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More complaints about how PM’s office treats questions from Tongan media

By
Kalino Latu
-

In picture: L-R, ʻUluʻalo Poʻuhila, Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi and Kalafi Moala.

Dissatisfaction with how the Prime Minister’s Office treats questions from the Tongan media have surfaced again.

Kakalu ‘o Tonga editor ‘Ulu’alo Po’uhila said he had sent many questions to the Prime Minister’s Office and its Secretary to Cabinet without receiving a reply.

Po’uhila said they only responded after he publicly raised his dissatisfaction on Facebook.

“Is this how the Prime Minister’s office in Tonga treats the media; to only respond to their questions  after the media publicly  questions their silence?” he asked.

He said it was unfortunate that nobody signed the letter he received after criticising the PM’s Office on Facebook.

He claimed this was “unprofessional” and said he did not publish the information.

“It used to be said that the mass media is the fourth power after the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary,” Po’uhila wrote on Facebook.

“Press shall criticize the authorities when state officials and politicians make mistakes.

“If we have the opposite of the above mentioned we will have to deal with authoritarian regime.”

The editor was chatting with Kaniva News after we published a story featuring Kalafi Moala, the outgoing media adviser for the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Moala told us the Secretary to Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office would not respond to the media questions we sent them.

He said he had experienced the same problem when he was in the office.

Moala was employed by the Prime Minister as his Media Adviser on a part time position, but his contract ended on November 25.

Moala slammed Dr Palenitina Lang’oi, the Secretary to Cabinet and Chief Secretary and called on her to resign.

Moala claimed Dr Langa’oi “was not on the same page” as Hon. Pohiva.

He said Hon. Pohiva wanted his office to be transparent and never hide anything that was of public interest.

Kaniva News is one of a number of media outlets which have found it difficult to obtain a formal response from the Prime Minister’s Office when sent them questions.

We sent questions to Dr Langaʻoi on November 17 and asked to clarify whether or not the king has approved Hon Pōhiva’s proposal to revoke  ‘Aminisiasi Kefu’s role as Acting Attorny General.

We received no reply until on November 26, after Kalafi Moala appeared on Kaniva and criticised Dr Langa’oi for not treating media professionally. The Prime Minister’s Office responded and said they have not received any decision regarding Kefu. The response was said to have come from the Prime Minister’s Office and no one signed it.

We asked Dr Langa’oi early this year if we could have the Prime Minister’s contact details to enable us to contact him in matters related to media.

In her response, Dr Langa’oi told us to direct all questions to the Prime Minister to her and the Prime Minister’s Office as she would take responsibility for them.

Since then she has not replied to most questions we have sent to her personal email address.

If there was a response, Dr Palenitina appears to have either made a guess at the answer or directed it to somebody else, but that was the end of it.

Dr Palenitina Responses

In an e-mail to Kaniva News last week, Dr Palenitina apologised for any inconvenience she and the Prime Minister’s Office had caused when we sent them media questions.

Dr Langa’oi said the government’s procedure was that the  media should address their questions to Secretary to Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office and not to address them personally to her.

She said this was to facilitate the process so that whenever the Secretary to Cabinet was overseas, the person who was acting in her post could make the response.

In New Zealand we contact the Prime Minister either through his personal e-mail or working e-mail.

Within minutes we received a response informing us our email has been received and are told to expect a response within a fixed time, mostly it was within 24 hours.

When we get the response, someone – mostly the Prime Minister’s PA – signs it and says he or she has discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister has agreed for him or her to respond to us.

Sometimes the person who signs the e-mail of response tells us to attribute the response to a spokesperson from the office.

Nothing like this has happened when dealing with the Prime Minister’s Office in Tonga.

If we send a letter and personally address it to the name of the New Zealand Prime Minister or a Cabinet Minister, no one in the Office answers the letter.

It will only be answered by the Prime Minister or the Minister and nobody else.

This procedure shows the three main mechanism of democracy which are accountability, transparency and good governance.

The Tongan Prime Minister’s Office does not seem to have any of these mechanisms.

The main points

  • Dissatisfaction with how the Prime Minister’s Office treats questions from the Tongan media have surfaced again.
  • Kakalu ‘o Tonga editor ‘Ulu’alofa Po’uhila said he had sent many questions to the Prime Minister’s Office and its Secretary to Cabinet without receiving a reply.
  • Kaniva News recently published a story featuring Kalafi Moala, the outgoing media adviser for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
  • Moala told us the Secretary to Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office would not respond to the media questions we sent them.

