From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Sione Tu‘alau Mangisi, the new Business Manager of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga is over the moon, because he believes that exploiting the commercial potential of the plant hiapo, or paper mulberry could lead to the setting up of a multi-million industry.

Hiapo is traditionally grown for the making of tapa cloths, but Tu‘alau said that a pilot Hiapo Production project has been approved by the Standing Committee of the FWCT and1000 acres of land made available with an initial capital input of $35,000.

Tu‘alau said that the planting of the first four acres was expected to start early next year. He predicted that after the first four years he would pay back the $35,000 investment of the church plus 10% interest. He would also be able to give the Church $25,000, being their 50% share of the net profit.

Tu‘alau, said a range of products can be made from the hiapo, once the production line was refined to produce a wide range of textures. “There are unlimited designs that designers can come up with.”

Tu‘alau said that a master plan of the project, included everything from growing the hiapo, to harvesting, processing, and marketing. He believed that the project would bring both foreign currency earnings and employment opportunities for school leavers.

Tu‘alau’s appointment in July as Business Manager, makes him the first to fill the post since the church was established. He said that his responsibility was very broad, taking into account that the FWCT is the biggest church in Tonga with an annual Misinale collection of $5 million, and the holder of many prime properties throughout Tonga.;