Theme: Leaping into the Unknown

TEDxNuku’alofa 2021 will focus on searching for new ideas, pathways and leads into the unknown future. In Tonga, Ta’e ‘iloa means something/someone that is unknown. TEDxNuku’alofa will focus on exploring new ways of thinking of the Unknown and what it means.We cordially invite you to join us “uma taha” (Uma: arms, taha: one: connect as one arm) as we navigate into the unknown together.

TEDxNuku'alofa
Vuna rd
Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, 676
Tonga

Ana Tupou Panuve

Ana Tupou Panuve graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce. Ana is the Senior Manager of Economics and Research Department at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga

Crystle Ake

In 2020, Crystal graduated from the Australian National University with a Masters in Climate Change at the Crawford School of Public Policy. Prior to her studies, she worked with the Green Climate Fund Readiness Project at the Department of Climate Change in Tonga and is now the M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) and Safeguard Coordinator for a local NGO called MORDI Tonga Trust. Crystal will discuss how traditional knowledge can assist agriculture and farmers to withstand the increased climate threats to food systems.

Dr Opeti Taliai

Dr Opeti Taliai is a Tongan anthropologist and academic researcher in Tongan history with a PhD from Massey University.

Dr Sione Vaka

Dr Sione Vaka is currently a senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology and has worked in different areas of mental health including acute inpatient, early interventions, liaison psychiatry and cultural services.

Tomui Kaloni

Tomui Kaloni specialises in the Tongan Fale and Architecture, holding the very first Patent in the Kingdom of Tonga that was granted from the regional IPO in Canberra. He submitted an entry for the Tongan Fale on the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World EVAW – Edited by Paul Oliver in 1996 and has a passion for the Fale wellbeing model and spiritual architecture. Tomui discusses the traditional Tongan Fale.

Tui Emma Gillies

Tui Emma Gillies specialises in tapa cloth. Her unique work mixes contemporary with traditional and can be found in significant museum and gallery collections around the globe including Germany, Melbourne, USA, Auckland and many private collections. In 2018, she received the Creative New Zealand Pacific Heritage Art Award.