George Tupou V July 2008, a "Taumafa Kava" (Royal Kava Ring ceremony) was held on Malaʻe Pangai, the open space to the east of the Royal Palace. During the ceremony, Tupou V sat on a pile of handwoven "pandanus" mats in an open pavilion facing the sea, while more than 200 Tongan nobles and chiefs dressed in woven skirts and sea shells circled him. He wore the traditional Tongan "ta'ovala" (woven mat skirt) and a garland of flowers. During this ceremony, Tupou V was formally recognised as the "Tuʻi Kanokupolu", and the rightful descendent of King George Tupou I, who united Tonga in
Tame Tupou Tame Tupou Siokatame Gary Tupou also known as Tame Tupou and Gary Tupou (born 22 October 1982, in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented the New Zealand national side. His usual position was on the , but he also played as a . He first played in the National Rugby League for Australian club, the Brisbane Broncos, and then in the European Super League for English club, the Bradford Bulls. Tupou was born in Auckland and played rugby league in his early years for Ellerslie Eagles before attending boarding school in South Auckland, Wesley