Following the 23 June, 1977 Tonga earthquake, the authors were made available by the New Zealand Ministry of Works and Development (through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bi-lateral Aid Programme) to the Tongan Government to help survey building damage and to recommend repairs and strengthening necessary to protect the structures from future earthquakes. The authors were also required to supervise government reconstruction teams. Recommendations are at present being prepared for structural design requirements for future building work in the Kingdom.