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King Tupou VI & Queen Nanasipauʻu: The story thus far

By
Kalino Latu
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 King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u married in the Chapel Royal on December 11,  1982.  Photo/Supplied

 

King Tupou VI, the youngest of four siblings, may have never thought he would one day become the king of Tonga.

However, different circumstances saw him a prince born with a great fortune and future ahead of him.

King Tupou VI’s  eldest brother, Late King George V, died in 2012 and at the age of 64, having no legitimate children to carry on the succession.

King Tupou VI’s second oldest sibling, Princess Pilolevu Tuita, would not immediately claim her right to the Tongan throne as she can only do so if there was no more prince.

Late Prince ʻAlaivahamamaʻo, the second youngest sibling, had his right to the succession revoked in 1980 by his father, late King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV, because he married a commoner.

He was later given the title Noble Ma’atu.

Prince Alaivahamamaʻo’s revocation and death in 2004 however shortened the roll of succession to the Tongan throne for King Tupou VI and tomorrow July 4 he will be crowned as the King of Tonga.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu will be crowned tomorrow July 4 at the Centenary Chapel in Nukuʻalofa. Photo/Supplied
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu will be crowned tomorrow July 4 at the Centenary Chapel in Nukuʻalofa. Photo/Supplied

Wedding

About thirty years ago Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuaki-ʻO-Tonga Tukuʻaho Tupou, now known as King Tupou VI married Nanasipauʻu Heuifanga Vaea.

The royal couple were later known as Prince ʻAhoʻeitu and Princess Nanasipauʻu.

In 2012 the couple became the King and Queen of Tonga and this week thousands celebrate  their official coronation in the kingdom.

As royal husband and wife, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu’s life was full of praise and admiration.

Their supporters often referred to the king as ʻtama lotu’ or ‘religious king’. They also referred to him as ‘tama talangofua’ or obedient king referring to he was the only son of Late King Tupou IV who listened and agreed to wed Nanasipau’u when he was told to do so.

And to the queen the royal supporters referred to her as humble and  ‘fefine lelei’ as she was the one who ensured the King’s leadership was executed perfectly by ensuring that she always supported and stood beside him.

Thousands of students performed Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at a colourful Education Day on Wednesday, 1 July at Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium. Photo/Supplied
Thousands of school children performed  to Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at a colourful Education Day on Wednesday, 1 July at Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium. Photo/Supplied

Kāinga

Celebrating the coronation of the King and Queen means the royals’ kāinga (families, relatives and residents) would gather around and entertain Their Majesties to the full.

Many of the royal couples’ kāinga, who celebrated the marriage of King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu in Pangai Lahi 33 years ago, will cherish this coronation week as a nostalgic moment.

King Tupou VI married Queen Nanasipau’u on 11 December 1982 after the king authorised the royal nuptial according to the Tongan constitution.

The revelation of their wedding was significant news to the nation, and especially to Nanasipau’u’s family and kainga, because members of the kingdom’s nobility have traditionally been encouraged to seek partners among other noble families or the royal family to ensure their social standings.

When a member of the nobility marries a royal, his or her social statues rise as they receive a royal identification. This royal identification also applies to the noble’s family, kāinga, and the town or village from where they originally belonged.

Nanasipau’u was the daughter of Late Baron Vaea of Houma and Baroness Tuputupu Ma’afu Vaea of Vaini.

King Tupou VI was the youngest son of late King Tupou IV and Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho.

Education and Children

King Tupou VI is the first of the royal household to hold a Masters Degree after completing a Masters in Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales in 1997 and an MA in International Relations from Bond University in 1999.

The royal family’s children are Princess ʻAngelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho Napuaʻokalani Tukuʻaho, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukālala and Prince Ata.

Laughing Tongans! One day ahead of coronation

By
Kaniva Pacific
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When the bucket-lift truck services are busy erecting scaffolding somewhere in the country, and the ladder that was supposed to be used to complete the preparations of the crowning was borrowed by a neighbour who forgot to return it, there is still a way to get the job done.

