Tonga's government is hoping that the upcoming local body elections will usher in a new era of women participation in politics.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been holding workshops across the islands to promote the idea of women standing in the June elections and also to impart confidence in their ability to be politicians.
Chief Executive Mary Bing-Fonua also invited New Zealand MP Jenny Salesa to take part in one of the meetings.
Ms Bing-Fonua told Koro Vaka'uta the government is looking at various ways to improve women's participation, including quotas, and they are exploring options used overseas.