For more information

Moala launches stinging attack on Cabinet Secretary (Kaniva News)

Acting AG says he has not received any decision from king after PM proposes to stand him down

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu, says he has not been made aware of any decision by the king after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva proposed to His Majesty that his appointment as Acting Attorney General be revoked.

“No one has given me any information that His Majesty approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to take the Acting Attorney General’s position from me,” Kefu said in Tongan.

Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office said they had not yet received any decision regarding Kefu.

In an e-mail to Kaniva News yesterday (December 4) Kefu said he was continuing to work in his role as Tonga’s Acting Attorney General

He said he was currently in Strasbourg in France representing the government of Tonga atthe Cybercrime Convention meeting.

Kefu said he was also scheduled to attend a meeting in the Solomon Islands next week for Attorneys and Solicitors General of the Pacific.

Kefu was responding to claims in local newspapers that the King has approved Hon Pohiva’s proposal to revoke Kefu’s appointment.

Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper said in its edition of November 19 that it had reliable information from a source within the Prime Minister’s Office that the king had decided to agree to the PM’s proposal.

This week the Prime Minister’s newspaper, Kele’a, claimed a letter from His Majesty’s Law Lord, Lord Dalgety of Sikotilani on November 13, had been delivered to Kefu, telling him his appointment would be terminated.

The paper claimed the revocation would take effect on December 20, 2015.

Kaniva News asked the Prime Minister’s Office for clarification of Kefu’s role on November 17.

In an e-mail to Kaniva News on November 26 the Prime Minister’s Office said it could not release any information.

The PM’s Office said a statement would be released when a decision had been made.

They did not give details of whether this meant they were awaiting a response from the king to Hon. Pohiva’s proposal, or whether this meant a decision on when they could announce the king’s decision.

Tongan Chief Secretary and Secretary to cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi told Kaniva News yesterday she was away overseas at a Commonwealth meeting but “believed” there was action in place on the matter regarding the Attorney General.

She said she would get the details when she would return to Tonga next week.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu, says he has not been made aware of any decision by the king after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva proposed to His Majesty that his appointment as Acting Attorney General be revoked.
  • “No one has given me any information that His Majesty approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to take the Acting Attorney General’s position from me,” Kefu told Kaniva News.
  • Kefu was responding to claims in local newspapers that the King has approved Hon Pohiva’s proposal to revoke Kefu’s appointment.
  • This week the Prime Minister’s newspaper, Kele’a, claimed a letter from His Majesty’s Law Lord, Lord Dalgety had been delivered to Kefu, telling him his appointment would be terminated.

Family announces centenarian Soana Pongia’s birthday with Tongan metaphors and Bible verses

By
Kalino Latu
-

The family and relatives of Soana Pongia celebrated her 100 birthday this week and publicly announced it with a greeting full of Tongan metaphors and Biblical verses.

Pongia was born on November 29, 1915.

The announcement attributed Pongia’s 100 anniversary to God, saying He was the only Keeper, He was the Great Keeper and He was the Good Shepherd.

It quoted Psalm 29: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

The announcement of the celebration referred to Pokoitongo and Taueveeve ‘o e Hikutamole, which are the names of a place and residence in Vava’u Islands.

The reference was a typical metaphorical application used to signify how important the event was, not only to the family but to the village as a whole.

Instead of identifying names of people in the family who had important social status in the event, they referred to the names of the places where they lived. This meant the celebration was no longer restricted to the family of the birthday person, but to all people living in those places.

“Kuo ‘alofaki ‘a e kau fohe loloto”, one metaphorical statement said in the announcement referring to the experienced rowers who are assigned to row boats in deep seas. This metaphor is typically used  to show such a celebration not only has historical importance, but is a rare event.

Another metaphorical reference said: “Pea fisi pea moto pea matala manongi mo ‘alaha ‘i he Fatafata Mafana”.  This refers to how the fragrant Tongan flowers known as kakala of the Fatafatamafana, the metaphorical name for Vava’u Islands, begin to bloom and then they come into full bloom before they send out a pleasant scent.

