There has been criticism in the New Zealand media of the Tongan King’s recent trip to Scotland. The criticism has arisen as Tonga has recently suffered the tragic sinking of a ferry, with many people perishing. At least 149 people were on board, with 54 survivors having being found, and 2 bodies. The number dead is unconfirmed. The ferry was in a questionable condition at the time, and for many days the location of the ship below the water was unknown. The ferry, the Princess Ashika, was located by the New Zealand Navy yesterday, although she is in water 50-60 metres too deep for the New Zealand and Australian Navy divers to reach.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s only comment about the King’s travelling during a time of such grief was that he understood that the trip was a long term commitment, and the Tongan education minister defended King George Tupou, saying that it was an official visit. The public’s reaction to the King’s trip seems to be mixed, with reports that those Tongans at home are not concerned by his absence, yet there have been outpourings of anguish and grief on the internet.

marmi Tongan Royals George Tupou V, Media, New Zealand, Official Visit, Prime Minister Key, Scotland

On July 7 New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key began a series of official visits to Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands. During the visit, Key will meet with all four Prime Ministers; he will also meet King George Tupou V of Tonga. The visits will last until July 10.

Click to see the image at Matangi Online

The meeting (in fact meetings, plural) with the King took place on the 7th, the first being an audience soon after the Prime Minister’s arrival in the island nation. The second meeting was a dinner, reported to have lasted late into the night. The audience took place at Consular House, where the official delegation met the King’s dogs, Pulupa and Estelle.

Key is flying between the islands with the RNZAF, and the official delegation includes (amongst others) the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina te Heuheu and Maori Party co-leader, Dr Pita Sharples. Bronagh Key, the PM’s wife, is also travelling with the delegation.

HM King George Tupou V travelled to New Zealand in 2006 to attend the funeral of the Maori Queen, and her son’s coronation.

marmi Tongan Royals George Tupou V, New Zealand, Official Visit, Prime Minister Key

Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain today began a brief state visit to New Zealand. They arrived late Sunday evening (local time) in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city; this after a brief stop-over in Singapore en route from Spain.

The royal couple is in New Zealand with a high-powered business delegation, including Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and the Secretary of State for Trade Silvia Iranzo Gutierrez. It has been reported that the aim is to allow Spanish businesses to expand into New Zealand, and this will in return vastly increase New Zealand’s access to selling our exports in the Latin American market.

This morning (soon after 10am) King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia visited the Yacht Research Centre at the University of Auckland where pioneering research was displayed for them. Sailing is very important in New Zealand, as followers of the America’s Cup will be aware. Auckland is fondly known by New Zealanders are the City of Sails. King Juan Carlos’ interest in sailing is also well known. For photos of the visit, see this gallery.

Whilst at the University, the King and Queen met Spanish students. The Spanish government has made contributions to the university’s teachings, and they credit this as a reason for Spanish being the most popular European language taught on the campus. Read more…

marmi Spanish Royals King Juan Carlos, New Zealand, Prime Minister Key, Queen Sofia, Sir Peter Blake, State Visit