Nuku'alofa happy in red for Mate Ma'a Tonga floats [1]
Friday, June 24, 2022 - 20:43. Updated on Friday, June 24, 2022 - 20:51.
Nuku’alofa was decked in red for Mate Ma’a Tonga this afternoon with a colourful float parade to show the country's support for the highly anticipated Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league match against the Kiwis tomorrow Saturday, 25 June.
Hundreds of people flocked to see the float organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which started at noon in central Nuku'alofa.
The colouful array of floats was supported by businesses, government ministries, families and fans. Some were on tractors and bicycles, while another was seen with a roasted pig watched on by happy and dancing crowd, who lined the side of the road up to the Vuna Road waterfront. There was even a jumping castle on one of the floats, while local boats also decked in red had their float at sea on the Nuku'alofa waterfront.
It was a happy afternoon for Tongans as this was the first float parade, since the natural disasters of 15 January and the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Mate Ma'a Tonga will meet the Kiwis at Mt Smart stadium in Auckland.