Essay competition to mark 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme Featured
Win a trip to France to represent Tonga at World War I commemorations
Secondary school essay competition to mark 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in the First World War
The New Zealand High Commission is proud to be running an essay competition to encourage secondary school students in Tonga to develop a greater understanding of the impact of the First World War on both Tonga and New Zealand. September 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the New Zealand Division joining the battle of the Somme during the First World War. Pacific Island soldiers, including those from Tonga, served in the Māori and Regular Battalions in the New Zealand Army during the First World War.
As part of commemorations this year, the New Zealand High Commission is holding an essay competition for year 12 and 13 students aged 16 years and older. The winning student will travel to France with a New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade chaperone, joining winners from Niue, Samoa and the Cook Islands for the Somme centenary commemorations and other activities. They will represent Tonga and the Pacific as a whole at a number of First World War commemorative events. The programme will be designed to educate students on the Pacific’s contribution to the First World War and how this legacy lives on in New Zealand. The prize includes flights, visas, accommodation and meals.
Year 12 and 13 students are invited to write an essay in English on what the sacrifices made by Tongan and Allied troops in the First World War mean to them. Entries close on
25 March 2016 and the winner will be announced at the ANZAC day commemorations in Nuku’alofa on 25 April 2016. Three Highly Commended entries will also receive prizes.
The competition aims to encourage and inspire the talents of Tonga’s young people and provide a platform for students to develop their understanding of the important contribution made during World War I by Tongan and other Pacific Island troops.
For further enquiries or to place an entry, please check the New Zealand High Commission website (https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/news/win-a- trip-to-france/) or contact the New Zealand High Commission on 23122 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
