Tongan Reception

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as the sun has set (Sign).   

May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency, Christine Bogle, New Zealand's High Commissioner to Tonga; Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, Prime Minister of Tonga and members of your Cabinet; Hon Tony Ford, Chief Justice of Tonga; Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen and in the context of this evening's gathering may I add the greeting: Malo e lelei.

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to the  New Zealand Residence in Nuku'alofa prior to the Coronation of His Majesty, King George Tupou V.  We would like to thank the High Commissioner for hosting this gathering this evening.

I would like to use this opportunity to briefly touch on New Zealand's strong and friendly relationship with Tonga.

The heart of that relationship is best described by the Maori proverb that asks: He aha te mea nui? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!  Translated it asks: What is the most important thing?  The reply being: It is people! It is people! It is people!

The foundation then of the relations between our two countries is the extensive people-to-people linkages and our shared Polynesian heritage.  As people here will know, many Tongan leaders are New Zealand-educated.  Prime Minister Sevele, for example, was awarded the inaugural 1967 Coronation scholarship to New Zealand where he attended the University of Canterbury. 

Migration has resulted in a significant Tongan population in New Zealand.  Our 2006 Census revealed that more than 50,000 New Zealanders are of Tongan descent, the third Pacific largest group after those from Samoa and the Cook Islands.

New Zealanders of Tongan descent have contributed much to New Zealand and added to the rich tapestry of our nation's increasingly diverse population, enriching our culture, society and economy.

An example is the Reverend 'Epeli Taungapeau, who I had the pleasure of conferring the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at a ceremony at Government House Auckland in April.  He has given more than 20 years' service to the community in the areas of health, education and housing in Auckland, Napier and Wellington.

Another is acclaimed Tongan-born artist Filipe Tohi.  Visitors to a major exhibition at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Tangata o le Moana, which celebrates the contribution of all those from the Pacific who have travelled to New Zealand, enter through one of his amazing sculptural works.

Of course, New Zealanders of Tongan descent have given much to New Zealand sport and particularly to New Zealand rugby, with names such current All Black loose forward Sione Luaki coming to mind.  Another was All Black and Auckland provincial captain Sam Tuitupou quickly springing to mind. So fearless and powerful was his tackling that he was dubbed the "Tongan torpedo".  And who will ever forget Jonah Lomu's fantastic run through the English team in the 1995 World Cup Semi-final?

As an aside, I know all of Tonga celebrated its team's success at the Rugby World Cup when for the first time it won two matches and came within a whisker of making it into the quarter-finals with strong showings against the eventual finalists, South Africa and England.  As for the New Zealand performance, well, maybe it is best that we let sleeping dogs lie!

The coronation on Friday marks the beginning of a new period in Tonga's history.  Tongans will be looking forward to the future as they celebrate the coronation of their new king.

They will also be mindful as is proper of the passing of his father, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, who had given much service and leadership to the country and the Pacific in the more than 40 years that he was king.

The king's death occurred at a time when a number of long-time leaders of the Pacific have passed on. I instance, in the order of their passing,  Rt Hon David Lange, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the Maori Queen, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa and Sir Tom Davis, former long-time Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. All were held in great respect both at home and abroad and particularly in the Pacific for their leadership and guidance. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Tonga has a proud history that stretches back thousands of years.  Tongans are rightfully proud that theirs was the only Pacific nation that was not colonised by a European power and that it has retained its traditional customs.

The people of Tonga today face many challenges, particularly rebuilding after the riots of November 2006 and collectively undertaking democratic reform.

The 1875 Constitution was ahead of its time in terms of the freedoms and rights it granted to the Tongan people.  But times change. 

The New Zealand Government supports peaceful democratic reform in Tonga. The recent parliamentary decision to establish the special commission on constitutional and electoral reform is a welcome step in that direction.

Along with Australia, New Zealand has financially supported the work of the National Committee for Political Reform.  New Zealand has also supported the Tongan Crown Law Department and the Tongan police and New Zealand continues to support Tonga where needed.  New Zealand, however, has also consistently taken the stance that, as a sovereign nation, the pace and timing of reform must be determined by the people of Tonga. 

There are many other links, of course.  NZAID also assists Tonga's education system and there is a long-standing relationship between the New Zealand and Tongan Defence Forces. 

And returning to my point at the opening, the presence here tonight of so many New Zealanders who have made Tonga their home, working in both the private and public sectors, reflects the strong connections between our two nations.

The path ahead is one we want to share in the spirit of friendship and co-operation.  It is a path already blessed by much richness and one traversed with continued openness and understanding.

In conclusion, I will close with a quote from one of Tonga's most famous daughters, the new king's  grandmother, Queen Salote Tupou III.  She too faced many challenges during her reign and her words to the Tongan Parliament in 1937 remain a challenge for the Tongan people in the years ahead:

"The objective that is ever before me and which inspires all my thoughts is to unify and consolidate at this time the Kingdom of Tonga, that we may really achieve the reputation that is credited to us in the world outside: There is not in the world a little Kingdom like Tonga, peaceful, contented and happy."

And on that challenging note, I will I close in Maori by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.