Centenarian celebrated by one and all

Harry 'Halepoe' Jackson's 100 years has been celebrated in appropriate island style in Māngere, with hundreds of the Niuean community gathering to honour a man who has contributed much to his country.

Jackson, who held significant roles as a policeman, politician and high court judge, turned 100 years old on Tuesday, 17 September, with the milestone also being acknowledged by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Governor-General Cindy Kiro, and King Charles III.

Jackson hails from the village of Fineone Hakupu Atua in Niue and is the youngest of six children to Joseph and Falena Jackson, but was adopted at the age of five by Leotu Tumitimea and Mahele Moka.

Harry Jackson with family and friends celebrating his 100th birthday. Photo/Faama Viliamu/Facebook

He attended school in Tuatea, Hakupu before he left to work as a carpenter at the age of 16.

Jackson, who has also done teaching and caretaking, trained as a police officer in Fiji in 1960, before furthering his training in Wellington, Aotearoa.

He finally returned home to Niue where he took up the role of Senior Sergeant for the Government of Niue, and he continued in this role until the age of 65.

A whole village gathered together to celebrate 100 years of Harry Jackson. Photo/Faama Viliamu/Facebook

But his work life did not stop there, as he was elected to parliament as a Common Roll Member from 1980-1983.

He subsequently became a judge in Niue’s High Court until he finally retired at the age of 74.

In 1944, Jackson married the love of his life Eviena who hails from Tonga. They enjoyed 66 years together before her passing on the 28th of October 2010.

Harry Jackson with his family and grandchildren. Photo/Faama Viliamu/Facebook

In his youth, Jackson enjoyed various sports including cycling, athletics, and boxing. And as a true Niuean, he also loved fishing, working on the plantation to provide for his family, feeding the pigs, baking bread, scraping arrowroot, and listening to the radio.

He expressed his happiness, love, and gratitude to everyone who made his 100th birthday a memorable one.

Families and friends sharing love and rejoicing 100 years of Harry Jackson. Photo/Faama Viliamu/Facebook

Watch a video of the birthday celebrations from PMN Niue’s Faama Viliamu’s Facebook page: