Home Blog Page 489

“I’m sticking with the red and white,” says Taumalolo; remains optimistic about bringing dismissed Woolf back to Tonga

By
Philip Cass
-

Jason Taumalolo believes there is still hope that sacked coach Kristin Woolf will be reinstated and the Mate Ma’a playing again.

As Kaniva news reported at the time the Mate Ma’a complained to the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, saying they were dissatisfied with the interim National Rugby League Board.

They also complained to the Australia National Rugby League.

The team’s complaints triggered calls from the public to return Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika to the League’s management.

Tonga’s new Rugby League board dismissed Woolf by e-mail.

He has since become coach of UK Super League club St Helen.

The Tongan players are fiercely loyal to Woolf, who played an integral role in turning Tonga into a team that has made tier one teams sit up and take notice.

Taumalolo told AAP he was prepared to retire from international football if the dispute over Woolf’s sacking cannot be resolved.

“I’m sticking solid with the red and white and if that doesn’t work I guess I might have to retire [from] international football,” Taumalolo said.

“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that… I’d still love to play for Tonga and play alongside some of the great players that have represented in the last few years.

“But if that doesn’t work out and we can’t come to an agreement, I’ll eventually retire from international football.”

Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita and Taumalolo have spearheaded a revolt by the Mate Ma’a team, saying they will not take part in next month’s World Cup Nines and the end of year tests against Great Britain and Australia.

The former Kiwis star and Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita have led a Tongan player revolt, threatening to boycott next month’s World Cup Nines and the end of year tests against Great Britain and Australia after coach Kristian Woolf was sacked.

The team want Rugby League chairman George Koloamatangi and secretary William Edwards removed and Woolf brought back.

The NRL board appointed Frank Endacott to replace Woolf.

Endacott has not coached at the elite level in 15 years, but has previously been in charge of the Kiwis, Warriors and Wigan.

https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2019/09/andrew-fifita-lodges-complaints-against-interim-national-league-board-players-threatened-to-pull-out-of-mate-maa-tonga/

Supreme Court rejects security for costs application in Mataeles’ land dispute

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Supreme Court has rejected a request by the wife of late MP Joe Tu’ilatai Mataele for his sister, to pay security of $10,000 in their legal case over two leases of land.

‘Aiona Fa’asau Mataele and Joe’s sister Kalo Mataele Soukop have brought the case before Justice Laki Niu in Nuku’alofa.

Court statement said, ‘Aiona had applied for probate of the will of Joe and had included the two said jointly owned leases as properties left to her by her deceased husband.

The Supreme Court had granted that probate to her in 2010 but to date she has not had that probate registered under S.131 of the Land Act.

‘Aiona claimed Kalo had abandoned or surrendered her interests in the two said leases to her late husband and that the two leases were her sole property by virtue of her late husband’s will.

In her claim against the defendant Kalo said that the two said leases are her sole property because they are both in the joint names of Joe Mataele, and of herself, Kalolaine Soukop, and that upon the death of Joe, she became the sole owner as survivor of the two joint owners.

‘Aiona has applied for security for costs in the sum of $10,000 to be paid by the Kalo upon the ground that the plaintiff is ordinarily resident out of the jurisdiction, and she may be unable to pay the costs of the defendants if ordered to do so.

Kalo did not deny that she is ordinarily resident outside of the jurisdiction.

“In fact, she pleads that she resides in Hawaii, United States of America, in her statement of claim. But she denies that she may be unable to pay the costs of the defendant if ordered to do so because she is the lawful owner of two valuable leases of land situated in Tonga, with substantial buildings situated thereon, which may be ordered to be sold if she fails to pay the costs of the defendant, if so ordered by the Court,” Mr Niu said.

She argued that she has at least an arguable claim against the defendant and that she should not be required to pay security for costs up front no matter how poor she maybe.

In his conclusion Mr Niu said: “The burden of proving the grounds for the grant of an order for security for costs is upon the defendant. Not only does the defendant have to prove that the plaintiff ordinarily resides outside of the jurisdiction or that she may be unable to pay costs if ordered to do so, she must also prove that the plaintiff has no possibility of succeeding in her claim so that in all the circumstances of the case it is just that the order be made.”

Mr Niu said ‘Aiona has failed to prove that Kalo has no possibility of succeeding in her claim.

“I order that her application is dismissed with costs to the plaintiff, to be taxed if not agreed.”

