THE body of Tonga’s late Prime Minister arrived at Fua’amotu airport this afternoon on board the Royal New Zealand Air force.
Members of the Legislative Assembly including the Speaker Lord Fakafanua, Whole House Committee Chairman Veivosa Taka as well as Cabinet Ministers, including the Health Minister Hon. Saia Piukala, Minister of Education Hon. Penisimani Fifita, Hon. Losaline Mā’asi – the Minister for Internal Affairs and the Minister of Police Hon. Māteni Tapueluelu accompanied the late Prime Minister’s body to Tonga. The late PM’s son and daughter Po’oi Pōhiva and Teisa Cokanasiga were also on board the Royal New Zealand Airforce along with Members of Parliament from New Zealand led by Jenny Salesa and the Deputy Consul, Tonga Consulate, Auckland – Mrs. Quita Kaho Maka.
Her Royal Highness Princess Angelica Latufuipeka was also at Fuaámotu airport. The Acting Prime Minister Hon. Semisi Sika, some of the Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament joined the late Prime Minister’s family and friends at the airport.
Hundreds of mourners including family and relatives, friends, students and civil servants gathered at the airport to show their respect and to mourn the death of the late Prime Minister.
The motorcade of his cortege traveled along Taufa’ahau Road to St. George Building.
The late PM, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva will be lying in state at St George Government Building Chancery, today and tomorrow before the funeral memorial service at the Centenary Church, Thursday morning.
Public viewing will commence at pm tonight and continue on tomorrow until dawn on Thursday, September 19. Different church congregations are scheduled to also provide prayer services tonight and also tomorrow.
Meanwhile the Royal Family, VVIP guests and dignitaries will pay their respects tomorrow before the PM is put to his resting place at 12 pm on Thursday at Telekava cemetery.
Late Hon. Pohiva died at the age of 78.