Tonga Deputy Prime Minister Lord Ma’afu dies in Auckland

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Lord Ma’afu has died in Auckland, a statement from the Tongan Prime Minister’s office confirmed.

Ma’afu, 66, died in the early hours of Sunday morning at Auckland City Hospital.

In his statement, Prime Minister of Tonga Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said Ma’afu had held a ministerial post for four consecutive governments.

He had an “exemplary and esteemed career in the service of the monarch and the royal household, as well as public and military services in Her Majesty’s government, spanning more than 40 years.”

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Ma’afu was the Acting Minister of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and the Ministry of Lands, Surveys and Natural Resources. He was also a former deputy of the nobility.

The Minister for the Peoples of the Pacific, Aupito William Sio, expressed his condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

“His dedication to his country and through his service in the public and military spheres will leave a lasting legacy that will endure,” Sio said.

“Our hearts go out to his family, the people of Tonga and the Tongan community around the world.”

Pakilau Manase Lua, chair of the Pacific Response Coordination Team, said the Tongan community in Auckland was saddened by the loss.

Ma’afu was not doing well before he died and had come to New Zealand for treatment, he said.

“We met yesterday as a village to plan the failotu [funeral] and how we are going to do the traditional preparation.

“This is a huge loss for us, he was a fantastic leader, a humble man who had a lot of responsibility in government and held many portfolios for many decades.”

Ma’afu’s body will be returned to Tonga on Tuesday.

Commemorations will be held in Henderson on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.