The birthday greeting announcement was read on Kaniva Tonga Radio Programme on Auckland radio station Planet FM on Monday.

It said the tribute was from the children and grandchildren of Lote Fangupo, Heitonga, Kava ki Motu, ‘Otu Ha’apai Pongia, Mele Latu Pongia, Filipe Pongia, Mele Heitonga Puaka Fakatava, ‘Isoa Kavakimotu Fakatava and Keiano Pa’utu ‘o Vava’u Lahi in Aoteroa.

Land Court declares Tongaliuaki rightful heir to Fielakepa title, but uncle can appeal

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Land Court has ruled in favour of Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a inheriting the title Fielakepa after the death of the late Baron Fielakepa.

But the power to confer and revoke nobility titles is entirely the king’s prerogative according to the Tongan constitution.

His Majesty King Tuopu VI conferred the title on Tongaliuaki’s uncle  Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a in April this year.

Tongapo’uli can appeal the Land Court decision to his Majesty through the Privy council.

Tongapo’uli’s eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.

The next in line to the title was Mosese Taulupe Aleamotu’a, Tongaliuaki’s father. But Taulupe died in 2007 while the title was inherited by his eldest brother Baron Fielakepa.

Lord Justice Michael Scott ruled Friday, December 4, that His Majesty had erred when he conferred the title Fielakepa on Tongapo’uli.

Mr Justice Scott said it was evident that the information provided to His Majesty regarding who was the right person to inherit the title was wrong.

He said Tongaliuaki was the rightful heir to the Fielakepa title and his name should be published as such in the Government Gazette.

Mr Justice Scott also ruled that registering Tongapo’uli’s name as a trustee after the Late Baron Fielakepa’s death on the grounds that Tongaliuaki was not 21 was wrong because Tongaliuaki was 21 years-old at the time.

(Under Tongan law people are regarded as legally adults when they turn 18.)

Mr Justice Scott also ruled that Tongaliuaki would have to file any claims for legal costs or compensation against Tongapo’uli as separate actions.

The ruling came after Tongapo’uli, the young brother of Tongaliuaki’s late father, claimed in court that Tongaliuaki was not a biological son of Taulupe, his older brother.

He claimed Tongaliuaki’s father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai of Haveluloto.

This was denied by Tongaliuaki and his mother Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a in court.

Tongaliuaki told the court he would voluntarily provide a DNA test to prove his paternity.

His mother told the court she did not want his son to take a DNA test.

Tongaliuaki was represented by Counsel Laki Niu while Tongapo’uli was represented by Councel Siosifa Tu’utafaiva.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a inheriting the title Fielakepa after the death of the late Baron Fielakepa.
  • The king conferred the title on Tongaliuaki’s uncle Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a in April this year.
  • Tongapo’uli can appeal the Supreme Court decision to his Majesty through the Privy council.
  • Lord Justice Michael Scott ruled that His Majesty had erred when he conferred the title Fielakepa on Tongapo’uli.

For more information

Fielakepa title conferred on His Majesty’s Armed Forces Commander

Baron Fielakepa

 

Two Chinese suspects wanted in fraud charges abscond

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Chinese couple wanted by Police for allegedly involved in forging information on birth certificates in a bid to get Tongan passports,  have absconded, according to a public notice by Tongan Police.

The couple was identified as 60-year-old Mrs Guo Hua also known as Kam Shanou and 61-year-old Mr Liu Xing Chun also known as Lou Singkei.

The couple was bailed to appear at Magistrate Court before they absoconded.

Police are asking for public’s help to find the couple who was last known to have lived in a building in Ma’ufanga previously known as Shooter.

Four Tongan government staff appeared at the Magistrate Court in Nuku’alofa early last month after they were charged with forgery and bribery in an attempt to obtain passports for Hua and Chun

Man told he would die in minute ordained as Wesleyan pastor in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan man whose doctors told him to summon his family to North Shore hospital  because he was going to die was recently ordained as a pastor for the Wesleyan Church in Auckland.

Rev Sione Tuʻungafasi was ordained as a Minister during the Connexian015 programme at East City Wesleyan Church in Auckland on November 7.

He serves at the Wesleyan Community in West Auckland.

He told the congregation at his ordination that he grew up in Tonga in a family in which church attendance was compulsory.

