The Tongan noble, Baron Fielakepa (51) was laid to rest at Paini-tu'u-ua Cemetery in Haveluloto on February 15.

The funeral was attended by HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u. The service held at Fakamolemole Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Haveluloto, at 3pm was attended by hundreds of mourners, including Baron Fielakepa's mother Lady Tunakaimanu Tonga Fielakepa, families, friends, nobles, Cabinet Ministers and foreign dignitaries. The catafalque was carried a short distance to the cemetery for burial by the late noble's kinsmen, led by the Tonga Police Brass Band.

Baron Fielakepa who died early on February 10 at an Auckland hospital had been ill for quite some time, and had been living in New Zealand since January 2012.

The cortege arrived at Fua'amotu International Airport on Thursday evening, February 14 and his wake was held at Fotu'aikata'ane at Kolomotu'a.

Baron Fielakepa was a former Private Secretary to the King of Tonga. He was a  Governor of Ha'apai, a Minister for Lands, Survey and Natural Resources,  Lord Chamberlain, a Law Lord, and the Chairman of the Royal Land Commission.

Family

Baron Fielakepa was born on November 23, 1961 the eldest son and second of six children born to the late noble Fielakepa (Longlongo'atumai Aleamotu'a) and Lady Tunakaimanu Tonga Fielakepa.

He started his education at Tonga Side School and Tonga High School in Tongatapu before continuing to Wesley College in Auckland.

He studied at Auckland University graduating with a law degree LLB and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand in 1984. His other academic achievements included a dilpoma in Diplomatic Studies from Oxford University, United Kingdom and a Master of Law from the International Maritme Law Institute in Malta in 1996.