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

The Queen of Tonga, Nanasipau’u, has endorsed a proposal to construct a new public library in Nuku’alofa. Land for the project has been allocated on the Royal estate in Kolomotu’a, marking a significant step towards enhancing community resources in the capital.

The initiative follows the success of the first public library in Nuku’alofa, established by Kahoa Meimuli-Corbett and her husband, Brendan Corbett. Since its opening in 2018 in the village of Kolovai, located on the western coast of Tongatapu, the Kolovai Library has become a vital hub for residents of all ages, serving both the local village and the surrounding community.

With the Kolovai Library thriving, the Corbetts have sought to expand their impact by proposing a second library. Three years ago, Kahoa Meimuli-Corbett approached Her Majesty to discuss potential sites, particularly an older property owned by the Monarchy. In a generous response, Queen Nanasipau’u offered land on the palace estate, strategically located at the intersection of Hala Vaha’akolo and Vuna Road towards Sio Ko Veiongo.

The initiative has garnered significant support, with donations of books arriving from New Zealand and across the globe. Due to limited storage space at the Kolovai Library, thousands of books have been redirected to local schools, further benefiting the community.

Queen Nanasipau’u has shown a strong commitment to the library project, assisting with various logistical aspects, 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 have been crafted by Michael O’Leary, an Auckland-based architect and family friend. Kahoa described the site as “an amazing piece of land,” which inspired O’Leary’s design. The proposed library will be a multi-functional facility, offering free access to books and digital resources alongside community spaces for workshops, performances, and cultural exchanges. Accessibility features are also planned to ensure all community members can benefit from this new center of knowledge.

As the project progresses, it stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Tongan monarchy and local community leaders, promising to enrich the cultural and educational landscape of Nuku’alofa.