The album title ‘Unaloto Ki Pulotu is symbolic of my yearning as a Tongan music artist who was raised outside of Tonga to always remain connected to my cultural roots. The word ‘unaloto means to cherish an affectionate desire or longing for someone or something. The word Pulotu references our ancestral homeland of where it is believed that we as Tongans originated from. The word pulotu also means composer of songs. Thus, the title of this album fully captures my desire to use music as a medium to actualize my affectionate longing for my homeland of Tonga. It is also my way of paying homage to the Tongan pulotus and punakes who have inspired me with their lyrics, their music, and their love for Tongan culture. I dedicate this album to them and to all other Tongan music artists who have been and continue to be inspired by traditional Tongan music; a genre that is timeless in its own right. ~Neti Taumoepeau~ Continue Reading »
Dr Teena J. Brown Pulu
“You can tell I’m from Kolonga by the way I do things!”
Photograph 1: Utu-longo-a’a, Kolonga village rugby team in Auckland. The Kolonga forwards pack walking off the field from their game against Leimatu’a village in the Auckland Tongan Rugby Tournament 2007 at Marist Ardmore. This tournament is played annually November-December and is organised for village, chuch-based, ex-high school and neighbourhood teams of Tongan rugby players living across the four cities – North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau – which constitute the greater Auckland Region.
(Disclaimer:This was an earlier article written by freelance writer Sara Taukolonga from the UK.)
On 27 November, 2007, the High Commissioner of Tonga to the UK, H.E. DR Sione Ngongo Kioa and Mrs Victorina Kioa invited the Tongan community in Britain to meet the Prime Minister of Tonga, HON. DR Feleti Vaka ‘Uta Sevele, by hosting a reception at the official residence of the Tongan High Commission in the UK.
The Prime Minister addressed Tongans and answered questions on developments in Tonga including dual nationality and
land rights for women.
“Part of my job as Prime Minister and my colleagues in Government is to meet the Tongan community in Tonga and overseas to find out what they would like to see happening in Tonga and exchange ideas” explained Dr Feleti Vaka ’Uta Sevele. Continue Reading »
676 to release her first Tongan Album this Spring!
“I have been wanting to record an album like this for a long time and finally it’s coming true” says Neti Taumoepeau of 676. Her first full-length Tongan album is set to be released this Spring with all proceeds from the record sales to be donated to the Tongan Red Cross.
676’s Tongan album pays homage to some of the most influential and universally respected musicians and song writers from her homeland of Tonga, among them are the late Queen Salote Tupou III, Tu’imala, and many more. “It was very important for me to keep to the authentic traditional Tongan sound and lyrics while recording this album as a way to show respect for these amazing music artists who transformed Tongan music into a form of poetry and art” says Taumoepeau.
‘Unaloto Ki Pulotu
Photograph 1: Utu-longo-a’a, Kolonga village rugby team in Auckland. The Kolonga forwards pack walking off the field from their game against Leimatu’a village in the Auckland Tongan Rugby Tournament 2007 at Marist Ardmore. This tournament is played annually November-December and is organised for village, chuch-based, ex-high school and neighbourhood teams of Tongan rugby players living across the four cities – North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau – which constitute the greater Auckland Region.
(Disclaimer:This was an earlier article written by freelance writer Sara Taukolonga from the UK.)
676 to release her first Tongan Album this Spring! 
