Tonga · Constitution
Act of Constitution of Tonga
Granted on 4 November 1875 and amended substantially in 2010. Part I declares rights including equality before the law, freedom of the press and protection against arbitrary seizure. Part III governs land and is the constitutional heart of the system: clause 104 vests all land in the Crown and forbids its sale, permitting only hereditary estates for nobles and tax and town allotments for male subjects. The 2010 amendments transferred executive authority to a Cabinet responsible to the Legislative Assembly, leaving the monarch with defined prerogatives.
The constitutional text
Granted on 4 November 1875 and amended substantially in 2010. Part I declares rights including equality before the law, freedom of the press and protection against arbitrary seizure. Part III governs land and is the constitutional heart of the system: clause 104 vests all land in the Crown and forbids its sale, permitting only hereditary estates for nobles and tax and town allotments for male subjects. The 2010 amendments transferred executive authority to a Cabinet responsible to the Legislative Assembly, leaving the monarch with defined prerogatives.
Separation of powers
Unitary. The Legislative Assembly legislates for the whole kingdom, and the island divisions of Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the Niuas are administrative districts headed by governors. Below that, town and district officers are elected under the Fakafekau'aki and District and Town Officers Act.
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