Lave 'Iloa Ola

Today, it was a great honour to farewell The Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, Hon. Frederica Tuita, and the delegation as they transited through Brisbane on their journey to New Zealand following a successful and fruitful visit to Cairns and Far North Queensland.

Her Royal Highness’ visit showcased the remarkable ecotourism opportunities and natural beauty of the Sunshine State while further strengthening the enduring friendship between the Kingdom of Tonga and Australia.

We thank God for His protection and guidance throughout the visit and are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have welcomed and farewelled Her Royal Highness during this historic tour.

After 38 long years since Her Royal Highness’ last visit to Queensland, we sincerely hope this marks the beginning of more regular visits to our great State.

Safe travels, Your Royal Highness. May God continue to bless you with good health, wisdom, and strength as you faithfully serve the Kingdom of Tonga. 🇹🇴🇦🇺

Congratulations Mr Curtis Tu‘ihalangingie talamonu atu
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Koe Ouau fakanofo moe foaki Tohi Fakamo’oni Ngaue ‘a Talafekau Lahi ‘o Tonga 🇹🇴 ki ‘Aositelelia 🇦🇺.

The Tonga High Commission Canberra is pleased to announce that the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Commonwealth of Australia, Mr. Curtis Leonard Tu‘ihalangingie, presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency the Honourable Ms. Sam Mostyn AC, Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia, at Government House on 5 August 2026.

Mr. Tu‘ihalangingie, of Kolomotu‘a and Niuatoputapu, serves as High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Commonwealth of Australia and Head of Mission at the Tonga High Commission in Canberra. The Tonga High Commission also holds concurrent accreditation to the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Indonesia, the Kingdom of Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, and the Kingdom of Thailand.

A career diplomat, His Excellency has previously held appointments at the Palace, His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services, the Tonga High Commission in Canberra, and other roles within the Government of Tonga.

Mr. Tu‘ihalangingie is a graduate of the Australian Diplomatic Academy – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Canberra, the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, and the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA), Thailand. He holds a Bachelor of Law with a major in Diplomacy and a Master of Law in International Relations from Peking University, People’s Republic of China.

In recognition of his exceptional services to the Crown and the Kingdom of Tonga, His Majesty The King conferred upon Mr. Tu‘ihalangingie the honour of Commander of the Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga.

His Excellency will assume this new posting, joined by Ms. Grace Faitumalo Motu‘apuaka, Senior Assistant Secretary of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services, appointed as First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, together with Mr. Tasimani Duifken Telefoni, who will continue to serve as Second Secretary.

An honour to farewell the Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita and Hon. Frederica Tuita at Brisbane Domestic Airport outbound for Cairns in Far North Queensland on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.

It was a true honour and privilege to serve dinner to The Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, on Monday, 3 August 2026, during Her Royal Highness’ official visit to Brisbane and Cairns as a guest of the Australian Government.

This visit holds special significance as it marks Her Royal Highness’ first visit to Queensland since accompanying His Late Majesty King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV to World Expo ’88.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and to witness another memorable moment in the enduring friendship between the Kingdom of Tonga and Australia.

‘Tuʻa ʻofa atu and faka’apa’apa lahi to Her Royal Highness. 🇹🇴🇦🇺

🇹🇴👑 It was a great honour to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, The Princess Royal of the Kingdom of Tonga, and Hon. Frederica Tuita to Brisbane today.

Her Royal Highness is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian Government, marking her first visit to Brisbane since accompanying His Late Majesty King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV to World Expo in 1988.

A proud family moment was seeing our daughter, Sūsana, present a floral bouquet to Her Royal Highness. It is a memory she will cherish for years to come.

Always an honour to provide arrival and departure support in coalition with our sister Hepi Fonua at Virgin Australia for Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho during her short visit to Brisbane from 19 to 22 June 2026.

An Honour to Serve

This past week carried both great honour and deep emotion as I had the privilege of serving alongside Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho during her visit to Queensland.

The occasion was particularly significant for me as it was the first royal engagement following the passing of my fellow matāpule, Unganga Sitivi. In the weeks leading up to this visit, Unganga and I had spent time discussing preparations, protocols, and our cultural responsibilities. His sudden passing left a space that was deeply felt throughout the visit.

As I carried out my duties, I was constantly reminded of the wisdom, guidance, and example he shared with me over the years. There were many moments where I quietly reflected on his teachings and prayed that I would honour both the role entrusted to me and the legacy he leaves behind.

Serving our Royal Family is never something I take lightly. It is a privilege rooted in service, humility, culture, and duty. I remain grateful for the trust placed in me and committed to ensuring that the knowledge passed down by those who came before us continues to be preserved and carried forward.

My sincere gratitude to Her Royal Highness for her kindness throughout the visit.

To my brother Unganga, your presence was missed, but your influence was felt every step of the way.

“Let all that you do be done with love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

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His Majesty King Tupou VI arrives at the Pullman Brisbane Airport on Saturday, 2 May 2026 from Port Vila, Vanuatu 🇻🇺 en route to Auckland, New Zealand 🇳🇿

His Majesty was welcomed by the Brisbane Tongan Community and the Mamana Academy of Tongan Performing Arts and Culture.

Serving The Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Tuita.

Accompanied by Ulamatatoa at the funeral of Mrs Losaline Valamotu Maealiuaki Tuʻihalangingie in Moreno Valley, Los Angeles, United States of America in February 2026.

An unexpected honour to serve alongside Ulamataniu for the presentations before the Princess Royal, Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Tuita in Los Angeles.

Her Royal Highness is presiding over the funeral of late Mrs Losaline Valamotu Tuʻihalangingie, beloved mother of the Acting Tonga High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to Australia, His Excellency Curtis Tuʻihalangingie.