9 Jan 2007

New Zealand town planners to work on rebulding Nuku'alofa

4:28 pm on 9 January 2007

New Zealand officials are expected in Tonga later this month to work on a new town plan

for Nuku'alofa's central business district, which was destroyed in the November 16 riot.

The Matangi Tonga website says a new plan for the capital is expected to be complete by March and reconstruction

work should start in April.

The minister for transport and a member of the government's reconstruction committee, Paul Karalus,

says the area destroyed is being surveyed and the information would be used by a group of

town planners from Manukau City in South Auckland.

Mr Karalus says the plan is to have the town ready in time for the Kings Coronation next year.