The concept and traditional value of Vā was a large discussion a long time ago with our dear friend and colleague, Taliu, when he developed a traditional roof for the outdoor space at VEPA, wanting to create a place where people could sit, think and refresh. (it was awesome until some heavy winds and rain became too much for the Fau)

Vā is the traditional value of space between 2 things and out of all the lengthy conversations between Taliu and ourselves this one really stuck with us as a concept to not only value but to also look at when working with communities. Tauhi Vā is one of the 4 Tongan Golden Pillars for the importance of relationships between people (Mālo Pourisha)

The world is busy, life is busy for everyone. Finding time to relax and breathe takes scheduling, effort and unfortunately people find it harder to take 5 minutes out of the busyness! Apart from Church, households and community halls, there are very few outdoor spaces that people can sit and enjoy within their community.

In 2023, a conversation with the VEPA team about a small grass area in Neiafu Tahi become an idea and with support from the Governor of Vava’u, Lord Fakatulolo and Town Officer of Neiafu, Vava Fifita Lapota, the conversation became a concept and then a program.

To ensure that community agreed with the concept and idea, we conducted 2 consultations: one with youth and secondly with individual households with elderly community and those that live directly within the area.

What is the concept? To turn this grass, weedy eroded area into a space that the community and kids can enjoy and to enhance the area through planting native species. Guess what? No fence… a relief because everything here is fenced in – gardens, monuments, everything. There are always reasons for fencing (keeping pigs out is the most common, followed by graffiti and damage) but the idea here is space…..

So it began and after 9 months it was opened in December, with members of the direct community and they really love it, sitting out together most nights, talking. People bring their own chairs to join and the kids play in the side area.

Lose and Malingi, VEPA ambassadors monitor the park and make sure its kept clean for people to enjoy.

Most of the items were donated to make the park happen, we are very grateful to Vaka Lavulavu for the tires, Pourisha for painting and to Lisa and her family for fixing an old bench and making it available to the community. Hopefully more spaces can be completed in the future, having space is so important.