Results for People

Cruising the capital, Nuku‘alofa, in a mean-looking, moody and magnificent Master Eunos car, is 23-year-old Semisi Fonua, from Longolongo From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

It was the highlight of Prue Jackson’s holiday in Tonga when she met Saia ‘Ahau at Crown Prince Tupouto‘a residence, The Villa, on August 21. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

If you know anything about Polynesian hip-hop, you will have heard of ‘King Kapisi’. Hailing from the ‘Poly-town’ of Auckland, New Zealand, the 28 year-old Samoan who shot to hip-hop fame in 1998 with his hit track Sub-cranium Feeling, tore-up centre stage for the first time in Tonga in July. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Baton Relay literally touched the hearts of dozens of Tongan school children during the two days that they carried it through the villages of the island of Tongatapu attracting thousands of excited spectators. The pulsating light that flows in rhythm with the heartbeat of each carrier was a fascination for every carrier of the baton. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.

Lisia Moala was a favourite of ballet lovers with the Perth City Ballet, and has gone on to a shining career as the star dancer for the Czech Republic State Ballet and the Cwmni Ballet. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.

When ordinary people reach the age of 64 years they are expected to retire and stop working, but if the King of Tonga, HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV, at 83 years, reduces his work load and looks very tired at the end of an ordinary working day, some people seem to think that something is terribly wrong. The New Zealand media in late October ran a news story that the King’s health was deteriorating, and claimed that there was a battle for power within the Tongan Royal family. Interview by Pesi Fonua, Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001.

Tonga’s line of succession to the throne has not changed significantly in recent years. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001.

The Tongan Royal Family is the epi-centre of Tongan politics, a traditional role that was later formalised by the 1875 Tongan Constitution, which spelled out the power of the King and the law of succession to the throne. While in most western countries one could follow political trends by studying the manifestos and the working agenda of political parties, in Tonga one has to understand the political thoughts of the King and the members of the Royal Family. This is no easy task, because of the exclusiveness that surrounds the Royal Family in their daily lives. By Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001. FROM OUR ARCHIVES.

In a traditional celebration, the kainga of the Noble Tu‘ivakano gathered at the village of Nukunuku on August 25 to celebrate the 21st birthday of the heir to Tu‘ivakano title, Siaosi Kiu Tau-ki-Vailahi Kaho. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.