Funeral of Tongan king

King George Tupou V of Tonga died last week in a Hong Kong hospital. He had been visiting the UK and was on his way home with his brother when he became ill. Although he had kidney surgery last year, he seemed to be in good health this year. His death was a shock. He was greatly loved by the Tongan people.

King George was 63. He became King when his father died in 2006. There were riots that year by people who wanted more democracy. During the next six years, King George made important changes to the government of the country, making it more democratic. He gave much of his power to parliament. Elections were held in 2010.

Tonga is a Pacific Island country with five main islands. The population is about 105,000 people. Another 70,000 or more live in New Zealand. Other Tongans immigrated to Australia and the US. They send money back to Tongans at home because it is difficult to make enough money to live in Tonga. Australia and New Zealand also help with financial aid when necessary. Tonga sells fish, pumpkins and coconuts to New Zealand.

The Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae will lead a group of New Zealand politicians to the funeral service tomorrow. Flags will fly at half mast tomorrow in New Zealand.

The new king will be his younger brother.

Vocabulary

riots – protests and wild behaviour causing damage
politician – a Member of Parliament
half mast – flag is only half-way up the mast (pole). It is a sign of a sad time in a country.

Grammar

He was 63 means he was 63 years old. It is not necessary to add “years old”. If you ask a child his or her age, the answer will be “I’m six” or whatever the age is.
die, died, died – the verb is very easy to use; it is intransitive i.e. no object e.g. he died;
death – noun e.g. his death was …
make- idioms: make changes, make the government more democratic (i.e. make something happen), make money