The village of Siumu in Samoa has bestowed a chiefly title to Sione Niumotu Pome'e, of Tongan heritage, who is a founding member of 'Three Houses Down', a popular reggae band in New Zealand.

 The village of Siumu is situated on Upolu and boasts over a thousand residents. 

The title of Tupuola was originally held by Sione's father-in-law, Fa'alogo Masei, who recently passed away. Tongan-born Sione is married to Fa'alogo's daughter and they have two children.

Sione told the Samoan Observer “I feel very honoured to be given the name Tupuola...I am looking forward now to serve to the fullest and carry the name Tupuola proudly.”

“As mentioned by me before my ava [Kava Ceremony] Tupuola in Tongan means, a new beginning to success. The day of my title marked a new beginning for me as I now serve my people of Samoa.” 

It is not uncommon for Samoan titles to be bestowed to non-Samoans. In 2014, the village of Saleapaga bestowed a chiefly title to United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. 

'Three Houses Down' is a popular contemporary reggae band in New Zealand made up mostly of Kiwi-Tongans from Auckland. Tupuola Sione helped formed Three Houses Down in 2004 with his brothers Robert Pome’e, Lisiate Langi, Charlie Pome’e and Loiola Pome’e. The band was formed after Robert left another band that was based three houses up the road from their parents home. The band, based in Otara, is built on a strong choral tradition. 

Sione is a design engineer and the owner of Pomee Constructions Ltd. in New Zealand.