Remembering Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu: A Beacon of Dedication, Faith, and Service
With profound respect and deep sadness, we commemorate the life and legacy of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu. On Sunday, the 28th of May, she passed away peacefully in Auckland, surrounded by loving members of the royal family. A true beacon of dedication and service, her memory leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and our nation.
The serene tranquility of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu’s final moments reflected the inner peace she carried throughout her life. Surrounded by the love and respect of her royal family in Auckland, she gracefully transitioned from our world in the way she had lived in it.
New Zealand, home to the largest Tongan population outside of Tonga, according to the 2018 New Zealand census, was deeply touched by the passing of Her Royal Highness. Over 80,000 Tongan people have made New Zealand their home, creating a vibrant diaspora community that Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu was deeply connected with.
Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu was a beacon of achievement. She created history as the first woman to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. Serving as a People’s Representative of Tongatapu from 1975 to 1978, she shattered gender barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in politics.
Although she left formal politics, Her Royal Highness remained closely connected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. She generously offered her guidance and support to successive Tonga Youth and Girls’ Parliaments, demonstrating her commitment to empowering the young generation. In 2014, she inaugurated the Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Partnership Forum in Nuku’alofa, inspiring women not only in Tonga but across the Pacific region to actively participate in the political arena.
Beyond her formal duties, Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu’s character truly stands out. She was a beacon of kindness, dedication, strong leadership, and unwavering faith, connecting with people from all walks of life with grace and empathy.
On a poignant Wednesday night, dignitaries, community members, friends, and family from both the Tongan community in New Zealand and the broader community gathered to pay tribute to Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu. The service was officiated by Rev. Setaita Veikune, whose comforting words, “If God is all you have, you have all you need,” or in Tongan, “Ko e ma’u ‘o e ‘Otau, ko e ma’u kotoa,” deeply resonated with those in attendance, reminding us all of the enduring faith and spiritual strength of Her Royal Highness.
Following the memorial service, Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu commenced her final journey home. On Thursday, her body was respectfully transported to Tonga, the land she loved so deeply and served so selflessly. Her final resting place is Mala’e Kula, the revered royal burial ground. This sacred place, steeped in history and tradition, is a fitting resting place for a royal figure who has given so much to her nation.
Accepting the apology
With grace and humility, Her Royal Highness shed tears as she formally accepted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s apology on behalf of the NZ Government that oversaw the dawn raids of the 1970s. In her heartfelt response, she expressed, “I am very grateful for your government for making the right decision to apologize to right the extreme, inhumane, racist and unjust treatment specifically against my community in the dawn raids era.” She thanked Prime Minister Ardern for the gifts announced to the community today as a token of the Government’s formal apology. The gifts include: $2.1 million in academic and vocational scholarships to be made available for Pacific communities; $1 million in Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Scholarship Training Courses for delegates from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tuvalu; and resources made available to schools and kura who choose to teach the history of the dawn raids.
Legacy
Her influence extends far beyond her royal duties. As a member of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, a formidable leader, and a proud advocate for women, Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu courageously fought for causes that were important to both her people and the wider Pacific, such as the preservation of the Tongan language. Her steadfast dedication, her unwavering faith in God, and her commitment to these causes have left an indelible mark on our nation.
As we prepare for the burial on the 3rd of June, we reflect on the life and legacy of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu. Her spirit lives on in the many lives she has touched, the initiatives she has championed, and in the enduring love of her people. We take solace in Rev. Setaita Veikune’s inspiring words and remember that with faith, we have all we need.