Story: Tongans

Although some Tongans no longer speak the language, most continue to have a strong sense of identity and they have learnt to adapt Tongan traditions to the New Zealand setting. For example in 1996, 14 Tongans, who called themselves ‘Ilo Me‘a Fo‘ou’ (New Creations), made this tapa cloth in Upper Hutt. In the absence of the paper mulberry bark which is used in Tonga, they used synthetic felted material purchased from a fabric shop and pasted together.