Late Queen Mother

Queen Mata'aho died last weekend at the age of 90 in Auckland.

A Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules brought the Queen Mother home, landing at Fua'amotu about an hour ago.

The royal procession will travel by road from the airport to the capital of Nuku'alofa, a journey that spans some 20 kilometres and the streets are lined by school children, some waiting for over three hours to pay their respects.

Matangi Tonga online reported traditional presentations were made to the Royal Family yesterday, from people honouring the late Queen Mother.

Queen Mata'aho died last weekend at the age of 90 in Auckland.

Matangi Tonga online reports traditional presentations were made to the Royal Family yesterday, from people honouring the late Queen Mother.

Presentations were made by the Free Wesleyan Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church yesterday morning, and the tributes included Tongan koloa, garlands, livestock- including cows and pigs, as well as traditional root crops.

A group of grieving Tongans gathered at Whenuapai Airport in Auckland where they sang mournfully as the Queen Mother's body was carried onto the plane that will take her home.

The flight departed for Tonga at 9.25am.(local time)

The 90-year-old matriarch died in Auckland on Sunday, February 19.

1 NEWS Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver was given exclusive access to the royal family at Tonga's official residence in Auckland.

The 90 year old Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho died on Sunday after travelling to Auckland for health reasons.

Her body was transferred from the Auckland mortuary to ‘Atalanga in Epsom yesterday (Thursday) morning. 

Upon the arrival of the royal cortege, the President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga – Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio who is also the Royal Chaplain led the prayer service.

In attendance were HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Princess Latufuipeka and members of the Free Wesleyan Church in New Zealand.

The Queen Mother died in Auckland at 10:15 pm on Sunday, 19 February after an illness.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala made the announcement Tuesday afternoon in a radio broadcast in Tonga.

He said the Queen Mother will be taken to the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace when her body will arrive in the kingdom.

Kaniva News reports she would be laid to rest at the Mala’ekula Royal Tombs on Wednesday morning, March 1, the Crown Prince said.

The family will observe a ten day period of mourning in her honor and glorification.