When he arrived in New Zealand in the late 1980s he began to stop going to church until he lost interest in religion and quit going to church completely.

Sione Tuungafasi

In 2001, after returning from work he felt extremely ill. His wife ʻOfa helped him, but he felt he could not withstand the pain.

After his wife called an ambulance, Tuʻungafasi was taken to North Shore hospital.

The next morning his doctors told him he had suffered a stroke.

The doctors said they did not know why Tuʻungafasi was still alive as patients who had suffered such a severe stroke normally did not survive.

He said despite his doctors’ best efforts his condition deteriorated and his circulation began to fail, so he was put on a ventilator.

Sione Tuungafais 1

Rev. Tuʻungafasi said he continued begging God to give him another chance.

His late brother Sefilī stood crying in front of the bed and he uttered what he thought were his last words to him, asking him to strike his head.

“Sefilī did it and I had some sort of comfort,” Rev. Tuʻungafasi said.

He said the ventilator kept working until he recovered.

Rev. Tuʻungafasi told the congregation he survived and recovered. To much applause he told his congregation that on the way home from hospital he promised God he would work for him until he died.

“But how could I work for him?” he asked.

Sione Tu'ungafasi 4

Not long afterwards, while listening to his car radio, he heard an advertisement for the  New Zealand’s Christian Bible College, which trains ministers.

He completed his studies with a qualification in Bible studies and theology.

Rev. Tu’ungafasi lives in Glen Eden with his wife ‘Ofa and daughter Amelia and son Paula.

He comes from Kanokupolu in Tongatapu, Tonga.

The main points

  • A Tongan man whose doctors told him to summon his family to North Shore hospital because he was going to die was recently ordained as a pastor for the Wesleyan Church in Auckland.
  • Rev Sione Tuʻungafasi was ordained as a Minister during the Connexian015 programme at East City Wesleyan Church in Auckland on November 7.
  • He serves at the Wesleyan Community in West Auckland and lives in Mt Eden with his family.
  • Tuʻungafasi originally comes from Kanokupolu in Tongatapu.

Student who thought she was no good at accountancy celebrates outstanding awards

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan student who did not think she could pass her accountancy course, last week collected the prize for Best Overall Performance in the Bachelor of Business Accountancy at Unitec’s prize night.

Makalita Fane Hoeft, 24, who now works as a Project Accountant for the European Union under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning in Tonga, said that when her first year at accounting class began she felt downhearted when she realised how ethnically diverse her class was.

She said she had a feeling many people in the class saw her as young.

Hoeft said there were a number of other Tongans and Pacific Islanders in the class, but they started quitting the class as semesters went past.

She said that was one of the motivation that drove her in her study. She knew the course was not easy, but she had the courage to pursue it.

In her last semester she was the only Tongan in the class. One Fijian and one Samoan completed the course.

“My last semester was the most challenging because I was required to complete IBL internship hours and also two papers,” Hoeft said.

“I worked full time for the BCL in the city.

“I had to wake up early at 5am to take the bus to the city for work and took a bus back after work to get my evening classes.”

Fane

Hoeft said she learned a lot after she completed her degree and knew that being successful did not mean she knew everything, “but it’s all about working hard.”

She said she wanted to encourage Pacific People to study hard.

“To all Pacific and Tongan students, believe in yourself. Remember your home, pray and work hard, trust in Lord as He stands by you to help,” she said.

“I am proud to be a Tongan.”

Hoeft arrived in New Zealand in 2014, leaving her parents and family behind in Tonga to study as an international student.

She stayed with a cousin in Mt Roskill and most of the time relied financially on families in Auckland for her daily needs.

Hoeft went to Tonga High School, the government’s top school and attended the Tonga Institute of Education. She said she tried unsuccessfully several times to obtain a government scholarship to study in New Zealand.

Her parents eventually paid her fees at Unitec, despite the struggle this involved.

Hoeft comes from Ngele’ia in Tongatapu. Her parents are Kaivei and Dorothy Hoeft.

Her father comes from Koulo and Lotofoa, Haapai and her mother is from Kolomotua.

Hoeft said she did not expect she would win the award as she only enrolled in 2014.

It was a great challenge for her to complete her study in one and-a-half years, but she knew  the difficulties her parents faced in paying for her fees.

She said she believed someone else in the class would get the award because she looked down on herself.

