New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan hymn ” ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua” which was recorded and is now on Youtube.
Salesa’s interviews with Kaniva News showed she strongly believed in the Tongan saying – “Ko e lotu eni Ê»a e fanga kuÆ– “It’s the grandparents’ praying that led me to now reach one of the top positions in the New Zealand government.â€
Tongans believe that every contribution and attention by parents to religious activities must be returned as good luck through their children and grandchildren.
So whenever a member of the family achieves something or become successful, especially on the international level, it is a huge thing for the
family.
The family and the kÄinga then have to be formally informed about the achievement.
The response would mostly be “Kuo tali e lotu ‘a e fanga kui†– “The grandparents prayers had been accepted.â€
This is the Tongan custom of Tala KÄinga or informing the kÄinga (relatives) and letting them know about what has been achieved.
In the past theTala KÄinga was relayed by somebody from the house of Ê»UlumotuÊ»a (head of the clan) who was sent from place to place to inform familes.
When the kÄinga were informed the identity of the achiever also had to be revealed as some of the kÄinga may have not known him or her.
Nowadays the Tala KÄinga no longer involves informing the individual members of the clan.
Today the public can be informed via the radio or it can be posted on social media.
Salesa performed the Tala KÄinga for her achievement through Kaniva News.
“I would like to attribute the glory and gratitude to God our Lord the Almighty for He has treasured us with this new duty,†Salesa told Kaniva News.
“I took my oath in Parliament [yesterday morning and it] was a really big day for me, my family and the many volunteers who helped me during this journey.
“My other oath endures, to serve the people of Manukau East and all New Zealanders to the best of my abilities.
“I am truly humbled to enter New Zealand’s Parliament to represent and advocate for and on behalf of the good people of Manukau East.
“I am also humbled as the daughter of Mr SÄmiuela LÄtÅ« and Mrs LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu, born and raised in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga to have made it this far.
Her father served as a public servant in Tonga for 36 years and he was Tonga’s first pharmacist.
“Many of my fanga kui (grand parents) were faifekau (church ministers) and I have a number of them who are my uncles from both the Latu and Tukutau families of the Free Wesleyan Church.â€
Salesa said  the ‘ulumotu’a (head of the clan) of her mother’s family came from the village of Pea from the Tu’inukuafe’s family. This meant she was related to the Rev Lopini Filise, the Superintendent Minister at Tuingapapai Free Wesleyan Church in Mangere.
Her mother’s uncles include the Rev ‘Ahokava Latu, former President of the Church of Tonga. Her mother was cousin to the Late Bishop Patelesio Finau, Leader of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Fr Lava Enosi who once the Catholic Church’s Vicar general.
Her mother, LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu’s, parents were Manulevu Tonga and Meleseini Tu’inukuafe.
Her father’s parents were Mr. ‘Alifeleti LÄtÅ« Tangulu of Lotofoa, Ha’apai and Mrs Ê»Ema Ê»Amalani LÄtÅ«
The Tangulu clans originally from Tefisi, Vava’u.
She congratulated her husband Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa for his hard work during her campaign. He is a professor at the University of Auckland.
“I had an allocation of two guests for the State Opening of Parliament and another Labour MP let me have their guest tickets so yesterday I had my husband and both my parents.â€
Jenny Salesa joins fellow Tongan MP Carmel Sepuloni.
Sepuloni’s father was full Tongan and she was the first to be listed by the Labour Party and New Zealand Parliament as a Tongan MP of Tongan descent in 2008.
Sepuloni stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 2011, but won the Kelston electorate in last month’s elections.
Click here to listen to Jenny Salesa’s Maiden Speech
The main points
- New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
- Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan popular hymn ‘ ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua.’
- Salesa represents Manukau East.
- Her parents and husband were in parliament to hear her maiden speech.
