Author Archives: Ms Whaea

Tapa wedding dresses to admire

For as long as I can remember I wanted a Tapa wedding dress for my wedding and 12 years ago I did just that when it wasn’t in vogue. It is so nice to see the creativity and popularity grow. Hope you enjoy my little tribute to the wonderful creations. If you’re a bride-to-be, mayContinue reading “Tapa wedding dresses to admire”

Know your Tongan: ki (v) kia

Here is the first of our Thursday Grammar. Do you know the difference between the two words “ki” and “kia”?  Both mean the same English preposition word “to”. Read carefully the information above and fill in the blanks. Is it “ki” or “kia”? ‘Ave _____ Sione. Give it to John. Na’a’ ke lea _____ Mele? Did you talk to Mary?Continue reading “Know your Tongan: ki (v) kia”

2015 a year of learning

At this time of year I like to remind myself and all the entire Tongan Language School of how much they have achieved in 2015. So I created this video. Kids always love to see themselves in videos. I then challenged my family to write down their new goals. Amongst our new family goals is to speak moreContinue reading “2015 a year of learning”

How to love your long Tongan name

   Do you or your child have a long Tongan name? Chances are most pālangi people can not pronounce it. Am i right? Like Taulupe, you are probably using a nickname or prefer your pālangi name over your Tongan name. It’s James not Semisi.  When asked her name, a young student said her pālangi nameContinue reading “How to love your long Tongan name”

Community Language Teacher Profile: Mary Greatz

It’s great to see the Government placing an emphasis on community languages being taught with government schools. The Tongan Language School here in Sydney is establishing itself and there are 2 to 3 government primary schools that teach Tongan within their primary curriculum. Community Language Teacher Mary Greatz talks about her experience within one ofContinue reading “Community Language Teacher Profile: Mary Greatz”

Is it Taimi’ni or Taini’mi?

This is another of my internal questions that has lingered in my head regarding the Tongan language. I have always used Taimi’ ni which means at this moment in time/ right now. Then I started to hear people say Taini’ mi, so are you saying it right or not. It has been confirmed by Tongan linguists soContinue reading “Is it Taimi’ni or Taini’mi?”

Hiva: Si’i Lolo Lyrics

Mou teuteu ke tau hiva e! Get ready to sing-a-long! I had fun translating this for one of my readers. With a bit of research I found out the meaning and history behind the song. Apparently this was originally composed by Talolakepa Fulivai on behalf of a young Queen Mata’aho, wife of Tupou IV in theContinue reading “Hiva: Si’i Lolo Lyrics”

‘Ikai ngalo e feilaulau: Lest we Forget

‘E ‘ikai ngalo e feilaulau kuohili’. Lest we forget their sacrifices. ANZAC Day (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) has become a day of national remembrance for Australia, New Zealand and Tonga of the sacrifices that generations have endured to keep us safe. While it actually commemorates the Gallipoli landing in Turkey in 1915, it isContinue reading “‘Ikai ngalo e feilaulau: Lest we Forget”