Mālō e Lelei!

Sunday 18 – Saturday August 2024 is Uike Kātoanga‘i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga, Tongan Language Week.

Tongan Kava bowl

Faikava under the Tanoa

PAST EVENT

If you have never been to a faikava ceremony, this is a great opportunity to come and see one of the most important Tongan cultural practices of the faikava. This is a ceremony that will make you discover and understand what happens during such an event.

Sitting around the kava bowl, you will share the moment and learn what makes it such an important ceremony for all Tongan communities and the diaspora.

So, don't miss out! Join us with the Tongan group Lomipeau for this special occasion.

Community drop-in

Community drop-in

PAST EVENT

Come admire a selection of Tongan textile and fibre treasures from our collection at our special Tongan community drop-in on Friday 23 August. Interact with these cherished taonga and learn more about Tongan material culture during these intimate sessions between 10.30AM - 3PM. Sessions are limited to 8 people and must be booked in advance.

Click below to find out more about this kaupapa. 

TE AHO MUTUNGA KORE

Tokanga‘i ‘o e tapa‘i ngatu´

If you would prefer to access this information in English, click here.

Malu‘i mo fakatolonga ho‘o ngatu´

Malu‘i mo fakatolonga ho‘o ngatu´

Koe ngaahi ma’u’anga fakahinohino ko ‘eni kihe tauhi ‘oe ngatu´ mei he sio ‘ae founga fakatolonga angamahení ‘ae Misiume´ moe ‘ene taumu’a fakahangatonu ke tokoni’i ‘ae tauhi ‘oe ngatu´. ‘Oku nau talanoa‘i ‘a e ngaahi makatu’unga mahu‘inga ‘oe ‘ātakai te ne uesia ho‘o ngatu ke maumau ai pea mo e ngaahi ngāue te ke lava ‘o fai ke ta‘ofi ‘aki ‘eni. ‘Oku kau foki heni ‘a e founga fakaalaala ki he ngāue kihe ngatu´, fakatoka ‘oe Longa´, mo e ngaahi founga hono fofola´ ke tokoni ki hono tokanga‘i ho‘o ngatu´ ‘i ‘api.

The following care guidelines come from a perspective of museum conservation practice with the specific intent of supporting long term preservation of tapa. They discuss key environmental factors that can cause your tapa to physically deteriorate and the actions you can take to prevent this. Also included are safe handling, storage, and display methods to aid in caring for your tapa at home.

ACCESS THE TOOLKIT

Tokanga'i 'o e ngaahi koloa mahu'inga 'a e fāmili mo fakafo'ituitui

If you would prefer to access this information in another language, click here to see the other options. 

Ko e ngaahi koloa mahu‘inga ‘a e fāmili ko e konga ia ‘e taha hotau hisitolia. ‘Oku ne ‘omai ha ongo ‘ofa ki hotau tupu‘anga ‘i he ‘etau ‘ilo‘i kohai kitautolu mo e kakai na‘a tau tupu mei ai. Ko e ngaahi koloa mahu‘inga ‘a e fāmili ‘oku fa‘a kau ki ai ‘a e ngaahi ‘ata, ‘alapama, ngaahi tohi, pea mo e ngaahi fakamatala mahu‘inga.

Ko hono tokanga‘i mo tauhi ‘a e ngaahi naunau ko ‘eni ‘oku fakatefito ai ‘a ‘ene tolonga. Ko e ngaahi founga ‘eni te ne tokoni‘i koe ki hono tauhi ke malu ‘a e ngaahi hohoko ho fāmili ma‘a kinautolu he kaha‘u.


Family archives are part of our history. We draw a sense of identity from knowing who we are and where we’ve come from. Archives may include photographs, albums, letters, and important documents. Handling and storage of our family collections directly impacts how long they last. These guidelines will help you preserve your family archives for future generations.

ACCESS THE TOOLKIT

Our people

Learn how our Museum whānau celebrate their heritage in their work

Kasi Valu

Kasi Valu

Villages: 'Eua, Lapaha, Ma'ufanga

Role at Tāmaki Paenga Hira: Youth representative with the Pacific Advisory Group (PAG)

What is the impact of your role and how you use it to engage with the Pasifika community?

This role is really the tip of the iceberg of what all our PAG members do within our communities. I think that's how we should view the Museum itself. Fractional in the facets that are outward facing, and encourage internal and public discourse to further dissect and analyse our histories. Everything is never complete, so working alongside PAG is like a jigsaw puzzle. In ways, we wish to complete or find an end to something. However, we understand that nothing is really ever complete. I aliken this to practice of being a Fia Poto artist. There is no true answer, or definite pathway, we must find ways to innovate, create, to sustain and underpin our realities to make sense of everything going on around us. 

