Tonga's prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has apologised to New Zealand for the recent misconduct by some Tongans involved in seasonal work in New Zealand.
Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZ
This comes after TVNZ reported that several Tongan RSE workers in New Zealand who were taken back to Tonga earlier this year for supposedly excessive drinking had allegedly also committed serious sex crimes.
Immigration New Zealand said it was not aware of these latest allegation until this week.
It said it is investigating and liaising with the employers, the police and other agencies.
A man from Vanuatu works in a Hawke's Bay orchard under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The department said strong representations will be made to the Tonga prime minister who is due in New Zealand in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile at a joint press conference in Nuku'alofa this morning Mr Pohiva apologised to his New Zealand counterpart Bill English and said his government was taking steps to improve the selection of RSE workers.
"We will continue to make sure that the selection process from this end is done properly so that we can make sure that the people from this end - they are the right people to do the work."