Editor's note: this article is corrected. The date of the Tongatapu Show is now 10 June, not 10 July as previously stated.
The Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show for Tongatapu and 'Eua, which were scheduled for this weekend and next have been postponed in respect of the passing of HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu.
Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, Dr. Viliami Manu today said the show for Tongatapu is postponed from Saturday, 3 June to Saturday, 10 June.
The ‘Eua show is also postponed from 10 June to 17 June. For the remaining outer islands nothing is changed, he said.
Ha’apai will hold their show on 13 July, Vava’u on 20 July, before concluding in the Niuas on 26-27 July,
The Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Shows return this year, after a hiatus of three-years due to COVID-19 and the 2022 Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunamis.
Held under a theme 'Recovering from Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai' they events will showcase the work of farmers, fishermen tradesmen and local businesses, and also recognize and award them for their hard work and resilience in overcoming what has been a tough couple years, after the natural disasters.
HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u open the shows, with hundreds of visitors attending these large events featuring colourful displays and goods to purchase.
Meawhile, the full details of the Royal funeral in Tonga HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu have yet to be confirmed.
