Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Fans and friends of beloved former All Black Fesola’i Va’aiga Tuigamala got the opportunity yesterday to farewell the sports star who passed away suddenly last month, as the family prepare to say goodbye.
Fesola’i’s cortege was welcomed into the Waitakere Trust Stadium in Henderson, Auckland, on Thursday morning where he is currently lying in state. With so many family and friends unable to attend and travel due to Covid-19, the family wished to provide opportunities for people to say their goodbyes.
There were emotional scenes as members of the Pacific community and former All Black team mates came together to pay their respects to the rugby league legend affectionately known as Inga the winger.
Family friend and Tagata Pasifika reporter Soana Aholelei shared her memories of Inga and described him as the “kindest and most endearing man you could possibly ever meet with a great sense of humour to boot.”
Soana has been working behind the scenes alongside La’auli Sir Michael Jones and Eroni Clark to help pay one last tribute to their brother. She says it has been a difficult two and a half weeks of not being able to mourn properly and added that yesterday was tough.
“It was a very emotional day, we cried, we laughed and we shared so many stories. Seeing his wife Daphne, children Jordan, Vaise, Charlotte and Lika supporting each other was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Their strength showed throughout the day.”
Inga’s family service will be held tonight at 6.30pm at the Kelston Boy High School auditorium and tomorrow his funeral service will be held at 10.00am.
With the current red phase of Covid-19 restrictions and protocols in place, both the family and funeral services will be limited to 100 guests. Provisions have been made for a further 100 within the Kelston Boys’ High School gymnasium. Guests will be asked to provide proof of their vaccination pass and those unable to attend in person are invited to view the services by way of live stream.
March 11th
Join us for live coverage of the tribute Family Service for Fesola’i Va’aiga Tuigamala, https://youtu.be/PdXk02ZHiBI
March 12th
Join us for the livestream of the Funeral Service for Fesola’i Va’aiga Tuigamala
