The King of Tonga unexpectedly yesterday dismissed the Prime Minister, Akilisi Pohiva, dissolved the Tongan Parliament and ordered a new election to be held by November 16.
Pohiva, the former leader of the Tongan democracy movement, has been Prime Minister since 2014. The move was gazetted today after King Tupou VI met yesterday with the Nobles, the Privy Council and Parliament.
Pohiva came under strong criticism for poor financial management and after cancelling the Pacific Games which Tonga had been planning to host in 2019. There is also speculation among Tongans in New Zealand that he may be unwell.
Brownlee said King Tupou VI had exercised his constitutional right to dissolve Parliament.
"We look forward to learning more in the days ahead about Tonga's plans for governance ahead of November's elections."
Defence Minister Mark Mitchell said it was prudent to withdraw from Tonga.
"The relationship between the NZ Defence Force and the Royal Tongan Defence Force remains strong.
"This is an annual exercise, with the planning for this year's event done in November last year, and we will reschedule it for a more suitable time in the future."