A TUATA’S WORDS FOR TONGA’S TUPOUTA’A LAVAKA (‘AHO ‘EITU ‘UNUAKI’OTONGA TUKU’AHO)

Tuata Mei Helen Hill of Helensville (pictured far right with distant tribal cousins) was born beside the Kaipara Moana into the tribes of Ngati Whatua o Kaipara and Ngapuhi.

After marrying a good looking Waikato farmer’s son, she grew up to live in Tonga with the Tongan people where she spoke the Tongan language every day.

It was tough for her initially in harsh conditions. She got over herself smartly and grew to love it. Three of her Maori Kiwi babies were born in Tonga Tapu where she was a missionary’s wife.

Mom travels to Tonga today at least once every two years from New Zealand to be with her Tongan friends.

Today I asked her, “so mom what do you think Tonga needs at this time with King George Tupou V‘s passing.

“I think they need leadership to take them to the next level. This is what this means now for Tonga to move on,” she said.

There you have it – some words for Crown Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata‘s dad – Tupouta’a Lavaka (ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho) the new Crown King of Tonga at the dawning of a new day.