Why is the Tongan language important to you and your identity today?

Speaking Tongan, speaking Gagana Samoa, speaking Fijian etc is to speak the language of the Gods. It is a direct ambilical chord that transcends any colonial framework or system to connect your directly to your source of autonomy.

What is your favourite Tongan Proverb and what it means to you?

Fagota ki he kato 'ava - Fishing with a bags with holes in it. I see this as a double-edged sword. Sometimes we need our nana's sewing kit to stitch up the worn-out net, to keep all the juicy seaweed. Sometimes we need the withered net, to let go of the fishes that need more time to just keep swimming. 

Asinate Fakaosifolau

Asinate Fakaosifolau

Fakatapu ki he ‘afio ‘a e tolu taha'i ‘Otua. Fakatapu ki he ngaahi  tu'u ki mu'a ‘o e ngaue'anga ni. Fakatapu ki ha sola mo ha vulangi, kae ‘atā mo e finemotu'a ni keu lave nounou atu ki hoku tupu'anga pea moe mahu'inga kiate au ‘a hono fakatolonga mo kātoanga'i ‘o e uike lea faka-Tonga. 

Mālō e lelei, my name is 'Asinate Faka'osifolau-Williams. I work in the Visitor Services team as the Bookings & Sales Coordinator.

My father hails from the villages of Ha'ateiho, located in the center of the main island Tongatapu and Tungua which is a small Island of the Ha'apai outer island groups. My mother hails from ‘Utulau located on the Southern side of the main Island, Tongatapu and Vaipoa, another outer island group of Niuatoputapu which is located closer to Samoa.

The theme for this year’s language week is 'E tu'uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tongá ‘o ka lea'aki ‘i ‘api, siasi´ moe nofo-‘a-kainga´ which translates to “Tongan language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community. The relevance of this to my role as a Bookings and Sale Coordinator is customer focused. I pride myself in being able to use my language to support those of Tongan heritage who may have language restrictions. It is uplifting to see visitors from the Tongan community smile when hearing a simple greeting in my native tongue, Mālō e lelei. Experiencing those moments make it that more important for me to promote the importance of keeping the Tongan language alive.

I believe it is important to revitalize and sustain the Tongan language as it defines who I am and is primarily how others in society distinguish and identify me as a Tongan. Having knowledge of the Tongan language is an anchor holding me grounded to my roots regardless of where I am.

There is a Tongan proverb “Fifii ika maka” the wrapping of rock fish in leaves. To prepare this type of fish as a meal, it must be carefully wrapped up in woven coconut leaves in order to preserve it before it is either baked or cooked underground. This depicts something of great value needing great care for preservation. This Tongan proverb reminds us that the knowledge of lea faka-Tonga is so valuable and it is important to sustain our language because if it becomes extinct, we too will lose a part of our identity as Tongan people.

I leave you with a quote I often hear; “Ko e koloa ‘o e Tonga´ ko e fakamālō” (A Tongan’s only treasure is to express or say thank you). A small gesture or word of thanks is the greatest start to honouring our Tongan heritage, speaking the language and keeping it alive for the generations to come.

Tu‘a ‘ofa atu.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira is a part of a new Museums in the Pacific Network, strengthening our va across the Pacific with our museum whānau. The network developed with 11 museums from across the Pacific: Aotearoa, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Guam, Hawai‘i, Niue, Fiji and Tonga, emerging from the 2024 Commonwealth Association of Museums conference at Tāmaki Paenga Hira. Milika Pomana is the curator of the Tonga National Museum in Nuku‘alofa and is part of the Museums in the Pacific Network. We are honoured to share her story as part of our celebration of Tongan language and culture.

Nuku’Alofa, Tonga

‘E tu'uloa 'a e Lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá 

The Tongan Language will be sustainable when used at home, church and in the wider community.

Tulou atu, ka e ‘atā ke u kau atu he pué, ‘i hono kātoanga’i ‘o e Uike Lea Faka-Tonga ‘o e 2024. ‘Oku ou lau monū mo e tāpuaki ‘i he faingamalie kuo u ‘inasi ai ke vahevahe ki he’eku a’usia ‘i he’eku tupu haké pea pehe ki he ngaue’anga ‘oku ou fakahoko fatongia mei ai, ‘a ia ko e Misiume Fakafonua ‘o Tonga mo e Potungaue Takimamata mo e Folau’eve’eva.

