Tonga government officials will not confirm whether Col Mara has been given a Tongan passport.
Col Mara has told Radio New Zealand he'll travel on a Tongan passport.
Our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, says foreign affairs and immigration officials won't comment on the passport claim.
But he says if it's true then many Tongans will presume the King had a role in the decision.
"Simply because the King is housing Tevita Mara but that is yet to be seen, but I wouldn't blame if people turned their finger and say Mara got help from the Royal Family to ease the procedure of him getting a Tongan passport."
Mateni Tapueluelu.
