King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u visit New Zealand Featured
King Tupou VI and NZ Governer General
28 March, 2019. His Majesty King Tupou VI and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga have arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Tonga, Her Excellency Tiffany Babington, announced today.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Their Majesties to New Zealand. Their Majesties made a state visit to New Zealand in 2013, and this will be their first visit to Government House since His Majesty’s coronation in 2015,” Ms Babington said.
“The bond between New Zealand and Tonga is strong and enduring. Tonga is one of our closest Pacific neighbours. We share borders and connections across arts, culture, government, sports, business and academia and this will continue to grow under the New Zealand Government’s Pacific Reset.”
“Next year, New Zealand will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Tonga. This is a significant milestone for both our countries and the King’s visit provides an opportunity to further mature our long-standing relationship with Tonga.”
Their Majesties’ programme includes a welcome and dinner hosted by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House in Wellington, a wreath laying ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial, and tour of Te Papa Tongarewa and Archives New Zealand.
While at Government House the King expressed his condolences for those that lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Christchurch.
