The New Zealand Youth Choir held a special performance in Nuku’alofa, during their first stop in a Pacific Tour to celebrate their 40^th anniversary.

The choir consisting of 48 members aged 18-25 years, accompanied by Music Director David Squire, and other officials, were in the capital on a day-trip, after arriving on the cruise ship, Maasdam from Auckland.

The choir who has one Tongan member Ma’ake Pole sang beautiful renditions of Christmas music and praise in an hour long program, hosted by the New Zealand High Commission.

The choir also presented a Tongan hymn '‘Eiki ko e ‘Ofa ‘A’Au' (arr. Pole) and Mendelssohn's "Kyrie and Heilig" at the Epworth Hall.

Mr Squire said taht every three-years the Youth Choir does overseas tours and normally goes to the United States or Europe.

"We always wanted to do a Pacific tour, since a lot of people come from the Pacific are involved in the youth choir. It's wonderful to be here."

Because it was too costly to fly the group of 50 around the Pacific Islands they had not attempted a tour in the past. “So our CEO said what if we can find a cruise and now we are here,” he said.

The youth choir left on the cruise ship for Vava’u today before continuing to Fiji, New Caledonia and to conclude the tour in Sydney on December 23.

The choir intended to visit Samoa but had to change their plans due to the measles outbreak and will visit in May.

Mr Squire said, the choir members are from all over New Zealand with an organisational head office in Wellington.

“We get together three to four times a year and do concert tours and festivals around New Zealand. In July, we held a concert with the National Youth Orchestra in Wellington and Auckland, as well as singing at other national events,” he said.

Choir members are auditioned for places in the choir, and come from many different backgrounds, and places in New Zealand.