Instead of awaiting a bucket-lift truck or looking for a ladder or two, the individuals who were working on the matapā in preparation for the crowning had an innovative idea to help them complete their work.

They hired a forklift truck that was used to lift an empty container. On top of the container, various people stood, using the container as their very own workbench. Once lifted into the air, they managed to finish off the matapā before the crowning of His Majesty.

This innovative example of work perfectly describes the mentality of the Tongan – creativities, skillful and task-oriented.

Because of the coronation rush making many public services busy as there is less than 24 hours to go before the coronation, Tongans have no time to lose. They are busy finishing off important tasks before the end of the day, so that they can enjoy the crowning event without having to worry about last minute jobs or duties.

Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho will be crowned tomorrow at the Centenary Church in Kolomotuʻa.

MV Niuvākai arrives in Fiji for dry dock maintenance

By
Kaniva Pacific
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PHOTO: Construction materials ready to be transported to Ha’apai on MV Niuvakai in May but was told the ferry was leaking. Photo/Tevita Havea (Facebook).

Tonga’s MV Niuvākai has arrived in Fiji for dry dock maintenance, Fiji Sun reported yesterday.

The vessel has been taken out of service in the kingdom after it was found to be leaking.

The government revealed two weeks ago the 36-year-old ferry would only be allowed to travel to Fiji, implying that this would be for maintenance purpose.

The government’s Friendly Island Shipping Agency (FISA) bought the Niuvākai from the Ramanlal brothers in 2014 for about TP$1.5 million.

New Tongan currency for king's coronation

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Tongan government has issued new currency notes and coins on June 29 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre to mark His Majesty’s coronation.

The adoption of the six new Pa’anga notes and five new coins set the 5 seniti coin as the lowest denomination coin.

There will be no more 1 and 2 seniti coins.

The 5s, 10s, 20s, and 50s coins choose an image of Tupou VI while the $1 coin carries a portrait of George Tupou V.

 

 

China gifted Tonga 30 new vehicles for the coronation

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Photo: China handover 30 vehicles for the king’s coronation

 

The Chinese government has gifted Tonga 30 new vehicles which included 10 cars, 15 SUVs and five 35-seat buses on June 27.

The Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Huang Huaguang and the Minister of Finance Hon ‘Aisake signed documents before presenting the certificates of the vehicles to Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala at Taliai Camp.

Huang said the gift was made to help the coronation celebrations and  in support of Tonga’s friendship with China.

King revokes cabinet decision to sign CEDAW

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The king of Tonga has  revoked the Cabinet’s decision to sign the United Nations’ Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW).

His Majesty’s Privy Council sent a letter to Chief Secretary and Secreatary to Cabinet claiming CEDAW is a treaty and only the king has the constitutional right to sign it and not the Cabinet.

It said the king has never authorised any of the minsters to ratify CEDAW.

The Privy Council said it demanded cabinet to immediately request annulment of Tonga’s ratification from the United Nations.

“We remit to our ministers forthwith to proceed as may be necessary to annul the kingdom of Tongaʻs signature or ratification of the CEDAW treaty” the letter said.

The Privy Council said its decision was made in acknowledgement of petitions submitted to His Majesty King Tupou VI  by thousands of petitioners two months ago.

The petitioners, which mostly women and church groups, feared that CEDAW would open the door to legalise same sex marriage and abortion.

Questionable

The Privy Council’s letter on June 26 was questionable in some respects.

The Privy Council claimed Tonga has already ratified CEDAW.

In fact Tonga has not yet signed CEDAW and the Prime Minister has publicly announced government was expecting further consultation and public  discussion on the convention before government continues to ratify it.

Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva said he and his Cabinet have the power to sign any convention Tonga agreed to ratify.

The Privy Council referred to CEDAW as a treaty instead of using the word convention. Treaty is the term written in the Tongan constitution saying only the king can sign Bill of Rights agreement.

