About Tonga

Tonga is two roughly parallel chains of around 170 islands in the south-western Pacific. Neighbouring countries include Fiji to the west, Cook Islands to the east and Samoa north. Only 36 islands are inhabited. Tonga’s western islands are volcanic (four with active volcanoes) and sit well above sea level. Those to the east are coral and are more low-lying.

Find out more about Tonga

Region

Pacific

Language

English Tongan

Population

105,690 (2022)

Area

748 square kilometres

High Commissioner

HE Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava'u Tu'ivakano

Capital

Nuku’alofa

Joined Commonwealth

1970, on withdrawing from British protectorate

Episode guests

Anna Jane Lagi

Anna Jane Lagi

My name is Anna Jane Lagi and I am 25 years old. I was born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga, my parents are Viliami Paelata and Emma Jane Vea. I am the older sister of William and Naule’o. I have been married to Solomoni Qurai Lagi, of Rotuman and Fijian descent, for three years now. We have two joyful children, Viniana and Altair.

I am currently the Family Protection Act Coordinator under the Women’s Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I have been a civil servant for a little more than a year now, with a background in creative consultancy and the civic space.

I have always used poetry as a means of creative expression and my preferred medium as a human rights defender and youth mental health advocate.