Photo: Peter McIntosh
A large feast and traditional dance took place to commemorate the purchase of five of the mats by Kilikali women, meaning women of the Church of Tonga.
One of the women, Ashan Moataare, said the mats were important cultural items, so it was appropriate to celebrate.
''Five of us went to Tonga in May for a church conference where we negotiated the purchase, because they can be quite expensive.''
The energy of the dancing and festivities was ''full on'', she said.
About 50 people from the Dunedin Tongan community attended the event, which began with a prayer.
