Tonga will host three primates of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, this week, on 24-25 November.

Archbishop Don Tamihere, Archbishop Philip Richardson, and Archbishop Sione ‘Uluilakepa will chair the Standing Committee of the General Synod held for the first time in Tonga, at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nuku’alofa.

This meeting is normally held in Auckland, however, it highlights the significance of the church in Tonga, and its development, the church stated today.

A thanksgiving service will conclude the meeting, on Sunday 26 November, which also include the ordination of new priests and deacons of the church.

During the week, Archbishop Sione Uluilakepa will have an audience with HM Queen Nanasipau’u, as the new Archbishop and Bishop of the Diocese of Polynesia.

The traditional welcoming of the Standing Committee will be held on Friday 24 November, at St Paul’s in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga is part of the Diocese of Polynesia, and its headquarters is in Suva Fiji.

The members of the Standing Committee will start arriving in Tonga tomorrow, Tuesday.