New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni returned to New Zealand with her delegation on Friday 21 April, having visited the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Tonga.
The New Zealand Air Force plane that brought Hon. Sepuloni to Tonga and her delegation of 60, took out of Tonga a lot of good will and affection having spent 3 days in the country. It was the first visit to Tonga for Hon. Sepuloni, who is of Tongan heritage.
It was also the first time someone of Tongan heritage who has been appointed to a high position such as Deputy Prime Minister of any country has visited Tonga.
Hon. Sepuloni’s reception in Tonga was more than just official. Her relatives – those with blood connections to her, gave a special Tongan welcome as well. It had all the trappings of a full Tongan cultural reception fit for a chief.
She was seen shedding tears, as she received the kava… and the warmth of love expressed to “one of our own!” Greeting and embracing blood relatives in the kingdom brought an emotional endearment to people, especially those from the Niua Islands of Tonga.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku expressed with joy the close relationship Tonga and New Zealand have enjoyed over the years. He also said that Hon. Sepuloni’s visit has strengthened the cooperative efforts between Tonga and New Zealand on several fronts like Climate Change projects, education, and assistance to police training, among other things.
Hon. Sepuloni, in her speech referred with some emotion to the hard and sacrificial work grandparents and parents who migrated to New Zealand in previous decades. “They worked hard to make sure their children would not just engage in factory work but also in occupations as I have been appointed to,” she said. Hon. Sepuloni first became a member of New Zealand’s Parliament as an MMP member of the Labour Party, and was later elected. She has played a significant role in the shaping of the Labour Party, especially in bringing to the fore issues that concern Pacific people in New Zealand.