cyclone Gita destroyed [2] Tonga's 125 year old Parliament House that had housed the Legislature in Nuku'alofa, since the year 1892. Proceedings were relocated to the Tonga National Centre [3].

“As part of defending the Constitution and land laws, I would hope that the new government will declare the grounds of the temporary parliament back from being part of Nuku’alofa to the original owner, just as this land, will need to be declared part of Nuku’alofa, for the parliament to be able to legally sit. Although this land was taken by conquest and force of arms, it is a poignant reminder that every single inch of this country was contested long before there ever was a government."

King Tupou Vi stressed that the Constitution must be defended and maintained.

"In concluding, I wish that we can continue to defend the Constitution of 1875, the Constitution set up by Tupou I, because that vision is still as clear and relevant today as it was 150 years ago.”

The King expressed his gratitude to Australia and New Zealand for their sponsorship of the new parliament building. He also acknowledged Japan, who contributed approximately $6 million pa'anga for the construction of the building that currently houses the temporary Tongan Parliament.

Westland Construction is the contractor for the new parliament, with Ca’Bella Pacific Construction Tonga as the prime subcontractor.