Crown Prince ʻUlukālala Tupoutoʻa said His Majesty King Tupou VI’s birthday and two Free Wesleyan church major events in June would be a blessing for Vavaʻu.
The Prince said in Auckland His Majesty’s birthday celebrations would begin in Vavaʻu during the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s 93rd conference.
His Majesty will turn 57 on July 12.
The Church will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Siuʻilikutapu Mailefihi college during the conference week.
The Crown Prince made his comments while he and his wife, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tukuʻaho attending a reception at the Vavaʻu Lahi nightclub in Manukau.
The prince thanked his people by addressing his remarks to his heralds according to Tongan protocols.
He thanked Tapukemo, the heraldic name of Sione Tosi Kelekolio Tapueluelu, and Tokiʻukamea the heraldic name of Siosiua ʻUmulovo Toki and others.
He said he was proud of their performance during the Queen Mother’s funeral services.
The Prince said he had nothing to offer them in return, but his attendance at the reception with his wife was meant to show how appreciative they were for their part in his grandmother’s funeral services.
Tapukemo told Kaniva News during the function they really appreciated the royal couple’s humility and the fact they had accepted their invitation to join them at the night club for the reception.
The function was organised by the kāinga of the Prince from Vavaʻu as an opportunity to gather after their performance for the Queen Mother’s funeral services in February.
The kāinga presented gifts and pigs as part of a presentation at ʻAtalanga royal residence while the matriarch’s body was in Auckland. They also prepared about 4000 clamshell plastic bowls of food to feed people who attended the memorial service for the Queen Mother.
Salote Heleta Lilo told the Prince they had set up a Vava’u committee to look after his needs in New Zealand involving his kainga from Tu’anuku, Nomuka and ‘Utulau.
Lilo told the Prince the committee members were President Siosiua Umulovo Toki, Deputy Chair Sione Tosi Kelekolio Tapueluelu, Secretary and other members.
As Kaniva News reported earlier, Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was in Vavaʻu last month with a government delegation to set up a government-led cleanup and beautification campaign to begin in Neiafu as part of the preparation for the national events.
The main points
- Crown Prince ʻUlukalala Tupoutoʻa said His Majesty King Tupou VI’s birthday and two Free Wesleyan church major events in June would be a blessing for Vavaʻu.
- The Prince said in Auckland His Majesty’s birthday celebrations would begin in Vavaʻu during the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s 93rd conference.
- His Majesty will turn 57 on July 12.
- The Church will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Siuʻilikutapu Mailefihi college during the conference week.
