The Governor General of Australia, Hon. David Hurley reaffirmed Australia's ties with Tonga, after visiting for the first time on Friday, 23 June.

Accompanied by his wife Mrs Linda Hurley and a delegation, he jetted into Tonga on a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft for a day of engagements that began with an audience with King Tupou VI, at the Royal Palace.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and some members of the Cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Minister Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister of Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister of Internal Affairs, Lord Vaea and Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Saia Piukala.

Discussed were mutual interests and priorities between Tonga and Australia, while acknowledging the existing warm and strong relationship between our two countries.

The Governor General visited the Masefield Naval Base, and visited Tupou College,

At Tupou College he attended a church service with Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala. A tree planting ceremony was also scheduled at the college prior to departure on Friday evening.

The Governor General is also visiting Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Vanuatu with the aim of strengthening the close bonds between Australia and the Pacific Islands