Small island’s huge sacrifice

Honoured: Latogia Halavaka at the ceremony. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Rose Sifaheone carried her grandfather's laminated obituary to a Niuean Anzac Day service yesterday, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

"My grandfather would have really appreciated that we went to the service today," she said.

His father - Rose's great-grandfather - who died when his son was only six-months old, left Niue to serve with the New Zealand Maori Contingent in World War I.

"I was really emotional knowing how important he was to my grandfather," said Rose Sifaheone, who brought her 3-year-old daughter to the service.

More than 150 people filled the Te Atatu South Community Centre in Waitakere City yesterday to honour the 34 World War I veterans of Mutalau, a village on Niue.

The event marked the first Niuean Anzac ceremony held in New Zealand, said Vili Lisipeki, a member of the newly formed Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust, which organised the event.

Family members carried flowers while organisers read the names of the servicemen: Falaile, Faltogia, Fati, Gutupulega ...

Alice Halavaka and her son carried the bouquet for her grandfather, Tipi Halavaka, while her father, Latogia, stood at attention in front of his wheelchair.

"It's honour, respect," she said. "My nieces and nephews don't know their great-grandfather."

The day marked her family's first invitation to join a Mutalau event. In the past, organisers said, Niueans outside of Niue celebrated Anzac Day at home, with their families.

"That was the purpose of this trust," said Ken Makaola, vice-chairman of the event. "It brings the families together."

In 1915 Niue, with an estimated population of only 4000, sent 150 soldiers to serve alongside New Zealand forces, first in Egypt, then France and England. Seventeen died, many from illnesses.

The book Tagi Tote E Loto Haaku: My Heart Is Crying a Little follows the plight of the Niuean servicemen. Ligi Sisikefu, who helped the authors gather the facts, also helped organise the event yesterday. Her grandfather and several uncles served in the war.

"We have this to remind the generations, to get the generations to think deeply about the importance of Anzac Day," she said.