Who will take democratic pioneer’s place as next PM? A handful of candidates stand out

By
Kalino Latu
-


Kaniva news comment

Who will take the place of ‘Akilisi Pohiva?

Stepping into the shoes of Tonga’s democratic pioneer will be a challenge.
Hon. Pohiva had political aptitude, charisma and there was a die-hard quality to the way he tackled political objectives.

He did the hard job of laying the foundations for Tonga’s shift from a country ruled by the royal family and dominated by the nobles to one where an ordinary citizen could become Prime Minister.

The next Prime Minister must be somebody who has the courage to continue Hon. Pohiva’s hard work.

The country must have somebody who will make sure the king does not reverse the process of democratisation.

The people showed their support for Hon. Pohiva until his death. These are the same people a new PM must cherish politically.

The submission of candidates for the position of Prime Minister has opened and will close on September 26.

The Speaker will then announce the day for the election of the new PM.

Likely candidates

A handful of likely candidates stands out.

Vuna Fa’otusia

Hon. Fa’otusia has displayed the political glamour and charisma ‘Akilisi Pohiva had, which appealed to the majority of Tongans who were democratic activists and supporters. He was outspoken in parliament about the absolute power of the nobility over the land. He was particularly concerned that even when people were given land to live and grow crops, ownership still rested with the nobles. He was also outspoken in criticising the Privy Council and Law Lords’ interference in reviewing the parliament’s laws and deciding whether they should be signed by the king or not. He said the bills passed by parliament should go straight to the king and not the law lords, as laid down in the constitution.

Mateni Tapueluelu

Hon. Pohiva’s son-in-law, Mateni Tapueluelu, was the former editor of the late Prime Minister’s‘ Kele’a newspaper and showed a political aptitude for the fight to have the executive government fully democratised. His debates in parliament showed he has great knowledge about democracy and the need for political changes. However some people think Mateni is still young and the fact his constituency was a PTOA stronghold means he has more opportunities to run for the premiership in the future.

Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa

Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa was a silent, hard-working minister. The former Auditor General was outspoken in assuring the public of the good reputation and profile of the PTOA party. He has corrected misreporting by news media who had been seen by democrats as anti-government. After the king announced early this year the government did not appear to have a clear economic vision, Hon. Pohiva denied it in parliament. He said the government’s economic vision was put under the second part of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework, which runs from 2015 – 2025. His speech to support ‘Akilisi Pohiva on the premiership election day was praised by many, especially when he highlighted Hon. Pohiva’s history of
political work from an Auditor General’s point of view. He said the late Prime Minister was genuine in his attempt to democratise the government system and there was no secret agenda.

Saia Piukala

Hon. Piukala was extremely supportive of Hon. Pohiva. His health expertise helped him to survive some of serious health conditions about a year before he died, the late Prime Minister told Kaniva news. Piukala’s speeches in parliament showed he understood the government system well and the importance of the democratic reform process . Hon. Piukala’s speech in Auckland at the Prime Minister’s memorial service was praised by many. He was instrumental in supporting the Prime Minister in his travel to Tuvalu and joining the recent Pacific Leaders’ meeting, amid concerns about his health conditions. Hon Piukala said he understood that was the last important meeting for the Prime Minister to attend and he did his best to make sure he could make it. Hon. Pohiva has been praised by Pacific leaders for the speeches he made about West Papua and climate change.

Semisi Sika

There is no doubt there was a good reason why the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva appointed Hon. Sika to become his deputy. He has been described as silent hardworking Minister who was very supportive of Hon. Pohiva. He grew up in religious and business family and was involved with the private sector, especially sports and tourism, for years. His father Viliami Sika, who has owned a finance company for many years, was a strong supporter of Hon. Pohiva from the beginning of his political career. Hon. Sika was the most senior elected MP in the PTOA party and as such he has the right to become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.

Kaniva Tonga believes that Hon. Sika is the best choice to be the next Prime Minister of Tonga.

Pōhiva’s death unites kingdom as thousands gather at centenary church for state funeral

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

The death of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has, however briefly, united the kingdom as members of the royal family, nobles, government ministers, civil servants, and friends and family gathered today for his funeral.

The democratic pioneer was honoured with a state funeral this morning attended by Queen Nanasipau’u and Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho.

Princess Angelika was Hon. Pōhiva’s fahu.