Clause 39 of the constitution says: “It shall be lawful for the King to make treaties with Foreign States provided that such treaties shall be in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom”.

The Privy Council’s letter says His Majesty according to advice from His law lords acknowledged the concerns of 13, 048 petitioners who appealed to the king to intervene with government’s move to sign CEDAW.

Critics previously claimed the number of petitioners that protested against CEDAW which now government stated it was 13,048 did not actually reflect the will of the majority. More than 90, 000 people in Tonga did not join the protest marches nor they signed the petitions.

Tonga’s interview targets 7 million Forbes readers

By
Kaniva Pacific
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PHOTO: Tonga’s Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva says the payment worth it. Photo/supplied. 

Forbes magazine bills the Tongan government US$130,000 (TP$269,457.97)  after interviewing Tonga’s Prime Minister Akilisi Pōhiva.

The interview was intended to help promote the kingdom of Tonga to over 7 million Forbes readers.

The Tongan government have responded to queries and criticisms about the large sum of money that was spent on the two-page featured interview, in where Hon. Pōhiva admitted he did not know it was a paid interview and that government would spend that much money on it.

However he said the interview with Forbes on the other hand was vital for the promotional need of Tonga, as it takes on a different channel of advertising that will reach a demographic composed of millions of rich business people around the world.

Pōhiva reportedly said he only learnt about the payment after the interview and advised the treasury not to pay the sum.

However, the Minister of Finance advised the Prime Minister to pay the money as there was a contract made between Forbes and the government prior to the interview.

Contract

The contract, according to a document made between the Minister of Finance and Forbes on February 13 said: “The cooperation undertakes to include an advertisement on report on Kingdom of Tonga which is to be published in Forbes magazine, with the following characteristics: Double page spread”.

A payment of US$130,000 was also noted to be paid by the Tongan government, in which 50 percent must be paid before March 13, and the remaining 50 percent to be paid on publication.

According to cabinet decision 444, the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Palenitina Langaʻoi informed the Ministry of Finance that the recommendation for the payment had been approved by the cabinet on April 27. She confirmed that the payment has to be paid from Tonga Tourism Authority vote.

The Prime Minister said he was unsure of the exact amount of money government spent on tourist promotions per year, but he believed it was a lot of money.

He said a team of government officials are sent overseas each year to promote Tonga to overseas tourists.

Pohiva told the opposition he believed the money paid to Forbes after the interview worth it.

About Forbes

Forbes Media is a global media that focuses on delivering news and information about business, investment, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and affluent lifestyles.

In 2014 Forbes magazine has achieved its highest readership ever in the U.S increasing by over 1.5 million readers to 6.7 million.

Forbes Media is the owner of various publications such as Forbes, Forbes Asia, Forbes Europe and Forbes Life, as well as Forbes.com and ForbesLife.com. Today, the Forbes brand reaches more than 75 million people worldwide each month through its publications and its 36 licensed local editions around the globe – Forbes.com, TV, conferences, research, social and mobile platforms.

Women apologise for fountain dolphin climb

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Two women appeared on a photo climbing the triple dolphin at the fountain recently restored in Nukuʻalofa to mark the coronation of King Tupou VI have contacted Kaniva News to relay an apology for their antics to the public.

The apology was posted on Kaniva Pacific’s Facebook timeline.

After further contacts with the person who posted the apology we chose not to publish her name and the identification of the women.

The message read in Tongan:  “We seriously apologize to the nation and anyone who may have been insulted or felt disrespected by our actions which has sparked public outrage on media. The act was childish and immature.

“It was not our intention to do so and we have learnt from our mistake. We promise not to do it again.

“We wish you will accept our apology”, they added.

Photo of the women’s antics made its way on to social media shortly after the dolphin fountain was commissioned by Prince Ata on Thursday.

More than 2,000 comments on the photograph are increasingly hilarious and scathing as Tongan community members air their disbelief at the women’s apparent rude.

