The funeral cortege of Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, the late Hon. Lord Ma'afu, will arrive in Tonga on Tuesday 21 December from Auckland. A military funeral with honours will be held the following week on Monday 27 December at Tokomololo, the Prime Minister's Office announced this afternoon.

A vigil and prayer service will be held tonight in Auckland. The programme for the funeral activities was released

The Rt. Hon. Colonel, Lord Ma'afu, died peacefully in the early house of 12 December at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.

He was Tonga's Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Minister responsible for His Majesty's Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister's Office stated today that the cortege will leave the Morrison Funeral Home at Henderson, Auckland, on Monday 20 December at 3:00pm for the Auckland International Airport.

The cortege departs Auckland on Tuesday 21 December for repatriation on flight 1172, which is expected to arrive in Tonga at 12:30pm.

HM Queen Nanasipau'u and others will be at the airport for the arrival

The Ministry of Health will form the bearer party.

The funeral party will travel from the airport to the Vaiola Hospital Mortuary and pass through the estate of Vaini along Taufa'ahau Road.

Prayer services will be conducted at the Seventh day Adventist Vakaua Hall at Vaini on 21, 22 and 23 December.

The funeral service and interment will be held on 27 December at the Huelo 'o Hangai Tomb at Tokomololo attended by HM King Tupou VI.

. Media Release_18_12_2021_Public Announcement_FUNERAL_ Right Honourable Colonel, The Lord Ma'afu .pdf [2]