Tongan Member of New Zealand Parliament Jenny Salesa has paid heartfelt tribute to a beloved community matriarch whose unwavering dedication and leadership left an indelible mark on the lives of many.
Leiola Finau, a Tongan mother and teacher at the Catholic Church’s McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu’s death has been remembered.
Known for her generosity and tireless efforts to uplift those around her, Finau’s passing has been deeply felt across the community.
MP Salesa described the mother as being a valuable teacher to the community’s children.
“May you Rest in God’s Eternal Love Mrs Leiola Finau. Thank you so much for your dedication, your service and for teaching so many of our McAuley Girls students which included our daughters”, Salesa wrote on Facebook.
McAuley High School is in shock following the devastating news.
” It is with great sadness that our school whānau announces that our dear friend and school mum, Leiola Finau, has gone to God this morning after falling ill this week”, it said on Facebook.
“Leiola served McAuley as Head of Lea Faka-Tonga. She was a lot more than that to our school and faith community. From 2006, she has served as a support staff member before retraining to teach” a post on the school’s Facebook read.
It said Finau was recently a Dean over the last six years, receiving the title ‘Dean for Life.’
“Leiola became a pillar of the McAuley and Ōtāhuhu Parish Communities. She has always been an integral part of every Special Character event of the school.
“We are beyond grateful that we were blessed with Leiola – her prayers for us, her heart, her leadership, and her service.
“She made it known to staff and students about her high expectations of us all.
“We will miss our uniform police, and her infamous “helloooooooooo.”
Finau was a teacher at Kelana High School in Tonga before relocating to New Zealand.
The McAuley School’s post regarding her passing stated that Finau “lived to serve God.”
“We can’t imagine McAuley without our Tongan mum but we know Leiola would expect us to do our best and continue to pray” read the post.
“Our love and prayers go out to Hinemoa and all her siblings, George, Johnny, Sela and all her grandchildren.
Leiola, mālō ‘i he me’a kotoa. Kuo lava ho fatongia, ho ngaue mateaki, ‘osikiavelenga mo e ‘ofa ‘iate kimautolu fanau ako mo e kau faiako hono koto’a”.
