1 Mar 2018

Tonga changes new Parliamentary venue

8:40 am on 1 March 2018

Tonga's government has again changed its venue for parliament after Tropical Cyclone Gita destroyed the country's Legislative Assembly earlier this month.

The parliament in Tonga after the storm.

The parliament in Tonga after the storm. Photo: Supplied

Parliament will now meet from March 5 at the Tonga National Centre.

The centre was previously excluded as a parliamentary venue as it was located outside Nuku'alofa's boundary.

A revision has been made to include the centre within the capital's boundary so as to comply with the country's constitution which says the Legislative Assembly shall always meet in the capital except in times of war.

The old Tongan Parliament, shipped from New Zealand in 1892, resisted many natural disasters but was destroyed by cyclone Gita.

The old Tongan Parliament, shipped from New Zealand in 1892, resisted many natural disasters but was destroyed by cyclone Gita. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Initially the Fa'onelua Convention Centre was selected as the new seat of government.

The Tonga National Centre will remain the home of the Legislative Assembly until a new complex is built.

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