The funeral cortege of the late Hon. Lord Ma’afu will arrive in Tonga next Tuesday, 28 December, and the funeral ceremony will be held on New Year's Day.

Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Lord Ma’afu, died on 12 December at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.

 The funeral in Tonga was postponed after the cancellation of Air New Zealand’s flight to Fua'amotu Int'l Airport on 21 December, due to volcanic activity at Hunga Ha'apai.

Lady Luseane Luani, a cousin, said the funeral programe that was scheduled for Monday 27 December, will now be held on 1 January 2022 at the Huelo ‘o Hangai Tomb at Tokomololo, and will be attended by HM King Tupou VI and HM Queen Nanasipau’u.