The donation was presented at the ‘Ofa ki Tonga—Takanga ‘enau fohe (Sending love to Tonga) event on Wednesday 9 February, which was organised by the Wellington Tonga Leaders’ Council alongside a small committee led by the University’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban.

Te Herenga Waka’s charitable trust, the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, provided support to coordinate donations from the University community.

The event also marked the sending off of two 33m³ containers with barrels of essential items including water, tinned food, flour, and other supplies, coordinated by the Wellington Tonga Leaders’ Council.

“We are very grateful to our University community for giving so generously in this time of need. We particularly thank the Foundation for its leadership of this fundraising effort by coordinating donations from our university staff, students, and alumni,” says John Allen.

“We simply want to stand with the Tongan community in their time of need, we want to provide what we can to help them support each other—this opportunity enables families here to support their families at home,” he said at the ceremony.

Lord Fakafanua from the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Council, said that to witness first-hand the amount of support and the spirit of togetherness that people have for the kāinga back home is inspiring and touching.

Dame Winnie adds, “The Wellington Tonga Leaders Council was overwhelmed by the support of the University community. This donation will allow the Council to arrange the purchase and freight of several more containers of supplies for those who need them.”