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Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga, also called Friendly Islands is a constitutional monarchy. Explore the history, culture, myths and celebrations of this island nation, including how the nation copes with climate change, isolation and cyclones. SCIS no. 1834798

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Taufa'ahau Tupou II

Taufa'ahau Tupou II

Head and shoulders portrait of Taufa'ahau Tupou II, King of Tonga. Shows a young man wearing a garland over his shoulders. Photograph taken circa 1890s. Photographer unidentified. Inscriptions: A...

Ngatu, the Tongan. name for tapa cloth.

Tonga

Map of Tonga islands.

Royal bridal party

Royal bridal party

Royal bridal party, Tonga, circa July 1947. From left to right: Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Tungi and his bride Mata'aho, Princess Melen'aite and her husband Prince Tu'i Pelehake. All wear traditional w...

Tongan language week

Royal bridal party

Ashley Tonga on why Tongan Language Week is important.

Tribute to Queen Salote

Tribute to Queen Salote

B&W 5 mins. 35mm 516 ft. The funeral ceremony in 1965 of Queen Salote of Tonga. Beta SP telecine from 16mm print

Once a trading empire

Once a trading empire

New research shows Tonga was once the centre of a vast trading empire with economic and political power stretching across the Pacific.

Myth of Tonga-tabu

The myth of Maui: a Tongan myth.

Playing lafo

Men in Tonga playing lafo.

Helu (head comb)

Helu (head comb)

Ornamental comb made of dried coconut-leaf midrib.

Royal visit to Tonga-1954

Royal visit to Tonga-1954

Royal Visit to Queen Salote's Kingdom of Tonga.

Food on banana leaves

Food on banana leaves

Painting of Tongan delights on banana leaves.

Double-hulled canoes

Double-hulled canoes

Painting by Isaac Gilsemans of double-hulled canoes.

Research Papers

Climate change blues

Plea from Lord Ma’afu on the effects of climate change on Tonga.

Research Papers

Threats to Tongatapu

Research on the vulnerability of the coasts of Tongatapu due to climate change.

Ferry disaster

The manslaughter trial of four men charged with causing the death of a young Tongan mother in the Princess Ashika ferry disaster in August last year begins in Nuku'alofa this morning.

Cyclone Rene

Cyclone Rene batters Tonga.

Tongan Democracy Movement

Human Rights and Democracy Movement wants changes to government structure.

Kava party

Painting of men and women in a fale drinking kava.

The Tongan goverment will discuss marking the death of one of the Pacific's most famous sporting figures at a meeting on Friday.

Breadfruit roundtable

Tonga hosts Pacific Breadfruit Roundtable.

Noodles from sweet potato

China funds project to make noodles from sweet potato.

Protecting turtles

Tourist operator plans campaign to protect turtles.

Captain Cook's landing

Captain Cook's landing

Photo site on Mu’a Lagoon where Captain Cook landed.

Excavation in Tonga

Canadian archaeologists find remnants of ancient settlement.

Preparing earth oven at Tonga College, putting in pudding

Preparing earth oven at Tonga College, putting in pudding

Tonga

Presentation of valuables at a wedding, Tongatapu

Tonga- arts and craft

Appendix — Tongan Music - Savage Island: An Account of a Sojourn in Niue and Tonga

The music of the Tongans was inseparable from the dance (by which I mean the rhythmic movements of any part of the body), and it therefore esteemed rhythm before melody or harmony. There were two p...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

A forum of 18 member countries to ensure economic growth, enhancement of governance and security to people of the Pacific.

Life, traditions and culture in Tonga.

Tonga consists of about 170 islands with a total land area of 700 sq km.

Sunday life in Tonga.

Tonga’s royal family

Monarchs from the House of Tupou who ruled Tonga from 1845 until today.

Nuku’alofa, the capital and chief port of Tonga.

Famous names in Tonga

Famous people from Tonga from all walks of life.

Tongan food traditions and recipes.

Tongan monarchy

A brief introduction to the history of the Tongan monarchy.

Listen and learn basic Tongan terms and phrases.

A Tongan treasure

Step by step process on the making of tapa, a Tongan treasure.

Holidays and festivals

Tongan holidays and festivals.

Tapa cloth making

Making, decoration and significance of tapa cloth.

Tongan lakalaka

Tongan dance moves for lakalaka.

History and discovery

Location, discovery and village life in Tonga.

Formation of island, bird and animal life.

Pacific Community (SPC) helps Tonga combat drought and agricultural challenges due to climate change.

Tonga and First World War

How Tonga was forced to commit to the British in World War I.

Research Papers

Tongan monarchy

The Kingdom of Tonga, monarchy, constitution, traditional

Stories and legends of Eau

Myths and legends from Tonga’s oldest island.

