Deportees of Tonga: Talia'uli Prescott 2023

Title: Talia'uli's Transformation: From Gangster to Tongan Farmer

Description:

Talia'uli was first featured in the original documentary "Deportees of Tonga: Gangsters in Paradise," aired on @ViceNewZealand in 2019. At that time, he had recently been deported back to Tonga and was visibly struggling to adjust to his new circumstances.

Over the past few years, I have kept in touch with 'Uli and witnessed his remarkable transformation from a gangster to a dedicated Tongan farmer on his family's land.

This short piece provides an update on 'Uli's journey and current endeavors.

[ItsPurelyDestiny-dutb]

After rewatching the first doco, the growth and maturity is very clear. From gangster to farmer and happy. I love this for you and wish all others the same

[robbien]

I have been fascinated with that Tongan Deportee Documentary and rewatch it from time to time. Really appreciate this follow up.

[Washyourbum]

Went from “I’m a motherf*kin kangsta” to “I’m a motherf*kin farmer” 😂 good on you toko, keep up the hard work

[deanwitt]

That looks like a dam fine life in a beautiful part of the world . New Zealand did you a big favour my friend .

[magi]

Proud of you Toko!!!! Master that Taro Game and go international! Continue Success Brother!!!

[guybarley]

This doco episode is so heartening to watch since he first got deported years ago and they showed him working on the wharf. Great to see Uli doing well and making the most of what life has thrown his way. Played rugby with him at Ponsonby Rugby club and he lived in my neighbourhood around Meadowbank in East Auckland. ‘Ofa atu Uli 🫡

[freeflight-jh]

You’re going to realized that in today’s world many people in Europe and North America are dying to get out and live in peace and quiet. Things got out of hand badly and many people are waking up. I’ve been living here in the U.S. since the 90s and life was different back then. Today in the future all manners of debts, cost of living, food, rent have been going up. Taliaʻuli you got the right mindset, just couple it with the internet and soon you’ll have some kind of business. Pea manatuʻi maʻu pē kote lea fakapālangi, ʻoua ʻe ngalo. One day you’ll need it

[flavarz]

Mo'oni 'aupito (so true).

Wise words to live by. It's what everyone should yearn and strive for; Peace.

Good for you Taia'uli. Thank you for sharing your piece/peace of paradise with us & God bless.

[francois]

I remember seeing Talia'uli in that vice doco a couple years back. It's amazing to see how content he is now living as a deportee. Man found peace, and realized that being deported back to Tonga actually frees you. The west always brainwashes people to think money is important and a lot of islanders bite that bait and end up following the wrong crowd and adopting gang culture. I think all Pacific Islanders brought up the bad way needs to go back to their homeland to expand their perspective, and become better than the previous generations. Ofa Atu toko.

[CrazyMaori]

One thing about us islanders is we have a good green thumb when it comes to gardening. My father who is cook islander has a beautiful vege garden and his late father taught him. I love my vege garden. Good work bro 🙌🏼

[TheKokonutz]

Good to see you doing well toko. Keep harvesting and you will reap the rewards. Much love my uso💙💯 #SPLTOKOUSO

[JonahNAloha]

My one friend used to tell me, malo. So now I have learned that, I will say to you malo. Thank you for this video. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽from Hawaii

[sonnymatthews]

Beautiful brother, you have came a long way 👍

[teemarsters]

UP THE EB✌🏽🎣🔥 good seeing our fishing merch all the way in the kingdom🇹🇴🔥 much love from the eastside boaters here in Auckland Nz✌🏽💙

[savagewarrior]

Good job brother im chuukese met a lot of tongan warriors in steel city solid warrior.

[PhilipVili-qfqt]

Pick yourself up brother don't wait for others that's how we do it, all the best n praying for you

[KE-lgop]

Much respect brother!! Much ❤️ from Hawaii🙏🏽🙏🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[theephraimite]

Same reason I want to move back to Samoa. Much respect to the Toko, whom we shouldn’t be referring to a deportee. He’s in his own country now. Call him native. I think about 30% percent of Polys around the world should move back to the islands to build the local economy and preserve our heritage — especially those who’ve retired. Retired early is even better to go back.

[royprasad]

Good to see the change in you brother. Bless 🙏

[FitiFotuosamoa]

Very inspiring to anyone who interested in island life again. Good on you bro, it’s worth going back home bro. Even those who live in the outside world, there’s no freedom the boss at work and the hassle after work. Cheers bro