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About

Our mission

Collaborate with Communities and facilitate partnership with stakeholders to enable sustainable living.

Community Empowerment

Community Empowerment

Providing skill development training and implementing community development projects to improve livelihoods.
Economic Empowerment

Economic Empowerment

Enhancing livelihood opportunities and reducing vulnerability through sustainable economic initiatives.
Learning, sharing and upscaling

Learning, sharing and upscaling

Facilitating knowledge exchange and scaling successful practices across communities.
Disaster & climate proofing

Disaster & climate proofing

Building resilience of rural communities to reduce their exposure, risks and vulnerabilities to impacts of climate and disaster impacts
About

Our journey

The Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) program was launched in late 2004 with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and managed by the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI). The regional program was implemented in 2007 across Fiji, Tonga, and Kiribati to empower rural communities and focus on poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods. MORDI worked with FSPI’s network partners and other NGOs and Civil Society Organizations. In Tonga, the program was initially led by the Catholic Women’s League, Tonga National Youth Congress, and the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, and the project under CWL moved to register it as a local NGO MORDI Tonga Trust in 2009.

2007: Initial funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

2010: Additional support from the New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

2012: Tonga Rural Innovation Project Phase 1 implemented IFAD funded TOP$10.2 million

2018: Post-Tropical Cyclone Gita, MORDI collaborated with CARE Australia and Live & Learn Environmental Education, receiving funds from the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to support vulnerable populations.

2019: TRIP Phase II implemented Government of Tonga and IFAD funded project TOP$24 million

2024: Launched the Tonga Australia Resilient Partnership with a commitment of Tongan Paʻanga 15 million (approximately AUD 9.5 million) from the Australian Government to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development.

MORDI Tonga Trust has implemented two major phases of the Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP):

TRIP I: Supported 60 communities, reaching 2,800 households and benefiting 16,901 individuals.

TRIP II (2018 onwards): Expanded to 122 communities, reaching 7,300 households and impacting 39,300 individuals.

The organization operates across Tonga’s main and outer islands, including Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u, Niuafo’ou, and Niuatoputapu, focusing on sustainable development, governance, rural development, humanitarian aid, and social enterprise.

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE FIELD
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Guiding values and Principles

Integrity

(Faitotonu)

Mutual trust and respect

(Falala'anga mo faka'apa'apa)

Empowerment

(Fakaivia)

Sustainability

(Tu'uloa)

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Issues we work on

We create projects that not only generate income, but are also sustainable, efficient and effective . We see this as having a direct hand in alleviating poverty in remote rural communities. Educating women in how to provide proper nutrition for their families, proper hygiene and managing the household budget is identified as a vital element in achieving our goals.

Governance and Management

Rural Development

Humanitarian

Social Enterprise

Cross Cutting issues

Meet the team

Board of Trustees

Dr-Seu

Dr. Seu'ula Johannson Fua

Dr. Seu’ula Johannson Fua is the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Director of the USP Institute of Education. She has extensive experience in research, leadership, and education, specializing in qualitative and quantitative research, policy analysis, and strategic planning. Dr. Fua holds degrees from the University of Waikato, a Master’s i and a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Toronto.

Joseph

Mr. Anthony Joseph Ryan

Tony Ryan is an international development consultant with extensive experience working with IFAD, ADB, and MFAT. Over his 35-year career, he has led multi-disciplinary teams across 21 countries, focusing on poverty reduction, food security, and rural development. He founded the Kyrgyzstan-New Zealand Rural Trust and MORDI Tonga Trust, both of which have significantly improved rural livelihoods. With expertise in project design, market access, and sustainable agriculture, Tony is known for his pragmatic approach and ability to drive lasting social and economic change.

Kaho

Mr. Kaho V. ‘Ofa

Kaho ‘Ofa is the Chief Investment Officer at the Retirement Fund Board, overseeing asset allocation, manager selection, and the Fund’s sustainable growth. He represents RFB on the TDB Board and has extensive experience in finance, policy, and economic research. Kaho holds a Master’s in Applied Finance from Victoria University of Wellington and a Bachelor of Economics and Management from USP. He has also served as an Executive Officer at the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and a Research Officer at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

Jennifer

Ms. Jennifer Tupou

Jennifer Tupou is the Chief Financial Officer at The Fono, delivering quality healthcare across Auckland and Northland. A chartered accountant in Australia and New Zealand, she has held leadership roles at Auckland DHB, Audit New Zealand, and Tonga Power Ltd. She is also the Owner and Managing Director of JK Chartered Accountants. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland.

Vili

Dr. Vili ‘Apifo’ou Fuavao

Dr. Vili A. Fuavao was the first Pacific Islander appointed as Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific at FAO. He has over 16 years of experience as FAO Sub-regional Coordinator and FAO Representative for the Pacific, as well as serving as FAO Representative for Thailand and Timor-Leste. Previously, he was the founding Director General of SPREP. Dr. Fuavao has extensive expertise in sustainable agriculture, food security, and natural resource management.

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Professor Steven JR Underhill

Professor Steven Underhill specializes in subtropical and tropical postharvest horticulture, focusing on poverty alleviation and livelihood development. He leads research in the South Pacific, working with smallholder farmers to improve postharvest handling and supply chain systems. He is the Director of the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research at the University of the Sunshine Coast and holds research positions across the Pacific. In 2010, he received an Australia Day Medal for his contributions to Queensland Primary Industry.

Be a part of MORDI Tonga, lend a hand as a volunteer, donate or simply spread the good word. Either way we want you to become part of the MORDI family and stand for change.

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Where we work

Tonga’s poor communities are mostly on the outer islands. For those living farthest from the main island, access to basic goods and services are limited, as are marketing opportunities, information and transportation.

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Tongatapu

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Vava’u

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Ha’apai

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'Eua

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Niuatoputapu

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Niuafo’ou

Get to know us

Published Works

122

Communities helped

7300

Households assisted

39300

People reached