Flags will be flown at half-mast in Tonga on Friday 29 March to respect New Zealand's National Memorial Service to honour those killed in a terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday 15 March.

The Prime Minister, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva has directed that all flags throughout the Kingdom of Tonga must be flown at half-mast “in memory of the Muslims killed in the terrorist attack in Christchurch,”, a statement from the Prime Miniser's Office said today. Cabinet in its meeting on Friday 22 March decided that Tongan flags would be lowered to half-mast  

The mark of respect coincides with the “National Memorial Service” that the New Zealand Government is holding at Hagley Park in Christchurch at 10.00am tomorrow.

“In my earlier message of condolence to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Jacinda Adern, I had written, ‘The people and the Government of Tonga weep with you, as you gather your dynamic multi-ethnic whanau around you to nationally mourn and bury the dead, and to reconnect the bonds that make New Zealand the beautiful and loving country it is’,” the Prime Minister stated.

A memorial service and flag ceremony for the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack, and all those affected by it will be held at the Tonga Police Headquarters in Longolongo beginning at 8.00 am tomorrow, Friday 29 March.