Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Tongan King Leaves A Lasting Legacy

Su’a William
Sio
Pacific Island Affairs Spokesperson
MP for Mangere


19 March 2012

Mangere’s Labour MP Su’a William Sio and Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson has today expressed his sincere sadness to Tongans in New Zealand at the sudden passing of King George Tupou V in Hong Kong.

“I extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to the Heir Presumptive to the Tongan throne, the members of the royal family, and the people of Tonga who will be deeply affected by the loss of their King,” Su’a William Sio said.

“I was able to witness first-hand the abundant respect Tongans in both Tonga and New Zealand held for him when I attended the King’s coronation in August 2008 with the then Prime Minister Helen Clark & Governor General Sir Anand & Lady Susan Satyanand.

Thousands of Tongans from New Zealand attended King George Tupou V’s coronation in 2008 including Head of State’s from all over the world, and church leaders from across the South Pacific region.

“In the occasions that I have met the King I always came away knowing that the good fortune and wellbeing of the Tongan people was a matter the King agonised over.

“The King has left a lasting legacy for Tongans all over the world to be proud of when he voluntarily relinquished most of the near-absolute powers that his family has held for centuries in order to embrace the democratic aspirations of his people and allowing for the first democratic elections in November 2010.

“It is my prayer that the dark clouds that hover over the people of Tonga at this time will quickly dissipate and the skies will once again embrace a shining new dawn for Tonga,” Su’a William Sio said.

*****

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.