The village of Nukuleka welcomed Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, who presented various gifts to the elderly, young students and others on 21 October. 

The village situated on the eastern district of Tongatapu also known as the “Cradle of Polynesia”.

The Princess, who is also Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, presented $6,000 pa’anga to the Government Primary school (GPS), while, 12 elderly people were gifted $200 pa’anga each.

Cash prizes were also awarded in the village clean-up competition where all three blocks received $1,500 pa'anga each.

Princess Angelika Latufuipeka said Nukuleka’s village legacy was its solitary fishing by the Tu’i Tonga and Tu’i Kanokupolu.

“I am pleased that the people of Nukuleka are prioritising education and church, and focusing on building up the resilience of the village, to improve Tonga as a whole with its present and future goals”.

Following the disastrous volcanic eruption in January, Nukuleka had received donations from the ‘Pili e Tau Hala’, a committee set up by the Princess in Australia to collect and coordinate various donations for the people in Tonga.

GPS Nukuleka then received 50 desks and chairs, books and pens. The village was also given clothing and other necessities. 

The Princess expressed her gratitude to the people of Nukuleka and said that the way to honour the legacy of the village is by keeping it clean and beautiful and the people of Nukuleka continued to pursue excellence in education.