This week on the Pacific Breakfast show, it has been wonderful to highlight our beautiful Tongan people, culture & language. Another aspect of Tongan culture is music & in particular brass bands. 

Brass bands were well established in Tonga by the 1880s and have become a strong part of the island kingdom's musical heritage. The Tongan community in New Zealand has continued this tradition with a number of active brass bands, often associated with churches or schools.

This morning we’re honoured to be joined by Fakasi’i’eiki Filimoehala along with members of the Filimoehala family, who are from the Central Auckland Brass Band - Music Academy for a special performance to close off Tongan Language Week celebrations on the Pacific Breakfast Show. 

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This morning, we’re joined by Anahila Kanogata’a-Suisuiki Labour Party list M.P. based in Papakura & who is contesting the Papakura seat at the upcoming election. 

Tongan born and raised in New Zealand, Anahila is involved with Pacifica Inc, Tongan Language Year Committee, Radio Tonga, and has 17 years of combined social work and managerial positions within Oranga Tamariki in South Auckland. 

As Chair of the Commonwealth Pacific Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Anahila in 2019, Anahila travelled to Uganda in September last year.

Wife and mother of five children and six grandchildren, Anahila has been a South Auckland resident since 2006.

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As we continue our celebrations of Tongan Language Week 2020, this morning we welcome Rev Setaita Kinahoi Veikune, President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, who will lead this morning’s lotu.

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Ana Ma’ilei Savio is a Tongan mother, innovator, entrepreneur & the strategist behind a food service provider called Gia’s Grab & Go; the first Pasifika & European Inspired and Owned Grab & Go in Aotearoa. In a moment Ana will share with us the family connection to Gia’s Grab & Go concoction along with the verticals her business now advocates for, but here’s a little about her background; her culinary journey began at the Advanced Professional Cookery at AUT, before heading offshore to Australia, the UK and Italy as part of refining her skills & knowledge.

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This morning as we continue our celebrations for Tongan Language Week 2020, we welcome Rev Seneti Fiusati, from the Free Weslyan Church of Tonga, Headquarters in Mangere, who will lead our lotu this morning. Rev Seneti looks after the youth.

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Rev Sione Ha’angana - Faifekau Pule, SUTT Aotearoa

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This morning as we continue our Tongan language week celebrations we’re joined now by Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau - Snr Lecturer in Tongan Language & Pacific Studies, at the Faculty of Arts, Auckland University. 

Melenaite holds an MProfStudies (First Class Hons) and PhD from The University of Auckland, an MA from The University of Wales (University College of North Wales, Bangor), and a BA and CGCEd from The University of the South Pacific, Suva. Melenaite was previously Principal of Tonga College and Senior Education Officer (Curriculum) in the Tongan Ministry of Education. She was the first Pasifika Woman to graduate with a PhD at The University of Auckland.

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As we continue our celebrations for Tongan Language Week 2020, we welcome Rev Ikilifi Pope, from the Papatoetoe Tongan Methodist Parish, who will lead our lotu this morning.

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As we continue our celebrations of Tongan language week 2020, we’re joined now by James Prescott, Deputy Chair, of the United Church of Tonga, Trust Board, as well as a senior lecturer at Unitec, at the school of applied business in economics.

We’re speaking with James about the role the church has played, in being a cornerstone of the Tongan community, especially in the formative years, in helping families when they first arrive in N.Z.

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As we continue our celebrations for Tongan Language Week 2020, we welcome Reverend Ifalame Teisi, Director of the Taulanga U Social Service of the Free Church of Tonga, who will lead our lotu this morning.

Our Himi for this morning - Hiva Fakalotu - Hinga 'a Hotau Uluaki

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