Tonga's King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV is healthy and very well, said the king's Acting Private Secretary, Sateki .‘Ahio, at the Palace Office this morning, quashing rumours in the community that the king had died yesterday.

The rumours are far from the truth, he said. His Majesty is healthy, and very well.

Tongans in Nuku'alofa said they had heard the rumours of the king's death from relatives in Auckland.

The King went to Auckland last week for a medical check up at Mercy Hospital, where he was admitted for several nights but was discharged on Friday to go home.

It is hoped the King will return to Tonga to open the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga annual conference on Thursday June 16, and following that the king will celebrate his 87th birthday on July 4.

However, Sateki could not confirm when the King would return to Tonga.