Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.
Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.
The deportation will make things worse for his employer in Hastings because it will have to pay for the costs of deportation.
Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.
His disappearance caused Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to fly to New Zealand because he was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.
The President of the Tongan Methodist church in New Zealand, Rev. Tevita Finau, said he would talk to Tongan Methodist church ministers in New Zealand and ask them to enquire about the whereabout of Manuofetoa.
He said it was not clear which church Manuofetoa belonged to, but he would also raise the matter with the Takanga ‘o e Kau Taki Lotu Aotearoa, an association in which leaders from different churches were members.
The move came in response to a plea by Hon. Pohiva at a meeting in South Auckland last week for Tongan church and community leaders to help return Manuofetoa.
Hon. Pohiva told the meeting he had information some Tongan families whose relatives were still at large were harbouring them.
A total of 16 Tongans, including Manuofetoa, who came through RSE programme overstayed their visas and are still on the loose in New Zealand.
The Prime Minister said their families advised them to stay in New Zealand instead of returning to Tonga after their contracts ended.
Rev. Finau said the churches had a huge impact in the Tongan community and it was important for them to help, otherwise Tonga would lose the opportunity to send more employees to New Zealand.
An Example
He said a few years ago he received reports that a Tongan athlete who was part of an athletic team to Wellington was planning to flee after the competition.
Rev. Finau said he found out the man belonged to Free Wesleyan Church. At the time the then President of the church Rev. Dr. Alifaleti Mone was in New Zealand.
He said he contacted the President and told him about the case. Rev Finau said after Dr. Mone spoke with the family of the man he returned to Tonga without any incident.
He said he believed the churches would do the same thing for Manuofetoa.
Rev. Finau said it was important for whoever was harbouring Manuofetoa to advise him prudently. He said the Immigration rules were extremely strict and there was hardly any opportunity for those like Manuofetoa to gain a legal status in New Zealand.
Immigration consultant Salote Heleta Lilo told the Prime Minister during the meeting she had reliable information that could lead to the whereabouts of Manuofetoa.
She said she could not release it at this stage because of the nature of her work, but she told Hon. Pohiva she could help persuade him to return to Tonga.
Lilo said there was a privilege she had through her profession that could allow her to negotiate with the Immigration New Zealand to not penalise Manuofetoa if he would voluntarily return to Tonga.
Deportation
Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE coordinator in New Zealand said: “Mr. Apple has not cancelled the return portion of Samuela’s ticket so he can still use it if he wants, in case the cost of the return is an issue for him. He just needs to rebook with Air NZ.”
Hao’uli told Kaniva News he was happy to help anybody who was looking for Manuofetoa.
“He’s already an overstayer and if caught by INZ he will be deported and that will make things worse for Mr Apple who will pay for the costs of deportation,” Hao’uli said.
“Samuela cannot be replaced until he leaves the country and Mr Apple will replace him from Tonga if allowed by MBIE.
“As you heard from Mr Apple’s Labour Manager, he will not turn his back on Tonga because of the good work done by the majority of the workers – but this statement leaves room for him or for any other employer to change their minds if circumstances changes.”
The main points
- Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.
- Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.
- He arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.
- Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.
For more information
Tongan PM seeks forgiveness from RSE employers after employee fled at airport
