Pacific Mission

New Zealand DPM concludes Pacific Mission with emotional homecoming in Tonga

On the grounds of Ancient Tonga, Sepuloni’s newfound family gathered to put on a traditional welcome, or hā’unga.

“The Tongan side, I think, knows that my Grandfather married a Samoan woman and raised his family in Samoa,” Sepuloni told those gathered.

“We grew up knowing very little of our Tongan side, except that we were Tongan and Samoan.”

Tagata Pasifika reports Sepuloni discovered that her Father’s Tongan roots began on the island of Niuatoputapu, through which she also shares a family connection with Mate Ma’a Tonga captain Sika Manu.

New Zealand Deputy PM leads Pacific Mission to Tonga

Her first to Tonga, Sepuloni was greeted by the Government of Tonga's delegation, led by Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Saia Piukala, the Minister for Health and Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, Minister for Trade and Economic Development.

Deputy PM Sepuloni will meet Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku and government Ministers today and tomorrow.

She leaves Tonga on Friday afternoon with her delegation according to a statement.

Sepuloni to lead a Pacific Mission to Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga

Sepuloni will be accompanied by Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara Edmonds, Minister for Climate Change James Shaw and a delegation including Parliamentary and NGO representatives, iwi, business and community leaders and Pacific youth.

Sepuloni says the Pacific region remains the NZ Government’s foreign policy priority, and that includes continuing to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific family.

NZ PM to visit Tonga as part of Pacific tour

“It will be an honour to have the Pacific Mission led by the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and is a further sign of the importance New Zealand attaches to our Pacific neighbours,” says Peters.

“The government carefully considered whether the Pacific Mission would impose a burden on Tonga and Samoa in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita.”