Tonga contingent boosts community spirit and resources

NZ Police deployed to Tonga in December last year did more than their fair share to boost local community spirit.

The Tonga 5 contingent was sent to the island in the wake of the November 16 riots, which devastated the central business district of the capital, Nuku‘alofa.

Senior Constable Mark Emsley, Nelson, says team members were involved in the post-riot investigations, as well as working with the Tongan Police on community policing initiatives within the villages and primary schools.

“The aim was to try and restore the image of the local police which had suffered as a result of the riots,” says Mark.

Mark says he was struck by the lack of resources and conditions in which some schools operated.

“There was little or no funding from central government for anything other than teachers wages.

The Kolovai Free Wesleyan Primary School was particularly poor, so Mark – a past president of his local Rotary club in Nelson – organised for a shipment of school stationery supplies to be purchased and sent over.

“The $NZ600 worth of supplies was topped up by other members of our contingent,” says Mark.

A presentation was made to the staff and pupils of Kolovai Primary in front of a local TV crew and newspaper reporters.

Mark and contingent leader Senior Sergeant George Fanamanu, Manukau, were subsequently interviewed on TV and helped raise the profile of the team and its efforts in Tonga during its stay.

The Tonga 5 contingent returned home in mid April.

NZ Police Officers with staff and pupils of Kolovai Free Wesleyan Primary School.