Dr Katrina ‘Oto’ota Tonga (31) is the 3rd Tongan ever to receive the fellowship FRACP which would allow her the opportunity to work as a specialist and consultant in the field of medicine in New Zealand and Australia.
The families of Katrina and relatives filled with joy at the news when it was spread on internet last week
“Big congratulation ‘Oto’ota you make us all proud , May God have all the glory of what you have done , luv you much all the way from Toa ko Tavakefai’ana,” says Ketelia Foketi on Kaniva Tonga New Website referring to where Katrina’s mum hailed from in the Island of Vava’u in Tonga
“Aunty ‘Oto’ota would have been praying for you n she would be very proud of u as well…we are also very proud of u too..big love from your aunty ‘Oto’ota Taufa in Wollongong n from all your relations in Longoteme,” says Kakala Taufa on Face Book and reminded that Dr Katrina, “…is the second child in the family to become a Dr. like her dad”
Dr Katrina’s parents, Dr Kueili and Telesia Tonga are well known to Tongan communities as they were working as civil servants in Tonga as well as here in New Zealand where Kueili was a surgeon and Telesia was a teacher at Government schools.
When asked for his sharing on Katrina’s achievement Kueili told Kaniva news that he ascribed Katrina’s accomplishment to her mum – Telesia for she is a teacher and her endeavour to create a pleasant learning environment at home really made a difference.
The only two other Tongans to obtain FRACP are Dr Hemaloto ‘Akau’ola and Dr Viliami Tutone.
Dr Katrina went to Tonga Side School in Tonga where she ended up in Tonga High School in 1991 before relocating to New Zealand in 1994 to continue on studying at Christchurch Girls High School to the year 1997.
She entered the University of Otago in 1998 and graduated with a MBCHB in 2003.
She worked in Wellington Hospital for 2 years and spent years of working in various Australian hospitals as well.
In 2009 she applied for the FRACP training scheme at North Shore Hospital in Sydney where she finally achieved it in December 2012.
The family is definitely a pride and fortune for both their paternal and maternal kainga as apart from the parent’s academic qualifications the children were all graduated from universities as well.
Son Dr. ‘Isileli Tonga with Dr Katrina are 2 medical doctors and daughters Tolini Tonga Kakala and Toakase Tonga are both lawyers.
The family is from Tu’anuku in Vava’u Island and from the villages of Lapaha, Ha’ateiho, Veitongo, Pea and Houma in Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga.
Dr Katrina visited her parents and families in New Zealand last Christmas holidays and she just left for Australia for her work.
