9:35 PM |
PRESS RELEASE
ROYAL MATAPULE (Speaking chief) MANAFA BURIED IN WAITAKERE, NZ.
By Takafly Brown
Fakaloto Manafa 'oe Hau (aka Leonard Philipe Vea Tupou) was buried at
Waikumete Cemetery on Monday 23rd December 2009. Aged 88 years old,
Manafa
was not only a matapule (Speaking chief) of the late Queen Salote
Tupou III
but also a founding member of Tonga's infamous Kalapu Helepeku.
This group became famous for singing many of her Majesty's
compositions and
it was jokingly expressed at Manafa (aka Leni Tupou)'s eulogy that the
only
procession that Leni had on returning to NZ in 1967 was a Helepeku's
song
book. Many renowned Tongans like former NZ Methodist church President
& Vice
Presidents spoke about how knowledgeable Leni was regarding genealogy
and
Tonga's cultural mores.
Of significance in Manafa's Matapule appointment was that he was born
in
Wellington, New Zealand on 5th August 1921 before travelling with his
parents Uili & Sisilia Tupou to Tonga. " I do not know of any NZ born
people who have gained the rank of the royal household matapule"
say's
anthropology graduate Will 'Ilolahia. " He will be sourly missed and I
was
saddened by the lack of media presence at his very large funeral"
His funeral service at Waikumete Chapel was packed with overseas
mourners
from USA, Australia, Tonga and many parts of NZ as far away as
Invercargill.
One of his children Nauvai "Nelson" Tupou is a renowned South
Auckland
lawyer and legal advisor to the newly formed PSA in Tonga. He has also
conducted some major ground breaking court cases on Freedom of
speech, the
individual and constitutional rights.
The Fofo'anga singing group was also present provided many traditional
"hiva
kakala" at the 2 night wakes in Henderson and also at the church
service on
Monday morning. " Leni's passing away is a great lose to the Tongan
community worldwide " said one of the public servants who flew in from
Tonga
just for his funeral.
End.
For more information call Nelson 0272768653 or Takafly 0276368359
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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