Maori King on way to Tongan coronation

Next week's coronation of Tonga's King George Tupou V, at Nuku'alofa's Centenary Church will highlight a dynasty stretching back 1000 years.

The crowning of the last remaining Polynesian monarch to head a state will be watched by the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki and other royalty, including the Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Rock stars Mick Jagger and Elton John are expected to attend, along with formal delegations of heads of state and their representatives.

King George V – known as G5 to his friends – has failed to attract a high-ranked British royal, but will get the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Up to 5000 guests are flying in, some of them staying on ships moored in the harbour as Nuku'alofa is booked out.

Some accommodation was destroyed in the rioting five weeks after King Tupou V came to the throne on September 10, 2006.

Some of the king's businesses were targeted by rioters, who destroyed much of downtown Nuku'alofa and left eight people dead.

A coronation ceremony planned for last year was postponed in the wake of concerns people would be angered by the extravagance.

Pro-democracy supporter and Tonga MP Akilisi Pohiva has said he does not expect any protests – instead he hope d the king may sign a document supporting political change.

Emeline U Tuita, Tonga's ambassador to China, a member of the coronation committee, has said there is still tension, but she is not worried because a high-profile rugby match during coronation week would stimulate national pride.

"Rugby being the most loved sport will cross all social boundaries, so that people will not want to spoil the efforts of their children to lift the profile of Tonga during this time," she wrote in email message, according to the New York Times.

The coronation is costing $3 million – equivalent to a third of New Zealand's annual aid to Tonga – which includes $570,000 on princely robes from London and $50,000 on a newly minted gold sceptre, said to be similar to the Queen Elizabeth's.

Today the Matangi Tonga news site reported two nobles had been raised to the rank of Prince – Sitiveni 'Alaivahamama'o Polule'uligana Tanusia ma'a Tonga has been appointed to the title of Tungi and at the coronation he will be the Lord Bearer of the Crown. Another new princely title-holder, Tu'ipelehake, has been named Lord Protector of the Royal Regalia.

That regalia includes the tailored robes from Gieves & Hawkes at 1 Savile Row in London's Mayfair. By tradition such robes are trimmed with ermine which comes from winter stoats and is used as a symbol of purity or virginity.

And on Friday, three new stamps – designed by Denise Durkin of Wellington – will be released, featuring King George in his formal robes.

Coronation festivities include three balls; one for very very important people" (VVIPs), another for "very important people" and a third for the common people.

Also on the programme are a military parade, traditional dancing, a fireworks display, and an open-air concert. An open-air variety concert featuring a variety of performers will bring together a 70-strong choir from China with a 300-strong choir from Tonga.

One of the most important pre-crowning events – featuring King Tuheitia and the rest of the most important visitors – will be the traditional taumafa kava ceremony dating back 1000 years at Pangai Lahi, next to the Royal Palace, on Wednesday next week.

The August 1 coronation will also feature a netball seven-a-side tournament, hockey competitions, finals for volleyball, boxing and a basketball tournament.

And there will be a rugby tournament at the Teufaiva Stadium organised by controversial Tongan back Epi Taione, 29, recently dropped by South African Super 14 side Coastal Sharks following a head-butting incident.

Taione has assembled players from England, Scotland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to play a Tongan side, including Australian Matt Burke, former All Blacks Inga Tuigamala and Mark Mayerhofler and English club player Hugh Vyvyan.

On July 29, Education Day, over 10,000 students from throughout Tonga will perform, including 9000 children in seven traditional dances known as the lakalaka, and Tonga College will perform a kailao or war dance.

A huge variety of music, ranging from brass bands to choirs singing Handel's Hallelujah in Tongan, and a open-air concert featuring Te Vaka from New Zealand, and a 70-strong children's choir from China will also entertain crowds.

Ballet dancers from the United States, England, France and Australia will present an American ballet which tells a story of King George's grandmother, Queen Salote, to Queen Elizabeth's coronation in London in 1953.

- NZPA