Find the latest news for Tonga
On this page
Embassies and consular services for Tonga
Location | Service areas |
---|---|
Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga | |
New Zealand High Commission | Tonga |
About Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga is the only Pacific country with a constitutional monarchy and is home to around 108,000 people who live on 36 of the country's 170 island's.
New Zealand has a long-standing and warm relationship with Tonga grounded on shared values, close people-to-people ties and cultural and sporting links. More than 82,000 Tongans call New Zealand home (2018 Census).
Find out more about Tonga.
Trade
New Zealand and Tonga have strong economic ties with around 1,900 Tongans participating in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. This creates mutual benefit for New Zealand's horticulture sector and for Tongan families and communities.
New Zealand is Tonga's main source of imports and Tonga has a small export economy of fish and agricultural products.
Tonga is a signatory to the PACER Plus, a landmark trade and development agreement that will improve prosperity and resilience in the Pacific region. PACER Plus will contribute to a more predictable trading environment for businesses across the Pacific, increase opportunities for inward investment, and support increased skills development and employment.
For more information on the latest New Zealand International Trade with Tonga see the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).
Development cooperation
New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation (IDC) is a defining feature of the relationship with Tonga. Our IDC programme delivers on agreed priorities, including improving governance and public service performance, communications infrastructure resilience, financial and economic reform-linked budget support, health workforce development, technical and vocational skills, development and climate change adaptation, disaster response and resilience’.
Find out more about our priorities in aid and development.
Recent Press Releases
** Beehive.govt.nz
Recent Official Visits
New Zealand to Tonga
- May 2023: Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee
- April 2023: New Zealand Pacific Mission to Tonga
Tonga to New Zealand
- August 2023: Foreign Minister - Tuākana, Tēina, Whenua, Talanoa’ wānanga hosted by Parliament
- March 2023: Prime Minister for Conference of Pacific Education Ministers
- March 2019: His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u visit to New Zealand