Cafe Pacific: Nius Country Profiles: Tonga

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Head of State:King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Baron Vaea
Capital:Nuku'alofa (on Tongatapu).
Official languages: Tongan (English used in education and administration).
Currency: Tongan pa'anga = 100 seniti
Area: 748 sq km (170 islands).
Population: 98 300 (1994 SPC est) -- Tongatapu: 63 614; Vava'u: 15 170.
Time: + 1300 hours GMT.
Gross national product: US$70m (1985).
GNP per capita: US$730.
Aid: A$13 million (1980); per capta A$134.
Literacy: 78 per cent (UNESCO 1990).

Map of Tonga
Map: Gemini News Service

Political system: Tonga is governed by a hereditary monarch who appoints and chairs a Privy Council consisting of seven life ministers -- inclusing an executive prime minister -- and the governors of Ha'apai and Vava'u. A unicameral legislative council of 28 members meets annually but only nine of its places are filled by elected representatives of the commoners.
Political parties: Until 1994 there were no organised political parties, but the Pro-Democracy Movement, led by 'Akilisi Pohiva, won six out of the nine People's Representative seats in the February 1993 election. In late 1994 the movement formed the Democracy Party.

News media:

Press:

Ko'e Kele'a: Bimonthly; 5000; Tongan/English language; associated with Pro-Democracy Movement; Publisher/editor: 'Akilisi Pohiva. PO Box 956, Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 21215. A whistleblowing newsletter with critical analyses of Tongan political and current affairs.
Ko'e Kalonikali Tonga (Tonga Chronicle): Weekly; 5000 Tongan; 1500 English; Information Division, Kingdom of Tonga. Editor: Tuisoso (Paua Manu'atu). Tungi Arcade, Suite 205, Taufa'ahau Rd, PO Box 197, Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 23302; Fax: (676) 23336. National and international news. Email: samt@gco.apana.org.au
Matangi Tonga: Bimonthly; English/Tongan language; 2000; Vava'u Press Ltd. Publisher/Editor: Pesi Fonua, co-editor: Mary Fonua. Haveluloto, PO Box 427, Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 23101; Fax: (676) 24749. National news magazine. Email: kami@netstorage.com
Taimi 'o Tonga (Tongan Times): Weekly; English/Tongan language; Lali Communications Ltd. Editor: Kalafi Moala. Siu'ilikutapu Rd, Kolomutu'a, PO Box 880, Nuku'alofa, or 113 Rockfield Rd, Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel: (676) 23177; Fax (Auckland main office): (649) 579 1805. National and international news.
Email: kalafi@tongatimes.com

Radio:

Radio Tonga: State-run broadcaster; Tonga Broadcasting Commission. Two services: one Am and the other commercial FM. News director: Laumanu Petelo. PO Box 36, Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 23555; Fax: (676) 24417.
Tonga FM93: United Christian Broadcasters. PO Box, 478 Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 23076; Fax: (676) 23076.

Television:

Oceania Broadcasting Network Ltd: PO Box 91, Nuku'alofa. Tel: (676) 23314; Fax: (676) 23658.

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