From Promises to Progress: What Tonga Must Do After the National Development Summit
Opinion | Tonga Independent News | 21 March 2025
On the final day of Tonga’s National Development Summit, held Friday, 21 March 2025, four of our closest development partners—China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia—offered more than well-scripted speeches. They brought clarity, urgency, and a shared challenge: for Tonga to lead its development path with boldness and accountability.
Each country offered thoughtful reflections, grounded in deep partnership and shared respect. They affirmed their commitment to Tonga—not just in words, but through strategic aid, technical cooperation, and long-term collaboration. However, they also left no doubt: Tonga must now take the driver’s seat.
As someone who has followed the Summit closely, I came away encouraged—but also concerned. The dialogue was rich, the ideas were flowing, and the TSDF III offers a clear direction. But if Tonga lacks the systems, skills, and political will to follow through, this risks becoming another well-meaning talanoa with little impact.
China: Self-Reliance, Innovation, and Mutual Respect
His Excellency Raymond Liu, the Chinese Ambassador, praised Tonga’s long-term development thinking and the importance of setting national priorities. Drawing comparisons to China’s recent national political sessions, he noted the alignment between China’s upcoming five-year plan and Tonga’s 10-year strategy.
He emphasized key areas for cooperation: expanding trade (with special interest in products like kava), technology, and cultural exchange. But the real takeaway was China’s model of development—rooted in self-reliance, reform, and hard work.
He shared China’s experience of moving from poverty to power in under 50 years. His message was clear: Tonga, too, can rise, but it must find its own model, remain open to learning, and stay committed to inclusive growth.
Key takeaway: China respects Tonga’s sovereignty and values, but it expects Tonga to lead with clear purpose and drive the partnership forward.
Japan: Fiscal Reality and Long-Term Thinking
Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Hisao Inagaki gave a direct and disciplined address. While reaffirming Japan’s ongoing support—from wind power to airport upgrades—he delivered a sobering message: Tonga must strengthen its financial independence.
He urged the government to explore new revenue options, including a potential gift tax on remittances or a modest increase in consumption taxes. These, he argued, are essential if Tonga is to reduce reliance on foreign aid and invest in vital sectors like education and healthcare.
He also called for continued investment in the private sector to generate sustainable jobs at home and reduce the need for Tongans to seek work abroad.
Key takeaway: Japan will continue to support Tonga—but expects tough decisions and stronger domestic ownership in return.
New Zealand: Priorities, Clarity, and Values
New Zealand High Commissioner His Excellency Matthew Howell delivered a more reflective speech. Rather than listing past achievements, he focused on what Tonga must now do: define national priorities clearly and communicate them effectively to all development partners.
He emphasized the importance of strategic selectivity, transparency in aid coordination, and engaging communities and businesses in national planning. He also highlighted the opportunity cost of accepting aid that may not align with Tonga’s long-term needs.
Finally, Howell made a powerful point about values. Tonga’s cultural principles, he said, should not just sit on paper—but actively shape how development is designed and delivered.
Key takeaway: Tonga must be clear and confident in articulating what it needs—and ensure its cultural values remain central in that journey.
Australia: Trust, Risk, and Resilience
Acting Australian High Commissioner Miss Erin Gleason gave perhaps the most comprehensive overview. Australia, she noted, is Tonga’s largest bilateral development partner—funding health, infrastructure, education, and climate resilience. But that partnership is grounded in trust, and trust requires results.
She acknowledged that Australia channels significant support through Tonga’s national systems—a vote of confidence, but also a recognition of risk. She emphasized that aid is not infinite, and that Tonga must find ways to stretch limited resources.
Gleason also touched on deeper issues: the need for better civic dialogue, more accurate public information, and long-term planning around cybersecurity, crime, and economic diversification. She shared encouraging developments, like the kava export pilot and new family reunification programs under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Key takeaway: Australia believes in Tonga’s potential—but it wants to see stronger systems, inclusive planning, and long-term resilience.
The Real Question: Can We Deliver?
So, what does this all mean?
Tonga is not short on support. Our development partners are listening, investing, and staying engaged. But they are also expecting more from us.
Are we capable—with the right skills, leadership, and coordination—to deliver on the promises of TSDF III and beyond?
That is the question now before us. And it’s the question many observers fear the answer to may be: not yet.
If the Summit ends without clear follow-up, institutional reforms, and sector-level action plans, it will be remembered as another event filled with noble speeches and missed opportunities.
A National Call to Action
The responsibility to act lies not only with the government—but with all of us.
To the Government:
Set up a delivery unit focused solely on TSDF III execution. Improve coordination between ministries. Publish development partner activities and budgets. Empower local government and communities to drive implementation on the ground.
To Civil Society:
Stay informed and involved. Push for meaningful inclusion in policymaking. Help track results and share community insights to bridge the gap between policy and people.
To All Tongans:
Development is not something that happens to us—it’s something we create. Whether we’re in business, farming, education, or youth work, each of us has a role in building a stronger Tonga.
This Summit can mark a turning point—but only if we choose to act.
The world is watching. Our partners are standing by.
The ball is in our court. Let’s not waste the serve.
By Melino Maka
