On the scattered islands of Tonga, farming has always been both a livelihood and a way of life. Yet for many rural households, climate change is making that life increasingly uncertain. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and stronger cyclones are disrupting planting cycles and...
Smallholder farmers are central to Tonga’s rural economy and food systems. However, many farmers operate individually, with limited access to land, markets, finance, extension services, and infrastructure. This can restrict productivity, reduce incomes, and increase vulnerability to climate and economic shocks. Organising farmers into groups, combined...
In Tonga, rural communities face growing challenges from climate change and migration to limited infrastructure and market opportunities. Traditionally, development planning has often been driven by external agencies, but recent approaches have shifted toward community-led planning, placing villagers at the centre of decision-making. Through various development...
MORDI Tonga Trust warmly congratulates Ms. Aileen Burness on her appointment as the new Chairlady of the Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON), and extends heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Minoru Nishi as he concludes his term as Chairman. Congratulations to Chairlady Aileen Burness Ms. Aileen Burness brings...
MORDI Tonga Trust is proud to mark the successful completion of the Tonga Rural Innovation Project – Phase II (TRIP II), a transformative seven-year initiative supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented in partnership with the Government of Tonga. Since its inception,...
September 26th, 2025 - MORDI Tonga Trust is proud to honor Dr Seu’ula Johansson-Fua , a distinguished Tongan educator, scholar, and leader, for her continued contributions to Pacific education and academic excellence. Dr Johansson-Fua, Director of the Institute of Education at the University of the South...
September 8th, 2025 - MORDI Tonga Trust is proud to congratulate Board Member Ms. Jennifer Tupou on her recent recognition as the 2025 Finance Leader – Growth Entity Award recipient. This prestigious award celebrates her outstanding leadership and the transformative role she has played in...
July 25th, 2025 - Stuart Batty, Executive Director of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service Ltd (RNZWCS), recently visited MORDI Tonga Trust as part of an ongoing partnership supporting climate resilience in Tonga’s rural communities. RNZWCS, a charitable organization that takes a nationwide approach to...
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...
From 13–27 June 2025, Ákanesi Tohi and Tigris Havea of MORDI Tonga Trust participated in the Juncao Technology Seminar in China, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. The training introduced Juncao grass, a versatile and sustainable technology with strong...