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Wednesdays 6 – 20 November 2024 7.30-9pm in person and Zoom. Fee: $30 due by Monday 4 November
The islands of the Pacific Ocean are diverse, but those of Polynesia connect in history, language and culture with Aotearoa New Zealand in many ways that seem ‘familiar’. Tonga’s fascinating history stretches back to the Lapita culture which expanded to Tonga about 900 BCE. By the 13th century, Tonga was an empire that ruled islands as far flung as Hawai’i. James Cook was made welcome and referred to the archipelago as the ‘Friendly Islands’. The Kingdom of Tonga retained its sovereignty and culture; today, it is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. A lasting image from the 1953 Coronation procession was Queen Sālote of Tonga in an open carriage smiling and waving to the captivated crowds as she braved the chilly rain of London. The Tongan diaspora includes a vibrant community in Christchurch.
Topics
• Tongan roots and regional power
• Modern Tonga
• Tongan diaspora
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Meremere 105 University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 8041, New Zealand
