Authorities accelerate Tonga reconstruction efforts. 22/11/2006. ABC News Online

Authorities in Tonga are stepping up efforts to rebuild infrastructure destroyed in last week's riots.

The focus of the Australian and New Zealand assistance mission is shifting from security to assisting the clean-up and reconstruction effort.

Local officers have joined Australian crime scene examiners and forensic experts continue to comb through the rubble of about 50 buildings damaged or destroyed in downtown Nuku'alofa.

They have been joined by an assessment team from Australia's international aid agency AUSAID, which has been coordinating reconstruction of the Solomon Islands capital Honiara.

The damage bill in Tonga is likely to run into tens of millions of dollars.

But according to Kololiana Naufahu of the Tongan Chamber of Commerce, the riots have also had a profound impact on the cash flow of the country's poorest.

"Over 1,000 people lost their jobs," he said.

"Some roadside stalls and shops have reopened supplying mostly fresh produce but customers are few and far between."

Police investigating last week's riots in Tonga are also studying photos and videotapes hoping to identify those behind the trouble.

Just as the unprecedented destruction of downtown Nuku'alofa overwhelmed emergency services, so is the painstaking job of piecing together a case against those alleged to have looted the buildings and set them alight.

Tongan Police Deputy Commander Tania Falter says the priority has been trying to work out how six suspected rioters came to be trapped and killed in a building belonging to a company owned by the King and that is where the Australians come in.

"They'll require them in forensic, DVI ( deceased victim identification) and those areas," he said.

So far none of those who died during the riots have been positively identified, though reports indicate all of them came from villages outside the capital.

High Commissioner

Meanwhile, Australia's new High Commissioner in Tonga has formally presented his credentials to the country's king.

Colin Hill has been in the strife-torn country since the weekend coordinating the Australian response to last week's riots.

The turmoil in Tonga coincided with the changeover of the head of mission at Australia's High Commission in Nuku'alofa.

Mr Hill flew out the day before the riots and his successor Bruce Hunt was aboard the first military aircraft on Saturday morning.

He has been so busy coordinating the deployment of Australian soldiers, police and aid workers that he has not had the opportunity until now to formally present his diplomatic credentials to Tonga's King George.

Authorities accelerate Tonga reconstruction efforts

High Commissioner

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