travel connections tonga

hi,
we are travelling to tonga in july and would like to spend as much time as possible on haapai.

only problem is our outbound domestic/international connection is fairly tight.

the air chathams pacific flight lands 10:10 from haapai in tongatapu, and then the air nz flight to AKL is at 11:25 am.

Has anyone got any feedback re reliability of chathams pacific arriving on time, and the flexibility of air nz around checking in.

thanks

I wouldn't book such a tight connection even in Switzerland or Singapore, let alone in Tonga.

Usually Chathams Pacific are quite reliable, but the odd time there is a short-notice change in schedule. I would also suggest that you take the domestic flight the day before your morning international flight just to be safe.

thanks guys- any recommendations on where to stay on the main island? we like beaches not towns :)

Just stay in town anyway!
It is a very small and quiet town, and much more interesting than the beaches on the same island. You'll have had your fill of beaches in Haapai in any case...