Queen Mother funeral

Tonga's Queen Mother laid to rest today

Queen Mata'aho is to be laid to rest this morning after dying in Auckland last weekend.

RNZ reports the Queen Mother lay in state overnight at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa while the takipo was held.

Churches were allocated an hour each throughout the night to pay homage to Queen Mata'aho through prayer and song while schools took turns to keep ceremonial fires burning outside until day break.