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01^st July 2015  |  In honor of the forthcoming state coronation of the Their Majesties, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, on the 5^th July, 2015, the Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) made a traditional presentation of gifts at the Royal Palace on 01^st July, 2015.

The ceremony was led by the Chairman of the PAT Board of Directors, Mr Stephen Edwards, accompanied by Board members, Ports Authority GM/CEO, Mr Mosese Lavemai, management and staff representing the Ports Authority.

On arrival at the Royal Palace, the Ports Authority was warmly received on the southern-side of the Palace (Toa-ko-Hāngai-Tokelaú), with various attending talking-chiefs assembling in a royal semi-circle, known as the ‘pangai’ on the Royal Palace – flanking the ‘Olovaha’, His Majesty The King, as the esteemed host of the traditional presentation (fakatu’utangāue) during the customary greetings and occasion of receiving and accepting of gifts being presented.

His Majesty’s head talking chief or ‘matapule’, Vakalahi, who's responsible and in-charged on the traditional gifts presentation ceremonies to His Majesty at the Royal Palace on this day, welcomed the congregation and ushered the permission to display and present the gifts brought forth.

In response, the Ports Authority Tonga’s talking chief or Matapule, Ula Matatoa', led men (Andrew Niukapu) from the Authority in setting up and counting of gifts on the pangai, aligning in the center of the pangai, in the presence of the presiding, Olovaha where His Majesty will be seated.

The customary presentation began with the talking-chiefs start annoucing with a 'Fakafeta'i' for each items that we presented at the pangai by saying, Fakafeta'i e tō Kava-toho for the Kava, followed by the Fakafeta'i e fanga Puaka-toho for the Puaka Toho or the wild-boar long boars tooths and the Fakafeta'i e Ngoue (for the yams). This was conducted by Andrew Niukapu and assisted by Ula Matatoa.

Ports Authority’s presentation at the Royal Palace included traditional food and fine mats - a 1 Kava Toho, 1 Puaka Toho, Kau'ufi 'e 1 (20x kahokaho yams), Fala Paongo 20 , Ngatu Tāhina Launima.

The announcement of women’s traditional fine mats and koloa was conducted by the Human Resources Manager, Mele Havea Lavemaau.

In support of the presentation, the Chairman, Directors, General Manager/CEO were seated at the front of the PAT congregation. The solemn occasion concluded with a brief reciprocating conveyance of the Ports Authority’s sincere wishes and congratulatory remarks to Their Majesties’ in view of their Coronation celebration.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ports Authority Tonga P.O Box 144, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa, TONGA
Contact: Tel: +676 23168, Fax: +676 24267. Visiting Us on: www.portsauthoritytonga.com