The new Tonga government plans to focus initially on improving the country's governance and accountability.

Tonga's new prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, has named his new cabinet and it will meet for the first time on Friday.

His Democratic Party has forged a coalition with independents and one of the nobles in its 12 man executive.

Mr Pohiva says issues such as the state of the economy will need to wait until better accountability procedures are put in place.

"What is most important at this stage is to make sure that we have a good governance. And I think good governance is the key to development. We have to make sure that we have all the checks and balances that are necessary and appropriate checks and balance mechanisms put in place before we can move on. Before we look into economic policies and all that."

Tonga's new prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva.

He says Tonga will need a strong media and his government will take a hands off approach to state media.