A 15,000-signature petition has been handed to the palace requesting that the Tongan king stop the government from ratifying a UN convention on women's rights.
There have already been multiple petitions handed to parliament and a parliamentary resolution opposing the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW.
Opponents have expressed concern that it will allow same sex marriage and abortion.
A church representative, Father Selwyn 'Akau'ola, says the request has been made for royal intervention as the government seems intent on going ahead with the move.
"It sounds like, like they said on the radio, that the government will still go on. We are still a very young democracy but I think the people will have the last say on this."
Tonga's flag Photo: RNZ