Siaosi ’Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni visited Dunedin to build ties with the University of Otago and give thanks for the support given to his country after January’s eruption of submarine volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai.
About 150 people, young and old, welcomed Mr Sovaleni to the city at an event at the Dunedin Town Hall.
University of Otago associate dean (Pacific) Dr Losa Moata’ane said Mr Sovaleni was the first Tongan prime minister to visit Dunedin.
He was welcomed at the event by Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins and university vice chancellor Prof David Murdoch.
Medical students often did placements in Tonga, as did students from the dental school.
The university is undertaking work focused on fisheries, being done through a centre of research excellence with Tonga as a partner.
There was a lot New Zealand institutions could do around technical support and providing resources.
Last year the division of sciences had provided equipment and guidelines for teachers and students in Tonga.
Such activities would contribute to a strategic relationship between the two parties and contribute to equity of access to information regarding health, information and education.
The visit was a win-win situation, and a huge opportunity for both Tonga and the university, Dr Moata’ane said.
The volcanic eruption had shown the importance of a strong relationship as there were no volcanologists in Tonga, and there was huge scope for the university to provide training and build research capacity.
Mr Sovaleni’s visit would help articulate the needs of Tonga to a New Zealand audience so the university could help fill spaces where there were opportunities, Dr Moata’ane said.
