A New Zealand aviation commentator, Peter Clark, says the brand of aircraft gifted to Tonga this week is not certified by regulatory authorities in the United States, Britain or New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority.
Tonga's airline Real Tonga took delivery at the weekend of the MA60, which was a gift from China, but New Zealand's Foreign Minister has reportedly suspended millions of dollars in aid until the plane is internationally certified.
Mr Clark says he raised the alarm about the China-made turboprop after the make was grounded in Myanmar and incidents in Indonesia.
"Normally the NZCAA here would certify it and that could flow on to Pacific Island nations that adhere to our rules and Tonga is one of those. It won't be certified in New Zealand because it is considered to be an aircraft that has a risk involved in travelling on it."
Peter Clark says he raised the alarm about the plane because he did not want to see Pacific people flying on an aircraft with elevated risk.
Tonga's government says the plane is safe.
