Tonga prepares for its king's coronation

Transcript

Preparations are underway in Tonga for the coronation of King Tupou VI in July.

The King, who has replaced his late brother George Tupou V, will be formally crowned at the Pangai Lahi field and the Royal Palace compound on July the 4th.

Heads of government from around the world are expected to attend, as well as many Tongan expatriates.

Indira Moala reports.

The crowning of the last king in 2008 brought an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 visitors to the country. The Marketing Manager for Tonga Tourism Authority says some accommodation providers have expressed they are already booked to capacity for the week of the coronation. Fay Moorfield says tourism operators are trying to maximise opportunities to get the most out of the event.

FAY MOORFIELD: It's an exciting event for all of Tonga and it seems that bookings are very strong and the flights into Tonga during that week and the week before are so strong that airlines are putting on extra flights. We're expecting an influx of dignitaries and royal families.

Ms Moorfield says accommodation providers are coping well with the influx of bookings but as a last resort, private residences will be rented out if required. A local Tongan pastor Simote Vea says there is excitement in the air as the country gets ready.

SIMOTE VEA: There's ongoing preparations among the schools who are doing most of the cultural dancing and also groups who are engaged with preparing for the services during the coronation and also for the Sunday, at the Centennary church. So there are Choirs practising, that's going on. That's how everybody is involved right now in the communities.

Reverend Vea adds this year's coronation will be different from previous such events because the country is experiencing a new era with a more democratically elected parliament. He adds most people in his generation have seen three coronations during their lifetime but this year's coronation is seeing more commoners participating than watching from the sidelines.

SIMOTE VEA: It's a new coronation in the sense that it's a new era now that we have more democratically elected government and the government is prepared to host an exciting event meaning that it's the people who are involved in government now.

Ms Moorfield says seeing more local people involved has increased the excitement around the event.

FAY MOORFIELD: People in Tonga are very eager to be involved. People are preparing for the event. They're preparing gifts and food. Learning dances because there's going to be mass dances by students and villages during the celebrations. It's something that everybody's talking about here because it's such a significant event for Tongans.

The Coronation celebrations begin on Saturday 27th June with a Royal kava ceremony held at Pangai and will end with a Military Tattoo ceremony on the 7th July.