Tonga’s Queen Champions New Public Library in Nuku’alofa

The Queen of Tonga, Queen Nanasipau’u, has officially supported the establishment of a new public library in Nuku’alofa. The proposed site is located on the Royal estate in Kolomotu’a, a move that aims to enhance access to educational resources for the community.

The initiative follows the success of the first public library in Nuku’alofa, which was founded by Kahoa Meimuli-Corbett and her husband, Brendan Corbett. Opened in 2018 in Kolovai, on the western coast of Tongatapu, this library has thrived over the past seven years. It has become a vital hub for residents of all ages, serving both the local village and the broader community.

Kahoa Meimuli-Corbett has long envisioned a second public library. Three years ago, she reached out to Queen Nanasipau’u regarding a potential site on a property owned by the Monarchy. To her delight, the Queen responded positively, offering land on the palace estate at the intersection of Hala Vaha’akolo and Vuna Road, near Sio Ko Veiongo.

As the Kolovai library continues to receive an influx of book donations from New Zealand and other parts of the world, storage has become an issue. Thousands of books have been redirected to local schools to meet the growing demand. Queen Nanasipau’u has taken a personal interest in the library project, assisting with logistics, including storage costs.

Kahoa expressed her gratitude, stating, “It is a great privilege to have been gifted this property from the King and Queen of Tonga. This is a unique opportunity to build a state-of-the-art library for the Tongan people.” The architectural plans for the new library were developed by Michael O’Leary, an Auckland-based architect and family friend. He remarked on the site’s potential, saying it is “an amazing piece of land.”

The new library will be designed as a multi-functional space, offering free access to books and digital resources. It is also set to include community areas for workshops, performances, and cultural exchanges. Importantly, the library will feature accessibility options to ensure that all members of the community can benefit from its resources.

With the support of the Queen and the community, the vision for a new public library in Nuku’alofa is poised to become a reality. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering education and cultural exchange in Tonga, providing a valuable resource for current and future generations.