28 Jul 2008

New Zealand's Governor General and Prime Minister to attend Tongan King's coronation

7:19 pm on 28 July 2008

New Zealand will be represented at the coronation of Tonga's King George Tupou V this Friday by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Governor-General, Anand Satyanand.

Miss Clark says the coronation takes place at an important time in Tonga's political evolution.

She says steps now underway to modify Tonga's 1875 Constitution and give more power to the elected representatives of the people.

Miss Clark says New Zealand has offered its support to Tonga to help it work through its democratisation process.