Anna Jane Vea will represent Tonga at commemorations for the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in France in September, as the winner of a World War I essay competition run by the New Zealand High Commission, in Tonga.

The New Zealand sponsored trip to France is her prize and she will join a New Zealand delegation comprising winners from Niue, Samoa and Cook Islands in France to attend a number of First World War commemorative events. 

Anna Jane’s winning essay spoke about what the sacrifices made by Tongan and Allied troops in the First World War and what it meant to her.

In as statement the New Zealand High Commission said the competition is aimed at preserving the World War I legacy in Tonga, and has increased understanding among youth of the Pacific contribution, particularly Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa, made to the war effort.

New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh announced the winners of the essay competition on ANZAC Day. 

Stephaney Lakai of Vava’u won second place, and Sailosi Bloomfield and Malia Ekuasi received prizes for their highly commended entries.

“The competition has demonstrated the writing talents of Tonga’s young people and provided an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the important contribution made during World War I by Tongan soldiers and other Pacific Islanders,” said Ms Walsh.

Pacific troops served with Māori in the Pioneer Battalion in France from 1916.

Around 500 Pacific Islanders served in New Zealand military forces during World War I. In 1916 the New Zealand forces were deployed to the Western Front, including France where the Battle of the Somme took place. Pacific Islanders, including over 90 Tongans, fought side by side with New Zealand soldiers on the Western Front and that legacy underpins New Zealand’s enduring relationship with Tonga and other Pacific countries.