Leaders’ forum begins but there’s no sign of Tonga’s King and Queen

Tonga is abuzz this week as the country hosts the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

But as the visitors arrive in Nuku’alofa, there is no sign of the King and Queen of Tonga.

A senior government official says King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho’s children and grandchildren are representing them.

Tongan Noble and Minister for Internal Affairs, ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea, Lord Vaea, has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support ahead of the leaders meeting despite the absence of the royal couple.

Tongan Noble and Cabinet Minister, Lord Vaea, has reaffirmed the Royal Family's support for the leaders' forum this week. Photo/file

He did not say when the King and Queen would return home.

“The King is currently overseas at this stage. His Royal Highness [Crown Prince] is on board. Princess Latufuipeka [King’s daughter] is on board as well,” Lord Vaea told PMN News.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala Tuku’aho, his wife Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho, their children, and his sister Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, joined the delegations from the Pacific Islands Forum and other visitors including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at a prayer service on Sunday.

Vaea said both the King and Queen remained in New Zealand after attending last week's Te Koroneihana celebration to commemorate 18 years of Maori monarch Te Arikinui Tūheitia Paki’s coronation as King.

Despite their absence, Vaea said the government has ensured Tonga catered to an estimated 1500 visitors.

While his parents the King and Queen of Tonga did not attend the church service on Sunday, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala Tukuand his children were there. Photo/Joseph Safiti

“It is very important for us because there is a changeover in the Forum Secretariat. Baron Waqa is coming in. That is very important for us. We have the Secretary-General from the United Nations also on board.”

It’s the Kingdom’s fourth time hosting the Forum leaders summit, he said, adding that Tonga is a founding member of PIF (1970).

This year’s theme is ‘Transformative, Resilient, Pasifiki: Build Better Now’ and the forum will be chaired by Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni.

New Zealand’s delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will arrive in Tonga on Tuesday.

The King's daughter, Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, attends the church service. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Vaea said key issues would no doubt include the political unrest in New Caledonia, which “has been brought up behind closed doors” and climate change, “a never-ending battle for many island nations”.

“Survival and climate change are two very important issues. I think this is why everybody is here. For us to survive, we have to know where climate change is going.

“Climate change is international and we do not have any control over it. That is why it is very important for us to sit down and talk.”

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting gets underway on Monday. It ends on Friday.

For live updates on the PIF summit, visit https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/pif-leaders-meeting-blog

Photo/Joseph Safiti