Results for Tongans Overseas

A young Native American filmmaker, Kymon Greyhorse, who lives in New Mexico, USA, says he is tapping into his Tongan roots, to inspire his next film. He identifies as two-spirit, a term that describes Indigenous people who have both masculine and feminine energy. When he was bullied for his identity, including his Native and Pacific Islander background, he drew strength from his family. His short film “I am Home,” that premiered at Sundance Film Festival in the USA last year, has opened up new opportunities for him.

Iki Mafi Uele, who graduated as a Doctorate of Accounting on 16 December, becomes the first Pacific lecturer in the Accountancy and Finance Department, at the University of Otago New Zealand Business School (OBS). Iki, the son of a fruit farmer and weaver, from Fakakakai, Ha’apai, was the dux of Tonga College in 2021.

Second generation Tongan-American twins Steffanie and Ashley Manukainiu, have made a name for themselves in the world of Professional Wrestling.

The American Idol crowned their new champion, Iam Tongi (18) following a staggering performance of his new single, “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

Cold and hungry, after a day-long ordeal, some 50 Tongan orchard workers, who were stranded on their bungalow rooftops by rising floodwaters near Hastings, New Zealand, were rescued by the New Zealand Defence Force yesterday evening.

Father of two, Lionati Fotofili (44) went missing while fishing at the Ōpihi River mouth in New Zealand last week. Tongan-born Lionati was the pastor of Timaru’s Church of Tonga.

New Zealand-Tongan Tenor singer Filipe Manu has been named as the winner of the 2022 Lexus Song Quest, Aotearoa's most prestigious opera competition. Filipe has walked away with a life-changing immediate cash prize of $20,000, a study scholarship of $27,000, plus economy international travel up to the value of $3,000. The head judge said the talent of the five finalists was exceptional.

Ten Tongan students have completed their studies from various universities in China in the past academic year. The Embassy of Tonga in China said today, with the global pandemic around the world, these students persevered and navigated through online classes, lockdowns and many other challenges, in addition to being away from home.

Ana Waalkens spent a week in Auckland City Hospital's intensive care unit after falling ill days after a growing Delta outbreak was discovered in Auckland in August - and before the 38-year-old was eligible to be vaccinated. Waalkens is telling her story because she wants everyone, especially fellow Pasifika - she has Tongan heritage - to get vaccinated so they don't suffer as she and her family had. Waalkens was fighting for her life. "My family and friends all thought I was going to die,” she said. By Cherie Howie, Reporter NZ Herald.