Fane Ketu’u: A 40-year mission to keep the Tongan language alive earns national honour

A Pacific educator says being recognised for community service is not about a title. It is about four decades of work to keep the Tongan language strong for the next generation.

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u, a teacher and cultural coordinator at James Cook High School, has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to Tongan language education.

Ketu’u’s story stands out for the scale of her contribution. More than 40 years spent teaching, mentoring and building pride in Lea Faka-Tonga across schools, churches and communities..

“It's a reward that's beyond anything. You feel that you're valued by your people and New Zealand as a community where you live, work and serve,” Ketu’u says.

“At the same time, it's something that pushes you to go forth. Despite all the challenges, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

“There will always be something good that you achieve at the end of whatever it is that you do to serve your community.”

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u. Photo/RNZ/Mabel Muller

One of her longest-running roles started in 2005 when Ketu'u became a Tonga Stage Coordinator for the ASB Polyfest - a volunteer position she still holds today.

Through the festival, she has helped more than 40,000 students learn Tongan music, dance, and language for stage performances.

Ketu’u says last year’s 50th Polyfest was a powerful reminder of community strength despite heavy rain falling during performances.

Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e lea faka-Tonga - Tongan Language Week in Aotearoa New Zealand runs from Sunday, 16 August to Saturday, 22 August 2026. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples

“I did not know how to feel, looking at all the parents and the kids standing in the rain. The programme was running as per schedule, yet they never showed that they were cold.

“They changed into their costumes, went up to the stage [and] performed. I came to realise that it doesn't matter when we all have the same goal and the same purpose.

“Us as Pasifika, we are used to hardships and making sacrifices. That drive from the students and community really gave me something else: more energy [and] more determination.”

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u says rain or shine, the Pacific community shows up. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Ketu’u says Polyfest and similar events are key to how young people connect with language in a meaningful way.

“It's because they love to perform, they love to sing. They learn language quicker and better in the five weeks that they are preparing for Polyfest than any other time in their educational life.

Ketu'u’s influence also extends into education policy. She has worked with NZQA and the Ministry of Education to develop Lea Faka-Tonga Achievement Standards, helping establish Tongan as a formal subject in NCEA and tertiary study.

She says the journey was not always easy especially *in the early ,years of introducing structured language classes across mixed levels.

But she adds attitudes have shifted as Pacific languages gained stronger support in schools.

Beyond the classroom, she supports the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ language portfolio and has served as a Justice of the Peace since 2014.

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u has worked for more than 40 years to uplift Lea Faka-Tonga in Aotearoa New Zealand. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples

At James Cook High School, she also created MANAFest to support emerging cultural groups and runs evening classes to give students extra academic and cultural support.

Despite the national recognition, Ketu'u insists the honour belongs to many.

“To me, my name is stamped on it, but this is a community award. I do not work alone on stage. I'm not the only teacher that helps.

“This is an award for all the Tongan teachers that have worked with me to support our kids, young people on stage, on the Tongan stage, in the classroom, in all that we do. This is what we get when we work together as a team.”

Ketu’u says she is grateful to her community and colleagues, adding that the recognition reflects their shared effort over decades of work.

Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u is one of 178 New Zealanders named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 including 12 recipients of Pacific heritage.

Listen to Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u's full interview below.

The honours are administered through the New Zealand Government and Governor-General system. The New Zealand honours system is overseen by the Honours Unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Nominations are reviewed before recommendations are made, with the final honours list announced each year around King's Birthday and New Year.

For more on the King’s Birthday Honours 2026, click here.