The Queen of Herne Bay: Why my Tongan family are still here | Still Here

“I like that our house looks exactly the same. It’s like a silent protest.” Subscribe to Re: bit.ly/subscrib...
Following the recent passing of their beloved matriarch, the Folau family reflect on their family’s 50 year legacy in Herne Bay and consider what their future holds.
In 1971, 45 percent of Auckland’s Pasifika population lived in the inner-city. Now, they’re fewer than 2 per cent.
Through the eyes of Pacific youth and their families, this four part docu-series celebrates the small but mighty Pasifika community in inner-city Auckland who have remained despite decades of rampant gentrification.
Each episode weaves intergenerational stories of family, community and culture dispelling the myth that “all the Islanders have left.”
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[@briantoleafoa6844]

Absolutely loved this tribute to the Queen of Herne Bay and can resonate with this part of 'the journey'. My childhood best friend was Joseph Buchanan. So it was great to see Losi, Lucianne and Joseph here. Our family lived (and still lives) on Oneill Street in Ponsonby just around the corner. We lost our matriarch in 2011 who we saw as part of the fabric of Ponsonby's DNA. The same feelings of sadness, thoughts of 'the end of an Era' and some uncertainty as to what the future held for our family in Ponsonby was felt. Thankfully, now 10 years since her passing we still have our family home in Ponsonby and are able to remain in Ponsonby thanks to the family banding together to continue our family traditions we grew up with. Great to know there are still some old families in Central Auckland's innercity suburbs!

[@westernsellers9148]

You're next ma G!!

[@_gwi]

Malo uzo!

[@King_2ya]

I am so touched and moved by this, I just pray that these ladies do everything in their power to hold on to this legacy, a treasure of history that can never be fulfilled or replaced by anything else in this world. Please honor your grandmother by never letting go of this house. What a beautiful story, such a wonderful legacy left behind by this Queen! ❤🙌

[@kristinreign8026]

Is a nice home.

[@itsfqndave]

The hardest part about a legacy is knowing when keeping change at bay becomes detrimental to keeping the legacy period. If the family reads this, look at renovating. Even if the outside stays the same, renovating the important parts of the house and making the amendments that your grandmother would've wanted, and using the equity in the house to fund the renovations, then having the house revalued after the refurbishments is how you can keep the house and also increase its value, which means the next generation get to inherit a more valuable asset in the future, and the wealth stays within the family. You'll always have the memories, the photos, the stories of the house as it is. But if you don't make practical decisions, it'll be the only thing you have left. Don't let them prove you out of your foundation. Use the market to your advantage so that yall can thrive and keep what is yours. Alofas from Sydney ❤️

[@slpalelei1179]

We could literally have a fundraiser to help them have the money to still keep the house. I can't stop crying. I appreciate you all 4 sharing your story 🥰🥰🥰

[@dbk3336]

Don't sell if you don't have to. You are there to remind the newbies of the history of the area and plus this is your home, your area! My grandfather lived in Greylynn, remarried after my grandmother died and the new family sold the house. I sometimes wake crying and remembering my childhood there and not being able to go back....

[@DELERiiOus]

This was amazing and eye opening. Major reminder on why my grandpa left Tonga by himself to set the foundation for my dad and his siblings to come soon after. A better life but I must admit I am still in la la land with what I want to be, what I want to become and watching this was a good reminder to wake up and push myself more and make my grandads journey here worth it 🙌☺️

[@double_074]

My grandparents moved here back in the 50s from Samoa and from Tonga. Grey Lynn/Ponsonby. Good memories! We all in the same boat slowly sinking,sad to say! A community is made from the people,take away the people then there's no community. ❤🇼🇸🇹🇴🇳🇺

[@683greylynn]

Every bit of this reminds me of my nena and her house. we still here as well in grey lynn on Chamberlain St 💯🇳🇺

[@nesian015]

Are you the niueans on the top (Lokeni) or bottom right hand side. Steep drive way with garage.

[@683greylynn]

@@nesian015 sup bro. Yea bottom end on the right side with the big tree. We'll not anymore it got cut down since we're doing renos lol

[@leoniesmith1026]

Beautiful I pray you all band together to keep your family home we are one of two families within our street still holding on to our palace our home our safe haven. Stay strong your grandparents are a great example of faith & family , love & unity 🙏❤️🌺

[@thetaropatch5757]

I liked this very much. I was born in Herne Bay in 1975 . I lived on Sentinel St and Wallace St and my nieghbour was the Nek Minute guy lol My family then moved to Otara in 1980 and thats when the early signs of gentrification began for me and alot of island families were experiencing. I have been back to show my kids were i came from.