Deputy Speaker Lord Tu’ilakepa led a “hala,” the arrival of kāinga or friends who present either pigs, food,  trays of bread, Tongan handicrafts like ngatu and fine mats or money to show their support to the family of the deceased and show sympathy.

Lord Tu’ilakepa arrived with Parliament staff at Hon. Pōhiva’s residence on Tuesday and made the presentation. 

Hon. Pōhiva became the first Prime Minister to lie in state, something normally reserved for royalty.

Onlookers described today’s weather as fit for the man who they said was hugely loved by the people who he cherished.

Children stood along the roads in Nuku’alofa as Pōhiva’s family and members of the royal family followed a hearse into the Centenary Church grounds.

About 3000 people attended this  morning’s funeral, with the crowd spilling over onto the grounds of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Centenary Church (Saione).

The service was conducted by the President of the Free Wesleyan Church, the Reverend Dr Ahio. Clergy from other churches also attended.

Mr Pōhiva was buried at the Telekava Cemetery in Kolomotu’a.

Today was a public holiday and national day of mourning.

Otago

Meanwhile, staff at Otago University in Dunedin have expressed their “heart-felt condolences” on Hon. Pohiva’s death to Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika.

“His leadership and passion for democracy have touched the lives of many in our community, both here at the university and in Tonga,” Professor Harlene Hayne said.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Tonga at this sad time.”

Princess Angelika is fahu for Prime Minister; a significant honour for PM who did not boast about his royal family connections

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

Princess Angelika is the fahu for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

The fahu is the person who sits in front near the coffin and shows she or he is the highest in social status to the deceased.

The fahu to the deceased must come from the dead person’s paternal side and is usually a sister of their father and her children.

Traditionally it was the highest honour at a funeral when the fahu came from the eldest sister of their father.

It is a significant honour that Princess Angelika is performing this role because she is the only daughter of the king.

Hon. Pōhiva’s great grandfather Fīnau Filimoe’ulie was a half brother of King George Tupou I.

The king’s mother Taufa Hoamofaleono, became pregnant to another chief, Nuku Moimoiangaha, from whom the current Lord Nuku is descended.

Their child was Filimoe’ulie.

Filimoeʻulie grew up in Pōhiva’s village of Fakakakai, but later returned to Vainī in Tongatapu, his motherʻs village, to be appointed as Lord Maʻafu.

A Lord Ma’afu noble had a daughter Tuputupu Vaea, the mother of Queen Nanasipau’u.

This means Pōhiva, Queen Nanasipau’u, Lord Vaea, the current Lord Ma’afu of Vaini and Lord Nuku of Kolonga were cousins.

Humble

Many Tongans were unaware of Hon. Pōhiva’s royal connections until after he died. During his more than 30 years as a politician he did not boast about his connections.

This is something that Tongans who have any type of links to nobility and royal family often do to boost their social status.

People said that the late Prime Minister’s reticence about his royal connections showed how humble and meek he was.

Hon. Pōhiva maintained throughout his political life that all he did was to protect the royal family from opportunists.

Mourning

The State funeral service for the late Prime Minister will be held at the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Centenary Church (Saione).

Hon. Pōhiva will be buried at the Telekava Cemetery at Kolomotu’a.

Thursday has been declared a public holiday and a national day of mourning.

Hon. Pōhiva’s body was flown back to Tonga yesterday by the RNZAF and then lay in state in the St George building where a congregational prayer service and public viewing was held.

Some extremist factions among royalist supporters have complained about the late Prime Minister’s funeral arrangements.

Pohiva’s critics have complained and did not want to mention Hon. Pōhiva’s royal connections.

They also said that a state funeral should only be held if one of the royal family died.

For more information

Tonga treatment saved thousands; PM thanks Princess Mata’aho for visit

“Solemn and dignified” welcome for Pōhiva as Prime Minister comes home for last time

Outrage after King did not invite PM Pōhiva and cabinet to His New Year reception party

“I did everything possible” says Pōhiva in farewell to people of the kingdom he served

By
Kaniva Staff
-

With preparations quietly under way to find a replacement Prime Minister, a poem written by the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has emerged.

Parliament is expected to begin electing a new Prime Minister by calling for nominations from among MPs once Thursday’s state funeral for Hon. Pōhiva is over.

Veteran Pacific affairs reporter Michael Field posted the poem on Facebook.

Written in Tongan and English, it is dated September 11, the day before the democratic party leader died.