Mālō e lelei! I am Milika Pomana from the villages of Vaini and Niutoua, Tongatapu. I am a proud; born and raised, Tongan woman. Apart from the years I spent in Aotearoa for; undergraduate – at Massey University, Palmerston North and graduate studies – at Auckland University, I have lived and worked in Tonga all my life. 

It is an honour to be invited to share a little of my background and experiences in this platform, in celebration of this year’s Tonga Language Week in Aotearoa with the theme: The Tongan Language will be sustainable when used at home, church and in the wider community. A theme that I whole heartedly agree with and support. 

My family speaks Tongan at home so I grew up speaking only Tongan. It was only when I started high school at Tonga High School, that I had to speak English while at school. Our church; the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga at Vaini, conducts its services and all programs in Tongan. And as with any extended family celebrations and gatherings or a village fono by our chief – Lord Ma’afu; Tongan is the language of communication. Needless to say, I live and breathe the Tongan language and I am very proud that I can speak and write fluent Tongan. 

I currently work as the curator of the Tonga National Museum in Nuku’alofa. A big part of the work that I do involve frequent community engagements and talanoa with the people, especially those who are knowledge holders and custodians of our koloa tukufakaholo (treasures and cultural wealth). Being fluent in Tongan gives me the confidence to talanoa and address the audience that I speak to in a manner befitting of our cultural protocols and norms, brining to mind the faa’i kavei koula upholding Tongan society; faka’apa’apa, mamahi’ime’a, feveitokai’aki and lototō. Work has also enriched my knowledge of the Tongan language, in terms of learning and knowing of the names of our koloa, and koloa acquired for the museum often come with Tongan care instructions from custodians. These in turn evoke the need for further research as I often come across new and unfamiliar Tongan terminologies and epistemologies. These are aspects of my work that have kept me motivated and captivated with the work that I do. I find acquiring new knowledge exciting because I could in turn give back to the people, by sharing my knowledge of our rich cultural heritage and tell our stories through the displays at the Museum.

As a big advocate for cultural heritage safeguarding and preservation; I know that the language is an integral part of one’s culture and heritage and wishes for it to be sustainable. 

Once again – fakamalo lahi atu for including me in Auckland Museum’s celebration of this year’s Tongan Language Week. ‘Ofa atu

Explore stories of Tonga from around the Museum

Blogs exploring the language, history and culture of Tonga.

Tongan Defence Force

Tongan Defence Force

The Tongan Defence Force was a major part of Tonga's response to the Second World War, a conflict that would result in massive change in the Kingdom. The Tongans generously opened their lands to the Allies, and the Tongan Defence Force played an important role both overseas and at home.

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Members of the Tonga Defence Force of 2nd NZEF, during a bayonet drill in Tonga 1943-1944. Ref: PA1-f-107-07-2

Celebrating Tongan language and culture

Celebrating Tongan language and culture

More Tongan people are currently born in New Zealand than in Tonga. As such, Aotearoa has a special role in celebrating lea Faka-Tonga mo e 'ulungaanga Faka-Tonga (Tongan language and culture).

Learn more about how the Museum is taking part within this role.

Read blog


Koe Gaahi himi. Charles Tucker. Vavau, [Tonga]: Printed at the Wesleyan Mission Press, W. A. Brooks, 1838; BV510.T66 TUC

An Englishman in Vava‘u

An Englishman in Vava‘u

In this well known memoir by William Mariner, he recounts his time in Tonga during the years 1806-1810. Stranded in the Ha’apai group, Mariner would eventually be adopted as a son by the chief Finau ‘Ulukālala II, who would give him the name Toki ‘Ukamea ("Iron Axe"). In the second half of this blog, guest writer and digital storyteller Richard Wolfgramm reflects on the enduring significance of Mariner’s memoir and his desire to bring the account of Toki ‘Ukamea to a new and global diasporic audience.

Read blog


Engraving of William Mariner from 'An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language'; AWMM DU880 MAR

Preserving our Tongan Language 

Watch our interview with John Pulu, Tongan presenter of Tagata Pasifika, who discusses the dangers of language loss.

In this interview John Pulu tells us about his upbringing and his coming to Aotearoa, following his dad who worked as a carpenter. He talks about his show on Tagata Pasifika and how the Tongan language is very much in a good state compared to other Pacific minority languages. He is aware of the obstacles that minority languages have to overcome especially when pitted against the English dominant language. He tells us about diglossia (using different language registers depending on the context and audience) in the kingdom of Tonga. He recognizes that home is one of the places where the Tonga language must be learned and pass on trans-generationally. John Pulu believes that music is the taonga that helps sustain and preserve the Tongan Language and he performs one of the late HM Queen Sālote’s compositions.

