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The New Zealand Government is to send 20 more police to Tonga today, in the wake of riots in the capital, Nuku'alofa, last week.
Police Minister Annette King said the deployment would bring the number of New Zealand officers in the kingdom to 45 and would provide more support to the Tongan police.
"The situation in Nuku'alofa is calm and good progress is being made by Tonga police, with support from New Zealand and Australian police, on crime scene investigation and the building of cases against suspects."
A New Zealand-led force of 150 military and police was sent to Tonga last weekend. They were told to secure the airport, allowing international flights to resume last Monday. That was four days after pro-democracy youths burned and looted their way through the capital's commercial centre.
About 80 per cent of the tiny country's business heart was wiped out, eight people died and more than 100 have been arrested. Damageis estimated to be more than $100 million.
On Thursday, Defence Minister Phil Goff said NZ troops should be withdrawn "relatively soon".
Ms King said the extra 20 police - who included several Tongan-speaking officers - had been drawn from all over New Zealand and their absence would have minimal impact on police operations here.
"The extra numbers of police, together with the situation in Nuku'alofa continuing to improve, will facilitate the return of New Zealand military personnel."
The 45 police in Tonga were expected to be cut back as circumstances permitted in the coming weeks so they could resume their domestic policing duties, she said.
"More remains to be done to support Tonga police and New Zealand is exploring further areas of assistance."
- NZPA
