Category Archives: Tonga

Tongan Queen Mother’s Body Arrives Back In Homeland

  February 28, 2017 at 7:52 am by

The body of Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho of Tonga has arrived back in the country aboard a Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules aircraft today, greeted at the Fuaʻamotu International Airport by members of the Royal Family led by her grandson, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala. Her casket was then taken to the Royal Palace via car, passing by hundreds of local school children who lined the streets of the capital to pay their respects to … Continue reading →

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Tonga’s Queen Mother Dies

  February 19, 2017 at 6:04 pm by

Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho, the Queen Mother of Tonga has died today, Sunday 19th February in a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand at the age of 90. According to local reports, Queen Halaevalue Mata’aho – who was the widow of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV – was flown to New Zealand last week with “minor health issues”. Her grandaughter, Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Mata’aho, was said to have been with her … Continue reading →

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Flashback Friday: A Tongan Prince Graduates From Sandhurst

  December 9, 2016 at 8:00 am by

December 9, 1968: Prince George Tupou of Tonga, heir to the Tongan throne, graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. His passing out ceremony was attended by his parents, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho ʻAhomeʻe. Among Prince George Tupou’s fellow cadets was the son of the first Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda. According to an article in The Telegraph, George Tupou credited his time at Sandhurst for teaching him “the invaluable lesson … Continue reading →

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A Royal Wedding in Tonga

  June 13, 2016 at 3:56 am by

Earlier this month, a niece of King Tupou VI of Tonga was married in a traditional ceremony held at the Free Wesleyan Church of Fasi-moe-Afi ‘a Tungi. The Honourable Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita, daughter of the Princess Royal Pilolevu -sister of King Tupou VI – married Lopeti Aleamotu’a having accepted his proposal of marriage in January. Attending the wedding ceremony were: The Queen Mother of Tonga, Her Majesty … Continue reading →

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Coronation of Tonga’s King

  July 4, 2015 at 11:00 pm by

Tonga’s King Tupou VI and his wife were crowned today in a simple ceremony watched by thousands at the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church in Nuku’alofa, the country’s capital, after a week-long celebration. D’Arcy Wood, an Australian Methodist minister, was flown to Tonga to perform the official crowning, as no Tongan citizen can touch the head of the King. Reverends Dr ‘Ahio and Dr Tevita Havea of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga assisted in … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Receives Tongan Monarch at Windsor

  February 27, 2015 at 5:20 pm by

Queen Elizabeth II today welcomed the King and Queen of Tonga to Windsor Castle for afternoon tea. King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho were received in the private apartments of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, where they posed for a photograph before tea was served. It is believed that during their meeting, the two monarchs discussed the relationship between the United Kingdom and Tonga. Tonga is a member … Continue reading →

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King and Queen of Tonga Visit the Vatican

  February 16, 2015 at 9:59 pm by

The King and Queen of Tonga paid a visit to the Vatican today, where they had an audience with Pope Francis. During their audience at the Apostolic Palace, the Pope and King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho discussed recent political developments in Tonga, as well as the contributions of the Catholic Church to Tongan society (15% of Tonga’s population identify as Roman Catholic). Environmental problems facing the Pacific Islands were also … Continue reading →

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The Crown Prince of Tonga weds the Hon Sinaitakala Fakafanua

  July 12, 2012 at 9:24 am by

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of Tonga married the Hon Sinaitakala Fakafanua on 12 July 2012. The bride was escorted to her groom by her oldest brother, the Hon Fatafehi Kinikinilau Lolomana’ia Fakafanua, Lord Fakafanua. The attendants were Ala-ki-Hihifo Fusi Levalasi Luani and Utufia ‘i Moana ‘o Tupoumoheofo Tuita, Paige Siukaufusi Ramanlala Vallabh was the flowergirl and the Hon Sosaia Lausi’i Ma’afu served as ringbearer. The couple signed their official marriage registration on 10 July. … Continue reading →

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Funeral of Tonga’s King George Tupou V

  March 27, 2012 at 1:50 am by

The late King of Tonga, George Tupou V, was buried today following a state funeral in the South Pacific nation’s capital, Nuku’alofa. His body was returned to Tonga on Monday evening from Hong Kong, where he passed away on March 18th. The new King, Tupou VI, accompanied his elder brother’s body home. Thousands of Tongans lined the streets, dressed in mourning, as the King’s body made its way to the … Continue reading →

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King George Tupou V Passes Away

  March 18, 2012 at 7:22 pm by

The King of Tonga, George Tupou V, has passed away in a Hong Kong hospital. The news was confirmed by the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Siale’ataonga Tu’ivakano, a short time ago. The King died this afternoon, March 18. According to media reports, the King’s brother, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka Ata, was by his side. King George Tupou was diagnosed with cancer last year, and underwent surgery in the US … Continue reading →

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Tongan Prince Formalises Engagement

  January 23, 2012 at 10:39 pm by

The son of Tonga’s Crown Prince, Prince ʻUlukālala, has formalised his engagement to Lady Sinaitakala Fakafanua, the daughter of Princess ‘Ofeina-‘e he-Langi Fakafanua and the late Lord Fakafanua. An engagement party took place on Friday, January 20th, at the Observatory Hotel in Sydney, Australia. It was attended by several members of the royal family, including both sets of parents, who witnessed Prince ʻUlukālala present his fiancé with an engagement ring. Both … Continue reading →

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Tongan Royals Attend Memorial for Ferry Victims

  September 7, 2009 at 3:25 am by

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 … Continue reading →

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Tongan King’s Foreign Trip after Ferry Tragedy

  August 13, 2009 at 4:39 am by

There has been criticism in the New Zealand media of the Tongan King’s trip to Scotland recently. 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 … Continue reading →

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The Origins of the Tongan Monarchy

  July 21, 2009 at 2:22 am by

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 … Continue reading →

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Prime Minister Key Visits Tonga, Meets with King

  July 10, 2009 at 9:31 am by

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. The meeting (in fact meetings, plural) with the King took place on the 7th, the first being an audience … Continue reading →

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