HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka presented his Letter of Credence as Tonga's Non Resident High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Brunei to HM The Sultan Haji Hassananal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 7 November at Bandar Seri Begawan.

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka is Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, residing in Canberra and also Tonga's non resident High Commissioner to Malaysia, Singapore, Papau New Guinea and now Brunei. The Crown Prince is also the non resident Tongan ambassador to Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.

Tonga established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Brunei on 1 May 1990, and according to a statement from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Nuku'alofa, this is the first time for Tonga to have a High Commissioner designated for Brunei.

The Crown Prince was accompanied on his trip to Brunei by the Deputy High Commissioner, Dr Sione Leimoni Taufu'i.

The Tonga High Commission in Canberra reported that the ceremony was well attended by Brunei Cabinet Ministers, and senior government officials from the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

A special audience was requested by HM The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam of HRH The Crown Prince at the Royal Palace; as well as a call upon HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Brunei Darussalam.