Tonga Travel Guide

Tonga — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: South Pacific.
Language: Tongan and English.
Area: 748 sq km (289 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 13.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 104,000 (2009).
Population Density: 139 per sq km.
Capital City: Nuku'alofa.
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence within the Commonwealth in 1970.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Feleti (Fred) Sevele since 2006.
Head of State: King George Tupou V since 2006.
Religion: Wesleyan Church, Roman Catholic and Anglican. Small denominations of Muslim, Baha'i and Mormon faiths.

Recent History

In September 2006, after 41 years of rule, King Tupou IV died in his 80s in hospital in New Zealand. His son was immediately sworn in as the new king, the full coronation taking place in 2008. The king's death has fuelled calls for greater democracy and the government has agreed to hold elections in 2010 in which a majority of the parliament will be directly elected by a popular vote.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +676. There are no area codes.

Mobile Telephone

Coverage is limited to Nuku'alofa. No roaming agreements exist.

Internet

There are Internet cafés in Nuku'alofa.

Media

The state's control of the media increased following an amendment to the constitution in 2003 which limited the right of the courts to review royal decisions. State-owned radio and TV are usually biased towards government policy, while private broadcasters offer little independent coverage. Although some privately-owned newspapers carry opposition views, journalists have been known to face harassment and threats of criminal charges. The Matangi Tonga, The Times of Tonga (New Zealand-based) and Tonga Chronicle are English-language newspapers. Television Tonga is state run; private TV networks include TV7 and Friendly Island Broadcasting Network (Vava'u). Tonfon TV is a pay-TV service.

Post

All mail must be collected from the post office. Airmail to Europe takes approximately 10 days. There are branch offices on Ha'apai and Vava'u.(main office located in the center of Nuku'alofa) Mon-Fri 0830-1600.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
4 Dec Tupou I Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr ANZAC Day
25 Apr Easter Monday
4 Jun Emancipation Day
12 Jul Birthday of the Heir to the Crown of Tonga
1 Aug Official Birthday of the King of Tonga
4 Nov Constitution Day
4 Dec Tupou I Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
9 Apr Easter Monday
9 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr ANZAC Day
4 Jun Emancipation Day
12 Jul Birthday of the Heir to the Crown of Tonga
1 Aug Official Birthday of the King of Tonga
4 Nov Constitution Day
4 Dec Tupou I Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

Contact Information

British High Commission in Fiji

Victoria House, 47 Gladstone Road, PO Box 1355, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 3229100.
Website: www.ukinfiji.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: 0800-12:40, 13:00-1600; Fri: 0800-1300.

Tonga Ministry of Tourism

PO Box 37, Vuna Road, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tel: 25334.
Website: www.tongaholiday.com

South Pacific Tourism Organization in Fiji

Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel