Matangi Tonga 2013 news in photos [1]
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Monday, December 30, 2013 - 21:15. Updated on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 13:49.
Looking back, 2013 in Tonga has been a year of parades – for Matangi Tonga Online we've photographed parades for anniversaries, the Heilala Festival, the King's Birthday military parade, the opening of Parliament, as well as parades to welcome home our national sports teams - the Mate Ma'a Tonga, the 'Ikale Tahi and our Special Olympians. There has been a body-builders parade, a parade for the International Day of Peace, and the Queen's Baton Relay, to name a few. So despite 2013 being a difficult year for the Tongan economy, and not to forget a year of tragedy for some, the streets of Nuku'alofa have seen people coming out to have some fun.
January 26, 2013. Kolovai, Tongatapu. The people of the western district of Tongatapu celebrated the opening of a renovated Fatufatufala 'i Fale Lalava District Hall and the restoration of a Kolovai sportsfield, funded by the Government of the People's Republic of China.
February 15, 2013. Haveluloto, Tongatapu. The funeral of Baron Fielakepa (51) who passed away in an Auckland hospital on February 10, 2013.
February 25, 2013. Wellington, New Zealand. Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, meet the Governor General of New Zealand, Lt Gen the Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Lady Janine Mateparae at a State Welcome at Government House.
February 25, 2013. Audra Fungavaka leaves the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court after hearing the pathologist's report on the death of her husband Kali who died in police custody in August 2012.
May 25, 2013. Yokohama, Japan. Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi beat the Japanese Cherry Blossoms 27-17 in the Rugby Union match at the Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.
May 2013. Auckland, New Zealand. Four generations of Tonga's Royal Family, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau‘u,with the Queen Mother Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho, Princess Sinaitakala ‘Ofeina Fakafanua, Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala and their new baby Prince Taufa‘ahau Manumataongo.
June 20, 2013. Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu. Tupou High School celebrated its Golden Jubilee over three-days, attracting hundreds of ex-students from overseas.
June 21, 2013. Ha'ateiho, Tongatapu. The Pacific Partnership 2013 - US Navy Band entertains at the Government Primary School, 'Atele Si'i.
June 30, 2013. Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu. ‘One Tonga – Glorifying God in Song’ choral night with 15 choirs presenting joyful songs on the seafront.
July 4, 2013. Pangai Lahi, Nuku‘alofa. HM King Tupou VI inspected a military parade at during the King's Birthday celebrations.
July 4, 2013. Pangai Lahi, Nuku'alofa, King's Birthday celebration.
July 4, 2013. Heilala Festival float parade in Nuku'alofa.
July 4, 2013. Heilala Festival float parade in Nuku'alofa.
July 4, 2013. Heilala Festival float parade in Nuku'alofa.
July 5, 2013. University of Waikato student, Rosemarie Fili (22) was crowned Miss Heilala 2013-14 during a ball at the Heilala Village on the Nuku'alofa waterfront.
July 6, 2013. Fua‘amotu Domestic Airport, Tongatapu. King Tupou VI returns from an inaugural flight in an MA60 aircraft gifted to Tonga by the People's Republic of China.
August 10, 2013. Auckland, New Zealand. Newly-weds, Hon Frederica Lupe‘uluiva Fatafehi ‘o Lapaha Tuita and Sione Mateialona Filipe.
August 17, 2013. Hon. Lupepau‘u Tuita (36) married ‘Epeli Taione (34) at Natadola Bay in Fiji.
August 21, 2013. Sopu, Nuku‘alofa. King Tupou VI commissioned Tonga’s new submarine fibre optic cable link, at the Tonga Cable Ltd. station, pictured with Robert Bolouri.
August 23, 2013. A bare-footed Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano, follows a vehicle carrying King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u at the opening of Tongatapu’s two-day Royal Agricultural Show 2013 at the Manamo’ui Grounds in ‘Atele.
September 25, 2013. Faka-Sepitema for the women of the Free Church of Tonga. Nuku‘alofa.
September 30, 2013. Thirty Tongans received lifesaving cardiac operations from an Australian team of medical professionals at Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa.
October 22, 2013. Research submersible Shinkai 6500 onboard the Yokosuka vessel in Nuku‘alofa, after the first exploration of the Tonga Trench by a deep sea submersible vehicle was completed by Japanese researchers from October 7-20.
October 28, 2013. Tongan Body Building medalists Tamina Hemehema, Silver, and Telesia Fauonuku, Gold (W/Tall Class). 20th South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships. 20th South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships in Nuku‘alofa.
November 6, 2013. Cheerful crowds in Nuku’alofa, moments after Tonga grabbed its first victory of the Rugby League World Cup tournament, defeating the Cook Islands 22-16 in Leigh, England.
December 6, 2013. Port Vila, Vanuatu. Graduation day at the University of the South Pacific Law School, officiated by Tonga's King Tupou VI.
December 10, 2013. Tonga's Special Olympians are welcomed home to Nuku‘alofa.
December 11, 2013. Rain did not dampen the spirit of the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay on its second day in Tongatapu.
Photo News [8]