“I thought to myself I was new and I came from Tonga and it could take a lot of time before I picked up the courses in business in New Zealand,” she said.

“To God be thy glory great things He hath done.”

Hoeft said she was overwhelmed with joy when she learned she had won the award for the outstanding performance.

“No words can express how I felt at that moment,” she said.

“My message to our Pacific students who are looking for study and are currently studying is a quote that always encourages me: ‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.’ ”

The main points

  • A Tongan student who did not think she could pass her accountancy course, last week collected the prize for Best Overall Performance in the Bachelor of Business Accountancy at Unitec’s prize night.
  • Makalita Fane Hoeft Hoeft, who now works as a Project Accountant for the European Union under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning in Tonga, said that when her first year at accounting class began she felt downhearted when she realised how ethnically diverse her class was.
  • Hoeft said she was overwhelmed with joy when she learned she had won the award for the outstanding performance.
  • She said she learned a lot after she completed her degree and knew that being successful did not mean she knew everything, “but it’s all about working hard.”

For more information

Unitec Gradfest 2015

Huge waves overtopping Haʻapai causeway affect schools, services.

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Severe weather is starting to take its toll in the islands of Haʻapai with government ministries, businesses and schools are being affected by huge waves overtopping the Foa-Lifuka causeway.

The causeway links the two most populated islands of the Ha’apai groups, Foa and Lifuka.

The incident happened as the strong wind warnings was still in force for all of Tonga.

Tonga MetService said at its 1pm’s, November 30 weather bulletin a gale warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.

Pictures uploaded to Facebook this morning show waves crashing and overtopping the causeway.

Adriano Akileo Selui uploaded photos to Facebook  saying  public servants and students from Foa who go to school and work in Pangai in Lifuka waited since 8am this morning till afternoon.

They expected chances for them to travel through the causeway but only some who could make it because of the inaccessbility caused by floods and overtopping waves. Many who could not make it returned home, Selui said.

The Met Service has also predicted gusts of 30-35 knots gusting to 45 knots at times could hit the  islands coastal areas tomorrow.

Tropical Cyclone Tuni cancelled for Niuatoputapu but warning still in force for all of Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A strong wind warning remains inforce for all Tonga land areas, with category-one cyclone Tuni has been cancelld after it slowly moving away from Niuatoputapu on Sunday afternoon, according to the Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre on its 1pm Monday 30 Novermber 2015 weather bulletin.

Situation:

A high pressure system to the south of the group directs a moderate to fresh east to southeast windflow prevailing over the group.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga. Moderate to fresh east to southeast winds strong at times. Cloudy with scattered showers.

Outlook for Wednesday:

Moderate to fresh east to southeast winds. Cloudy periods with a few showers.

Temperature forecast for Nuku’alofa:

Max:  28 degrees celsius tomorrow. Min:  23 degrees clesius tonight.

Marine weather bulletin:

A gale warning remains inforce for all Tonga coastal waters. A heavy damaging swell warnings remains inforce for all Tonga

Coastal waters.

Forecast to midnight tonight for all tonga coastal waters:

East to southeast winds 30-35 knots gusting to 45 knots at times. Rough to very rough seas. A heavy southeast swell.

‘Fakalaulaunoa’ continues online as Lomu’s casket is welcomed at Vodafone centre

By
Kalino Latu
-

As Jonah Lomu’s casket was welcomed at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland this afternoon people from all walks of life continued to show their fakalaulaunoa online to the man they called the “Son of the Pacific.”

Fakalaulaunoa is the practice in which a Tongan person tries to connect with someone he liked, especially one who was superior, by first reminiscing about past links or connections of that person with either the person’s friends, siblings, parents or ancestors.

From an Olympic medalist to musicians to inspirational youth, many have posted comments and old photos of Lomu with them on social media to make their fakalaunoa. It will be two more days before the man described as “greatest of us all” will be laid to rest.

Sailosi Latu’ila, a teenager from West Auckland, wrote on Facebook to tell about how he was inspired by Lomu.

“R.I.P to one of my inspirations as a child and as a little boy, watching your highlights made me want to become more like you your videos will always hype me up before a game and it has inspired me to play rugby as a future goal. Thank you for being my inspiration as a little boy R.I.P LEGEND , you’re in good hands now.”

