Tongans dying on NZ roads leave grieving families struggling to cope
Horrific road crashes that claimed the lives of Tongans visiting New Zealand have many relatives close to financial ruin.
Many are calling 2016 a ‘‘widowmaker’’ year, in the wake of accidents in August and December that killed eight.
Five Tongan seasonal workers were killed in the first incident when the car they were in was in a collision with a logging truck at Katikati, near Tauranga.
The deceased all worked for kiwifruit packhouse, Aongatete Coolstore, under the seasonal workers scheme while their salaries contributed to the upkeep of their little communities in Tonga.
Ana Vaipulu, 44, from ‘Ahau in Tonga, lost both her husband, Sitiveni Vaipulu, and her eldest son, Koli, in the accident while ‘Epenisa Taukatelata from Fua’amotu lost her husband, Samuela, and her brother, SioneTeulaka.
The women are however refusing to give up, despite their losses, and are making plans to ensure they receive an income again.
Ana’s two remaining sons have volunteered to take the place of their father and brother at the packhouse, while their mother remains behind to care for their two sisters and grandmother.
‘Epenisa has opted to replace her husband herself after having moved back to her mother’s house in Fua’amotu. She desperately needs an income to support her four children.
In the second accident – which happened on Christmas Eve – three members of a Tongan college band were killed when their tour bus left the road and went down a cliff near Gisborne.
The dead include a student, a teacher and the headmistress. Many of the 53 occupants were injured.
Headmistress Leotisia Malakai was only laid to rest this past week after her remains arrived on her home island of Vava’u.
The unmarried Malakai’s death has left her 88-year-old mother, Mele, and both her adopted sons without accommodation and having to fend for themselves.
The family, who lived on the school grounds, were forced to move back to their hometown.
Malakai’s eldest son, 23-year-old Sione Vaka’uta, said the death of his mother – who filled the role of both mother and father to him – has had a devastating effect on the family, especially his aged grandmother.
‘‘She just closed her eyes in silent prayer when we got the news confirming Sia’s passing. She didn’t cry. Her bravery became mine,’’ he said.
‘‘We will survive, we will try, and we have faith.’’
The bulk of those injured in the Gisborne crash have returned to Tonga, except six people, including two teachers.
One of the injured is the school’s head prefect, Tevita Lokotui, who has undergone two partial amputations to a crushed leg. Another student has been readmitted to hospital after showing signs of stress.
Tongan health authorities have stated they are concerned about the high possibility that survivors will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or face other psychological challenges.
But out of everybody affected by this, it’s the family members who remain behind who are the hardest hit.
Both Ana Vaipulu and ‘Epenisa Taukatelata have attended the unveiling of a plaque in honour of their deceased loved ones in New Zealand.
‘‘I’m extremely upset and stressed, especially knowing that I now have to take care of us by myself. I depended heavily upon my husband’s support,’’ Vaipulu said.
‘‘I just could not imagine anything like this would happen. When I first got the news about the road accident and the deaths, my first thought was that my son had gone partying with friends and so forth. I just could not imagine anything like this.’’
Her husband, Sitiveni, was a part-time taxi driver in Nuku’alofa and a devout Church of Tonga follower.
She still becomes emotional when she recalls the events surrounding the accident, but she tries hard not cry in front of her daughters so as not to traumatise them further.
‘‘The town and church have been very helpful and accommodating to us. We’ve received all the support we need.’’
ACC has contacted provide assistance. relatives to