The Tongan Prime Minister has arrived in New Zealand amidst renewed concerns over the sale of Tongan passports.
'Akilisi Pohiva met his counterpart, John Key, at Government House in Auckland and spoke about the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme, assistance with battling non-communicable diseases and collaboration on tackling drug trafficking.
John Key walks with 'Akilisi Pohiva at Government House in Auckland Photo: Alex Perrottet / RNZ
The Tongan leader admitted his country was struggling to rein in corruption - and a particular concern was the sale of passports.
"There has been a continued sales of Tongan passports, and this is a very serious, serious case and our government is working very hard. That is an indication of corruption," he said.
"Law and order, the rule of law, is very weak for quite some time."
He promised Mr Key his country was taking action, having charged at least 12 people this year including a former police officer and Chinese nationals.
Mr Key said passports were the most sacrosanct legal document and New Zealand needed to have faith that all Tongan passports were validly issued.
"As the Prime Minister said it's a serious matter, they are dealing with the issue," he said.
"New Zealand needs the issue to be dealt with because these are passports which are, in theory, they are not fake passports, and we need to have the confidence in the system that a passport that is issued by the Tongan government is legitimate."
Photo: Alex Perrottet / RNZ
