From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 13, no. 2, July-September 1998.

Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

At 80, HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV, the King of Tonga, means different things to different people.

But Tongans traditionally hold Taufa‘ahau as their leader, annointed by God. He is not only their spiritual leader, but also their philosopher, scholar, protector, foreteller, and a role model. If the King’s words are his people’s command, then their wishes are his obligation—an agreement that was instilled by tradition and culture, and which was later put into writing in the Constitution of 1875.

Taufa‘ahau is not  merely a figurehead, but a doer. He leads by initiating projects and then making sure that they are carried through to completion. The saying that action speaks louder than words is appropriate here because of the King’s personal involvement in so many projects. While some of his ideas, at times, appear to be far-fetched, when they began to take form, then the people who doubted say, yes, the King said that. Highlights of some of these projects are visible in education, religion, music, banking, sports, shipping, aviation, television, to name a few.

During the 33 years that Taufa‘ahau has been on the throne, Tonga ended the Protectorate arrangement that it had with Britain on 4 June 1970, then embarked on an accelerated modernisation program that is still in progress today. It established diplomatic relations and trade agreements with the powerful countries of the world.

Under the leadership of HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV Tonga is known throughout the region and in the world as the country with an educated population and the most stable government in the region, and the credit for this must go to its leadership and its success in holding together a proud people.

In celebrating His Majesty’s birthday, appreciation for his leadership is sincerely expressed with  the words, “Long live the King of Tonga Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV”.