Tonga struggles to preserve its heritage

Transcript

An historic site threatened by government development has triggered the creation of the Tonga's first Heritage Society.

The proposal also resulted in an over 1,000 signature petition being presented to parliament to stop the move.

The issue has brought to light the lack of protection for heritage sites in Tonga.

As Koro Vaka'uta reports.

Last week the Tonga Heritage Society had its first meeting to discuss the loss of heritage areas to development, in particular the proposed residential lots for the Popua area, near the capital of Nuku'alofa.  Historian Wendy Pond has studied Tonga since the 1960s and has researched the journals of explorer James Cook.  Dr Pond says the area is linked to visits by explorer James Cook who was entertained by the Tu'i Tonga royal dynasty which is said to have orginated in the 10th century and is renowned across Polynesia.  

WENDY POND: This location is the site where Tonga history begins.  Tangaloa 'Eitumatupu'a descended the toa tree and cohabited with a woman called 'Ilaheva and they gave birth to 'Aho'eitu who was the fonder of this great maritime empire of the Tu'i Tonga.

There are also ancient traditional pigeon hunting mounds on the site.  The new society's media and communications officer Shane Egan says the group was surprised to learn of the lack of heritage protection in Tonga.

SHANE EGAN:  There's a lot of significant sites that have been documented but not really mapped out and not really protected.  This is something we need to do and then we can possibly organise text-books to make school students more aware.  Tonga's really significant in the whole Polynesian structure so it's important for all of Polynesia that we look after these things.

The director of the local University of the South Pacific campus 'Ana Koloto agrees that, despite being known as a country steeped in tradition, Tonga is failing when it comes to its heritage.

'ANA KOLOTO:  We have actually failed to look after our heritage sites, basically.  Most of the heritage sites in Tonga have not been mapped out properly and have not been looked after very well for our current generation or in the future.
 

Dr Koloto says more emphasis on Tongan history in schools could help and generational knowledge has also been lost through migration.  She says villages are trying to address this through large-scale reunions.

'ANA KOLOTO:  The oral history has not been passed on the same way it was passed on in the past.  There is a lot of work happening at the moment particularly within families.  It is now moving to the villages and the towns and the islands, there are reunions taking place.  I think people have realised that we have moved and worked and have separated, yet there is a link and they have to be strengthened.

Tourism Authority is grabbing the opportunity the reunions provide by consulting with elders in an campaign to promote the culture and heritage of the kingdom to visitors.  The Authority's acting General Manager Owen Pau'u says the community has been working together to delve into local histories and traditions in an effort to highlight the wealth of culture in the islands.  Mr Pau'u says despite the heritage site concerns, Tonga is unique in how much of its culture and tradition has been preserved through history.  He says having the only existing Pacific monarchy is also special.

OWEN PAU'U:  We're certainly proud of our royal family as well as other traditions.  For example our ta'ovala, (woven mats), that we wear everyday.  We have different ta'ovala for different occasions and also represent of who we are, of what kind of ta'ovala we wear to certain occasions.

Mr Pau'u says he welcomes the creation of the Heritage Society as he believes it is in line with the new focus.  
Wendy Pond says the government needs to change its focus to and approach development differently if it is to safeguard the country's heritage.  Dr Pond says sadly, the government seems to have other priorities than protecting it.

WENDY POND:  Ministers in modern governments, in Tonga as in New Zealand, are not historians.  In our capitalist society they are driven very much by an agenda of depending on progress to maintain prosperity so they were not backward looking.

Dr Pond and Dr Koloto say the government has other alternatives further inland on the main island of Tongatapu or could improve services to the outer islands if they are in need of more land for settlements.  Parliament is expected to address the heritage petition early next month.  Government officials were unavailable for comment.