NZ Sikh Society Offers Helping Hand To The People Of Niua Toputapu, Tonga

Representative Dalijit Singh of the NZ Sikh Society, that they have raised $5,000.00 to date for the Tsunami victims of Niua Toputapu a remote island North of Tonga that suffered substantial damage during the Tsunami 30 September 2009 which also affected Samoa and Pagopago (American Samoa).

During the Diwali Celebrations held at the Sikh temple in Takanini, the members of the Sikh community donated money in the response to needs of the people of Niua Toputapu, Tonga. In the speech delivered by Hardial Singh that night emphasized the establishment of an ongoing formal relationship with Niua Toputapu, Tonga, “know that we are always there.”

One of the organizations participating in the tsunami relief aid for Niua Toputapu, Tonga was the Niuatoputapu Aotearoa Society based here in Auckland, New Zealand who attended the celebrations to show their appreciation of the Sikh community’s generosity of remembering their pacific brothers and sisters in Niua Toputapu, Tonga.

Also in attendance on the evening of the Diwali celebrations were the Labour Party leader Hon. Phil Goff members of Parliament addressed the Sikh community for their generosity given to the people of Niua Toputapu, Tonga. Hon. Phil Goff will be traveling to both Tonga and Samoa, accompanied by Hon. Chris Carter and Hon. Winnie Laban to discuss with the affected communities and their leaders of the recent tsunami of future needs and ongoing recovery programme.

Representatives from the NZ Sikh Society will be attending the national memorial service announced by the NZ Prime Minister John Keys to commemorate those who lost their lives in the recent tsunami tragedy in Samoa and Tonga, on Sunday 8 November at 4pm, at the Auckland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell.

The money raised will be utilised towards a project in Niua Toputapu, Tonga nominated by the NZ Sikh Society.

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