The Government of Tonga - CountriesPedia

Tonga - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Tonga, it was "tonga" means "south" in the Tongan language and refers to the country's geographic position in relation to central Polynesia. The Government system in this country is the constitutional monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u

National symbols

Red cross on white field, arms equal length; national colors: red, white.

The flag

The National flag of Tonga has red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga, red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice, and white signifies purity.

The National Anthem

Title	"Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)
Lyric/music	Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT

note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

More about the government of Tonga

Constitution
Date of Independence	4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)
National holiday	Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)
Legal system	English common law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
History	Adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016
Amendments	Proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch; revised 1988; amended many times, last in 2013
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga
Dual citizenship recognized	yes
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012)
Head of government	Acting Prime Minister Samiu VAIPULU (since 9 December 2024; note - former Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI resigned on 9 December 2024)
Cabinet	Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
Elections/appointments	the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch; election last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held on 24 December 2024)
Election results	2021: Siaosi SOVALENI elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Siaosi SOVALENI 16 votes, Aisake EKE 10 2019: Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA (Peoples Party) elected prime minister by parliament receiving 15 of 23 votes cast
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats statutory, 28 current); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 4-year terms)
Elections	Last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025)
Election results	Percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 12, nobles' representatives 9, DPFI 3, TPPI 3; composition - men 26, women 2, percentage women 7.1%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers
Judge selection and term of office	Judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council and subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly
Subordinate courts	Supreme Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land Courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Viliana Va’inga TONE (since 20 April 2021)
Chancery	250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022
Telephone	[1] (917) 369-1025
FAX	[1] (917) 369-1024
Email address and website	[email protected]
Consulate(s) general	San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 6 December 2022); note - Ambassador DAMOUR is based in the US Embassy in the Republic of Fiji and is accredited to Tonga as well as Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu
Embassy	Although the US opened an embassy in Tonga on 9 May 2023, the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga while the Embassy is being staffed