Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
As part of Tongan Language Week 2024, Dr. Dianne Sika-Paotonu (Otago University), Curator Pacific Cultures Emelihter Kihleng, Kaitiaki Taonga Mama Grace, and Melanie Ioane-Warren talked to some Tongan koloa from Te Papa’s collection.
Tonga, officially known as the Kingdom of Tonga, and also known as ‘The Friendly Islands’, is a group of islands in the South Pacific. It is currently the only Pacific country with a constitutional monarchy. Read stories and view our collections in connection to Tonga and the people of Tonga.
The most important use of kava is in meetings and ceremonies. Kava is also consumed informally, sometimes in kava clubs, which are also important venues for the preservation of the Tongan language and culture.
View elements of Tongan life from kato alu (ceremonial baskets), woodcarving, figurative sculptures, and ngatu (bark cloth), to Kava Clubs and Black Fowls.
