- published: 20 Aug 2006
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George Tupou I, King of Tonga (c. 1797 – 18 February 1893), was originally known as Tāufaʻāhau I, or Tupou Maeakafa Ngininginiofolanga in modern spelling (originally Tubou Maeakafa Giniginiofolaga). He adopted the name Siaosi (originally Jiaoji), the Tongan version of George, after King George III of the United Kingdom, when he was baptized in 1831. His nickname was Lopa-ukamea (or Lopa-ʻaione), meaning iron cable.
George Tupou I was born around 1797 in Tonga. 4 December is often-quoted as his birthday and is a public holiday in Tonga; however, it was the date of his coronation in 1845 as Tuʻi Kanokupolu, when he took the name Tupou. Tongoleleka and the Niuʻui hospital there (which was destroyed in the 2006 Tonga earthquake) are often stated as his birthplace; however, no evidence supporting this is available, and Lifuka and Tongatapu are also often stated as the birthplace. His father was Tupouto'aʻ, who aspired to be the 17th Tuʻi Kanokupolu, but he was not recognized as such by the high chiefs of Tongatapu, as he was viewed as a low ranking usurper from Haʻapai. His mother, Hoamofaleono, felt her life was at risk on Tongatapu, so she fled with her son to Haʻapai, probably within the year of his birth. Her history, as well as her son Maeakafa's history, is more reliably tracked to Haʻapai Island.
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (4 July 1918 – 10 September 2006), son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and her consort Prince Viliami Tungī Mailefihi, was the king of Tonga from the death of his mother in 1965 until his own death in 2006.
He was married to Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe, born in 1926, and the couple had four children:
Sermon by His Late Majesty (1918-2006) at the Free Wesleyan Church in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Hymn readings by the late Hon. Prince Ma'atu and wife, Hon. Alaileula Malietoa Ma'atu. More videos at: www.southpacificcurrents.com
Pre-coronation celebrations followed by colourful coronation ceremony in the Royal Chapel at Nuku'alofa. DV file of Beta SP (tape 278) telecine of 35mm film, W3471/f/221.
Produced by Selwyn Manning for Scoop TV: The Funeral of Tonga's King Tāufa āhau Tupou IV (September 2006) explores whether Tonga was on the brink of change and what may happen should the expectations of a new generation of Tongans not be realized.
HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV departing on the hercules.
Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala is a Samoan rugby footballer. As well as playing for the All Blacks, he represented Samoa in both rugby union and rugby league, playing at centre and wing. Vaaiga currently runs a funeral director company, "Tuigamala and Sons of Glendene" for which the most notable client to date was the late King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV .
This programme chronicles the celebrations surrounding the 85th birthday of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of the Kingdom of Tonga. The traditional forms of song and dance (lakalaka & ma'ulu'ulu) were on display from all corners of the kingdom in elaborate performances never seen before by western scholars and media. Enjoy the ceremony and the pomp of a remarkable Polynesian kingdom as they celebrate what was to be the last grand celebration for the monarch. I produced this film in conjunction with Dr. Eric B. Shumway and Dr. Vernice Wineera from the Pacific Institute at BYU-Hawaii.