Mālō e lelei
– Greetings everyone!
Mālō ‘aupito – thank you for checking in and exploring the culture of Tonga. Let’s practice and use these two important Tongan words all week to show our support for the Tongan language. You can learn a few more here.
Tonga language week theme
The theme for Tonga language week is Fakakoloa ‘o Aotearoa ‘aki ‘a e Lotu Mo’oni which in English means Enriching Aotearoa New Zealand through Prayer and Faith.
A few quick facts…
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The “friendly islands” are also known for their beautiful scenery, multiple islands, tauʻolunga – traditional Tongan dance, and also for its ceremonial tradition of kava drinking, a Polynesian tradition that is a very real part of Tongan life. This is partly because Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation never colonised by a foreign power. Uniquely, Tonga has also never lost its indigenous governance
Tonga became known in as the “Friendly Islands” because of the congenial reception accorded to Captain James Cook on his first visit in 1773. He arrived at the time of the ʻinasi festival, the yearly donation of the First Fruits to the Tuʻi Tonga (the islands’ paramount chief) and so received an invitation to the festivities. According to the writer William Mariner, the chiefs wanted to kill Cook during the gathering but could not agree on a plan
- The ‘Kingdom of Tonga’ is made up of 169 islands, just 36 are inhabited and has a population of approximately 100,651 (2016 census) – 70% reside on the main island of Tongatapu
- From 1900 to 1970, Tonga had British protected state status, with the United Kingdom looking after its foreign affairs under a Treaty of Friendship. The country never relinquished its sovereignty to any foreign power. In 2010, Tonga took a path towards becoming a constitutional monarchy rather than a traditional absolute kingdom, after legislative reforms passed a course for the first partial representative elections
What’s on to celebrate Tonga language week?
Special film screening:
Our Pacific Centre is holding a special screening of the award winning 2019 film, For my Father’s Kingdom, this Friday 11 September at 12.00pm (97 mins run time). You can watch the trailer here.
Synopsis: For country, family, and a place in heaven. It’s a long walk to redemption.
This feature follows director Vea Mafile’o’s father, Tongan migrant pensioner Saia Mafile’o. Driven by his deep faith in God and Tongan culture, pensioner Saia Mafile’o carefully navigates not only the rough streets of South Auckland, but also his sometimes-fraught relationship with his New Zealand-born son Robert, who struggles to accept his father’s commitment to a Kingdom that tore their family apart.
This will be following by a Q&A session with the director Vea Mafileo and Jerry Tauamiti, and the film’s hero Saia Mafileo.
All welcome but you do need to register here and please show your appreciation of this special event with koha.
Tonga display:
Make sure your take a look at the beautiful display of Tongan arts and the library books that are available so you can learn more about the Tonga culture, in Te Puna opposite the Ask Me desk.
Get to know some of our Unitec Tongan community
Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine
Aki Te’evale
- Aki Te’evale – Research Administrator at Tūāpapa Rangahau – posted September 2020
- Leni Fifita – Lecturer, School of Trades and Services – posted July 2019
- Student Cedric Folaumoetui – Dedication and commitment secures a new career path and a big win – July 2019
- 5 minutes wtih Tavakefai’ana Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine – Lecturer, writer and practitioner of architecture, art and design – May 2019
- Helen Vea – Our new Student President – posted April 2019