Tongan king crowned in traditional ceremony

Tupou VI has been formally crowned King of Tonga in front of thousands of people, including heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.
Balls, lunches and block parties have been held during the eight day's leading up to the coronation, which took place on Saturday in Nuku'alofa.
Foreign royals from Japan, Hungary and Austria were at the event, while New Zealand sent a delegation which included the Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Labour leader Andrew Little, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

King Tupou VI suceeded his older brother, who passed away in 2012. 

The activities started last Saturday with ancient kava ceremonies and gift-giving to local chiefs, then continued with dancing, fashion shows, balls and block parties held in the streets of its capital.

A fireworks display will go off later in the evening, before a church service and a musical showcase on Sunday. 

Tonga is the only country in the Pacific that still has a monarchy. The new king also becomes the 24th Tu'i Kanokupolu, an ancient Tongan title that pre-dates the monarchy by centuries, AFP reported.

There are more than 60,000 people of Tongan ethnicity in New Zealand. An estimated 15,000 people, mainly expatriate Tongans, flew in from around the world for the coronation.