Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone Explained

Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone
Birth Name:Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone
Birth Date:4 April 1952
Birth Place:Nukuʻalofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Death Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Burial Date:30 June 2018
Burial Place:Langi ko Huelo ʻo Hangai Tokelau, Tokomololo, Kingdom of Tonga
Spouse:Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
House:Tupou
Father:Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake
Mother:Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune

Princess Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone, Lady Maʻafu (2 April 1952 - 22 June 2018) was a member of the Tongan Royal family. She was the third daughter of Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake.

Biography

Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone was born in Nukuʻalofa on 4 April 1952, the third daughter of Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake and Princess Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune.[1] Her grandmother, Queen Sālote Tupou III, gave her the name "Mata-ʻo-Tāone" after a kie hingoa passed down from Princess Lavinia Māhanga. She is a niece of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, and a cousin of Kings George Tupou V and Tupou VI.[2]

Lavinia married Siosaʻia Lausiʻi, who later inherited the title of Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi and its estates of Vaini and Tokomololo. They had two children, Tevita ʻUnga and Lavinia Fangaʻaka.[3]

Lavinia spent much time in Auckland, New Zealand. She died there on 22 June 2018 at the age of 66.[4] [5] She was brought back to Tonga on 29 June for the funeral. After the King and other members of the royal family received the funeral cortege at Fuaʻamotu International Airport, she lay in state overnight at the royal villa in Matatoa.[6] Fourteen churches attended the prayer vigil held at the villa.[7] She was buried on the following day at Langi ko Huelo ʻo Hangai Tokelau in Tokomololo.[8] [9] The people of Vaini observed 10 days of mourning, with a sacred kava ceremony (pongipongi tapu) held at Ongokie Residence.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hixon, Margaret. Sālote, Queen of Paradise. 2000. University of Otago Press. 1-877133-78-7. Dunedin, N.Z.. 135. 45399387.
  2. Kaeppler. Adrienne L.. Adrienne L. Kaeppler. 1999. Kie hingoa: Mats of power, rank, prestige and history. Journal of the Polynesian Society. 108. 2. 168–232.
  3. Web site: 2021-12-13. Deputy PM Lord Maʻafu dies in Auckland. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214054506/https://matangitonga.to/2021/12/13/deputy-pm-ma-afu-dies. 2021-12-14. 2021-12-15. Matangitonga. en.
  4. Web site: 2018-07-02. King of Tonga's cousin laid to rest in Toko. 2021-12-22. RNZ. en-nz.
  5. Web site: 2018-06-27. Princess Taone passes away in Auckland. 2021-12-22. Matangitonga. en.
  6. Web site: 2018-06-29. HRH Princess Lavinia Mata ʻo Taone repatriated this afternoon – TBC. 2021-12-22. Tonga Broadcasting Commission. en-NZ.
  7. Web site: Staff. 2018-06-29. Prayer vigil held for Princess Mata ʻO Tāone Maʻafu. 2021-12-22. Kaniva Tonga. en-NZ.
  8. Web site: 2018-07-02. Princess Taone laid to rest. 2021-12-22. Matangitonga. en.
  9. Web site: Land lease leaves King Tupou 1's mother's tomb dilapidated; King orders its restoration. 2021-12-22. FijiTimes. en.
  10. Web site: 2018-07-02. Sacred Kava ceremony for Princess Taone held this morning – TBC. 2021-12-22. Tonga Broadcasting Commission. en-NZ.