Reader's tributes to King Tupou

Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV died in Auckland on Sunday aged 88. He was the leader of Tonga for over 40 years.

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The death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV will be sadly felt by all the people of Tonga throughout New Zealand and also throughout the South Pacific region.

The impact of the death of the Tongan King will also be felt by the people of Samoa. Samoa and Tonga have long held strong traditional connections. Samoa's first monarch, Paramount High Chief, Queen Salamasina, who united the Samoan chiefs sixteen generations ago was the daughter of Tui A'ana Tamalelagi and the Tongan princess Vaetoeifaga. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved Royal Tongan family and express my sorrow for the people of Tonga at this time.

- Su’a William Sio, Manukau City Councillor

We feel so sad for the people of Tonga amongst whom my sister Jeanette and I have spent so many happy years. The King was a great moral leader who kept the people so happy and contented we deeply mourn his loss. God bless you.

- Fleur Windermere

Eine respektvolle, grosse Persoenlichkeit, HM King Taufa´ahau Tupou IV. ist heute von uns gegangen und wird nicht nur bei seinem Volk, sondern auch bei seiner Familie, Kindern und Freunden eine grosse Luecke hinterlassen. Ich bin ein grosser Verehrer des Kingdom of Tonga, http://www.kingdomoftonga.de/ wo ich 4 Jahre leben durfte und haeufig Kontakt zur Koenigsfamilie haben konnte, so eine Einladung zum Geburtstag der Queen, oder wie meine Lebensgefaehrtin das Dinner zur Hoteleroeffnung ( NH ) zubereiten durfte. Ich teile die grosse Trauer mit HM Queen Halaevalu Mata´aho, seiner Familie und seinem Volk und wuensche HRH Crownprince Tupoutoa als neuen Koenig George Tupou V. eine glueckliche Hand und ein langes Leben.

In ehrfuerchtiger Trauer,

- Detlev Nagel, Germany

Fakatapu moe ha'a kotoa 'oku totonu ke fk-tapua, tuku ke ngofua kau hufanga atu he talamalu 'oe fonua moe lotu.

Mo'oni 'oku o'o pea fongia 'ae loto 'oe Tonga kotoa 'ihe taufa kuo popo'uli ai 'ae fonua 'o Tupou mo hou'eiki, malu'aki ai kita koe kainanga 'oe fonua.

Fakatauange ki he 'Otua koe Laumalie, ke ne foaki ha nonga mo ha fiemalie, 'isa, ha melino ke tau 'inasi kotoa pe.

Faka'apa'apa, moe loto hounga mo'oni.

-T.Hingano. [NSW,Australia]

Malo e lelei,

I am a proud Tongan and am deeply sorrowed by the loss of our beloved King. Thank you, your majesty, for what you have done for us, we will always love and remember you. I am also proud there are Tongans who have created avenues where we can communicate with one another to share our grief. A Tongan Online community, made by Tongans for Tongans, have created a condolences board for us Tongans to express our love for our king and our condolences to the royal family, and by creating. It has also brought Tongans from all corners of the globe, together to reflect on a leader who paved the way for all of us, we will never forget all he did for us. Thank you to the Planet Tonga Online community.

www.planet-tonga.com/condolences

for creating a place for us Tongans to mourn together. Rest in god's peace my beloved king. Deep and most heartfelt sympathies to the Royal family with love and respects to Tongans all over the world.

Faka'apa'apa atu

- Lute Tuitupou

tau uluaki tuku ha fakamalo ki he e tau tamai i hevani koe uhi ko ene kei ofa ia teki tautolu one kei tali pe etau ngaahi faikovi.ki he family oe tu'i....oku mau send atu emau condolense ki ho mou family....sorry my Tongan is bad....but anyway sending my condolence.....the king of Tonga will forever be missed. I know that things werent always great with king and his family with the people of tonga but we always had respect for our king....he was always kind to his people never showed anger or raised his voice. It was such an honor to have him as our leader.......U will forever be missed......WE LOVE YOU....KING TAUFA"AHAU TUPOU THE 4th......please guide and watch over our people

- MARYK.AKAU MEI HE HA'A LAUAKI MOE VI

For over 40 years you've led us through good and some very challenging times but your heart was always with the Tongan people. May you rest in eternal peace in God's ever loving hands.

'Ofa lahi atu,

- Tommy T. Moala

San Francisco, USA

You will not be forgotten our King Taufa'ahau! Rest in Peace and may your soul rise into the heavens where our heavenly father awaits you! 'Ofa Atu!

- Lisa

Tapu moe ngaahi ha'a kotoa 'oku fa'a fakatapua, 'Oku 'oatu heni 'eku fie fakaha 'emau kaungamamahi he faingata'a kuo hoko. 'Ofa ke nofo 'a e 'Otua 'i hotau ha'oha'onga ke ne fakanonga 'a e loto kotoa pe kuo kafo he mamahi. 'Ofa lahi atu ki he Fale 'o Tupou mo e famili.

- Viliami Poupou Fotu

You will be sadly missed by all, RIP!

- S. T. Lui

Thank you for all that you have done for our country. Your life, dedication, and love for your people will not be forgotten. The legacy you have achieved was not easy and many times you've taken roads that stretched your faith. However, by the grace of God He has kept you and the nation of Tonga strong. Thank you for being an amazing leader! You were a Godly individual, and we truly respect all that God has done for you and through you! No word can express that significance. You will be greatly missed. We love you always!

- Lavoni Moala

God has parted the Heavens and took into Him our beloved Sun of Tonga. God, take Thy Servant King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV into Thy amble bosom and keep Him close to Thee. God, grant and grace Thy Servants our beloved Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho and The House of Moheofo with the strength and wisdom to carry on with governing our Tonga and lighten their heavy hearts with the warmth and calm of The Holy Spirit. May His Majesty’s legacy be a forever burning flame in all our hearts, minds and souls from which every Tongan may draw inspiration and aspire to glorify Thee with a worthy and honorable life. Our tears have overflowed and our sorrow is immense for now we have realized that this great blessing You had adorned our Friendly Isles with is gone.

- Manu'okafoa

To the Father of our Country Rest in Peace. 'Ofa Lahi 'Atu

- V Tupou

I would like to say to the King of Tonga HIM tupou, he was great leader and had a speacial connection to the Maori people of New Zealand. We have lost a great leader of the Pacific and we will miss him dearly.

R.I.P king Tupou of Tonga (kingdom of Tonga)

-Hardu

To A Great Leader & Father of Tonga we love you. Rest in Peace.

- V Siosaia

R.I.P - Ia manuia lou malaga.

- L Thompson

Thank you for all you have done to our country. Rest in peace.

- Kilisimasi Latu