Tonga’s PM back at TBHS
Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has acknowledged the ‘‘significant role Timaru and Timaru Boys’ High School played in making me what I am today’’.
Sovaleni was at TBHS, which he attended in 1988, on Tuesday for a special event that included kapa haka, songs and dance and speeches over shared lunch.
Sovaleni addressed the about 150 guests, recalling ‘‘fond memories’’ and expressing amazement at how much the Tongan community had grown in South Canterbury.
‘‘The choice of Timaru, I can say with confidence was the right choice,’’ Sovaleni, who took office in December 2021, said.
Sovaleni remembers seeing snow for the first time and going skiing in Aoraki/Mt Cook. Sovaleni also played in the First XV rugby team and was runner-up for Dux. When attending the school, Sovaleni recalled being one of four Pasifika students and said ‘‘it’s amazing’’ to see the Pasifika presence growing in the Timaru community.
TBHS rector Dave Thorp said there were at least 50 Pasifika students enrolled in 2022. To open Tuesday’s event, a group of students performed a kapa haka for the PM.
Tongan Society South Canterbury general manager, Sina Latu said it was their intention to have ‘‘the kids run the day’’ with a mako dance from the society’s male youth, a tau’olunga from the young girls and a song with all the children.
‘‘This is something the kids won’t forget in their lives,’’ Latu said.
Latu hopes the children remember ‘‘it’s good to dream big, you never know what you will become when you work hard and focus.’’
Three of the society’s youth were MC-ing between the speeches – Roncalli College deputy head boy
Petelo Fana, Timaru Christian School year 10 student ‘Ulukilupetea Langi and Timaru Boys’ High School’s Stephen Latu.
‘‘It was very exciting getting to see the prime minister, it was surreal,’’ Langi said.‘‘It was a very special opportunity for me.’’
Other speeches included an opening from Arowhenua Marae Upoko Te Wera King, a prayer from Reverend Pailoni Talia and a welcoming from Tongan Society South Canterbury president Pauline Jean Luyten.
Luyten was so proud to see her own children perform in the song and dance. Her welcome speech was presented in a mixture Tongan and Te reo Māori. ‘‘Both of which are not my first language,’’ Luyten said.
‘‘But we have to be willing to try and have a go, the kids need to see us trying.
‘‘If we get it wrong, we stop, we pause, and we pick up again and carry on.’’
There were also words from Timaru District deputy mayor, Steve Wills as well as TBHS Old Boys Association president Don Garland.
This year, the association has been fundraising for disaster relief following Tonga’s volcanic eruption and tsnamuni in January. Garland said their efforts were ongoing and had included a mufti day at TBHS.
Sovaleni’s old rugby coach, Grant McFarlane and fellow First XV player from the 1988, Gavin Miller, were also in attendance. ‘‘He was a role model then, it’s not surprising he’s done well for himself,’’ McFarlane said.