King George Tupou V awaiting the haunga from Tangipa and the people of Niuatoputapu by the palace terrace.

 

His Majesty King George Tupou V visited Niuatoputapu, one the Northernmost islands in the Tongan archipelago, from the 20th to the 21st of October 2006.  This was His Majesty King Siaosi Tupou V’s first visit to Niuatoputapu as King of Tonga.  His Majesty had previously visited Ha’apai and Vava’u on the royal tour of His Kingdom.  The two main island groups are served regularly by daily flights and a weekly inter island ferry.   The King’s visits to the two main island groups outside of Tongatapu were therefore relatively straightforward as planned.

Niuatoputapu on the other hand is not so well served by local flights as the Ha’apai and Vava’u groups of islands.  From Vava’u to Niuatoputapu, the inter-island voyaging by sea and connecting flights are irregular at best.  Thus, to witness the King of Tonga piloting his own aircraft was a very rare sight indeed!

  

 

Flying in on Saturday afternoon 21 October 2006, the small plane touched down and the King stepped off the plane.  He was driven to the Palace in Hihifo to the haunga where the people of Niuatoputapu led by Hon Tangipa, government representative Pita Soakimi and Aisea Ta’ofi awaited the arrival of the King.

Kaufanga the King’s matapule spoke and greeted King George Tupou V.  This was followed by prayers and the national anthem.

King George Tupou V joined in worship together with the Free Wesleyan Church congregation on Sunday where He delivered a speech after the Lotu.  His Majesty emphasized the need to strive for living a useful life.  The important things in life He stressed were often missed by people due to the focus on material wealth without appreciating that wealth and status can only be attained through healthy lifestyles.

Different denominations participated during the church service with the King.  They were afforded opportunities to recite bible verses and hymns.  Father Loni Mafi sang the tributary Psalms during the scripture readings as the Free Wesleyan Church members present replied.  The singing of the psalms resonated and uplifted the spirits of all who were there. 

His Majesty departed Niuatoputapu for Tongatapu after the Sunday lunch.  The following morning, Cabinet Ministers arrived for their parliamentarian’s tour.

The King of Tonga is accompanied by his matapule whose duties include attending to the King when traveling locally.   In this case, the matapule in attendance was Fatongia ‘i Lototonga.
The roles of the matapule include acknowledging on behalf of the King, receipt of the traditional presentations.  They deliver gracious but dignified appreciation and thanks on the King’s behalf for the traditional presentation which includes kava plants and large tuskers (puaka toho) are the valued presentation at pangai.

The arch way at Sapa’ata in Niuafo’ou, another northernmost island in the Tongan archipelago welcomes their King back home.  Although His Majesty was not able to make it to Niuafo’ou on this occasion, an attempt was made on the second weekend of October due to heavy rain the previous week of September water logging the runway at Niuafo’ou.  The King therefore could not attend mass in Niuafo’ou as originally planned.  A further attempt to land and worship with the people of Niuafo’ou at the Roman Catholic Church was made but subsequently abandoned for safety reasons.

The royal ensign flag hovers above the residence with black drapery all around the palace in respectful mourning over the passing of the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.

 

 

Niuatoputapu’s population is approximately one thousand and the relocation of the Niuatoputapu secondary school has resulted in many of the population to reside for longer periods on the island.  Previously, the high migration out of the island was largely due to the overall trend to migrate out to the main island, for the education of children in order to gain higher qualifications, thus, depopulating the island.

Increasing shipping and flights have changed the local residents’ attitudes towards leaving these remote islands.  Therefore, homesteads have developed and begun to ply their trade for visitors and tourists.

The natural springs of Niutoua remain very clean, cool and refreshing.  It is fair to say that one has not been to Niuatoputapu if one has not taken the plunge at Niutoua!

 

The Water pools of Niutoua is said to have been created by a Tongan tevolo or devil tickling a Samoan aitu (tevolo or devil) causing the aitu to laugh creating the pool of natural springs.  From Tongatapu to Niuatoputapu, are a long chain of natural water springs that is said to have been caused by the same episode of devilish tickling and laughter and the spillage of fresh water. Ene’io of the Tuanekivale beach is another name that comes to mind originating from the same tale.  The playful sounds of mirth and laughter can be heard from these pools in the evening twilight hours as the youths bathe before they head off home from these refreshing natural water pools. 

Article by Hon Albert Tu’ivanuavou Vaea