UPDATED Saturday 8:30am New Zealand and Australia have deployed an armed peace building mission to Tonga responding to calls for help from the Tongan government, prime minister and King.

The New Zealand contingent is expected to touch down on TongaTapu at 11am (Tonga time). Australia will deploy 50 soldiers and 35 Australian Federal police. New Zealand will lead the contingent with 60 armed soldiers to secure Nuku'alofa airport and 10 special police officers to provide security to the New Zealand High Commission.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, confirmed these details to media gathered at the APEC leader's summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

On Friday in Nuku'alofa a strong military and police presence patrolled the streets. Soldiers enforced a curfew. During Thursday night's riots shops and government buildings were set alight. Eight bodies were found today in Nuku'alofa - two in a supermarket owned by the prime minister, and six others discovered in another burnt out building.

Tongans awoke to thick smoke rising above their capital and the day was dubbed 'Black Friday'. Tonga's Prime Minister Feleti Sevele was unable to secure much of Tonga's infrastructure from riotors and asked Australia and New Zealand to help restore order in the Pacific island nation.

New Zealand Defence had soldiers on standby at Burnham Military Camp and a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules C130 was fueled and at the ready should waiting for the New Zealand Government order to meet the Tongan government's plea for help.

Tonga's King George V issued a statement Friday committing himself to prosecuting those responsible for looting and rioting and to restoring Tonga's international reputation: "Over the years, Tonga has developed a proud and enviable reputation as a member of the international community. His Majesty's Government will work vigorously to restore that international reputation despite the negative image created by this criminal activity."

The King also extended his "deepest sympathies to families of those who have died or were injured during the riots.

Meanwhile, Air New Zealand has cancelled its service to Tonga and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has upgraded its travel advisory for those travelling to or already in Tonga to be cautious and stay away from protests and central Nuku'alofa.

Tonga Now reported that at around 5pm Friday the Tonga Defence Services were directed to assist Tonga Police Force in securing central Nuku’alofa at Government and Business locations. These authorized areas include the Prime Minister’s Office, Fua’amotu International Airport, Tonga Broadcasting Commission, Shell and BP Oil Depots, Vaiola Hospital and Shoreline Distribution at Popua.

Tonga Now reports that Nuku'alofa is dotted with the shells of burnt down, gutted buildings. Phone lines are not affected but connection is often difficult between Tonfon and Ucall numbers. His Majesty King George V drove through town this morning, his expression sullen. Shoreline has made a public announcement that electricity will now be rationed, and power will only be on from 7am-10am and 7pm -10pm daily. How yesterday's violence has affected the outer islands is not clear. For more of this story, see… Tonga Now Black Friday

EARLIER: The New Zealand Government is investigating how it can assist Tonga to restore peace and order while constitutional/democratic reform dawns on the Pacific island state. Also, Tonga Now website reports Tonga's main town, Nuku’alofa, was an inferno last night. "Shoreline headquarters is gone, the Leiola Duty Free Store, Cowley’s, Pacifica Royale, and major Chinese outlets are up in smoke. All flights into and out of the Kingdom have been cancelled." See... Scoop Link: Tonga Now Reports Nuku'alofa Set Ablaze
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