[@emelia1144]

I love these shots the production and quality of these videos are so well done and beautiful thank you for showing us our peoples stories

[@ReNewsNZ]

Thank you very much!

[@p0ooLahH]

I am in awe of the boldness of your grandma..

[@juanitojr007]

Showing love from the Bay Area 🇺🇸 my Tongan people came a long way 💪🏽💯

[@te-awhinahenare7075]

Your Beautiful grandparents were my Biological grandparents neighbours throughout my mother's childhood the (Macneil) I miss it I love it every time I fly back to Auckland because I live in Perth Herne Bay is the 1st place I go to. Such a wonderful community Wishing you your family all the best.

[@oliveira9137]

Beautiful story ❤ Alofa atu from Samoa 🇼🇸 Faamanuia le atua ❤ 🔥 God bless your family. God bless our Polynesian people. Amen 💐☕🤙

[@DustindeSouza]

Thank you for sharing this story. As an Aussie, I've loved learning more about what Herne Bay and Ponsonby were like before they became what they are today.

[@chrisheeney6963]

I grew up here and then. Schooled locally, these videos make me feel warm.

[@veteangesiale9619]

I love this ❤ very humble and loving. 'Ofa lahi atu kia kimoutolu hono kotoa pē.🥰

[@anesauaga297]

Wow!! Thank you for this beautiful sharing. A house is a home because of Family living..love..joy..sadness..ups and downs. I pray you guys keep the house to continue it being a home for all your aiga. Ofa atu xox

[@ketiulia8931]

This pulled on my heart strings!

[@helentauaufilisi9934]

Such a beautiful story. I hope that the legacy of the Queen of Herne Bay lives on in her children, grandchildren and next generations...

[@tukuihotanga3120]

Thank you my Tongana whaanau - i reaaaally loved this series!

[@renee9113]

Beautiful ❤️ Keep your grandmother’s teachings alive. Keep doing her work. Like you girls said your grandparents built the foundation for you all in mind. Please don’t stop, you girls are wealthy rich in culture ❤️ Plenty more could learn from you all. Much love ❤️

[@sirkkorus8394]

We got same teddy bears most Polynesian homes had them lol we still got ours 😁 hopefully you use keep the house never let go God bless 🙏

[@swish232]

Every story covered is honestly touching 💙 I love my poly people

[@whitneysteel1685]

This is simply breathtaking. An incredible story about an incredible matriarch and her beautiful legacy

[@korahjay6824]

🤍🇹🇴 Loved every bit of this! Beautiful.

[@mosesmana1010]

I never forget the family home the time I was young living at the back with the brothers Bryan vilima david robert so much memories in the late 80s great times

[@aimstrt]

Love watching this, it’s so cool I love the fact it’s still in the original way. Your family roots are embedded in your home it’s so beautiful. So blessed!!!

[@tipenemason8421]

Love the house and the story behind it. Thanks for sharing.

[@SurfSk8Snow100]

Touching story! House can be kept in the family if they all take turns living in it rent free for 2 years at a time? Will give each family to get ahead with savings for a deposit on a house of their own then rotate.

[@amrixpaese7453]

I love the stories of our Polynesian people that came to New Zealand to lay the foundation for there families and the families future. Poly to the world ❤️

[@travelblaggers2734]

So beautiful

[@Melania029]

Such a beautiful story, thank you very much for sharing

[@akefelix4411]

Such a beautiful story

[@solobolo4859]

Man this made me cry missing my grandparents heaps...I hope I can go back to n.z and buy our family house back...seeing pepople in our community get ripped off and housing n.z building units on those properties ...home won't look the same in the next few years 😭💔

[@georgemohetau6056]

Beautiful story ❤ awesome watch

[@tagaloa2798]

Powerful.

[@hallovaalealiifanolealiifa5968]

Just beautiful!!

[@SFTbeats]

Beautiful.

[@whatwouldkritdo]

Loved watching this. Beautiful tribute. X

[@Lagilovee]

This is beautiful❤️

[@fanatelepo6166]

Awesome ❤️🇹🇴🇹🇴

[@mareiyas]

God bless

[@makamurphy]

My Aunty is one of them who migrated and lived in ponsonby... such wonderful memories, and wonderful video!

[@terencekapuiborausiki7736]

Love the story Awesome ,

[@terencekapuiborausiki7736]

Greetings from Papua New Guinea the land of the Unexpected

[@kimmartinengo9994]

Wow! that is just.... wow!

