Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Kingdom of Tonga to represent New Zealand at celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Tongan Constitution. On their first afternoon, Their Excellencies were delighted to meet Dame Valerie Adams, who has proud Tongan heritage and is also in Tonga for the celebrations.
On Tuesday evening, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a reception celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Tonga at the New Zealand Official Residence. As Her Excellency remarked in her speech: 'Ours is a friendship that has endured through times of crisis and need; that thrives across the areas of trade, defence, education, religion, and sport; and that is embodied by those most precious bonds of family which span our two countries.'
You can read Dame Cindy's full speech via Her Excellency's speech at the reception celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Tonga.
The following morning, at Lakalakaimonu Estate in Tongatapu, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a very special groundbreaking ceremony for a new Tongan Parliament building – the Fale Alea ‘o Tonga. The building will be developed in partnership between New Zealand, Australia, and Tonga, and has been designed to honour Tonga's rich culture and heritage, while remaining climate resilient.
You can read Dame Cindy's speech via Her Excellency's speech at the groundbreaking of Fale Alea Parliament Building.
In the afternoon, Dame Cindy paid her respects at the Mala’ekula Royal Tombs, where monarchs of Tonga and their immediate family have been buried since 1893. The Governor-General joined His Majesty King Tupou VI, as well as other foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, in laying a wreath.
On the final morning of their visit, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were delighted to meet with New Zealanders working in Tonga across a range of government agencies and NGOs, to hear about their experiences on the islands.
Their Excellencies then travelled to the Hungalu 'o Pea Community Hall for a very special event with Komiti Fakama’unga and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho, which included a viewing of beautiful tapa cloths and a traditional tau'olunga cultural presentation.
You can find more images from across the visit in the image gallery for the official visit to the Kingdom of Tonga. Sincerest congratulations to Their Majesties and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga on this milestone in your nation's proud history.