MFAT visits MORDI continuing support for the Manaaki Fund.

18 Dec MFAT visits MORDI continuing support for the Manaaki Fund.

July 24th, 2025 – MORDI Tonga Trust was honoured to welcome Ms. Olivia Philpott, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission, and Ms. Ta’hirih F. Hokafonu, Senior Development Program Coordinator, for a meaningful visit that celebrated the strength of partnership through the Manaaki Fund.

The visit offered a valuable opportunity to highlight the work MORDI is carrying out alongside communities to strengthen food security and climate resilience across Tonga. At the heart of this work is the collection of climate-resilient seeds from local farmers and households—seeds that are already adapted to Tonga’s soils, seasons, and changing climate.

Once collected, these seeds are carefully propagated, processed, and stored in community seed banks. This ensures that high-quality planting material is protected, multiplied, and made available when communities need it most. From there, the seeds are redistributed back to households and homestead gardens, helping families grow their own food, reduce reliance on imports, and better withstand climate shocks such as droughts and extreme weather.

For many communities, these seed banks are more than storage facilities—they are a foundation for resilience, self-reliance, and shared knowledge. By placing seeds back into the hands of local growers, the program supports livelihoods while preserving traditional crop varieties for future generations.

The visit by the New Zealand High Commission reaffirmed the importance of strong, long-term partnerships and the positive impact they can have at the grassroots level. Through the Manaaki Fund, this collaboration continues to support practical, community-led solutions that are making a real difference across MORDI’s target communities.

MORDI Tonga Trust extends its sincere appreciation for this ongoing support, which is helping to strengthen livelihoods, enhance food security, and foster a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for communities throughout Tonga.