From the collection

Explore a glimpse into the Tongan way of life, and an introduction to the island's people and customs.

Contemporary kava
IN THE COLLECTIONS

Contemporary kava

A fibreglass kumete kava has recently been acquired for the Museum's collections.

The kumete kava represents contemporary developments in kava ceremonies and an innovative response to dwindling resources (there is limited access to timber resources for the continued carving of such items).

It is one of two that were made by an uncle and his nephew who have pivotal roles in the on-going construction of kava ceremony in contemporary Auckland. The nephew/maker, Dr Edmond Fehoko, has written his Masters and PhD on the changing roles of Tongan men in New Zealand society.

Image: Fibreglass Kumete Kava. AWMM 2018.29.1.

Artist profile

Auckland Museum is honoured to have worked with renowned Tongan artist, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi in the redevelopment of the new South Atrium, Te Ao Mārama. Unveiled at the end of 2020, the renovations established a new public space, one that acknowledges both Mana Whenua and Pacific connections. 

Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi
PROFILE

Artist

Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi

Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi is a famous Tongan community leader and artist who hails from the village of Ngelei‘a, on Tongatapu. Tohi is a master craftsman of the ancient Pacific art of lalava or lashing.  

Lalava is the technology used to bind objects together in traditional Pacific architecture, tools and vaka (canoe) building. Tohi often uses the patterns of lashings to symbolize the unity of all things, past, present and future. He explains,

"My work transforms the technology of the past into a modern representation of identity and experience.  By using the patterns established by lalava, I express a Polynesian heritage with metaphors that speak to our entire community."

Tohi has exhibited over the world and has sculpture in international collections including Japan, China, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Tonga, Samoa and the USA.  An example of his metal sculpture is called “Hautaha (Coming Together)” and is located outside the community centre in Onehunga in Auckland. Other artwork can be seen across Aotearoa New Zealand including in Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, the University of Auckland’s Pasifika Fale, and Puke Ariki in New Plymouth.  Tohi’s sculptures from 1980 to 2000 were mainly created in stone, wood, and mixed media, but works made since 2000 are often created from metal, using aluminum or stainless steel. He notes, 

"For me, stainless steel represents the shiny new structures of the modern world. Wood is based more in tradition – in natural things from our environment."

Research

As a centenarian research institution, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum has a story or two to tell. Discover our work recording two unusual fish in Tonga.

Discovering new fish in Tonga

Discovering new fish in Tonga

The discovery was made in 2015 during a survey of fish in Tonga. The Museum researchers recorded Meiacanthus bundoon in Teleki Tonga (South Minerva) and Meiacanthus oualanensis in Teleki Tokelau and Teleki Tonga (North and South Minerva), both previously only recorded around Fiji, extending their known distribution.

Discovering these fish was unusual considering that they were thought to have a very narrow distribution and be endemic to (only found in) a small area around Fiji. Thus, perhaps these species are less isolated than originally thought. 

More discoveries to come?

Over the last ten years, the Museum has been undertaking marine biodiversity surveys in the South Pacific. The results of the surveys have been quite dramatic, with each revealing fish populations to be about 10-20% more diverse than expected. This indicates there are still many species yet to be recognised from islands across the South Pacific region. 

Diversity of fishes across Te Moana Nui a Hiva, the Pacific Ocean, diminishes as one heads east. A person travelling through New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands, in that order, would notice the fish fauna becoming less diverse in each country.

But just how great is this drop off in diversity? For now, we can say: not as great as once thought.

 

Image: Top and bottom, Bundoon fangblenny (Meiacanthus bundoon) only recorded from Kadavu and the Lau islands of Fiji, and Haʻapai in Tonga; middle, Canary fangblenny (Meiacanthus oualanensis) only recorded from Fiji.

Things to do 

Put your mind to work and learn through fun.

How many Tongan words can you find?

WORDFINDER

How many Tongan words can you find?

Find as many Tongan words as you can in this wordfinder, and maybe learn a few new ones along the way. When you're finished, you can find the answers here.

Download now

Explore more

Dive into the Tonga Language Week archive, and explore past content from previous years. 

TONGAN LANGUAGE WEEK ARCHIVE

Discover unique stories about what it means to be Tongan in the past, the present, and years to come. View our galleries of significant koloa and plants and animals that have found a home within the Museum’s collections. We even have a crossword.

This, and more, is available to view in our archive now.

Visit the archive


Kiekie. 1976.73, 47575.