A letter received by the New Zealand Immigration (NZI) Office in Tonga to support a visa application by an applicant who applied to enter New Zealand was believed to have been forged.
Police investigated and Grant O’Fee, Tonga’s Police Commissioner confirmed they “do have this complaint” but he did not say who made it.
The alleged forgery surfaced after a person by the name Kalakaua Tau’atevalu lodged a visa application with NZI office. He reportedly admitted that the letter was forged by a friend of him who is now residing overseas.
The faked letter of reference claimed that it was written and stamped by the office of the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU).
Mr Tau’atevalu was previously employed by TRU.
The letter was written on May 3 and stamped by Immigration Office in Nuku’alofa on May 24.
It showed the signature of ‘Emeline Tuita the Former CEO of TRU.
Tuita told Kaniva News she was informed of the incident and INZ lodged an inquiry with TRU office at Fasi and was advised that Tau’atevalu was no longer employed.
Tuita said, “I sent a letter to the NZ High Commission apologising for what had happened and confirmed that it was a forgery" and asked for the original to be given to the police.
Police gave the original copy to Tuita and confirmed they would contact her once their 'inquiries are under way".
Tau’atevalu could not be reached for comments. Immigration New Zealand declined to comment saying they need a waiver of privacy from Tau’atevalu.
