A member of the Haʻa Ngata royal clan has expressed his disappointment over a report by Talaki newspaper that their leader, Dr. ʻAhio, was kicked out of the Liukava royal residence during the ha’amo occasion following the Queen Mother’s death.
The report said Dr. Ahio, who is also the president of the Free Wesleyan Church, arrived late with the king’s meal.
It said they were told to stop at the gate and leave.
It said Dr. ‘Ahio, who is also the royal chaplain, and his followers were told that it was important to bring His Majesty’s taumafa on time.
The report did not say who made the decision to send Dr. Ahio away.
The paper’s report did not seek Dr. Ahio’s side of the story or clarification from the palace.
A member of Ha’a Ngata, Vaha’ifefeka Namoa has vehemently denied the report.
He said the story was false.
He said no ha’amo was taken to Liukava. It was all carried and presented to the king at the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace, where the nimatapu were staying and the Mahinafekita residence.
No one was kicked out during the ha’amo from day one until it was finished on the tenth night since the burial of the matriarch.
Vaha’ifefeka said he had written to the newspaper to retract their story, but had yet to receive a reply.
He said he and the rest of the Ha’a Ngata were really disappointed about the paper’s report.
Kaniva News has sought a comment from the paper’s publisher, Filokalafi ‘Akau’ola.
The main points
- A member of the Haʻa Ngata royal clan has expressed his disappointment over a report by Talaki newspaper that their leader, Dr. ʻAhio, was kicked out of the Liukava royal residence during the ha’amo occasion following the Queen Mother’s death.
- The report said Dr. Ahio, who is also the president of the Free Wesleyan Church, arrived late with the king’s meal.
- A member of Ha’a Ngata, Vaha’ifefeka has vehemently denied the report.
- He said no ha’amo was taken to Liukava.
