Following some criticism of the Tongan King’s absence from the island kingdom, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka has called for closure in a speech at a memorial service for those who died when the ferry the Princess Ashika sank. During his speech he emphasised that whilst they had gathered to remember those who were lost, they must also celebrate the lives saved.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka called for the people of Tonga to band together, and support each other, saying that “In times of national crisis nations are forged and defined. I believe that this is the greatest disaster this country has suffered since the influenza epidemic of 1918. I pray, and appeal to you all – that now is the time to put aside differences. Now is the time to work together.”

The Crown Prince also commended the “spirit of cooperation and getting the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible” of the military personnel of Tonga, Australia and New Zealand, and of the Tongan civilians.

A ceremony was also held at sea, above the sunken ship; it was attended by the Princess Regent, Princess Pilolevu Tuita. The princess and other dignitaries dropped wreaths into the water, and a plaque bearing the names of those lost in the tragedy.

marmi Tongan Royals Memorial, Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, Princess Pilolevu Tuita

There has been criticism in the New Zealand media of the Tongan King’s recent trip to Scotland. The criticism has arisen as Tonga has recently suffered the tragic sinking of a ferry, with many people perishing. At least 149 people were on board, with 54 survivors having being found, and 2 bodies. The number dead is unconfirmed. The ferry was in a questionable condition at the time, and for many days the location of the ship below the water was unknown. The ferry, the Princess Ashika, was located by the New Zealand Navy yesterday, although she is in water 50-60 metres too deep for the New Zealand and Australian Navy divers to reach.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s only comment about the King’s travelling during a time of such grief was that he understood that the trip was a long term commitment, and the Tongan education minister defended King George Tupou, saying that it was an official visit. The public’s reaction to the King’s trip seems to be mixed, with reports that those Tongans at home are not concerned by his absence, yet there have been outpourings of anguish and grief on the internet.

marmi Tongan Royals George Tupou V, Media, New Zealand, Official Visit, Prime Minister Key, Scotland

 The Tongan monarchy is reported to have held the most power in the 13th century. By the next century, there were three royal lines in Tonga. This arose when the King retained his spiritual authority, but delegated all other power to his brother; this happened again later with the second royal line, creating the third. Day-to-day ruling was carried out by Tu’i Ha’atakalaua and Tu’i Kanokupolu lines; it was the Tu’i Tonga line who had retained spiritual authority.

The three lines continued, and in the 17th and 18th centuries conversion to Christianity began, and Taufa’ahau, of the Tu’i Kanokupolu line was one of the first royals to convert. Taufa’ahau was named Siaosi (George) (his consort became Salote, or Charlotte), representing the King and Queen of England. Captain Cook made several visits to the island nation, and shortly after the last one the three lines began to compete for dominance.

George went on to unite the islands of Tonga, and the present dynasty was founded when he was crowned King George Tupou I in 1845.

For more information, see this website.

marmi Tongan Royals George Tupou I

On July 7 New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key began a series of official visits to Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands. During the visit, Key will meet with all four Prime Ministers; he will also meet King George Tupou V of Tonga. The visits will last until July 10.

Click to see the image at Matangi Online

The meeting (in fact meetings, plural) with the King took place on the 7th, the first being an audience soon after the Prime Minister’s arrival in the island nation. The second meeting was a dinner, reported to have lasted late into the night. The audience took place at Consular House, where the official delegation met the King’s dogs, Pulupa and Estelle.

Key is flying between the islands with the RNZAF, and the official delegation includes (amongst others) the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina te Heuheu and Maori Party co-leader, Dr Pita Sharples. Bronagh Key, the PM’s wife, is also travelling with the delegation.

HM King George Tupou V travelled to New Zealand in 2006 to attend the funeral of the Maori Queen, and her son’s coronation.

marmi Tongan Royals George Tupou V, New Zealand, Official Visit, Prime Minister Key