The New Zealand Herald reports more details of next week's coronation of the King of Tonga, George V. The ceremony has been "toned down" to cost a mere NZ$3 million, or a third of New Zealand's aid budget to Tonga, after pro-democracy riots last year.

Coronations are a useful distraction - something politicians and anyone who'se read The English Constitution know all to well. Sir Winston Churchill allegedly wanted Queen Elizabeth's coronation to be closer to the 1955 general election, for example.

Update: The Independent has a write-up on "The Last King of Tonga". Meanwhile Stuff reports the Maori King is heading to Tonga for the ceremonies.