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Concept: MLNR Talatalanoa Overseas

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – The Honourable Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Lord Tu’i’afitu and key officials from the ministry extended the Toe Talatalanoa Australia program to Canberra held on the 9th to 14th December 2023 following its success in Melbourne. The program in Canberra included insightful Talatalanoa sessions, crucial appointments, a radio talk back, and a visit to the Acting High Commissioner of Tonga to Australia.

1. Background

The MLNR Talatalanoa New Zealand is the second part of the Talatalanoa Overseas Program which started in Australia in December last year. The plan is to assist all Tongans in New Zealand regarding their land issues. This includes building awareness of the ministry’s internal land policies, processes and procedures, and the Land Act.

In Australia, the Hon Minister also held more than 60 appointments and the team returned with these appointments to action it. The team has completed 75 requests while in Australia and will reply to individuals on the 23rd of February 2024. This relieves Tongans in Australia from making personal expenses to come to Tonga for their land works.

The pressing interest of the Tongans to know about the state of their properties and what would become in the future was greatly recognized and noted for further attention. This was possibly predicted by the various state meetings and appointments made during the program in Australia.

Based on the positive feedback from the Tongans who attended the Talatalanoa Australia, the Talatalanoa New Zealand will be based on the success and lessons learned from Australia.

Similarly, the purpose remains the same, to have a consultation with Tongans and landowners living in New Zealand regarding land issues, concerns, updates, and sharing of key information and support from the ministry.

Tongans and landowners even though living overseas still hold their right to their land under the constitution. These programs ensure and reaffirm the ministry continues to fulfill the needs of all Tongan's rights to their land.

2. Purpose of the Visit

The Talatalanoa NZ will be slightly different from how the program in Australia was carried out. It was always two parts, the Talatalanoa, and the Appointments. For Talatalanoa NZ, the focus will be on having more time for people to have individual appointments with the Minister.

Therefore, it is requested that all who want to see the minister regarding their land status, application, queries, grievances, and so forth please inform the community leaders and organizers to book to organizers for the appointments.

The majority of the time in the Talatalanoa NZ will be in appointments where the Minister and individuals and families to discuss their land status, issues, applications, and grievances directly with him. In addition, the majority of Tongans overseas when coming to Tonga, have an appointment with the minister, this saves them the trouble and expenses of coming to Tonga, especially for our elderly people and those busy with work.

3. The Talatalanoa New Zealand

• 3.1. The Talatalanoa New Zealand Team will be as follows;
• 3.1.1. Lord Tu’i’afitu, Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (be accompanied by Lady Tu’i’afitu, the spouse)
• 3.1.2. Viliami Folau, Deputy CEO Surveying Services/Corporate Services
• 3.1.3. Makakaufaki Matekitonga, Senior Urban Planner
• 3.1.4. Sione Leki, Chief Drafting
• 3.1.5. Warrick Vea, Land Registration Officer
• 3.1.6. 'Amipelela Tokelau, Land Registration Officer
• 3.1.7. Siuola Feinga Nai, Head Quality Control and Assurance Section
• 3.1.8. 'Ilaisaane Sefana, Hon. Minister Secretary
• 3.2. The Program
• The Talatalanoa New Zealand will be from the 9th – 27th of April 2024. The program will be as follows. Venues are yet TBD.
• Christchurch 10th – 12th April 2024
• Wellington 13th – 16th April 2024
• Palmerston 17th – 19th April 2024
• Auckland/Hamilton 20th – 26th April 2024

4. The outcome of the Visit

• The outcome of this visit is to ensure Tongans in New Zealand will have a clear understanding of:
• 4.1. Minister to have individual appointments with Tongans and landowners living in New Zealand.
• 4.2. All appointments will be recorded by the team to bring back to Tonga to work on and report back to all individuals in 2 months.
• 4.3. Brochures and pamphlets of land processes and procedures will be explained and distributed.
• 4.4. Explain Tongan citizenship and owning land, dual citizenship law, and the right to still own land in Tonga.

5. The Talatalanoa Overseas Program

• The MLNR Talatalanoa Overseas program will be an official visit of the MLNR as follows:
• 5.1. Australia (Completed)
• 5.2. New Zealand (April 2024)
• 5.3. USA (before the end of 2024)

For more information, please contact the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources at +(676) 7401301 or visit our website at www.lands.gov.to.