In the poem Hon. Pōhiva says he did everything he could to make his dream of a democratic Tonga come true.

He thanked the people of the kingdom for their support and love.

My final farewell to the people of Tonga

To the people of Tonga…
It has been 32 years since you elected me as your representative
And that became a sacred covenant for my existence
We established a vision
And I did everything possible to turn that vision into reality
No energy was spared
Thank you for giving me your trust
Your support
Your love
I have fulfilled my obligations to you
This is my final farewell!
With all my love!
Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva

Ko e tatau ‘a Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’ ‘i he lea faka-Tonga’

Ko ‘eku tatau faka’osi ki he kakai ‘o e fonua
Ko e ta’u ‘eni ‘e 32 ‘eku hoko ko homou fakafofonga
Pea na’e hoko ia ko e kovinānite toputapu ki he’eku mo’ui
Na’a tau fokotu’u e vīsone
Pea na’e fai hoku lelei taha ke ngāue’i ‘a e vīsone ko ia’
Na’e ‘ikai tuku ha ivi
Mālō e tuku mai ho’omou falala
Ho’omou poupou
Ho’omou ‘ofa
Kuo lava hoku fatongia
Ko ‘eku tatau faka’osi ‘eni
Tu’a ‘Ofa Atu!

“Solemn and dignified” welcome for Pōhiva as Prime Minister comes home for last time

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The body of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva is lying in state since yesterday evening at the St. George Government Building.

His body arrived in Tonga yesterday afternoon on an RNZAF aircraft. It was welcomed at the kingdom’s international airport by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Tuku’aho.

Crowds gathered at the airport well before the aircraft’s scheduled arrival time, with some people wearing tauanga’a and photos of the late Prime Minister pinned to their pockets.

Schoolchildren lined the road as a mark of respect.

Onlookers described the welcoming event as solemn and dignified.

After the aircraft landed Hon. Pohiva’s body was transferred to the St George building where a congregational prayer service and public viewing was held.

The State funeral service for the Prime Minister will be held at the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Centenary Church (Saione) on Thursday.

Hon. Pohiva will be buried at the Telekava Cemetery at Kolomotu’a.

Thursday has been declared a public holiday and a national day of mourning.
At this stage it is still not certain if the king or the queen will attend the service.

Auckland service

An estimated 10,000 people attended a service for Hon. Pohiva at the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Māngere, Auckland on Monday evening.

Among those attending were New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio.

For more information
Thousands attend Auckland memorial for ‘Akilisi Pohiva
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/398848/thousands-attend-auckland-memorial-for-akilisi-pohiva
‘Akilisi Pohiva’s body back in Tonga
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/398960/akilisi-pohiva-s-body-back-in-tonga

Poetic tribute to Pōhiva presents PM’s vision and values in rich metaphoric language

By
Kaniva Staff
-

One of the many tributes to the late Prime Minister of Tonga, the Right Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva is a poem by New Zealand-based Tongan academic, author and health professional Sione Tu’itahi.

Tu’itahi is originally from Hā’ano, the same island as Hon. Pōhiva.

Written in rich metaphoric language, the poem uses the Tongan literary device of heliaki (symbolism) to outlines the family roots of the late Pohiva, revealing his little-known connection to the Tongan royal family and to some of the 33 noble estate holders.

More significantly, the poem distils the essential values and principles, and vision that shaped and informed Pōhiva’s relentless campaign for truth, justice and freedom, for more than 40 years.

Tu’itahi, a former journalist, knew Pōhiva for more than 40 years and covered his activities in Tongan education, governance and leadership for almost two decades.

Hā’ano Si’i Fakalahi ki he Lotu mo e Ako
(Ko e manatu ‘ofa mei Lautala he pekia ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga ko Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, ‘I ‘Aokalani, Nu’usila, Tu’apulelulu Sepitema 12, 2019)

Mala’e Lahi mo Aleipata pe’i mo fakahā
Ki he Maka-ko-Fele’unga mo e Houma Tetefa
Taha si’ena fanautama mo’unga’i tangata
Kuo ui mei Langi he Taulanga Vai-o-Mata

Si’i Mohenga-e-‘Atu kuo ngalu pea ‘au
Funga Kelekelenoa ena si’i tangi lau’aitu
Pulonga Pakimoeto’i si’i Heilala Fisi’iniu
Kakapu Vai-ko-Kanakana mo e Taulanga Fualu

