Protest turns ugly at royal residence

Protesters and security staff clash at the King's Epsom residence. Picture / Dean Purcell

Property was damaged and punches were thrown at the King of Tonga's Auckland residence in Epsom yesterday.

About 70 Tongans, including children, entered the grounds off Landscape Rd on the invitation of the King's representatives to discuss their concerns about a month-long public service strike in Tonga.

But the protest, the third since Friday, turned ugly when they were refused a meeting with King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and a fight broke out among a small group of protesters and royal staff.

Police were called and two men were removed to cool down. Another was arrested for wilful damage.

Earlier, protest leader Alan Taione had arrived at the entrance of the grounds in a four-wheel-drive vehicle draped with protest banners.

He threatened to blow himself up with a device that resembled a bomb.

He dramatically opened the boot of the 4WD to reveal a bomb-shaped metal canister with material stuffed into its mouth like a wick.

Mr Taione, an Auckland motor mechanic, said he was going to sacrifice himself for the people of Tonga unless he was given an audience with the King.

He led a march of protesters up the driveway, clutching his crying 8-year-old daughter, Daphne, and repeating his threats to die for his country.

Daphne later told the Herald she was crying because she was scared.

The head of security, Soaki Motuapuaka, shook hands and tried to calm Mr Taione, who persisted in shouting out his demands until his voice was hoarse.

"We are going to die for Tonga today, that's why we are here."

Mr Taione said the King, who was reportedly inside a house about 20m away, had "better listen" and take the people's concerns seriously.

"Who knows, we are going to shoot someone tonight, shoot someone tomorrow ... If you don't believe then wait and see ... It's real and it's going to happen."

Mr Taione also threatened to "burn the whole thing down" and "kill everybody".

At times people in the crowd were laughing but their mood changed after a rock was thrown, breaking an outbuilding window.

Ma'afu, the King's private secretary, accused Mr Taione of being intoxicated.

"The whole reason I asked him to come was to listen to what he had to talk about, to come sober as he was very abusive yesterday."

Ma'afu said the King was in Auckland for a medical check-up, and he was concerned about the situation in Tonga. "It's unfortunate the people don't think so."

One of the protesters, Kasaini Vaipulu, said he was angry that some civil servants were paid only $47 a week while others earned $100 an hour.

The King needed to assure the protesters the Government would give them the pay rises they sought, he said. "Tomorrow we better have an answer or we will do something silly."

Melino Maka, chairman of the Tongan Advisory Committee, said it was sad as he had sympathy for the protesters' concerns, but they should not turn up drunk.

"If they want to have some constructive dialogue they need to come here sober."

Mr Maka asked the angriest people in the group not to embarrass Tongans with their behaviour.