It was alleged a metal pipe in the fountain was damaged as a result of the incident which prompted government to fence the area on Saturday.

The triple dolphin statue

A writer, Philip Forbes told Kaniva News the triple dolphins are the same cast bronze statue established in the fountain in 1970 .

It was a gift from the Queen of England but it was knocked over when a car mounted the curb and crashed into it about three years ago.

Forbes said: “After the accident it then lay on its side for a couple of years until someone stole it. However it was quickly recovered and stored until recently when it was painted gold and now stands close to the original site”.

As a small part of Tonga history and on such an auspicious occasion as the coronation celebration, it is fitting to see this beautiful work of art once again. An excellent decision, he added.

Five new faces in ‘Īkale Tahi PNC squad

By
Kaniva Pacific
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‘Īkale-Tahi head coach Mana-kae-tau ‘Ōtai has named his squad for the Pacific Nation Cup 2015.

Melbourne Rebels winger Telusa Veainu, Tonga U20 players Martin Manukia, Sōsefo Sakalia, Kalafi Pongi and Tonga A player Sosefo Maʻake are the five new faces in the Ikale Tahi squad announced for the Pacific Nation Cup next month.

Otai keeps some old guards in the squad such as captain Nili Lātū,  Hale.T.Pole, ʻŌpeti Fonua, Sona Taumālolo, Kurt Morath and Soane Tongaʻuiha .

Tonga will kick off the Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji in Suva at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday, July 18 at 3pm.

The ʻĪkale Tahi

Forwards: Tevita Mailau, Sona Taumālolo, Soane Tonga’uiha, Siua Halanukonuka, Halani ‘Aulika, Sila Puafisi, Elvis Taione, Kalafi Pongi, Sōsefo Sakalia, Tukulua Lokotui, Uili Koloʻofaʻi, Joseph Tuʻineau, Steve Mafi, Hale .T. Pole, Viliami Fīhaki, Nili Lātū, ʻŌpeti Fonua, Viliami Maʻafu.

Backs: Sonatane Takulua, Taniela Moa, Sōsefo Maʻake, Latiume Fositā, Kurt Morath, Martin Naufahu, Sione Piukala, ‘Alipate Fatafehi, Siale Piutau, ‘Otulea Kātoa, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Telusa Veainu, Vungakoto Lilo.

Public outrage at two women climbing on dolphin fountain

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A photo taken of two young women climbing, sitting on top and standing by the dolphin in the fountain commissioned by Prince Ata on Thursday has sparked outrage online.

Commentators on social media claimed one of the metal pipes that came with the dolphin was broken as a result of the incident but no further details about the extent of damage given.

It was not clear when was the photo taken but some Facebook users claimed it was taken  after the fountain was officially opened to the public on Thursday.

Authorities in Tonga could not be reached for comments but another photo appeared on Facebook last night showed a fence has been put around the fountain. It claimed the fence was made after the damage was reported.

“This is very disrespectful and disgusting,” one commentator wrote on Facebook.

“This is absolutely rude and they should be jailed for what they have done,” another wrote.

“Nothing could last longer for the public in Tonga because of this nonsense and show-off,” another wrote.

After the commission ceremony some commentators predicted that some thoughtless actions might occur which could lead to damaging the fountain.

“Please people keep away from the fountain or you will do what you used to –  destroying public things because you want to show-off”, one commentator wrote on Facebook shortly after the fountain  was commissioned.

But not everyone was as harsh: Some saw the two women’s action as the very thing needed in time of great celebration in Tonga – The celebration of the coronation of the King of Tonga was here for everyone of us to enjoy and that everyone should be happy, one Facebook user wrote in Tongan.

The fountain

The dolphin fountain was commissioned after it was established to  replace  a previous  brass dolphin which was damaged and  stolen two-years ago.  The brass dolphin was given to Tonga from Britain in 1970 to mark Tonga’s joining the Community of Nations.

The restoration of the dolphin according to the Tongan government was made to mark His Majesty King Tupou VI’s coronation.

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