Avatele
Encyclopedia
Avatele, , is a village on the southwest coast of Niue
with a population of roughly 200 residents as of late 2007.
, and is the largest and most well known beach on the island. Although the sand is mostly of the coarse kind it is an important swimming and picnic site for both tourists and residents. Prior to the construction of the Sir Robert Rex Wharf and Hannan International Airport in Alofi, Avatele Beach was the principal landing place for many visitors to the island.
, Tuapa
, Alofi
and Hakupu
, were the first major village settlements of Niue following settlement by Polynesia
n voyagers from Samoa
, Tonga
and Pukapuka
before the year 1300.
The beach was also the site of Captain James Cook
's third and final landing attempt on the island before naming Niue "Savage Island" in 1774, since then it has been the landing and official welcoming site of many prominent figures from across the Pacific and the world such as missionaries Rev. George Lawes, his brother Dr. Frank Lawes and former Governor-Generals of Niue and New Zealand such as Sir Paul Reeves.
The village was first Christianized in early 1854 when a resident, Muatoga, asked Paulo
, the Samoan
missionary residing in Mutalau
, to bring the gospel to his village in the far-south and Paulo
agreed. The village received its first pastor that same year, a Rev. Samuela from Western Samoa
who was sent by Paulo to care for the young church at Avatele a village of over 1,000 residents at the time. Since 1854, 14 Pastors have been entrusted with the care of the Church in the village both from around Niue and overseas, including the current Rev Petesa Sionetuato. The village has also birthed its own share of missionaries over the years such as the respected ancestor or tupuna Rev. Sionepaea Kinimotu who played a major role in the Christianisation of the Tuvalu Is.
, his late brother and long-serving Senior Advisor to Government Leslie Rex OBE, the late Rev. Ikiua Lupo first President of the Ekalesia Kerisiano Niue, the late Takelesi Lagaluga
first Niuean Head of a Government Deapartment & his son Hon. Himalea Takelesi Niue's first High Commissioner to New Zealand
and former Member of Parliament. Renown All Black, Frank Bunce
is also descended from the village, and is the nephew of both Sir Robert Rex and Rev. Ikiua Lupo.
Current prominent and Avateleans of interest include:
Hon. Billy Graham Talagi - Avatele Representative MP (1999 - present),
Rev. Matagi Jessop Vilitama - Ekalesia Avatele Pastor (1996 - 2007),
Rev. Petesa Pokopokotau Sionetuato - Ekalesia Avatele Pastor (2008 - present)
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
with a population of roughly 200 residents as of late 2007.
Geography
Avatele Beach, the village's main sea track, stretches along the coast of Avatele BayAvatele Bay
Avatele Bay is a large bay in the southwest coast of Niue. It stretches from Tepa Point in the island's extreme southwest northwards to Halagigie Point, the island's westernmost extremity. Two small settlements, Tamakautoga and Avatele lie close to the shore of the bay....
, and is the largest and most well known beach on the island. Although the sand is mostly of the coarse kind it is an important swimming and picnic site for both tourists and residents. Prior to the construction of the Sir Robert Rex Wharf and Hannan International Airport in Alofi, Avatele Beach was the principal landing place for many visitors to the island.
History
Avatele, along with other villages MutalauMutalau
Mutalau is a village on Niue, with a population of 133 as of the 2001 census. It was previously known as Ululauta and Matahefonua. Ululauta and Matahefonua both mean "head of the land". Mutalau is the most northern village on Niue...
, Tuapa
Tuapa
Tuapa is one of the fourteen villages of Niue. Its population as of the 2001 census was 129.-Reference:* Retrieved December 8, 2010...
, Alofi
Alofi
Alofi is the capital city of the Pacific Ocean nation of Niue. With a population of 581 , Alofi has the distinction of being the smallest national capital city in terms of population. It consists of the two villages Alofi North and Alofi South, where the government headquarters are located. Alofi...
and Hakupu
Hakupu
Hakupu is a village on the island of Niue. It is located in the southeast of the island, close to Matatamane Point, and is connected by road with thee capital Alofi , Avatele , and via the east coast road to Liku , Lakepa , and Mutalau ....
, were the first major village settlements of Niue following settlement by Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
n voyagers from Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
and Pukapuka
Pukapuka
Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with three small islets threaded on a reef that encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. It is the most remote island of the Cook Islands, situated about 1140 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga. It is a triangular atoll with three...
before the year 1300.
The beach was also the site of Captain James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
's third and final landing attempt on the island before naming Niue "Savage Island" in 1774, since then it has been the landing and official welcoming site of many prominent figures from across the Pacific and the world such as missionaries Rev. George Lawes, his brother Dr. Frank Lawes and former Governor-Generals of Niue and New Zealand such as Sir Paul Reeves.
The village was first Christianized in early 1854 when a resident, Muatoga, asked Paulo
Paulo
Paulo is Portuguese masculine given name equivalent to English Paul. It may refer to:People:*Paolo Maria Abbiati, Italian engraver*Paulo Almeida, Brazilian footballer*Paulo André Cren Benini, , Brazilian football defender...
, the Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
missionary residing in Mutalau
Mutalau
Mutalau is a village on Niue, with a population of 133 as of the 2001 census. It was previously known as Ululauta and Matahefonua. Ululauta and Matahefonua both mean "head of the land". Mutalau is the most northern village on Niue...
, to bring the gospel to his village in the far-south and Paulo
Paulo
Paulo is Portuguese masculine given name equivalent to English Paul. It may refer to:People:*Paolo Maria Abbiati, Italian engraver*Paulo Almeida, Brazilian footballer*Paulo André Cren Benini, , Brazilian football defender...
agreed. The village received its first pastor that same year, a Rev. Samuela from Western Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
who was sent by Paulo to care for the young church at Avatele a village of over 1,000 residents at the time. Since 1854, 14 Pastors have been entrusted with the care of the Church in the village both from around Niue and overseas, including the current Rev Petesa Sionetuato. The village has also birthed its own share of missionaries over the years such as the respected ancestor or tupuna Rev. Sionepaea Kinimotu who played a major role in the Christianisation of the Tuvalu Is.
People
Avatele has also produced its fair share of prominent Niueans past and present, including Niue's late inaugural Premier Sir Robert RexRobert Rex
Sir Robert Richmond Rex, KBE, CMG, was Premier of the Pacific island state of Niue from its establishment as a self-governing territory 19 October 1974 until his death in 1992...
, his late brother and long-serving Senior Advisor to Government Leslie Rex OBE, the late Rev. Ikiua Lupo first President of the Ekalesia Kerisiano Niue, the late Takelesi Lagaluga
Takelesi Lagaluga
Takelesi Lagaluga. JP. was a Niuean administrator, politician and respected elder from the village of Avatele...
first Niuean Head of a Government Deapartment & his son Hon. Himalea Takelesi Niue's first High Commissioner to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and former Member of Parliament. Renown All Black, Frank Bunce
Frank Bunce
Frank Eneri Bunce is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He played international rugby for both Western Samoa and New Zealand in the 1990s, appearing in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups...
is also descended from the village, and is the nephew of both Sir Robert Rex and Rev. Ikiua Lupo.
Current prominent and Avateleans of interest include:
Hon. Billy Graham Talagi - Avatele Representative MP (1999 - present),
Rev. Matagi Jessop Vilitama - Ekalesia Avatele Pastor (1996 - 2007),
Rev. Petesa Pokopokotau Sionetuato - Ekalesia Avatele Pastor (2008 - present)