Then he hears of plans to invite the king of Tonga, not the prime minister, to cut the ribbon at a store.

FORBES: Babble Rouser

Like Samoa, both Fiji and Tonga have lost former heads of state in recent years: Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, a former president of Fiji, died in 2004 and King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga died in 2006.

ECONOMIST: Malietoa Tanumafili II

Yet for all his protestations that King George's hospitality does not imply a guarantee of immunity for Mr Mara, Tonga's judiciary remains answerable first and foremost to the king, not the elected government.

ECONOMIST: Tensions between neighbours rise