Neiafu Tonga Temple Wiki

Tonga’s second temple, the Neiafu Tonga Temple, was announced on April 7, 2019, by President Russell M. Nelson at the closing session of the 189th Annual General Conference. ^[1]”Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at April 2019 General Conference,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 7 Apr. 2019. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/eight-new-temples-april-2019-general-conference

On August 14, 2020, the official rendering of the Neiafu Tonga Temple was publicly released.

The King and Queen of Tonga, His Majesty ʻAhoʻeitu Tupou VI, and Her Majesty Nanasipau’u, were among the honored guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Neiafu Tonga Temple held on Saturday, 11 September 2021. Elder Inoke Kupu, Area Seventy, presided at the service. He said: “Temples are houses of the Lord and to have one on this beautiful Island of Vava’u is a blessing sent of God and a reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of citizens and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who live here and in the surrounding area.” Members living in the northern islands of Tonga have traditionally attended the temple in Nuku’alofa about once a year, but having a temple in Neiafu will allow for more frequent attendance.^[4]”Church Breaks Ground for Neiafu Tonga Temple 130 Years After First Missionaries Arrived in Island Nation,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 11 September 2021.

The site of the Church-owned Saineha High School on Tu’i Road has been chosen as the location for the temple. An ancillary building will also be constructed housing a distribution center, arrival center, family history center, and housing units for the temple missionaries and the temple president and matron.

Plans call for a single-story building of nearly 17,000 square feet.