Well-known singer Melenau Lino commented on how a photo she posted to Facebook, was taken with her brother and friends with Lomu 20 years ago.

Jonah Lomu n Melenau
L-R: Una Lino, Melenau Lino, Risa Katoa and Jonah Tali Lomu having lunch at Royal Oak KFC. Photo/Melenau Lino

“The year was 1995. You were cruising with my brother Una and our cousins Henry and Mike. I was working at KFC Royal Oak at the time and you guys stopped over for lunch. Our cousin Risa was visiting from America and she was buzzing over the fact that you were actually there at KFC with the boys. Una and I are just sitting here talking about that day like it was only yesterday. Even when you have gone on to be a global rugby superstar you never forgot the pathway you took to get there and the people that have grown up with along the way. I want to thank my brother Una for keeping these pictures and treasuring the memories of this brother. Fly high big guy. You will always be in our hearts and minds and you will live fondly in our memories till we meet again,” Melenau Lino wrote.  ‪

Jonah Lomu Paea1
Jonah Lomu and Paea Wolgramm’s daughter. Photo/Paea Wolfgramm

Tonga’s first Olympic medalist, Auckland-based Paea Wolfgramm, said that he regretted not taking the opportunity to pose for a photo with Lomu when he had the chance. His luck came from a photo taken of Lomu and his daughter which he posted on Facebook.

“I’d met Jonah a few times, even wrote an article about him but I never thought to get a photo with him…I look back and think…you don’t really regret failing in something you’ve attempted, you regret not doing something you could’ve done… For it is not the time you live that determines your life it is how you live that time. Despite the burden of illness Jonah has lived his life fully and passionately…doing what he could. Rest easy legend…I like to think that through my daughter, I did get that photo with you.”

Paula Mahlon Tu’ivai wrote: “The loss of the greatest player ever to play the game of Rugby is immeasurable. Condolences to the Lomu family and all who witnessed this great ambassador of the sport.”

Hard to believe the news that Jonah Lomu, the 6’5″ 260lb rugby superstar has passed away aged 40. I’m not really a…

Posted by Tariq Khokhar on Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Memorial service

There was a strong Pacific Islands atmosphere at the Event Centre when visibly upset Tongans in various kind of ta’ovala (mats wrapped up on the waist) arrived and stood in silence.

A powerful Maori haka was performed to welcome Lomu’s casket.

A Bible reading was given in Tongan language.

Lomu’s wife Nadene arrived wearing ta’ovala and was obviously was in sorrow. She walked slowly with her head cast down into the Event Centre with her two sons and family. Her two boys with Lomu wore ta’ovala and little All Blacks jerseys with the number 11.

I have a couple of All Black jersey-style beer holders on the kitchen window next to a plant with a New Zealand flag in…

Posted by Pete Kilby on Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Auckland Mayor Len Brown delivered an emotional tribute to Lomu. He said Lomu had a “south-side heart.” “He loved this place,” the Mayor said.

“I met him first here, we all knew of him first here…we listened to all the early stories coming through from Wesley. There was something special coming out of that school.”

Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae also paid tribute to Lomu. He said today was a solemn occasion, but also a celebration.

Many former All Black players attended the service, including Michael Jones, Tana Umanga and Eroni Clarke.

Eroni Clarke, who is Samoan born and has Tongan connection, was also the MC of the memorial service. He told mourners that Lomu “was the greatest of us. …Jonah was the greatest”. Tongan community leader Sione Tu’itahi said a prayer for Jonah. “May your Heavenly Father accept you in his loving arms,” Tu’itahi said.

Back in Wesley ive always see his name breaking records in the history books. True Legend of a man!!.Even thou i…

Posted by Ápi Palusa on Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The main points

  • As Jonah Lomu’s casket was welcomed at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland this afternoon people from all walks of life continued to show their fakalaulaunoa online to the man they called the “Son of the Pacific.”
  • Fakalaulaunoa is the practice in which a Tongan person tries to connect with someone he liked, especially one who was superior, by first reminiscing about the links or connections of that person with either the person’s friends, siblings, parents or ancestors.
  • From an Olympic medalist to musicians to inspirational youth, many have posted comments and old photos of Lomu with them on social media to make their fakalaunoa.
  • It will be two more days before the man described as “greatest of us all” will be laid to rest.
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