'Akuila Pohiva: the Tributes Flow In. UPDATED.

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 Once in a lifetime a nation thrusts up a man who brings about major change. For Tonga that man was 'Akuila Pohiva. There were others, of course, who brought change and some of those underpinned the movement created by Pohiva, but none, singly, stuck at it though years of ill health, or suffered so much, and none was as long in politics or as long Prime Minister. To compare him with Nelson Mandela would be too much. He made a smaller mark in a smaller space, but he was a giant, nonetheless. Kua hinga te totara. The great totara tree has fallen. -- ACW

UPDATE FROM AN AMBASSADOR

"Yes indeed, this was a giant of a man and I am deeply privileged to have called on him and met him several times. The last time was in Tuvalu several weeks back. He was clearly not well and there had been talk that he would not make it to the PIF Summit. So when I saw him as I was entering the conference hall, I was so glad and told him so. He shook hands and said, "I had to come" 

"I agree with you that this was a giant of a man. May his soul rest in peace and may the seeds he sowed flower and bear fruit abundantly."

Tributes to Pōhiva flow in
New Zealand's Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa tweeted: "RIP and  my sincerest condolences to Rt Hon 'Akilisi Pohiva's family as well as to the Kingdom of Tonga. Such a tremendous loss for all of us Tongans. 'Ofa moe lotu mei Uelingatoni, Falealea 'o Nu'usila, Jenny Salesa."

Aupito William Sio, the Minister for Pacific Peoples,said  Pōhiva would be missed.
"I always found my engagement with him to be warm. He was always willing to share his passion for issues, his passion for the Pacific region. So I am going to sorely miss a friend." Sio said he was down-to-earth and felt as "his calling was to champion the principles of democracy that were appropriate for Tonga."

Melino Maka from the Tongan Advisory Council sent his thoughts and prayers. "We lost one of our leaders and a founder of democracy in Tonga."

Tongan publisher 'Eakalafi Moala said, "He played a key role in the political development of our nation. He pioneered the questioning of those in authority … he raised questions that no-one had ever raised before."  His death would not have surprised many Tongans due to the long deterioration of Pohiva’s health in recent years.. In recent years, he suffered prostate problems, and more recently he was diagnosed with liver cancer.”

Kiwi politicians spoke on his death in Parliament on Thursday.  "I move that this House express its sadness at the passing of the Prime minister of Tonga," said Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis. "Prime Minister Pōhiva was an elder statesman of the Pacific and a great friend to New Zealand... he will be remembered for his life-long commitment to championing democracy."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was "terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Tongan Prime Minister, the Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva.   "He was a passionate advocate for his people, for his beloved Tonga and  our Pacific family. Jenny & I send our condolences to his family, as well as the Government and the people of Tonga."

Veteran NZ Pacific journalist Michael Field wrote of "Tonga’s remarkable people’s prime minister."

Pacific Media Centre director Professor David Robie said,  “He fought for many years for real change in the Pacific’s only kingdom against at many times daunting odds from the establishment ... But he persevered and eventually opened the door to fundamental changes a decade ago.

Dr Robie said the late leader faced a new set of challenges as Prime Minister. “While he found being in office as Prime Minister more complex and conflicted, he had an impassioned vision for such critical and existential Pacific issues such as climate change and self-determination for West Papua.”

Pohiva spoke passionately on both topics at the last Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu, delivering unprecedented emotional pleas to his fellow Pacific leaders to act on climate change and condemn Indonesia for its treatment of West Papua."

.... And there were many more


See also:
"Remembered as 'Beacon of Democracy'" -- Jamie Tahana, RNZ

From firebrand actvist to elder statesman" -- Kate Lyons, The Guardian

A democratic giant of Tonga" -- Keith Locke