The New Zealand launching of the Songs and Poems of Queen Salote published by the Vava'u Press of Tonga, filled the Fale Pasifika with about 300 people, including members of the extended royal family, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, church leaders, scholars, business people and Tongan celebrities, including All Black Doug Howlett. The book was launched by the late Queen's youngest grand daughter Princess 'Ofeina Fakafanua, who was accompanied by her husband, Noble Fakafanua. Princess 'Ofeina recalled her childhood days and the heart-warming generosity of Queen Salote.

The book is bilingual, and the translator of the Songs and Poems, Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau of the Centre for Pacific Studies, gave a presentation. Her mother, Kalala Taumoefolau from Haveluloto, paid tribute to Queen Salote and read many of the queen's poems in the Tongan language to a rapt audience during the Tongan Community Day at the centre.

On the previous day (October 6) a book of Tongan Proverbs written by Dr 'Okusitino Mahina was launched by its New Zealand publisher, Reed Books. Dr Mahina works for the Centre for Pacific Studies at Auckland University.

The book Songs & Poems of Queen Salote is distributed in New Zealand by South Pacific Books Ltd. of Henderson, and is also available by direct mail order from the www.matangitonga.to [2] website.