His Majesty King Siaosi Tupou V will visit Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou in the next two weeks. This will be King George Tupou V’s inaugural visit as King of Tonga to the two Niua’s.

Master of the Royal Household, Honourable Albert Tuivanuavou Vaea will join His Majesty in the Niua groups, as he is part of the ‘logistics party’ arriving on the Tongan Patrol boat VOEA, supporting His Majesty’s visit.  The following article is written by the Master of the Royal Household as he shares his knowledge of the two Niua’s.  We hope that you share his passion for what can only be called the ‘undiscovered’ jewels of Tonga.  Being relatively isolated, they are not well known by many people in the Kingdom and yet have many attractions to offer.  The Master of the Royal Household writes with humour and skill, highlighting the special charms of Niu’atoputapu and Niu’afo’ou.  www.palaceoffice.gov.to  look forward to releasing Honourable Vaea’s photos of these far-flung islands when the Master of the Royal Household returns to Tongatapu.

 

HM King George Tupou V will fly to Niuatoputapu before the weekend and will meet the residents of Niu’atoputapu and share church services over the weekend.  During the King’s visit to the two Niua’s, Vava’u will be the centre of connection flying to and fro the Niua’s with Neiafu being the home base.

The two Niua’s are governed by the Acting Governor of Vava’u, Hon. Tupou Taumoepeau, Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs and represented by the noble of Niuatoputapu, Hon. Tangipa and the people’s representative, Rt. Hon. Lepolo Tanusila.

EEZ and Tuna Migratory Route
The Tonga Defence Services patrols the Kingdom of Tonga EEZ sea towards the end of the year, in between the Samoas, Tonga and Fiji, following a warmer climate flow.  This is also the tuna migratory route.  A lot of the foreign fishing boats follow the migratory tuna route.  Cannery packaging factories can be found, in Pago, Levuka and Honiara along this tuna migratory flow.

Niu’atoputapu
The Niuatoputapu runway that HM King Tupou V will land on was opened in the 1980’s.  The huge feast that followed the opening of the runway and celebrating the first arrival and landing is well documented. The school band that played the national anthem was requested to play some other musical items during the feast, only to be informed, that the band can only play one item, the Tongan national anthem!

Samoa from a Distance
Niuatoputapu is in close distance to Samoa - about a days sail east - sailing into the prevailing Westerly.   It can be easily seen from the high mountain of Tafahi.

In the early sun rise, Samoa lies east of Niu’atoputapu and on clear skies, the mountains of Upolu can be distinguished as the hot sun rises south of the equator.

A long jetty is easily navigated for ships coming from Samoa, and the goods are offloaded in the Pasivulangi wharf.  This contributes to the economy of Niuatoputapu, and a large group of people from Niu’atoputapu resides in Pago and Apia.
 
The island of Unganga is one of the loveliest island sites in the Kingdom of Tonga.  It is very close to the main island of Niuatoputapu, easily accessible by foot at low tide and of course very isolated from the rest of the world. The long strip of sand is golden and unending and gives the impression that god made Unganga for the last day of the week, Saturday, Sunday being a spiritual day.

To complete Niuatoputapu one must take the plunge at the Niutou’a spring pool. Behind Ma’atu’s and palace residence in Hihifo is the famous cold fresh water pool where a refreshing and long dip brings life to your health and body. Vivili the matapule of Hihifo overlooks the pool where small cuts and sores are cleaned off by the small inhabitants of Niutou’a’s fresh water pool.  The heat is always steady in Niuatoputapu - a plunge in the cold sparkling spring pools lightens the burden of the day leaving one fresh and awakened for yet another bright day.

Niuafo’ou: The Rock
King George Tupou V will fly in from Vava’u and hold mass with the people of Niuafo’ou on the last week of October before returning.  The Roman Catholic denomination is higher in number in Niuafo’ou than any other religion and it is rumored Bishop Soane Foliaki, head of the Tonga and Niue Diocese, will provide mass during the King’s visit.

Niuafo’ou is very different from Vava’u and Niu’atoputapu.  Geographically, it is higher and made of concrete volcanic lava rocks. Niuafo’ou is the last outpost of the Kingdom of Tonga and it is usually the hottest island in the Kingdom.  Being so isolated, Niuafo’ou is known as ‘the rock’. 

Of all the island groups in the Kingdom, only in Niu’afo’ou are men permitted by law, to go about bare-chested, due to the high humidity.  However, while the male is permitted to be semi naked, the females must remain clothed!

In 1948, Niuafo’ou erupted with volcanic lava and the small population took refuge in higher grounds to avoid being submerged in sulphur smoke and lava.  The Government of Tonga moved the people of Niuafo’ou off the ‘Rock’ in the middle of last century.  The people of Niu’afo’ou were then settled on the main island of Tongatapu.  However, the settlement programme was challenged and it was decided that ‘Eua was a better option.  Consequently the subsistence economy of ‘Eua relies on the migrants of the Rock.

The dialect spoken on the Rock is not quite the same as the popular and widely spoken Tongatapu dialect, rather, the linguistic patterns are closer and more aligned with the Uvean and Futuna dialect.

There is an affinity that holds the people of the Rock and Uvea together as they of the same kinship and origin as the Ha’a Takalaua stock.  In the beginning of a lakalaka performance, the lyric’s loudly details the settlement of Uvea and Niuafo’ou: “To a e folofola mei Mu’a, ki Ha’atakalaua, ke fakataha ‘o fili ha taha ke alu ‘o nofo Niu’a.” (The congregation at Mu’a - of the Ha’a Takalaua dynasty - elect a noble leader, to reside in Niu’a and Uvea).
The introduction of the Roman Catholic religion into the Kingdom began in Uvea, after the death of a French priest.  The route the Roman Catholic agents pursued and utilized to bring the safe passage and protection of the new religion is known: from Uvea, Niuafo’ou, Fungamisi, Vava’u, Pangaimotu and through to Ma’ufanga in Tongatapu. 

The wharf in Niuafo’ou is not highly recommended for the faint hearted. The wharf can be fooling, for a constant deep swell gurgles up and down, thus creating havoc for the boats that rely on ropes for stability.  There is still violent rocking from side to side and roller coasters rides of high-rolling ups and swiftly thrown-downs.  The Rock’s unforeseen depth is not only incredibly deep but also dangerous.  It is speculated that deep sea monsters lurk due to its evil depth and unprotected coastal lines.

There is a second wharf alongside, even worst then the main wharf.  Here the running breakage of the sea is counted so that is possible to offload cargo onto the wharf.  If one misses the count - not only will one end up in the sea - one will likely be sheared by the sharp edges of the wharf.  One’s only safe strategy is to keep his/her head and body submerged, diving and then rising with the tide and swell…  Then one can smoothly place themselves on the wharf, wet but alive.  Don’t worry about your luggage if it falls overboard! Think about your life!

The main airstrip runs east-west near the old capital where the volcanic eruption took place.  The strip is made up of gravel.  Once again, the prevailing winds dictates the ability of a small plane to land safely on the Rock. 

Kava grows well in Niuafo’ou and it is a favourite pastime to consume kava while awaiting the next boat to visit the Rock (3 to 4 times a year). The consummation of the ofato remains a delicacy of the people of the Rock and they yield to the delicacy during the times of hunger.  The ofato is the beetle that thrives on rotten wood.  It should be thrown in with skewed coconut and eaten when fully laden with coconut cream. Lovely!