Dame Silvia defends trip to Tonga

5.45pm - By RAYLENE KEENAN

NUKU'ALOFA - Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright today denied New Zealand's relationship with Tonga was strained because of attempts to amend the kingdom's constitution to give the king more power, and defended her decision to travel to events there this week.

Dame Silvia is in Tonga to join in celebrations for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV's 85th birthday on Friday, but denied she was here to put the Government's point of view of freedom of the press to Tongan officials.

"I act on instructions and advice from the Government and it was the Government who asked me attend the birthday celebrations for the King of Tonga," she told reporters outside the residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner.

"It is the traditional role of the governor-general to attend significant life events, particularly in our region of the Pacific. Apart from birthday greetings, I have no instructions to deliver any messages and if the issues (of democracy) arise, no doubt I will talk about them."

She said it was important to have open discussions with officials in Tonga and not sever contact because of different views.

"There are very interesting developments in this part of the world and I'm sure we will have very engaging conversations," she said.

"It is the Government's view that there should be engagement and it also happens to be my personal view that where there might be differences of opinion and subjects to discuss, it is much better to engage than not to."

Tributes and entertainment are planned all week for the king, who now uses a wheelchair but carries two walking sticks in order to stand for the Tongan national anthem.

After arriving in the kingdom yesterday, Dame Silvia inspected a lineup of troops.

After a short audience with Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka 'Ata, she was whisked away to attend the opening of a new extension at one of Tonga's largest accommodations, the International Dateline Hotel.

Other honoured guests at the opening included the king and members of the royal family, as well as Police Minister and deputy chairman of the hotel Clive Edwards, and China's Ambassador to Tonga, Dr Gao Shanhai.

The king gave a brief speech in Tongan saying he hoped the hotel extensions would bring more tourists to the kingdom.

He said Tonga was a safe alternative to other destinations in the world that had problems with terrorism.

He hoped the hotel's refurbishment would boost tourist numbers, which would help the economy and create jobs.

Last night Dame Silvia attended a welcome reception with cultural performances in her honour, hosted by the prime minister.

This morning, school children marched in the streets of Nuku'alofa, dancing and shouting tributes to the king: "Happy birthday your majesty!"

Some groups danced with pompoms, while others gave a display using batons to show their dedication to the monarch.

Students at the Latter Day Saints Pakilau Middle School, aged 11 to 13 years, were outside practising yesterday. Teacher Satini Alovili said it was an important day for the children.

"All this dancing and marching ... is because the King's going to be there," she said.

She defended the almost absolute power the monarchy has in the kingdom of just over 100,000, and said locals were keen to get involved in the birthday celebrations.

"The king and the royal family mean everything to the people of Tonga. They are royal, we are the people and we are just proud of them. We are so religious and everyone is just into the king's programme," she said.

"He has this power, but everyone here, they have their freedom."

Banners reading "long live the king" and other birthday tributes are displayed on buildings and strung across streets, while one retailer planned to cash in on the busy celebration week with a "King's birthday sale".

Today Dame Silvia was to meet with the prime minister, members of the New Zealand Army contingent, Tongan women leaders and later in the day, the king.

Tonight, she attends a small, private reception given by Crown Prince Tupoutoa.

- NZPA