The Hawke’s Bay Tongan Community Langafonua Society Incorporated was incorporated on the 23rd of July 2009. The Society membership is derived from the Hastings and Napier Tongan communities of around 900 members.

The ages of the Society members range from newborn babies to retirement age. A large cohort of the Society are of primary and high school ages with several students attending Universities throughout New Zealand.

Contributions to the Society derive from members and their fundraising efforts held on a monthly basis.

During the Horticulture seasonal harvest, the Society membership swells to around 2,200 with the inclusion of Tongan migrant seasonal workers from the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme and while here, their NZ based fanau living in the Auckland Metropolis also support the Society while they visit the RSE fanau.

The current leadership committee consists of:

Chairperson: Sefesi Veikoso
Deputy Chairperson: Falekihetoa Tu’avao
Secretary: Tevita Niu Lata
Deputy Secretary: Viliami Lata
Treasurer: Tomasi Tu’avao
Deputy Treasurer: Lu’isa Feke

Committee Members:

  • Makalita Uasi
  • Viliami Lolo
  • Malia Leti Vea
  • Paula Hu‘ahulu
  • Sione Tafea Hiko

Where Do We Want To Be By 2027?

By 2027 the Society will have established:

  • 1
    Central meeting place for Tongan people in Hawke’s Bay
  • 2
    To Unite our people
  • 3
    To provide opportunities for our people where they can learn our culture, traditions, and language
  • 4
    To provide a performing Arts Academy for ouryoung people
  • 5
    To provide a disaster and recover facility to assist Tongan RSE workers, local Tongan and general communities in Hawke’s Bay
  • 6
    To provide a resource Centre for refugees
  • 7
    To offer venue support to any Churches or groups who may need it