Fanakava mo Ma’u-kuo-mate si’oto fakapō
Tā ne o’o he kaiha’a tangitauloto
Fakanonoa si’i fangatapu ‘o Nukunamo
Huli ‘o Ofolanga kuo takavaha mama’o

Sia-ko-Toloke si’oku ‘ofa ni ke fakaa’u
Kia Puatoka, Kienga mo Pouvalu
Ko e tongiaki mei Lautala kuo tō tau
He siu-i-moana ma’a e ko eni mo e kaha’u

Kanivatu eni ‘o Tokonakao mo Lofia
Siu mānoa ki he Kolo Ta’engata
Lava e fetau ‘i moana mo maama
Tofa hala fononga ma’a Tonga kotoa

Fangofulu ta’u pea ‘osiki a Velenga
Tufunga’i fo’ou e taha ki he fakakātoa
Toutai ola ki he totonu mo e tau’atāina
Ke tatau e palai mo e tua

Vake, Hiko mo Vunipola pe’i na’a ā
He ko e hala kuo papa ne matua’i mei mu’a
Fakalahi ki he lotu mo e ako e kaveinga
Mate he mo’oni, feilaulau ma’a e fonua

Folau ā si’i to’a ne fakakikite’i ki Kiliki mu’a
Si’o kafu e fisi’inaua mo lūsia pē ke tau fonua
Tuku ki he kaha’u ki ha’a vavanga he faiva tala
Ke ‘auliliki e mo’oni si’o tufunga fonua fisifisimu’a

Tōfā si’i Heilala-o-Fusipala kau tatau atu
‘O lepa heke ‘i Lepanoni teu e folau
Tafoe he Vaonukonuka ki he Fa’onelua he ala folau
Ki he Manuka-ki- Langitoto ‘o ‘unaloto mo tali fekau

Ka ‘eke si’a sola pea tohitongi he manatu
Ko e tufunga mei Lautala, he tu’unga fale ne pou valu
Hiko e taulanga hoto faiva fakatalutalu
Hafoka mo ‘Otukolo ha melenga mo faka’osi atu

© 2019 Sione Tu’itahi
(Sepitema 12, 2019)

Still no statement from palace as kingdom prepares to bury Prime Minister Pōhiva, a poor commoner with royal connections

By
Philip Cass
-

Five days after the death of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva there has still not been a statement or expression of condolence from the palace.

It had been expected that the king would have released a statement through his office by now.

It is understood the king was at ‘Atalanga royal residence in Auckland on Sunday when a memorial service was held at Tuingapapai church in Māngere for Hon. Pōhiva. He left for Tonga last night.

There were also reports of some members of the nobility who were in Auckland during the service but they did not attend it.

Hon. Pōhiva will have a state funeral on Thursday.

His body was flown back to Tonga this afternoon.

A press release issued on Sunday outlining the programme for the funeral services did not show the king or the queen attending any of the services.

Kaniva news was told the information had been released prematurely and that details had not been confirmed.

Royal connection

Although a commoner and a poor man, Hon. Pōhiva had royal connections.
His great grandfather Finau Filimoe’ulie was a half brother of King George Tupou I, known to many as the Father of Modern Tonga.

However, members of the royal family were furious after they found out the king’s mother Taufa Hoamofaleono was pregnant to another chief, Nuku Moimoiangaha, from whom the current Lord Nuku is descended.

Their child was Filimoe’ulie.

Filimoeʻulie grew up in Pōhiva’s village of Fakakakai, but later returned to Vainī in Tongatapu, his motherʻs village, to be appointed as Lord Maʻafu.

A Lord Ma’afu noble had a daughter Tuputupu Vaea, the mother of Queen Nanasipau’u.

This means Pōhiva, Queen Nanasipau’u, Lord Vaea, the current Lord Ma’afu of Vaini and Lord Nuku of Kolonga were cousins.

Tense

King Tupou VI and Hon. Pōhiva had a tense relationship in recent years.

Unlike King George V, who was an advocate of democracy, the current monarch has not always shown great courtesy to Hon. Pōhiva’s government.

In August 2017, King Tupou VI dissolved Parliament and called elections for November that year on the basis of a number of concerns about the government expressed by the former Speaker.

Former New Zealand High Commissioner Christine Bogle described the king’s actions as “constitutional, but hardly democratic.”

His Majesty ordered a snap election in November which resulted in Hon. Pōhiva and his party winning 14 seats out of the 17 electoral seats for people’s MPs, a victory that enabled them to form the government on their own.

Following the election there was outrage on social media after the King reportedly did not invite Hon. Pōhiva and his caretaker cabinet ministers to his 2018 New Year reception party.

It is understood Hon. Pōhiva and his ministers had been invited to the King’s party every new year since they took power in 2014 until this incidents.

Kaniva news was told Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika was turned away at the palace gates by the royal guards.

However, at the opening of the first Parliament after the election, King Tupou VI expressed his wish to work together with all Members of Parliament.

For more information
As Parliament opens, King declares wish for close working relationship with MPs

As Parliament opens, King declares wish for close working relationship with MPs


Outrage after King did not invite PM Pōhiva and cabinet to His New Year reception party

Outrage after King did not invite PM Pōhiva and cabinet to His New Year reception party

‘Akilisi died a homeless man; once joked he would rather happy to have a “tofi’a” in heaven

By
Kalino Latu
-

‘Akilisi Pohiva spent his life moving from house to house either owned by his sisters, brothers or his own children all through his life.

When he died he had never owned a house or a land.

Pohiva died at Auckland City hospital in New Zealand on Thursday after a long struggle with various health problems.

He was often ridiculed by his critics for campaigning to run the country when he could not manage to buy a land and build a house for his family.

In the Tongan context such ridicule is offensive.

The long-time veteran democratic campaigner once joked that what was most important was for him to own a “tofi’a” (land) in heaven, his eldest son Siaosi Pohiva told Kaniva news.

He was also been ridiculed and labelled as “fie tu’i” (somebody who wanted to become king), an accusation he vehemently denied.

Before he died he maintained that his mission was to bring democracy to Tonga and in that way he was protecting the king and the royals from being abused by those who he named as opportunists.

His daughter Lautala Tapueluelu made a heartfelt tribute to ‘Akilisi on Facebook last week, saying her father put people first before his own children.

Lautala lamented her father’s death and said ‘Akilisi regarded his political mission for the people as a Godly Covenant (“Kovinanite Faka-‘Otua.”)

She said ‘Akilisi kept to his “covenant until his last breath.”

Lautala said she marvelled at how people showed their great love for him after his death.

When ‘Akilisi became the first democratically-elected Prime Minister in the kingdom’s second democratically-elected parliament the government gave him a state house.

He told Kaniva news in an interview in Auckland the house was not fit for a Prime Minister to live in.

“I am personally okay with it,” ‘Akilisi said.

“But I felt something was not right when overseas dignitaries came and visited me and they saw the standard of the house the Prime Minister of Tonga lives in.”

The government later ran an advertisement on Kaniva news website for a construction company to build a government house for the prime minister.

His son Po’oi Pohiva once told Kaniva news he believed his father was born to help bring democracy to Tonga.

Po’oi referred to how ‘Akilisi’s struggled after he was born when he was adopted by an uncle at the island of Pukotala in Ha’apai.

While he was young it was his duty every morning to go fishing with his uncle in a canoe. ‘Akilisi was taught of how to stop the canoe with a toko (long stick) while his uncle was diving.

Po’oi described ‘Akilisi’s duty as a very risky and dangerous job for a young child to do in the deep water.

Po’oi said while ‘Akilisi was at high school at Tupou College boarding school no one else paid for his school fees.

He studied and at the end of the terms he had to walk down to the nearby village of Malapo to collect talingelinga and sell them to a local business to pay for his school fees.

He hardly had any casual clothing at school and he took clothing that had been not been reclaimed from the school’s clothing lines for a long time for his own.

Po’oi said these were only parts of the poverty and struggle his father had endured. Her believed this had toughened his heart and made him a very determined and strong-willed person in his political career.

As we reportedly previously Siaosi said he was used to the challenges the family faced, such as the time when ‘Akilisi was politically persecuted especially when he was convicted in court because of his involvement in politics.

“There were punishments the public was not aware of,” he said.

He said the whole family was punished because of his father’s political involvement.

He said his father put people before his family.

“When he got some money he saved it for his political interest,” he said.

For more information
Thursday will be national day of mourning in Tonga to mark state funeral service for Pōhiva

Thursday will be national day of mourning in Tonga to mark state funeral service for Pōhiva

1...488489490...958Page 489 of 958