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GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF TONGA

Head of StateL His Majesty King Tupou VI
Type of Government : Constiitutional Monarchy
Executive Branch of Government: His Majesty's Cabinet
Head of Government: Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano

The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga is divided into three Bodies

-1. The King Privy Council and Cabinet (Ministry); 2. The Legislative Assembly; 3. The Judiciary

KING AND PRIVY COUNCIL - 'Tu'i mo e Fakataha Tokon

The Privy Council will now consist of advisors appointed by His Majesty from time to time to advise him on matters general or particular, as His Majesty decides.

Matters that must be decided by The King in Privy Council under the Constitution also include -granting pardons to people convicted of criminal offences (cl 37); hearing appeals from the Land Court (cl 50(2)); approving (along with unanimous Cabinet) changes to the Constitution(cl 79); the appointment of Judges after receiving advice from the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel (cls 85, 86); approving the terms of leases of more than 99 years (cl 114).

In addition, other Acts provide powers and functions for His Majesty, alone ori n Privy Council, especially relating to foreign affairs, formal matters and some emergency powers.

THE KING - 'Hau 'o e Fonua'
Coinage     
Signature to Acts
National Anthem
National Flag


1. THE CABINET                    - 'Kapineti 'a 'Ene 'Afio' 2.  THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY  - 'Fale Alea' 3.   THE JUDICIARY - 'Fakamaau'anga'
The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and all other Ministers, and is the collective forum for Ministers to make decisions on questions of government policy and administration. In practice, all significant matters are decided by collective Cabinet decision

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga is made up of elected representatives of the nobles, elected representatives of the people, plus any appointed Ministers (up to 4 may be appointed).

The King and the Legislative Assembly together have the power to enact laws , and the approval of the Legislative Assembly is needed for taxation and customs duties, and for the government's budget each year.

The judicial power of the Kingdom is vested in the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Land Court, and the Magistrate's Court. The Constitution includes clear protection of the independence of the judicial branch and court processes.
Prime Minister Speaker Chief Justice
Deputy Prime Minister Ministers                   
Noble's Representatives                                          
Attorney General / Lord Chancellor
Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet People's Representatives Judges


GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE - Ministries and Agencies (1 July 2012)
14 MINISTRIES AGENCIES PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests,Fisheries Independent Tonga Post Limited
Ministry of Commerce and Tourism Legislative Assembly Tonga Development Bank
Ministry of Education and Training Audit Office Friendly Islands Shipping Agency
Ministry of Finance and National Planning Palace Offce Ports Authority
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Attorney General's Office Tonga Airports Limited
Ministry of Health Lord Chancellor's Office Tonga Power Limited
Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change ,Natural Resources Commission for Public Relations Tonga Communications Corporation
Ministry of Justice Tonga Electoral Commission Tonga Print Limited
Ministry of Internal Affairs Reporting to Minister Tonga Water Board
Ministry of Public Enterprises Tonga Defence Services Tonga Forests Limited
Ministry of Infrastructure Public Service Commission Tonga Broadcasting Commission
Ministry of Revenue Services Electricity Commission Tongatapu Market Limited
Prime Minister's Office National Bureau of Statiscs Small Industries Limited
Ministers CEOs/HODs Directors/Boards

For more information, please contact (676) 28-170 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it