Tau’atevalu (78) was laid to rest yesterday, 26 May, at the Vaolongolongo Cemetery in ‘Utulau, Tongatapu.

Born Siosiua Holitei Fonua, he was appointed to the matapule title, Tau’atevalu of ‘Utulau and Ha'alalo in 1988.

Family members confirmed that he had been ill for a couple of months before passing away on Monday morning, 23 May, at his home Falengameesi in ‘Utulau.

Tau’atevalu had been working for over 20-years in the local media industry having started as a rural broadcaster. In the 1970s he became the Controller of News, Current Affairs and Sport at Tonga Broadcasting Commission.

He was also the first Tongan to become the editor of the then Government owned weekly newspaper Tonga Chronicle from 1973-76.

Tau’atevalu then moved and worked as a Communication Officer for the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga before taking up the position of Public Relations Officer at Tongasat in 1996, where he worked until his death.

He was also Registrar of the Tonga National Museum and at one time ran as a parliamentary candidate in the Tonga General Election.

Before taking up his work in the media, he started his career in the civil service in 1959 at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Tau’atevalu studied at Auckland Grammar School and Massey University in New Zealand.

He is survived by four daughters and nine grandchildren.