King of Tonga touching down in NZ today

King Tupou VI (left), the King of Tonga, touched down in NZ today.Photo / File

The King of Tonga arrives in New Zealand today for his first official state visit.

His Majesty King Tupou VI is due to arrive with his wife and Tonga's Minister of Education for five days.

The King's first official engagement is tomorrow when he will attend a service at Wellington's Wesley Church.

As a part of his visit, the King will receive a state welcome at Government House in Wellington on Monday, followed by a state dinner that evening.

He will also lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington before heading to Auckland.

Governor-General Lieutenant-General Sir Jerry Mateparae welcomes the visit he said "marks a new chapter in the close relationship between our two countries''.

"We look forward in the coming years to strengthening the ties between us, which are underpinned by our shared Polynesian heritage, and a range of bilateral links in the arts, sport, education, trade and defence,'' he said.