23 Nov 2015

Tonga's Ha'apai islands to name park after Jonah

1:18 pm on 23 November 2015

The Tongan islands of Ha'apai are to name a new sports facility after rugby star Jonah Lomu, who died last week.

Former All Black Lomu, whose parents are Tongan, died in Auckland as a result of cardiac-arrest related to his long-running battle with kidney disease.

The New Zealand born Lomu was taken back to Ha'apai until he was five and the local governor Mo'ale Finau says villagers there have been sharing stories of the then-toddler.

Mr Finau says the islands will pay respect to Jonah Lomu in a special way.

"We just started to make a park for Ha'apai and I've decided to name the park Jonah Lomu park. That is magnificent move I believe to name our new park Jonah Lomu park and we will put up a huge sign on the roadside with a photo of Jonah Lomu."

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