Constitution and politics

Explanation of Tonga’s constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.

Story of the Fo’ui tree

The Fo'ui tree and the tomb of Queen Talafaiva on Euakafa.

Tagata Pasifika

TVNZ's flagship Pacific news show, telling the stories of Pacific Islanders and their communities.

What makes Tonga different?

Find out the importance of family, kava time and religion in Tonga.

Comprehensive understanding of history, culture, social organisation and governance of Tonga.

Pasifika poetry

Pasifika poetry on the New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre.

Ministry for Pacific People

Crown’s principal advisor on policies and interventions that improve outcomes for Pacific peoples.

Map, flag, government and other essential information on Tonga.

Tongan language week

Tongan language week

Ashley Tonga on why Tongan Language Week is important.

Queen Sālote of Tonga

Queen Sālote of Tonga

Sālote was crowned Queen of Tonga when she was only 18 years old.

King Tupou V

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy where the King is the Head of State.

Nuku’alofa

This image shows Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga in 1945. The island, which is the southernmost of the 170 island group, became the capital in 1875 under King George Tupou I.

Festival of Pacific Arts

Festival of Pacific Arts

These Tongan women are performing at the 6th Pacific Arts Festival held in the Cook Islands in 1992.

Monster wedding cake

Monster wedding cake

This article is about the wedding cake designed and baked by an Auckland baker for his Majesty King George II of Tonga.

Tongan Lakalaka dance, ASB Polyfest.

Tongan Lakalaka dance, ASB Polyfest.

Southern Cross Campus Tongan group performing the Lakalaka at ASB Polyfest. Performers are wearing traditional Tongan clothes: Tupenu (cloth wrap skirt), Ta'ovala, a traditional woven mat, kiekie, ...

Tonga Village, Pasifika Festival, 2016.

Tonga Village, Pasifika Festival, 2016.

View of a Tongan orchestra performing at the 2016 Pasifika Festival.

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006)

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006)

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006) and Queen Consort Halaevalu Mata'aho 'Ahome'e

Cake for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, Auckland

Cake for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, Auckland

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006)

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006)

King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 10 September 2006)

Tongan Language Week resource

Download this resource to learn Tongan words, phrases, and pronunciation, and explore aspects of Tongan culture.

Tongan Language Week

Curriculum related resources to support teachers celebrating Tongan Language Week 2019.

New Zealand and Tonga history

Trade, development, embassies and official visits between Tonga and New Zealand.

Teacher support material on Tongan culture and society.

2016 Tongan Language Week resource

An education resource to celebrate Tongan Language Week.

Tongan Language Week resource

Learn Tongan words, phrases, and pronunciation, and explore aspects of Tongan culture.

Spectacular ngatu in Koloa exhibition

Tongan ngatu, kupesi and koloa on view viewed at an exhibition at the Langafonua Centre in Nuku'alofa.

MNZ aids focus on maritime safety in Tonga

Proposals put forward by Maritime New Zealand aimed at addressing safety issues in the Kingdom of Tonga.

A brief history of rugby in Tonga

A history of rugby in Tonga including some of their greatest victories.

The Mysterious Stones of Tonga. School Journal: Year 4: L2: 2017

The mystery about Ha'amonga 'a Maui in the village of Niutoua in Tonga.

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga

Resources from TKI to support Tongan Language Week.

Oldest Tattoo Tools Found in Tonga

Four ancient bone tattoo comb tools found in Tonga revealed that they are the oldest in the world.

Tonga’s ephemeral island

Recent geological events in Tonga have provided some interesting experiences for sailors. Find this article in New Zealand Geographic, available through EPIC. School login maybe required.

Find more information on this topic on EPIC. Databases recommended: Britannica School, New Zealand Geographic. School login maybe required.

Quick facts about Tonga

Some quick facts about the three main islands and where to see whales in Tonga.

Legend of the coconut tree

A little history lesson on the Fo'ui Tree and the tomb of Queen Talafaiva on Euakafa Island, Tonga.

National anthem

Tonga national anthem with music, vocals, lyrics and English translation.

Lakalaka, dances and sung speeches of Tonga

Lakalaka is a blend of choreography, oratory, and instrumental polyphony.

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the principal advisor on policies and interventions that improve outcomes for Pacific peoples.

Who owns Tonga?

Who 'owns' Tonga: the monarchy and nobility, the ordinary people, or a combination of both?

Kings and Queens of Tonga

Kings and Queens of Tonga

To celebrate Tongan Language Week a selection of portraits of Tonga's Kings and Queens

This page from Many Answers will guide you to reviewed websites and databases on Tonga.

One of Tonga’s greatest and favourite heroes of yesterday is Queen Salote.

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