King Tupou IV

"The challenge for the future is clear. We must prioritize our development goals because there are never enough resources for all our needs", he said.

"In order to advance we must have an accounting of where the nation is financially now. Our local market cannot sustain our balance of payments."

Tupou VI has urged the new Parliament to focus on facilitating Tonga's local economy, which has suffered from Covid restrictions and which has long struggled with a dependency on food and fuel imports.

Clerk of Tonga's Parliament Gloria Pole'o said the King's address will be delivered through a livestream feed from his residence on the island of 'Eua to the parliamentary chambers in Tongatapu where Members of Parliament and invited guests will gather to receive the opening address.

Ms Pole'o said the first parliamentary session will be the following day on Thursday.

The Royal Physician, Dr. Sione Latu and Sr. Seilini Soakai visited the royal residence and administered the doses according to protocol.

The Minister and Ministry of Health humbly express their sincere appreciation for the support from Their Majesties, a great achievement for the vaccination team as the Ministry continues to reach out to the rest of Tonga who are yet to receive their doses.

So far, 18,712 people have received their second dose of the COVID -19 vaccine.

This represents 65 per cent of the 28,841 people who have received their first dose.

The multi-million dollar building was named after the late Honourable 'Akua'ola, who was Minister of Police for 27 years.

The building was funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments, with rooms furnished for training and meeting purposes.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell told the official opening ceremony crime had reduced with 872 less offences compared to 2015.

The old currency has been replaced by a new set of coins and banknotes launched in June by King Tupou VI during his coronation celebrations.

The Tonga Reserve Bank estimates at least 50 million Pa'anga, or nearly US$23 million, in obsolete coins remains in circulation along with several million in 50 and one Pa'anga banknotes.

This money can no longer be used in Tonga but the Bank says it will continue to exchange old money for new for those who were unable to exchange their notes and coins before the September 30th deadline.