The body of Leotisia Malakai, the former head tutor for girls at Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College, will be flown to Tonga on Monday, December 9.
Malakai, who has been described as a much-loved and highly-respected teacher, died in Waikato Hospital on January 1.
She suffered head and internal injuries in the bus crash south of Gisborne on Christmas Eve.
The bus was carrying members of the college’s brass band and supporters on a fund raising tour.
Other members of the group will fly back to Tonga on Tuesday as originally scheduled.
Malalkai’s body needs to travel early so it can be transferred to the afternoon flight to Vava’u.
Ms Malakai’s cousin Sinai Maafoou, told the Gisborne Herald that she and other family members had been singing, praying and comforting her until the end.
Malakai would have celebrated her 56th birthday on January 3.
She had worked at the college for 40 years.
She was transferred to Waikato Hospital’s intensive care unit on Christmas Day.
The Herald reported that despite her injuries, she was able to speak to family who rushed to her bedside from all over New Zealand.
“All the students loved her very much,” her aunt, Vea Havea, said.
A prayer service will be held for Malakai tonight at the Ongoongo Lelei church in Tuingapapai, Mangere.
Taumalolo and Fifita
The bodies of Sione Taumalolo and Talita Moimoi Fifita, who died on Christmas Eve, have already been returned to Tonga.
They were welcomed by members of the Free Wesleyan Church, families and relatives.
The welcoming prayer services were attended by Queen Nanasipau’u and led by the President of the Free Wesleyan Church and its Secretary General, Dr. Tevita Havea.
Dr. Havea told the mourners the ceremony had been organised in accordance with advice from the Palace.
Hundreds of people earlier attended a memorial service for Taumalolo and Fifita in Auckland.
It was also attended by Princess Pilolevu Tuita, New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific Peoples, Hon. Alfred Ngaro and the president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Rev. Prince Devanandan.
The main points
- The body of Leotisia Malakai, the former head tutor for girls at Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College, will be flown to Tonga on Monday, December 9.
- Malakai, who has been described as a much-loved and highly-respected teacher, died in Waikato Hospital on January 1.
- She suffered head and internal injuries in the bus crash south of Gisborne on Christmas Eve.
- The bodies of Sione Taumalolo and Talita Moimoi Fifita, who died on Christmas Eve, have already been returned to Tonga.
For more information
Princess Pilolevu bids farewell to the duo that died in the Gisborne bus crash
ACC will provide funeral grant for Gisborne bus crash victims
