A new political party, the People's National Party, has been formed in Tonga.
Nuku'alofa's main street Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koro Vaka'uta
Matangi Tonga reports the new group is just the third political party to have been officially launched in the kingdom.
The party, which was launched over the weekend, will be headed by retired colonel and diplomat Siamelie Latu and his deputy Sione Tu'itavake Fonua, who is a lawyer.
In his inaugural speech Colonel Latu stressed the party would abide by political reform principles introduced in 2010.
He said the party's desire was for the country to be under competent leadership, to be transparent and to ensure there is law and order for people to live peacefully.
Prominent publisher and commentator Kalafi Moala has welcomed another party apart from the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, which is led by the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.
Mr Moala said it was important for Tonga to have leadership that is not selfish and dictatorial, but to have a government that runs the country according to the constitution and the law.
The guest of honour at the weekend launch was the former MP and Finanance Minister Aisake Eke.