NZ PM to attend King's funeral [1]
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 16:30. Updated on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 20:24.
The New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark today confirmed she would attend the funeral of His Majesty King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV of Tonga, in Nuku‘alofa on Tuesday 19 September.
"A Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 will depart Auckland early on Tuesday morning, and return the same day," Helen Clark said.
"The Governor General, the Honourable Anand Satyanand will travel on the flight, as will government ministers, MPs, heads of diplomatic missions based in Wellington, a delegation from the Tongan community and other community leaders, and members of the news media.
Flags on government buildings in New Zealand will be flown at half mast on the day of the funeral.
Meanwhile, Canberra has confirmed that the Governor-General Michael Jeffery will represent Australia at the funeral for Tonga's late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
Prime Minister John Howard was reported as saying the king's death was a great loss for his country.
"King Taufa'ahau ruled Tonga for 41 years and held political authority and influence in Tonga's government," he said in a statement.
"On behalf of the Australian government and people, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to King Taufa'ahau's family and to the government and people of Tonga."