Results for People

The skulls of two Tongan ancestors, collected in the Pacific in the 19th Century, and repatriated to Tonga by the Australian Museum this week, were given a respectful traditional burial on ‘Eua Island in the presence of King Tupou VI and members of the Royal Family on January 10. The funeral conducted by the royal undertakers, the Nima Tapu (sacred hands), at Kolomaile, ‘Eua, was attended by descendants of the ‘Ata people, some of them coming from abroad. The funeral tributes touched upon painful memories of the loss of half of the ‘Ata population to Australian blackbirders in 1863. The surviving population of ‘Ata was relocated to ‘Eua by Tupou I.

Nuku'alofa was flooded with red and white today, 14 December, with students, ex-students and families of Tonga College ‘Atele, marching along Taufa'ahau Road to celebrate the schools 141st anniversary

Tongan creative artist and handicraft maker, Lu'isa Nau, is determined to utilize locally sourced materials, to maintain the authenticity of Tongan craftsmanship, while expressing dismay over the imported counterfeits that local artisans have to compete within the marketplace. Her home-based creative operation in Nuku'alofa was recently awarded at GGGI Grant for her business plan that aligns with sustainable development goals.

The Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality Division (WAGED), of the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched the "16 Days of Activism" in Tonga, an international campaign to end violence against women and children.

Tonga will host three primates of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, this week, on 24-25 November. Archbishop Don Tamihere, Archbishop Philip Richardson, and Archbishop Sione ‘Uluilakepa will chair the Standing Committee of the General Synod held for the first time in Tonga.

The funeral service for a leading Tongan farmer and exporter Pousima Alexander Tamaha Afeaki (61), who died last week, in Wellington, New Zealand, will be held on Friday, 17 November, at the Catholic Church in Tofoa, Tongatapu, his family confirmed.

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG UNDRR), Mami Mizutori arrived in Tonga today, 19 October, as part of her official mission to meet on disaster risk reduction efforts in the Pacific region and hold events to mark World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023.

A commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child this evening, is hosted by the Pacific Girl Reference Group members, at Tanoa International Hotel, with a film festival showcasing short films as well as archived programme videos highlighting issues for girls in the Pacific.

Tonga's Parliamentary Speaker Lord Fakafanua represented Tonga at the 30th Annual International Law and Religion Symposium, on 1-3 October, hosted by the Brigham Young University School of Law, at BYU University in Provo, Utah.