Ministers pay respects to late King of Tonga

Inga Tuigamala (2nd R) and his wife Daphne (R) leave Atalanga after paying their respects. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Several Government ministers have been among those paying their respects to the late King of Tonga at the royal residence in Auckland today.

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV died overnight on Sunday at Mercy Hospital after a long illness.

His body is lying in state at Atalanga, in the suburb of Epsom, until tomorrow morning.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, Defence Minister Phil Goff, Social Development Minister Parekura Horomia and Foreign Minister Winston Peters made a brief visit to the king's home.

The gates to the property are guarded by four policemen and two security guards and the media is being kept well away.

Helen Clark spoke to reporters as she left, saying her heart went out to the people of Tonga.

She said a large Government delegation would go to Tonga for the king's funeral. The decision about who will attend is yet to be made.

- NEWSTALK ZB