New MP Jenny Salesa honours Tongan heritage

New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.

Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan hymn ” ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua” which was recorded and is now on Youtube.

Salesa’s interviews with Kaniva News showed she strongly believed in the Tongan saying – “Ko e lotu eni Ê»a e fanga kuí” – “It’s the grandparents’ praying that led me to now reach one of the top positions in the New Zealand government.”

Tongans believe that every contribution and attention by parents to religious activities must be returned as good luck through their children and grandchildren.

So whenever a member of the family achieves something or become successful, especially on the international level, it is a huge thing for the

Jenny Lātū Salesa (sitting infront). Standing: His parents Sāmiu and Lōketi Tuʻinukuafe Lātū (centre)
Jenny Lātū Salesa (sitting infront). Standing: His parents Sāmiu and Lōketi Tuʻinukuafe Lātū (centre)

family.

The family and the kāinga then have to be formally informed about the achievement.

The response would mostly be “Kuo tali e lotu ‘a e fanga kui” – “The grandparents prayers had been accepted.”

This is the Tongan custom of Tala Kāinga or informing the kāinga (relatives) and letting them know about what has been achieved.

In the past theTala Kāinga was relayed by somebody from the house of ʻUlumotuʻa (head of the clan) who was sent from place to place to inform familes.

When the kāinga were informed the identity of the achiever also had to be revealed as some of the kāinga may have not known him or her.

Nowadays the Tala Kāinga no longer involves informing the individual members of the clan.

Today the public can be informed via the radio or it can be posted on social media.

Salesa performed the Tala Kāinga for her achievement through Kaniva News.

“I would like to attribute the glory and gratitude to God our Lord the Almighty for He has treasured us with this new duty,” Salesa told Kaniva News.

“I took my oath in Parliament [yesterday morning and it] was a really big day for me, my family and the many volunteers who helped me during this journey.

“My other oath endures, to serve the people of Manukau East and all New Zealanders to the best of my abilities.

“I am truly humbled to enter New Zealand’s Parliament to represent and advocate for and on behalf of the good people of Manukau East.

“I am also humbled as the daughter of Mr Sāmiuela LātÅ« and Mrs Lōketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu, born and raised in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga to have made it this far.

Her father served as a public servant in Tonga for 36 years and he was Tonga’s first pharmacist.

“Many of my fanga kui (grand parents) were faifekau (church ministers) and I have a number of them who are my uncles from both the Latu and Tukutau families of the Free Wesleyan Church.”

Salesa said   the ‘ulumotu’a (head of the clan) of her mother’s family came from the village of Pea from the Tu’inukuafe’s family. This meant she was related to the Rev Lopini Filise, the Superintendent Minister at Tuingapapai Free Wesleyan Church in Mangere.

Her mother’s uncles include the Rev ‘Ahokava Latu, former President of the Church of Tonga. Her mother was cousin to the Late Bishop Patelesio Finau, Leader of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Fr Lava Enosi who once the Catholic Church’s Vicar general.

Her mother, Lōketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu’s, parents were Manulevu Tonga and Meleseini Tu’inukuafe.

Her father’s parents were Mr. ‘Alifeleti LātÅ« Tangulu of Lotofoa, Ha’apai and Mrs Ê»Ema Ê»Amalani LātÅ«

The Tangulu clans originally from Tefisi, Vava’u.

She congratulated her husband Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa for his hard work during her campaign. He is a professor at the University of Auckland.

“I had an allocation of two guests for the State Opening of Parliament and another Labour MP let me have their guest tickets so yesterday I had my husband and both my parents.”

Jenny Salesa joins fellow Tongan MP Carmel Sepuloni.

Sepuloni’s father was full Tongan and she was the first to be listed by the Labour Party and New Zealand Parliament as a Tongan MP of Tongan descent in 2008.

Sepuloni stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 2011, but won the Kelston electorate in last month’s elections.

Click here to listen to Jenny Salesa’s Maiden Speech

The main points

  • New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
  • Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan popular hymn ‘ ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua.’
  • Salesa represents Manukau East.
  • Her parents and husband were in parliament to hear her maiden speech.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news