Enhancing resilience and improving the livelihood of rural communities throughout Tonga.
Engaging communities in partnership ensuring greater resilience through sustainable livelihoods.
MORDI Tonga aims to be the central hub for rural development programmes that strengthen community livelihoods. We are committed to expanding initiatives with clear value-chain linkages to boost productivity and income. Through rigorous research and innovation, we aim to enhance community resilience and promote sustainable, inclusive rural growth.
Current Projects:
1. Tonga Australia Resilient Community Project (TARCP)
Funding: DFAT (AUD 9.7 M ≈ TOP 14.8 M)
Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust | Duration: 2024 –2029
2. Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP) III
Funding: Total Cost (USD 19.36 M ≈ TOP 46.56 M)
IFAD (USD 5.3 M) | GEF (USD 4.69 M) | Govt & Beneficiaries (USD 4.87 M) | Gap (USD 4.5 M)
Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust | Duration: 2026 – 2031
3. Climate Resilient Seed & Seedling Production Project (CRSSP)
Funding: Total Cost (NZD 1.22 M ≈ TOP 1.68 M)
Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust | Donor: New Zealand Government (MFAT – CFCR)
Duration: 2024 – 2026 | Coverage: 53 communities (38 Tongatapu + 15 ’Eua)
MORDI Tonga drives research that strengthens rural development through innovative, evidence-based solutions. Our work focuses on improving livelihoods, boosting community resilience, and addressing key challenges such as food security and climate adaptation.
Current research:
1. Sustainable Agricultural Intensification
Project Name – Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) Systems for Climate-
Resilient Development in the Pacific
Code: CLIM/2020/186 | Funding: ACIAR
Budget: AUD 1.63M I Location: Tonga, Samoa
Duration: Feb 2023 – Dec 2026
Lead: University of Melbourne
Partners: Lincoln University, MORDI Tonga Trust
Programme: ACIAR Climate Change
2. Food Loss in the Pacific
Project Name – Gender-Inclusive Reduction of Horticultural Food Loss in the Pacific
Code: CS/2020/191 | Funding: ACIAR Budget: AUD 1.22M
Duration: Aug 2022 – Dec 2026
Countries: Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga
Lead: SROS
Partners: MORDI Tonga Trust
Programme: Horticulture
3. Soil Management in the Pacific
Project Name – Pacific Soil Portal Phase 2: Soil Management in the Pacific Islands
Code: SLAM/2020/139 | Funding: ACIAR Budget: AUD 2.72M
Duration: Jan 2023 – Dec 2027
Partners: CSIRO • Manaaki Whenua NZ • SPC • USP • MAFF Tonga • MoA Fiji • MALFFB Vanuatu
Countries: Fiji • Samoa • Tonga • Vanuatu
Programme: Soil & Land Management
MORDI Tonga ensures fast and effective responses to meet the immediate shelter, WASH, food security, and livelihood needs of disaster-affected communities. We invest in research and development to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, building community resilience to future shocks.
Key focus areas:
1. IDA & Planning
2. Infrastructure
3. WASH
4. Food systems
MORDI Tonga is building a stronger, more financially self-sufficient organization. By expanding social enterprise initiatives, we aim to increase independence, flexibility, and long-term sustainability in delivering development outcomes for Tonga’s rural communities.
MORDI Tonga Trust integrates key cross-cutting issues into all its work by promoting gender equality, supporting inclusive development for vulnerable groups, strengthening community resilience to climate change, and improving nutrition through better food security and sustainable practices. This holistic approach helps rural families build dignity, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.
MORDI Tonga Trust is excited to announce a new funding opportunity through Australian support and the TRIP III initiative, which will significantly strengthen ongoing rural development efforts across ...
In many elementary schools across Tonga, classrooms function despite severe shortages of basic learning resources such as desks and chairs. Recognising this challenge, Rotary New Zealand, in partnersh...
MORDI Tonga has established a controlled-environment nursery using Mapal soilless cultivation technology developed in Israel. This investment represents a strategic intervention to strengthen seed pro...
A respected education and leadership expert with over 20 years of experience in research and community development. As Director of the Institute of Education at USP and Chair of MORDI Tonga Trust, she champions inclusive leadership and empowerment across the Pacific.
A rural development economist with over 35 years of experience across Asia and the Pacific. A founding trustee of MORDI Tonga Trust, he brings extensive expertise in agriculture, economics, and community development.
A finance and investment leader with experience in banking, policy, and governance. Now CEO of the Tonga Development Bank, he brings strong financial and strategic expertise to the MORDI Tonga Trust Board.
A finance and audit professional with senior experience at Auckland District Health Board, Audit New Zealand, and Tonga Power Limited, bringing strong financial oversight and governance expertise to the MORDI Tonga Trust Board.
A veteran agriculture and rural development leader with over 30 years of international experience, including service as FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. He brings deep expertise in policy, governance, and sustainable development to the MORDI Tonga Trust Board.
A renowned horticultural scientist and Pacific development expert with over 20 years of experience. Appointed to the MORDI Tonga Trust Board in 2024, he champions sustainable agriculture and food security across the Pacific.
Communities helped
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