[@kfg2300]

Beautiful x

[@jackt981]

Beautiful story 🫶🏾ofa atu ❤️🇹🇴

[@paulo27358]

Love is beautiful

[@CraigWedd]

awww my heart, such a beautiful family, i truly hope your fam can hold on to that that place, wishing you all the best

[@teancumwilliam2929]

as a 21 year old poly, I feel like I have been losing touch with my roots over the years.😔

[@iunesisua7865]

Do not sell your home. Save and fix it up. We sold our house back home and I wish I have the money to buy it back.

[@Filiku]

This is what my grandma and grandpa's house in Utah was growing up a place the family and fellow Tongans can come stay. Mālō

[@chiefrocker19]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Edenthedjguy-wedding-djs]

Spent a year living in Ponsonby/Grey Lynn (Williams Rd) in ‘97. Can imagine the prices are easily +$2M now. I use to see the odd PI here and there back then but knew it was a stronghold back in the day. My Guttenbeil whanau use to till me stories on the 60’s and 70’s.

[@josephwilliams3494]

What a beautiful and rich history, ofa'atu lahi

[@skynikz7554]

God bless🙌

[@tawerapetera9327]

don't worry Queens, your grandmother is at her own mansion built by the carpenter and architect of this universe, a mansion where moth nor dust can't destroy. Don't dwell in the past, be happy, focus on the mansion in heaven.

[@ulupoaoatamaiai573]

Thank you very much for sharing the story of your grandparents and you, folks. Moving, humane, Polynesian, sharing and " before being westernised and modernised". Yes, in my book being westernized is being greedy and animalistic. We catholics believe " GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS" : my prayers for your dreams to preserve the Home of your ancestors as a vintage place. God bless

[@MOLOTRY0676]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@salesifonua4867]

U round the corner from us Kelmarna ave. We back to back with ekuoti house we also neighbours in Nuku’alofa he namomo house i own Lelea house house

[@ltmg9832]

Is there a way we can help? Is there a go fund me page to help them keep the house? I’m not even in NZ but I want to help someway I can.

[@685squad2]

❤

[@vath102]

so why cant they keep the house? is it expensive?

[@cashualpete]

It’s expensive af. These are my cousins and I used to live in Ponsonby but the rates kept jumping up and my family decided to move which is exactly what people wanted. Ponsonby and central in general at one point was the slums.

[@vath102]

@@cashualpete oh i see, thanks for that

[@roido6614]

Spaghetti and cheese Toasty in Oven... Don't even go there! One of my favorites to eat...Any Day!

[@jesuslovesyou1643]

God bless you all , Jesus loves you all only he can save u repent and turn from your sins and accept Jesus as Lord and saviour and you will be saved. He is the only way to eternal life in heaven once you pass away its too late . ❤✝️🙌 ...

[@slpalelei1179]

😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@MichaelJordan-nv3ss]

😭😭 all the rich white palagis! sad there was only a couple per year group but after we left is a diff story lol!

[@qwerty-tf1jg]

Not sure these girls are actually Tongan too bloody good looking

[@ltmg9832]

Tongans come in all shades and sizes of beauty. Just like every other nationality.

[@markreynolds7890]

cant belive this is some kinda issue ? cant believe my tax dollars fund this?

[@King_2ya]

Carry on with your life mate, this is no skin off your nose, you have your own issues to deal with.

[@markreynolds7890]

@@King_2ya m8 i just stated y it is skin off my nose?

[@melina821]

Completely disagree - take my tax dollars to fund this and more like it! These are beautiful important stories and history, and needs to continue being told. I grew up in Ponsonby and appreciate this so shushhh mate

[@King_2ya]

@@melina821 💯💯💯

[@markreynolds7890]

@@melina821 how on earth is this retaliative history? should we go around all neighborhoods in in nz detailing how this family moved in then moved out then this neighborhoods propertys increased in value and vice versa?

[@peterthepakeha2799]

Yawn 🥱

[@nesian015]

Thats what your misses does while your in her 🥱😴😂

[@peterthepakeha2799]

@@nesian015 ....your one sick and confused individual.

[@peterthepakeha2799]

@@nesian015 most likely a pedophile rapist.

[@anesauaga297]

Wow!! Thank you for this beautiful sharing. A house is a home because of Family living..love..joy..sadness..ups and downs. I pray you guys keep the house to continue it being a home for all your aiga. Ofa atu xox