Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources
Mālō e lelei
Kingdom of Tonga
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.
Language / Lea:
TONGATAPU HYDROLOGICAL DROUGHT ADVISORY – 28 OCTOBER 2026FALEʻI KI HE TUʻUNGA HONGE VAI – TONGATAPU – 28 ʻOKATOPA 2026
Current advisoryFale‘i lolotonga
What the colours meanFakahinohino ki he ngaahi lanu ‘o e tu‘unga honge vai
Hihifo: Red, Level 3 (severe).Nuku'alofa Greater Urban Area: Orange, Level 2.
Please conserve water and report leaks or supply concerns to your village water committee or water supplier.
Any mandatory restrictions will be announced separately. Read the full advisory
HA'APAI HYDROLOGICAL DROUGHT ADVISORY – NOTICE 2 – 4 NOVEMBER 2026FALEʻI KI HE TUʻUNGA HONGE VAI ʻI HAʻAPAI – FANONGONONGO FIKA 2 – 4 NŌVEMA 2026
Red · Level 3 – SevereKulokula • Tu‘unga 3 — Honge vai
Orange · Level 2 – WarningMoli • Tu‘unga 2 — Fakatokanga ki he honge vai
Yellow · Level 1 – WatchEngeenga • Tu‘unga 1 — Tokanga ki he honge vai
Ha'apai (monitoring 27 July – 4 August 2026):
Red, Level 3 (severe): affected part of the TWB Hihifo–Pangai supply area, Lifuka.
Orange, Level 2: Koulo and Holopeka (Lifuka), Fotua (Foa), 'Uiha village and Felemea ('Uiha).
Yellow, Level 1: Lotofoa, Fangale'ounga and Faleloa / Ha'ateiho Si'i (Foa); Pukotala and Fakakai (Ha'ano, Kauvai).
Conductivity shows salinity at the source; it does not establish household drinking-water safety. Follow Ministry of Health advice. Enquiries: 740 1325 · enquire@naturalresources.gov.to
Drought declared
Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai, Niuatoputapu
Rainfall well below normal. Use water carefully.
Drought warning
Niuafo'ou
Conditions are worsening. Prepare and save water now.
Drought alert
Vava'u
Some rain has fallen, but levels are still low. Stay alert.
Drought map
Latest readings
Area and level
Latest reading
Click an area name to show it on the map. Salinity is measured at the water source; it does not show whether household drinking water is safe. Follow Ministry of Health advice.
The island and colour buttons change both the map and the readings list. Levels come from the Tongatapu advisory (28 October 2026) and Ha'apai Notice 2 (4 November 2026). Circles mark assessed water supplies, not whole villages.
What drought means for groundwater
Most of our islands rely on a thin lens of fresh groundwater that floats on top of seawater. When dry spells last for months, the lens gets thinner and wells can turn salty.
Our Water Resources Management Section monitors village groundwater on Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u, and advises government and communities on how to protect supplies.
How you can help
Use rainwater and tap water only for what you need. Save drinking water for drinking and cooking.
Fix leaking taps, pipes and tanks, and keep tank lids closed and clean.
Do not over-pump wells. Pumping too hard can draw seawater in.
Drought status from the Tonga Meteorological Service. For water distribution and emergency support, contact the National Emergency Management Office.
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.
Latest news
Follow us on Facebook
Our newest updates on earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, water and coastal work are posted on our Facebook page.
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
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
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
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
Quarries and aggregates at a glance
Construction aggregates come from quarries across the Kingdom. These charts show the share of quarry sites by status and the share of quarry Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) completed each year.
Quarry development status62 quarry sites
Active51.6%32
Closed41.9%26
New proposed4.8%3
Postponed1.6%1
Quarry EIAs completed by year22 EIAs, 2019 to 2025
20194.5%1
202018.2%4
202127.3%6
202222.7%5
202318.2%4
20244.5%1
20254.5%1
Percentages of the total. Sources: Quarry Update and Quarry EIA records, Natural Resources Division.
