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| Photo: Rowandale School in Manurewa flying their flag at Half mast |
On Tuesday 28 July I attended the Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi at the Malaeola Catholic Hall in Mangere. Sir Toke was the Premier of Niue from 2008 to 2020 and he will be remembered by the people of Niue as a hard worker and someone who loved his country. In the 2017 he was appointed Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (KNZM) and received his knighthood from Dame Patsy Reddy in Niue.
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| Photo: Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi – Rowandale School Delegation |
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| Photo: Memorial Book |
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| Photo: Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi |
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| Photo: Order of service |
I attended the memorial service with Niuean staff from my school – Mac Ikitule (Assistant Principal) and Sheelagh Viliua (Senior Teacher) and also 3 of our Board of Trustees Members who are also Niuean – Marine Asafo (Chair), Jane Hakeagatoa-Tauepule and D’May Lolo.
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| Photo: Rev Rev Ere Talagi |
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| Photo: Rev Fania Talagi |
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| Photo: His Excellency Hon. Fisa Pihigia (Niue High Commissioner to NZ) |
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| Photo: Susana Guttenbeil |
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| Photo: Hon. William Aupito Sio (Minister of Pacific Peoples) |
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| Photo: His Excellency Ross Adern (Administrator of Tokelau) |
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| Photo: Wayne Brown – Tasmania Family |
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| Photo: Tavalu Tavalu – Talagi Family |
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| Photo: Nicholas Talagi – Son of Sir Toke |
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| Photo: Prayer for the Family |
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| Photo: Pastor Moira |
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| Photo: Prayer |
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| Photo: Benediction – Rev Falkland |
One of the reasons we chose to attend today was because of the connection our school has had with the Niue schools and teachers since 2017. It was our way of paying respect to his family but also to say thank you for leading a Government that allowed our staff and especially myself to engage, mentor, visit Niue and learn and support each other to strengthen the practices in our schools. He was also the premier when I took a delegation of NZ Pasifika Principals to Niue in 2019. In honour of Sir Toke Rowandale School flew its flag today at half mast.
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| Photo: Our Rowandale School Delegation with Nicholas Talagi and his Wife |
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| Photo: Me and Susanna Guttenbiel (Cousin to Sir Toke) |
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| Photo: Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi |
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| Photo: Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi |
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| Photo: Memorial Service for Sir Toke Talagi |
Thank you Sir Toke Talagi for what you have done for Niue, the pacific and for my staff, students, colleagues and above all myself. Rest in peace Sir Toke Talagi.
Kia monuina e haau a fenoga ke he kautu he Atua.