Tevita Tevi is one of more than 62,000 Tongans living in Auckland, and like most, he is deeply passionate about his heritage.

Originally from a small village called Ngele'ia, Tevita and his father first came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2005, landing jobs in the construction industry and working round the clock so that Tevita’s mum and his seven siblings could join them.

Times were tough. His dad was still recovering from a workplace injury he’d sustained back in Tonga (“he fell from a five storey building and nearly died”), and Tevita could speak little English. But, thanks to plenty of hard mahi – and tu’u fakataha - the pair overcame these barriers and began to thrive.

“Tu’u fakataha is all about helping each other, team work and standing together,” explains Tevita. “Tongans even have a song about it and we used to play it in the weekends to help us stay positive and keep going.”

Fast forward nearly two decades and much has changed. Tevita’s parents and siblings have all put down roots in West Auckland, he has five kids of his own, and he also owns his own labour hire company, 3D Construction. Staffed primarily by Tongan labourers, it is a business which enables Tevita to do what he loves most – take care of his family and give back to his Tongan community.

“I started the business in 2018, and currently we have 65 to 70 staff – it feeds a lot of families. Most of my workers are Tongan, although I also have some Irish labourers, some Fijians, Filipinos, Māori and Pakeha – and a lot of females!”

When it comes to celebrating workplace success - and special festivities like Tongan Language Week - food plays a starring role.

“When my workers and I have done a good job we have a feast, with a barbecue, a few beers and some music. Sometimes we do an umu and a pig on a spit.”

It’s just one of the many ways Tevita supports his staff. He also encourages them to upskill through a life-changing initiative he has developed with Education Unlimited and Oxcon.CLL. Thanks to the partnership, Tevita’s workers have the opportunity to improve their English and communication skills through a 14-week training programme ‘Write Up, Speak Up, Be Safe’.  Delivered by Education Unlimited, it runs for 2.5 hours each week, boosting confidence and building their knowledge of workplace health and safety.

“When I came to New Zealand I knew how to do my job but my English wasn’t good enough to communicate well with managers, read plans, or properly fill out all the paperwork. These guys are me ten years ago, and they need help. They can all do their jobs but because of their lack of communication skills they are very shy to speak up – some are even too afraid to write their names.”

With his support, Tevita hopes that the young labourers coming up behind him will embrace these opportunities to grow their skills and build their capabilities.

Like many Tongan people, family and community are close to Tevita’s heart, and his passion for helping others extends well beyond the workplace.

“We have a Kava Club and get together once a month with everyone from our village. The purpose is to find ways to help our kids stay out of trouble – both the kids here and the ones back in Tonga.”

Back in Ngele'ia, he has even started up a rugby team.

“Tonga has a drug problem so we started a rugby team in our village to keep our cousins out of trouble, to keep them training and busy.  My mum is one of ten children, and many of them are still back home with their kids and grandkids. When the young ones do really well, I sponsor them to come here and work.”

It’s another shining example of tu’u fakataha, of working together to uplift the many, not just the individual – a cornerstone of Tongan culture.

Tongan Language Week has drawn to a close but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate and embrace tu’u fakataha. 

Treat your tastebuds to some authentic Tongan fare. Tevita’s favourites include taro leaf with lamb, cassava, ota (raw fish salad), keki (Tongan-style donuts), and otai (a blended watermelon, coconut and tropical fruit drink).

Or try out these Tongan greetings on your friends, family and workmates.

Malo e lelei’ – Hello
Fefe hake – How are you?
Sai pe malo – I’m fine thank you!