Tonga's HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvala Fotofili Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A funeral visitation has been held for Tongan Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu in Auckland, with leaders from the Pasifika community in attendance.
The Princess died on Sunday aged 75.
Princess Siu'ilikutapu's body has been flown to Tonga for Saturday's state funeral.
Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliki Siaosi Sovaleni has decreed all national flags in the Kingdom are to be flown at half-mast.
The Princess leaves behind a positive legacy for Tongans and New Zealand Pasifika, for whom she actively advocated and worked for.
The attendees in West Auckland on Wednesday included Sir Michael Jones, Jenny Salesa MP and Māori King Tūheitia who were received by Tongan Princess Angelica Latufuipeka.
Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu was the first woman to be elected to Tonga's parliament, and in her later years moved to New Zealand where she actively advocated the rights of overstayers and disadvantaged Pasifika.
General Manager of the Wellington Tongan Leaders Council Tae Tu'inukuafe said she inspired Tongan women as a female leader.
"She was championing women's rights, I think that's really a big contribution to Tonga as a nation. She was the first female to be elected as an MP in Tonga, the first woman elected as a people's rep"
Kenneday Makaeafa said it's loss a for all Tongans who looked up to her.
He said the princess was devoted towards helping the community.
One of her most memorable public appearances in recent times was the emotional speech she gave in 2021 accepting a formal apology by the New Zealand Government for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s which mainly affected Pacific people.
Princess Siu'ilikutapu accepted the apology from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on behalf of the Pasifika community, and during her speech, she commended the gesture.
