Local Government of Tonga

Ministry: Prime Minister’s Office

Local government is provided for by the Fonos Act 1988 and the District and Town Officers Act 1988, and not by the constitution. In the island groups of Ha’apai and Vava’u, the governors are responsible for local administration, executed by district and town officers. In the principal island of Tongatapu there are elected district and town officers, reporting directly to the Prime Minister’s Office. Governors are appointed by the Prime Minister and elections of officers are held every three years.

Local authorities do not have revenue-raising powers, their salaries and expenses being paid by central government.