Understanding the earth beneath Tonga

The Natural Resources Division studies earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and the rocks and land of our islands, so communities can stay informed and stay safe.

Va'a Tokangaekina 'o e Ngaahi Koloa Fakaenatula

Natural Resources Division

This division contributes to the promotion of a diverse economy by stimulating economic growth through the responsible use of our natural resources. This includes water, ocean, land, minerals and aggregates. It also supports the protection of the environment by ensuring sustainable management of our natural resources and by supporting responsible development.

Three Natural Resources staff on a boat watching a large plume of ash and steam rising from a volcano

Geohazard Services Section

Effective advice on the status of geohazard activities and the potential threats to the islands of Tonga. The section also provides wide sector awareness on the causes and behaviour of geohazards, how to respond, and evacuation plans, to reduce risk and deaths in each disaster event.

What this involves

Advice on the status of geohazard activities
Advice on potential threats to the islands of Tonga
Awareness of the causes and behaviour of geohazards
Guidance on response and evacuation plans
Reducing risk and deaths in each disaster event

Offshore Resources Management Section

Sustainable management of deep seabed minerals and petroleum hydrocarbons. The section also gives advice on investments in this high-risk sector, which has high revenue potential for economic growth, and ensures that maritime boundaries are agreed with neighbouring states.

What this involves

Sustainable management of deep seabed minerals
Sustainable management of petroleum hydrocarbons
Advice on investments in a high-risk, high revenue potential sector
Supporting economic growth
Ensuring maritime boundaries are agreed with neighbouring states

Water Resources Management Section

Sustainable management of water resources, and effective advice to stakeholders on the impact of climate change. This includes increased rainfall intensity causing floods, and prolonged dry spells thinning the groundwater lens, so that resilience to negative impacts is strengthened.

What this involves

Sustainable management of water resources
Advising stakeholders on the impact of climate change
Understanding floods caused by increased rainfall intensity
Understanding how prolonged dry spells thin the groundwater lens
Strengthening resilience to negative impacts

Coastal Area Management Section

An integrated approach to the management of coastal areas, to ensure the sustainability of coastal resources such as construction aggregates. It also gives effective advice to stakeholders on the impact of climate change, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, storm surges and inundation, so that resilience to negative impacts is strengthened.

What this involves

Integrated management of coastal areas
Sustainability of coastal resources such as construction aggregates
Advising stakeholders on the impact of climate change
Understanding sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surges and inundation
Strengthening resilience to negative impacts

Projects

Our current and past projects.

GCF Readiness Project

Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector

Green Climate Fund Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme for the Kingdom of Tonga

About us

The Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga Project (TON - RS - 009), supported by the Green Climate Fund, was launched in July 2023. Currently, the project is overseen by the Natural Resources Division (NRD) under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources (MLSPNR).

Access the Tongatapu, Ha'apai & Vava'u village groundwater dashboard through the link below:

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February 24, 2025