Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva will hold official talks with Recognised Seasonal Employers in Kerikeri and Hasting after a Tongan employee fled at Auckland International airport.
Samuela Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand early this month to work at Mr Apple, New Zealand’s largest apple supplier.
Manuofetoa fled from the airport without going to his employer.
Mr Apple has turned to Samoa for a replacement of Manuofetoa.
This has been a big concern for the Prime Minister, who is worried that Mr Apple might take away the employment opportunity from Tonga and gave it to the Samoans.
The Prime Minister will arrive in New Zealand on Saturday on a five-day trip.
He will first meet with Mr. Apple, which has employed more than 400 Tongan employees.
The company has employed hundreds of Tongans on RSE contracts over the years.
However, in the past it has also said it wants more Samoans.
Mr Apple CEO Andrew Van Workum was quoted in 2014 as saying its Samoan workers had been a boon for the business.
The company is currently advertising for seasonal workers.
According to Tongan RSE Coordinator in New Zealand, Sefita Hao’uli, Tongans have the worst record of any group of Pacific Islands employees for absconding in New Zealand and overstaying their visas.
A total of 16 Tongan employees including Manuofetoa are still at large in New Zealand after fleeing when most of them were due to return to Tonga.
The Prime Minister will ask RSE employers for forgiveness in an attempt to strengthen their relationship with his government.
Last month eight Tongan employees who worked for Turners and Growers in Kerikeri were sent home after being accused of drinking alcohol, being violent and being unable to carry out their tasks.
The Prime Minister will stay at ʻAtalanga royal residence in Auckland.
Hon. Pohiva will be accompanied by his personal assistant Poʻoi Pohiva, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs, CEO ʻAna Bing Fonua and Deputy CEO Fanauʻifoʻou ʻAkauʻola.
They will be joined by the Tongan consul, Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho and Haoʻuli.
The main points
- Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva will hold official talks with Recognised Seasonal Employers in Kerikeri and Hasting after a Tongan employee fled at Auckland International airport.
- Siosifa Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand early this month to work at Mr Apple, but instead fled from the airport.
- Mr Apple has turned to Samoa for a replacement.
- This has been a big concern for the Prime Minister, who is worried that Mr Apple might take away the employment opportunity from Tonga and gave it to the Samoans.
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