Mālō nī!

This is a story about my dad's uncle Mo, but my mum is the one who likes to tell it. He uri ia nā Te Aitanga-a-Kupe & Ngāti Kahungunu-ki-Wairarapa Tamaki-nui-a-Rua. We believe that Uncle Mo was of Samoan heritage but was sponsored by Queen Salote of Tonga to study in Auckland. He was adopted, i think, into the Cronfelt whānau and later married one of dad's aunts. My dad speaks of Uncle Mo as being one a very calm, gentle and kind man. My mum's voice sounds fond when she starts this ...

Bruce Papas designed the dress that Queen Salote wore to the coronation: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections/topics/bruce-papas-advocate-of-elegance

Lovely honeymoon in 1984- remember the beautiful food, beaches and the staff at the hotel.