Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone

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.

Lavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone
BornLavinia Mata-ʻo-Tāone
(1952-04-04)4 April 1952
Nukuʻalofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Died22 June 2018(2018-06-22) (aged 66)
Auckland, New Zealand
Burial30 June 2018
Langi ko Huelo ʻo Hangai Tokelau, Tokomololo, Kingdom of Tonga
SpouseMaʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
Issue
  • Tevita ʻUnga
  • Lavinia Fangaʻaka
HouseTupou
FatherFatafehi Tuʻipelehake
MotherMelenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune

Biography

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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.[4] She died there on 22 June 2018 at the age of 66.[5][6] 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.[7] Fourteen churches attended the prayer vigil held at the villa.[4] 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]

Ancestry

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References

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  1. ^ Hixon, Margaret (2000). Sālote, Queen of Paradise. Dunedin, N.Z.: University of Otago Press. p. 135. ISBN 1-877133-78-7. OCLC 45399387.
  2. ^ Kaeppler, Adrienne L. (1999). "Kie hingoa: Mats of power, rank, prestige and history". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 108 (2): 168–232.
  3. ^ "Deputy PM Lord Maʻafu dies in Auckland". Matangitonga. 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b Staff (29 June 2018). "Prayer vigil held for Princess Mata ʻO Tāone Maʻafu". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  5. ^ "King of Tonga's cousin laid to rest in Toko". RNZ. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Princess Taone passes away in Auckland". Matangitonga. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  7. ^ "HRH Princess Lavinia Mata ʻo Taone repatriated this afternoon – TBC". Tonga Broadcasting Commission. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Princess Taone laid to rest". Matangitonga. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Land lease leaves King Tupou 1's mother's tomb dilapidated; King orders its restoration". FijiTimes. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Sacred Kava ceremony for Princess Taone held this morning – TBC". Tonga Broadcasting Commission. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.