27 Aug 2012

Auckland civic luncheon for Maori and Tongan kings

6:34 am on 27 August 2012

King Tuheitia and Tonga's new King will receive a formal welcome to Auckland on Monday.

The Maori King and Tupou VI of Tonga will be the guests of honour at a civic luncheon hosted by Mayor Len Brown.

It will be King Tuheitia's first formal visit to the Auckland Council and Mr Brown says playing host to two of the pre-eminent leaders of the Pacific is an historic occasion.

King Tupou has been attending the Maori king's coronation celebrations - his first visit to New Zealand since taking the throne.

Mr Brown says he will talk to King Tupou about boosting trade with Tonga and opening a consular office in Auckland to serve its Tongan population.