King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau‘u were welcomed by New Zealand's Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House in Wellington yesterday, during a short visit to New Zealand.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Tiffany Babington said today that the King and Queen had previously made a state visit to New Zealand in 2013, and this was their first visit to Government House since the coronation in 2015.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Their Majesties to New Zealand,” she said.

“Tonga is one of our closest Pacific neighbours. We share borders and connections across arts, culture, government, sports, business and academia and this will continue to grow under the New Zealand Government’s Pacific Reset.”

“Next year, New Zealand will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Tonga. This is a significant milestone for both our countries and the King’s visit provides an opportunity to further mature our long-standing relationship with Tonga,” she said.

The programme includes a welcome and dinner hosted by the Governor-General  at Government House in Wellington, a wreath laying ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial, and tour of Te Papa Tongarewa and Archives New Zealand.

While at Government House the King expressed his condolences for those that lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Christchurch.