Major Governance Reforms Come into Force as 2025 Laws Are Gazetted
A sweeping package of governance and regulatory reforms passed during the 2025 Session of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga has now formally come into force following the granting of Royal Assent and publication in the Government Gazette, marking one of the most significant legislative milestones in recent years.
At the centre of the reform package is the Whistleblower Protection Act 2025 (Act 32 of 2025), which the Office of the Anti-Corruption Commissioner has confirmed is now law. The Commissioner’s Office led the drafting and legislative process for the Act, which establishes a formal and legally protected mechanism for individuals to report serious and systemic corruption involving public institutions or public officials.
The Whistleblower Protection Act provides strong safeguards for individuals who disclose information in good faith. It makes it a serious criminal offence to punish, threaten, intimidate or otherwise harm a whistleblower for making a report. Any person found to have victimised a whistleblower may face a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to T$100,000, or both. The law is intended to reduce the personal risk faced by those who speak up, while strengthening accountability and transparency across the public sector.
The whistleblower legislation forms part of a broader legislative framework enacted in 2025 that collectively reshapes Tonga’s approach to governance, data protection, financial integrity, consumer rights and environmental management. Taken together, the reforms affect how government agencies operate, how businesses are regulated, and how citizens’ rights are protected.
Among the Acts gazetted alongside the whistleblower law are the Privacy Act 2025 and the Personal Health Information Protection Act 2025, which introduce clearer legal rights over how personal and medical information is collected, stored and used. These protections take on added importance as public services, health systems and commercial transactions increasingly rely on digital platforms and data sharing.
The Civil Registration and Digital Identification Act 2025 lays the legal foundation for modernised identity systems, with the aim of improving access to public services, reducing duplication, and strengthening record-keeping. While implementation will be gradual, the Act signals a shift toward more efficient and integrated public administration.
Financial integrity has been reinforced through the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act 2025, which strengthens the state’s ability to detect, prevent and prosecute financial crime. The legislation also supports Tonga’s international banking relationships and reduces the risk of the country being exposed to illicit financial activity.
Consumer rights have been strengthened under the Consumer Protection Act 2025, which provides clearer remedies for unfair trading practices, misleading conduct and defective goods or services, while amendments to land and communications laws aim to modernise regulatory frameworks in those sectors.
Environmental governance has also been advanced through the Ocean Management Act 2025, which establishes a stronger statutory framework for the sustainable management and protection of Tonga’s marine resources, a sector central to livelihoods, food security and national identity.
While the laws are now in force, their practical impact will depend on effective enforcement, public awareness and institutional capacity. Collectively, however, the 2025 legislative package represents a decisive move toward stronger protections, clearer rights and higher standards of governance.
All Acts are now law and are available in both Tongan and English through the Attorney General’s Office.
