Humpback Whale
Every year, humpback whales travel to the warm waters around Tonga to give birth and raise their calves, making Tonga one of the few places on Earth where people can swim near these gentle giants.
Flag of Tonga
Field Report
Tonga is a kingdom made up of small islands scattered across the South Pacific Ocean, sitting roughly halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. A king still rules the country today, and the people have a rich culture of music, weaving, and deep community ties that stretch back thousands of years. Most Tongans would call themselves Christian, but missionaries and local believers are working hard to make sure that faith is rooted in a true knowledge of Jesus and His Word.
From the Field Notebook
Humpback Whale
Every year, humpback whales travel to the warm waters around Tonga to give birth and raise their calves, making Tonga one of the few places on Earth where people can swim near these gentle giants.
Flying Fox Bat
The Tongan flying fox is a large fruit-eating bat with a wingspan that can reach nearly a meter, and Tongans have traditionally considered it a royal animal protected by the king.
Sea Turtle
Both green and hawksbill sea turtles nest on Tongan shores, and in traditional Tongan culture these ancient reptiles carry deep significance as creatures tied to the islands' history and oral legends.
Lu Pulu
Lu pulu is a beloved Tongan dish of canned corned beef, onion, and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and baked underground in an umu earth oven, resulting in something rich, tender, and deeply savory.
Ota Ika
Ota ika is fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juice until it turns firm, then mixed with coconut cream and vegetables — a light, tangy dish that tastes like the ocean itself.
Kumala
Kumala, the Tongan sweet potato, has been a staple crop on the islands for centuries and is often roasted in the umu alongside other foods for family feasts and Sunday meals after church.
Tonga is the only monarchy in the Pacific Islands and has never been fully colonized by a foreign power, making it unique among its neighbors.
The kingdom is made up of about 169 islands, but fewer than 40 of them actually have people living on them.
Tonga sits on the International Date Line, which means it is one of the very first countries in the world to begin each new day.
Tongans have competed in the Olympic Games since 1984, and at the 2018 Winter Olympics, flag-bearer Pita Taufatofua marched through the snow wearing traditional oil and a ta'ovala mat — just as he had at the summer games in the heat of Rio.
The Tongan language has a specific word, 'ofa, that describes a deep, giving love for another person — a concept so central to Tongan life that it shapes how families, communities, and even the whole kingdom are expected to treat one another.
Daily Life
73
Years life expectancy
91%
Can read and write
86%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Nearly all Tonga's people follow Christianity (95.9%). Evangelical Christians make up about 15.8% of the population.
What People Believe
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.