Liku'alofa Beach Resort - Tonga Accommodation

Tonga (meaning "South") was named the "Friendly Islands" by Captain Cook in 1773 because of the warm welcome received from the islanders. Tongan people are Polynesians (meaning "many islands"). The modern-day Kingdom of Tonga was founded in 1875 by the adoption of a written constitution under Tonga's first constitutional monarch, His Majesty King George Tupou I. The present monarch, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV is the great-great grandson of HM Tupou I and is the 22nd King in the line of the Tu'i Kanokupolu Monarchy and the fourth monarch in the house of Tupou. His Majesty has been on the throne since 1965, although his coronation did not occur until 1967. He started his secondary education in Tonga at Tupou College and graduated with honours in 1932. His Christian name, Jiaoji Taaufa'ahau, may be found on the Tupou College honourboard for the year 1932. He went on to further studies and matriculated in Australia at Newington College, then continued his education and completed his BA, LLB at Sydney University. His Majesty is the first known Tongan to have graduated from a university. Under the leadership and guidance of HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, Tonga has continued to develop its government, education and economy enabling Tonga to play its full part in the political and economic affairs of the Pacific region and beyond. More details may be found on

The Tongan Government is a Constitutional Monarchy, that is, the king's power is limited by law. The current monarchy was originated in 1845 by King George (Siaosi) Tupou I following a major civil war among the island sub-groups. More information may be found at the Government of Tonga official website http://pmo.gov.to/
The King has in line 33 Nobles at his disposal, acting as his mediators to the people throughout the kingdom. The Nobles control the land distribution and facilitate the welfare of the people who occupy the land.

The local population is about 100,000 and 100,000 more live abroad mainly in New Zealand, Australia and USA. The majority of the population (more than 60%) lives on the main island, Tongatapu, because infrastructures are better developed here than in the outer islands. About 5% of the local population is of other nationalities, mainly New Zealanders, Australians, Americans, British, Europeans, other Pacific Islanders and, more recently, Chinese immigrants. Statistics show that the local population is fairly stable partly because of a consistent flow of emigrants overseas mainly to New Zealand, Australia and USA.

The Kingdom of Tonga

Form of Government

Tongan people are known as Polynesians or Pacific Islanders. The national language is Tongan. English is the second language and is becoming more common as the official language. According to tradition, government documents are still published both in Tongan and English versions.

Tonga has a very pleasant climate on the main island, Tongatapu. During winter months one still needs some warm clothes. For all-year round weather, Vava'u has a much warmer climate. For Tongatapu in the Autumn/Winter/Spring months (March to November) temperatures range from 10º C at midnight to 25º C at mid-day. At other times, temperatures around 20º C at mid-night to 35º C at mid-day is normal. Also relative humidity is high during the summer months (December, January and February). Occasionally the islands suffer from a severe hurricane or earthquake, the former being more frequent.