Che Fu is also another New Zealand popular artist of Niuean descent, his father Tigilau Ness is full blooded Niuean from Mutalau.
Tongan and Niuean constitute the Tongic branch and all others are part of the Nuclear Polynesian branch.
Niuean |
Common names include Giant Taro and Elephant Ear Taro, while words for the plant in the various Polynesian languages include Kape (Niuean, Tongan), Ape (Cook Islands Māori, Tahitian, Hawaiian), "ta'amu" in Samoan language, and Pulaka (Tuvalu).
Avatele has also produced its fair share of prominent Niueans past and present, including Niue's late inaugural Premier Sir Robert Rex, his late brother and long-serving Senior Advisor to Government Leslie Rex OBE, the late Rev. Ikiua Lupo first President of the Ekalesia Kerisiano Niue, the late Takelesi Lagaluga first Niuean Head of a Government Deapartment & his son Hon.
The specific epithet comes from the Niuean words kalavi (land crab) and kai (food), alluding to speculation by the describers that land crabs constituted an important part of the species' diet.
One of the notable early members of the Polynesian Panthers include Niuean composer, musician and activist Tigilau Ness, who was imprisoned during anti-apartheid protests in New Zealand aimed at stopping the controversial 1981 South Arican Springboks rugby tour.
Rex was the first Niuean to receive a knighthood, being appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1994 New Year Honours.
(10 June 1924 - 30 March 2009) was a Niuean administrator, politician and respected elder from the village of Avatele.