Sand aggregate, year by year
Sand is sold from Tongatapu beach sites and issued free for funerals. Sales fell from 1,726 tonnes in 2017 to about 530–610 tonnes a year since 2021, while funeral sand requests have risen to a high of 297 in 2025.
Sand sold per yearTonnes, 2017–2026Funeral sand requests per yearNumber of requests, 2017–2026
Full yearPart year (months shown under the bar)
Source: monthly Sand Aggregate records, Natural Resources Division. 2023 and 2026 cover January to September. The price rose from T$34.50 to T$103.50 per tonne in 2024.
Home›Projects›Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector
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:
Home›Projects›Managing water scarcity through strengthened water resources management
Project
Managing water scarcity through strengthened water resources management
Managing Water Scarcity & Strengthening Water Resilience for the Outer Islands of Tonga — Niuatoputapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u.
GoalVulnerable Pacific communities will have greater resilience to the risk of water scarcity.
Funded by
SPC / MFAT New Zealand
Implementing partner
Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources
Grant value
TOP 1,320,000 (plus TOP 40,000 in-kind co-financing)
Duration
August 2025 – December 2027
Location
Niuatoputapu, Ha'apai & Vava'u outer islands
Sector
Water
3Outer island regions targeted: Niuatoputapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u
123Households with improved water security from repaired and upgraded rainwater harvesting
216Infrastructure assessments completed across Hihifo, Vaipoa, Falehau and Tafahi
About the project
Strengthening the water resilience of Pacific and Tonga outer island communities
Families across Tonga's outer islands rely on rainwater harvesting for drinking and cooking. Where water is scarce and infrastructure work is difficult, this project repairs and upgrades household and community water systems so that rainwater storage lasts year-round, including through dry and drought seasons. The project is implemented by the Natural Resources Division (NRD) under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources (MLSPNR), with funding from SPC and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Four major outputs
Connect and repair the remaining households and facilities in Niuatoputapu and other regions, improving rainwater harvesting systems (gutters, downpipes, tank bases).
Repair damage and leakage to household water storage and catchment infrastructure, including roofing, cisterns and rainwater harvesting components, and install borehole production at sites certified for fresh water extraction.
Procure water quality test kits and salinity meters, with training.
Build the capacity of town officers and community water committee representatives in rainwater harvesting and water storage maintenance and upgrades.
Additional activities include repairing selected household systems in Ovaka, Lape and Ofu, and installing, repairing or upgrading gallery, bore and well production and reticulation systems in Lofanga, Kotu, Ovaka and Ofu.
Key achievements so far
Rainwater harvesting systems repaired and upgraded
Rainwater harvesting systems across Hihifo, Vaipoa, Falehau and Tafahi in Niuatoputapu have been repaired, upgraded and reconnected, significantly improving access to safe drinking water. A rainwater harvesting survey has also scoped households on three atoll islands in the Vava'u Group.
Niuatoputapu repair programme completed
Practical completion was achieved for repair and upgrade works in Niuatoputapu, delivering reliable drinking water for communities and public facilities, including Niuatoputapu High School, Hihifo Government Primary School, the Early Childhood School, Likamonu Hospital, community halls and evacuation centres, and more than 120 households.
Water quality testing and training delivered
Training of Trainers and water quality testing programmes were delivered in Ha'apai, building local capacity to monitor and manage drinking water quality.
Outer island assessments underway
Verification, scoping and technical assessments have been completed for Lofanga, Kotu, Uiha and Felemea, informing the next phase of investment in Ha'apai.
Drought resilience actions supported
The project has supported communities responding to drought risk, particularly following Tonga's El Niño declaration and emerging drought conditions in Ha'apai. During the Super El Niño (June 2026 – July 2027), the NRD Water and Project Team will support water scarcity management and resilience across all of Tonga's outer islands.
