First Tongan JP in Waitaki [1]
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - 18:08. Updated on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - 18:23.
The Tongan community in the region of Waitaki in New Zealand, are applauding the recent appointment of Kaliopeta Talanoa Palu as a Justice of Peace in their town. She is one of only 25 people of Tongan descent in New Zealand to be appointed as a Justice of Peace. She was sworn in as a Justice of Peace last Thursday.
Kaliopeta is a community leader for Tongans living in Waitaki, a rural region in the South Island of New Zealand. The region has seen an influx of Tongan immigrants in recent years. Kaliopeta immigrated from Tonga in 1986 and in 1987 settled in Oamaru, the largest town in Waitaki.
She told the Otago Daily Times that she studied to become a JP because she wanted to help Tongans in her community. She stated, "I thought I'd give it a go and help my people any time they needed help or anything.''
According to Kaliopeta, Tongans make up at least 20% of the population in Oamaru. The town boasts over 13,000 residents.