150th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Tonga (1875–2025)
A National Celebration of History, Identity and Constitutional Continuity
31 October 2025 – 4 November 2025
Nuku’alofa – November 2025. The Kingdom of Tonga marked 150 years since the signing of its Constitution, granted by His late Majesty King George Tupou I on 4 November 1875 — the oldest written constitution of a sovereign state in the Pacific, predating Australia’s (1901) and the independent constitutional framework of New Zealand (1986). Unlike many of its neighbors, Tonga’s Constitution was entirely sovereign and locally drafted, establishing the rule of law, a Bill of Rights, and a constitutional monarchy that remains uninterrupted to this day.
The official commemorations in 2025 took place in Nukuʻalofa from 31 October 2025 to 4 November 2025, with a comprehensive programme of cultural, religious and civic events. In recognition of this historic milestone, the Government declared an additional public holiday on 4 November 2025, complementing the annual Constitution Day observed on 3 November 2025.
Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu led the national celebrations. On Friday 31 October 2025, the programme opened with the Royal Prayer Breakfast at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, followed by the inauguration of the upgraded Queen Salote International Wharf and a series of cultural and sporting activities.
On Sunday 2 November 2025, a Thanksgiving and Memorial Service was held at the Centenary Church of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, followed by a Royal Luncheon at Malaʻe Pangai and an evening of choral music. Throughout the week, traditional performances — including the classic morning entertainment Fakatakatofā — highlighted Tonga’s enduring culture and spiritual identity.
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga, founded under the 1875 Constitution, is one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the Pacific. For generations, Parliament met in its historic wooden building in central Nukuʻalofa until Cyclone Gita destroyed it in 2018, forcing sittings into temporary premises.
On Tuesday 4 November 2025 — Culture and Traditions Day — His Majesty King Tupou VI presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Legislative Assembly Building at Talangaholo Estate, situated on land personally donated by the Monarch. Earlier that morning, a Remembrance Service and wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Royal Tombs, followed by a Royal Luncheon and civic parades through the capital. The new Parliament — funded jointly by Australia and New Zealand — will be climate-resilient, culturally inspired and a lasting symbol of Tonga’s democratic continuity.
That evening, students from Tonga’s secondary schools and tertiary institutions led the traditional Tūtūpakanava torch-lighting ritual followed by a grand fireworks display over Nukuʻalofa’s waterfront.
International guests included HE Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, and HE Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, whose presence reflected Tonga’s deep regional friendships and shared Pacific values of unity and freedom.
In his anniversary message, His Majesty King Tupou VI reflected on the vision of King George Tupou I, recalling the King’s 1863 visit to Sydney where he witnessed Indigenous Australians dispossessed of their land. This experience inspired him to ensure that Tongans would forever be protected from such injustice in their own homeland. His Majesty emphasised that defending the Constitution of 1875 remains as essential today as it was 150 years ago.
Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly since 2018, continues to advance parliamentary reform and youth engagement. In the week before the celebrations, His Majesty’s Honorary Consul-General to Portugal, Anthony Bailey, met Lord Fakafanua in Malta to discuss future parliamentary cooperation between Tonga and Portugal, including the Lusophone world and wider European partnerships in governance, culture and education.
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