Celebrating Lea Faka Tonga: NZ academic honours heritage in Oxford presentation

A law lecturer from the University of Auckland recently honoured her Tongan heritage by speaking in her native language, lea faka-Tonga, at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

This comes ahead of Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week 2025, which was launched on Sunday. The theme is "Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe'unu mahu'inga ia ki he mo'ui 'a e Tonga," which translates to "Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture."

In the 2023 New Zealand Census, 97,824 people identified as being part of the Tongan ethnic group. This represents a significant increase from previous censuses, with 60,333 in 2013 and 82,389 in 2018, according to Stats NZ. The Tongan population in New Zealand makes up 1.7 per cent of the country's total population.

According to the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Dr Suliana Mone opened her presentation in Faka-Tonga, embracing the theme of this year's Tonga Language Week.

“When I presented at the Law Faculty, I began in Tongan. I wasn’t sure how many people had spoken our language on that platform before.

“As a visiting academic, I made that decision - it felt like I took a little bit of home with me.”

Tongans hold a church service to mark the launch of Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week 2025 - and the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Pulela'ā New Lynn Tongan Methodist Church on Sunday. Photo/Facebook/John Nicholas Pulu

Mone was invited to Oxford to co-author a chapter in a global law book project led by Emeritus Professor Mindy Chen-Wishart, a former Dean at Oxford who has strong ties to New Zealand.

Born in Taiwan and raised in New Zealand, Chen-Wishart has held a visiting professorship at Auckland University and other New Zealand institutions.

Mone expressed her gratitude for Chen-Wishart's support, which she believes reflects the valuable connections between academic institutions in different countries.

Watch as CPL marks Tonga Language Week below.

“Professor Chen-Wishart’s support of Pacific scholars like myself exemplifies the strength of transnational academic ties between Oxford and Aotearoa,” Mone says.

“She was incredibly kind and generous with her time and knowledge. Arriving at Oxford was overwhelming, and meeting a friendly face made all the difference.”

In her chapter, Development Law in Small States in Pacific Islands, co-authored with Professor Caroline Morris from Queen Mary University in London, Mone emphasised her pride in speaking Tongan at such a significant event.

She traces her roots to Folaha, Fua’amotu, Nukunuku (Tongatapu), Holonga, Houma (Vava’u), Pukotala, Ha’ano, and Muitoa (Ha’apai). She reflected on her childhood, thinking about her grandparents and father, who would have dreamed of such an opportunity.

Watch Tongan-NZ sports stars Valerie and Steven Adams practise their lea faka-Tonga below.

“It reminded me of all my people who surrounded me as a little girl. I thought of my grandparents who have passed, and my father who passed away - they would have dreamt of coming to Oxford. In using our language, it felt as though I took them there with me.”

Mone's journey has been remarkable. After earning her PhD in 2023 and landing a teaching position at the Auckland Law School, she never imagined she would have the chance to present at Oxford - a place she once viewed as a distant dream.

She credits her success to inspiring women who have supported her and helped her along the way.

“I never imagined I’d be at Oxford. It’s always felt like a distant mecca for knowledge - something you wonder if you’ll ever reach in your lifetime. For me, it happened through connections with incredible women.

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week - is celebrated from 17 to 23 August, 2025. Photo/MPP

"I've been fortunate to have this opportunity to meet and work with these wonderful women at this very junior stage of my career."

Connection is important for Mone, who is also the Assistant Associate Dean for Moana Oceania at Auckland University. As a mother of two boys, she values education as a path to uplift her community.

In Tongan culture, education is highly regarded and can impact social standing.

“In Tonga, academic titles like a PhD can elevate your social standing. Education is a pathway for commoners to rise, and knowledge has always been deeply valued in our culture.”

Watch as some members of PMN gathered around the office to test their knowledge about Tonga.

Her family back home, especially her sons, are incredibly proud of her achievement.

Despite being far from home, Mone felt the love of her family, with cousins travelling from Wales to celebrate the important moment with her. Among them were Reverend Manu Tu'ipulotu, Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu, former Tongan national rugby union representatives and their sister Taufa Talamai, all now settled in Wales.

"It was really special to have my cousins there, and to be able to share this incredible experience."

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week ends on Saturday. For more information, visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' page Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week on Facebook.

Dr Suliana Mone says it felt like she had taken "a little bit of home with me" during her presentation at Oxford University. Photo/Auckland University/Chris Loufte

Fun facts

• Never colonised: Tonga is the only Pacific island nation that was never formally colonised, managing to maintain its sovereignty through strategic agreements with Britain.

• A unique pet: The Tongan royal family once owned a turtle named Tu’i Malila, which lived to be 188 years old and was gifted by Captain Cook in 1777.

• Sacred traditions: The concept of tapu, meaning holy or forbidden, governs everyday life in Tonga, including social interactions and customs.

• Space ventures: In the 1990s, Tonga surprised many by claiming 16 positions in space - more than most powerful nations. This sparked global discussions about space ownership.

• Cultural mats: The Ngatu (tapa cloth) and Fala (woven mats) are more than just decorative items - they play a major role in cultural exchanges, used as currency in special occasions like weddings, funerals, and chiefly ceremonies.

• Archipelago of Islands: Tonga is made up of more than 100 islands, specifically 171 islands, with about 45 of them inhabited. The islands are grouped into three main areas: Tongatapu, Ha'apai, and Vava'u, along with some smaller islands.