The reconstruction of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, is finally getting underway after much delay since the groundbreaking ceremony in November last year.
The Director of the Urban Planning Department Tukua Tonga told the Matangi Tonga online newsite that excavation and geo-technical work had begun at the Taumoepeau site.
The building was demolished in March and site sealed off from the general public last month for the groundwork.
Mr Tonga said although work has been delayed they are still on track because the 40 Chinese employees were working around the clock.
He said there are also about 200 Tongan labourers registered for the work but there were problems because some of them turned up late and left early before the work ends.