“Having 24 hour access to running water for drinking and other usages at her home was like a dream, but now the project has made it a reality.”Soana Kilioni, Falehau, Niuatoputapu
Looking ahead
Expand to Ha'apai and Vava'u: technical assessments and community consultations will guide the next phase of investment.
Continue water quality training: build local expertise in monitoring water quality and maintaining water systems.
Improve water storage capacity: additional storage for households, schools, health facilities and community buildings.
Support drought response: strengthen community preparedness and resilience during El Niño and drought conditions.
Upgrade gallery, bore and reticulation systems: improve groundwater access and water distribution in Ha'apai and Vava'u.
Key stakeholders
Ministry of Finance, Community Water Committees, Development Committees, MEIDECC and the Tonga Water Board.
Sustainability
The project team will keep training community water committees, town officers and community representatives to maintain, clean and repair rainwater harvesting systems, so communities can carry out repairs themselves in the long run.
Alignment
The project contributes to the SPC Strategic Plan 2022–2031 (Key Focus Area 1, Resilience and Climate Action), the SPC GEM Business Plan 2023–2027 (Thematic Areas 1, Disaster and Climate Risk Management, and 7, Water Security) and Government of Tonga priorities.
Project factsheet & documents
Staff can follow the project's outputs, activities and deliverables on the NRD portal:
Reports and publications from the Natural Resources Division.
Reports & publications
NEWAdvisory · Natural Resources Division · 28 October 2026
Hydrological Drought Advisory
Hihifo: Red, Level 3 (severe hydrological drought). Freshwater lens thickness at the assessed monitoring boreholes fell from 5.0 m in June to 0 m in September, a significant risk to affected village freshwater supplies.
Nuku'alofa Greater Urban Area: Orange, Level 2 (drought warning). Freshwater lens in the assessed supply field fell from 11.3 m to 7.1 m. Conserve water and prepare for possible supply pressures.
Please conserve water, repair and report leaks, and report supply concerns to your village water committee or water supplier. The Hihifo finding applies to assessed monitoring locations; any mandatory restrictions will be announced separately.
Based on June–September 2026 groundwater monitoring
Tonga National Sustainable Spatial Management Framework (NSSMF)
A national approach to spatial planning, approved by Cabinet. It guides future development, infrastructure investment and climate adaptation across the Kingdom, from the National Spatial Plan down to Regional (Island) Spatial Plans.
The Natural Resources Division (NRD) of the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources, Kingdom of Tonga.
Who we are
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.
We study earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and the rocks and land of our islands, so communities can stay informed and stay safe.
Our four sections
Geohazard Services
Advice on geohazard activity and threats to the islands of Tonga, with awareness on how to respond and evacuation plans.
What to do before, during and after a natural hazard event. In an emergency, always follow instructions from the authorities.
Latest earthquakes
Live
Loading the latest earthquakes…
Located by the NRD seismology network (SeisComP). Times are Tonga time. Automatic locations may change once a seismologist reviews them. For tsunami warnings, always follow NEMO and the Tonga Meteorological Service.
Stay safe
Earthquake
Drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops.
Stay away from windows, shelves and heavy objects.
If you are outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines.
After shaking, check for injuries and damage, and expect aftershocks.
Tsunami
If the shaking is strong or long, or the sea suddenly goes out, move to high ground or inland straight away. Do not wait for an official warning.
Go on foot if you can.
Stay away from the coast until the authorities say it is safe. Waves can keep coming for hours.
Volcanic eruption and ashfall
Stay indoors and close windows and doors when ash is falling.
Cover water tanks and disconnect downpipes so ash does not get into drinking water.
Wear a mask or damp cloth over your nose and mouth outside.
Follow advice on evacuation from the authorities.
Stay informed
Listen to the radio and official announcements.
Follow advice from the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), the Tonga Meteorological Service and the Natural Resources Division.
Have a family plan: know your nearest high ground and your evacuation route.
Official sources
Tonga Meteorological Service
Official weather, climate, coastal and warning information for Tonga.
