Pacific leaders are paying tribute to the late Tongan prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, who died on Thursday.
The late Tongan prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
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The 78-year-old died in an Auckland hospital having been evacuated from Tonga on Wednesday with pneumonia.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Mr Pohiva would be remembered for his lifelong commitment to championing democracy.
He was also a powerful advocate for Pacific regionalism, she said.
The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, said Mr Pohiva was a kind and principled man and a compelling advocate for freedom.
On social media other Pacific leaders also paid tribute including Australia's prime minister.
Scott Morrison tweeted that Mr Pohiva was a passionate advocate for his people and the Pacific family.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, said he was always impressed with the depth of experience and the passion with which Mr Pohiva spoke on issues dear to the "Blue Pacific continent", such as climate change, regional security, sustainable development and human rights.
Mr Sogavare described Mr Pohiva as a dear friend, a colleague, a great Pacific leader and an icon for Pacific democracy.
He also paid tribute to Mr Pohiva's stance on human rights issues in West Papua.
The Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna, said Mr Pohiva was a man who pioneered change and led the movement for democracy in Tonga, with his legacy being that of a champion for change for over 30 years.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has also conveyed condolences to the people of Tonga on the passing of Mr Pohiva.
International Parliamentarians for West Papua delegates meeting in London, including Papuan Liberation Movement leader Benny Wenda (left) and Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva (middle). Photo: Free West Papua Campaign
At last month's Pacific Forum leaders summit in Tuvalu, Mr Pohiva urged the region to stand in solidarity with West Papuans in their bid for independence.
The Liberation Movement chair, Benny Wenda, said the Tongan leader would be remembered as one of the Pacific's great statesmen.
Mr Wenda said West Papuans expressed their deepest and most heartfelt respect for the Tongan leader's "brave words and his firm conviction".
American Samoa's governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga expressed sorrow at the passing of 'Akilisi Pohiva,
Lolo said Mr Pohiva's passing had sent a shock wave through the Blue Pacific.
While expressing condolences to the King and people of Tonga, Lolo noted the loss of one of the Pacific's great leaders had resonated vociferously throughout the Pacific triggering a sense of loss.
"Although our political ideologies are different, we are all people of the Pacific, rich in cultural traditions, bound by similar needs, challenged by analogous impediments, embraced by the Pacific Ocean, and contiguous by our sense of community, tragic events involving the loss of one of our great leaders resonate vociferously throughout our Pacific Region and triggering a sense of loss," the governor said.
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama tweeted that Mr Pohiva inspired the world with raw emotion at last month's Forum summit in Tuvalu.
Mr Bainimarama said despite poor health, Mr Pohiva attended the summit in recognition of the urgent need for climate action.
He said continuing this fight would honour Mr Pohiva's legacy.