Makea Karika Ariki celebrates her 90th Birthday

Makea Karika Ariki celebrated her 90th Birthday on Saturday 12 December in great style with a ball held at the National Auditorium. The entire Karika clans came together to ensure that the Ariki Vaine had the best of everything including flowers and candle centerpieces on each of the tables set around the room and a beautifully set buffet laden with umukai style delicacies.
Around 300 guests were at the ball with many special guests taking the opportunity to praise Makea Karika on reaching such a milestone birthday in the same as she celebrated the 60th Golden Jubilee Anniversary as Ariki Vaine in Te Au-o-Tonga.
Special guests included QR, Sir Frederick Goodwin who had pride of place next to her on the main table along with her immediate family. Other VIP guests included the President of the House of Ariki, Tou Ariki and his wife, Vice President, Kainuku Kapiriterangi Ariki and husband, President of the Koutu Nui, Te Tika Mataiapo and many of the Aronga Mana of the district including Anautoa Rangatira, official speaker for Makea Karika.
In fact, just about everyone there was a relative of some degree or very close friends to the family, so it was pretty much everyone in the Oire at the very special event.
Happy birthday and many happy returns to Makea Karika Ariki who is regarded as a very special Ariki and Metua Vaine to the people of Te Au o Tonga.

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