Humanities and Social Sciences

Anthropology Program

The Tonga Research Association

A Brief History of the Tongan History Conference and Association

(Originally Foreword by Rev Dr Sione Latukefu)
This volume is a result of a truly historic occasion originally conceived as a small and singular event. However, changing circumstances altered the original concept from a small history workshop for local scholars interested in Tongan History into an unexpectedly successful international conference at the Australian National University, Canberra, in January 1987. A few people were responsible for initiating the original idea and also for the changing circumstances that followed. They deserve our grateful thanks.

It all began at the Department of Pacific and SouthEast Asian History in 1985 when it was envisaged that several scholars including the present writer, would be at the Department in 1986/87. It seemed a good opportunity to hold a Workshop in Tongan History, and Dr. Niel Gunson set about arranging it. A grant was obtained from the University through the Department for this purpose for this purpose in 1986. When Dr Gunson went on leave during the second half of the year he asked Phyllis Herda, at that time a PhD student, and me to organise the workshop for january 1987. The plans changed when a friend and colleague who was also doing some research at the ANU at the time, Dr Caroline Ralston, remarked that it would be a pity if a workshop in Tongan history did not include scholars form Tonga itself. When told that our problem was lack of funds she immediately offered to pay the fares for two participants to come from Tonga.

The then Head of the Department, Dr Anthony Reid, who was very supportive, was able to find some additional funds from within the Department, which he donated to the workshop, and thus it was possible to bring Tongan scholars from Tonga and from other parts of Australia and New Zealand. Dr Reid emphasised a need for the workshop to result in a publication.

Another unexpected source of inspiration was Dr Adrienne Kaeppler's reaction to our invitation to attend. By sheer coincidence she happened to work back late one evening in her office at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, when I rang her. I explained we had no funds to help with her fares and so on, but she responded that she would attend the workshop and she would pay for herself. Inspired by this enthusiastic response from one of the most well-known international scholars of Tongan culture, Phyllis and I set about issuing similar invitations to other scholars in various places including Tonga itself. The response was overwhelming. Hence the change from the humble beginnings to a successful international conference.

Others who contributed to the overall success included the former New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Priscilla Williams, who kindly offered her delightful residence as venue for the closing function. Members of the Tongan community in Canberra generously offered to help prepare a feast and entertainment for the beautiful closing of the conference. To the Department of Pacific and SouthEast Asian History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU, and all those mentioned above whose individual efforts contributed significantly to this first international Conference on the History of Tonga we give our grateful thanks.

Because of its tremendous success, it was decided that a second conference should be organised for January 1988 either in Tonga or in New Zealand. This was held in Auckland with similar success and enthusiasm. Then a third conference was organised in Tonga in January 1989, held on the island of Foa in Ha'apai. Here a Tongan History Association was formed and Princess Pilolevu Tuita was elected Patron and myself President. A fourth conference in New Zealand was held in May this year, 1990, with enthusiastic response and participation.

The small seed with uncertain future which was placed on the ground at the ANU, Canberra, in January 1987 has now grown into a healthy young tree with a promising future. It is to be hoped that the present and future activities of the Tongan History Association (THA) concentrating on micro histories will lead eventually to a situation, in the not too distant future, where a sound general and up-to-date history of Tonga can be produced, based on thorough and scholarly research. It is also hoped that this volume is only the first of several others to follow.

Sione Latukefu
President, Tongan History Association, 1990.

Memorial tribute to Reverend Dr Sione Latukefu

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