The absconding by Tongan seasonal workers in New Zealand which brought their Prime Minister on a mission to mend relationship with one of New Zealand’s biggest employers a fortnight ago has taken a turn for the worse this week.
Two more workers went awol on Monday night – and a vehicle belonging to the company, Mr Apple, in Hastings is also missing and it is believed that they had taken it without permission.
The incident comes only a week after a visit to New Zealand by Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva in an attempt to reassure Mr Apple management that his government will review the recruitment process in order to address discipline issues among the Tongan workers at the site.
At the time there was concern over a worker disappeared on arrival at Auckland International Airport in early March – something which has not happened in the 10 years that the scheme had been running.
Kaniva understands that four of the Tongan group leaders working for Mr Apple have been sent by the employer to Auckland to follow up a tip-off that the two are with family members in Auckland.
The seasonal labour manager for Mr Apple, Alistair Jamieson has asked to meet Tongan community leaders and a meeting has been organised for him by Tongan government liaison officer, Mr Sefita Hao’uli.
Mr Hao’uli confirmed to Kaniva this evening that the two, who are Ma’ufanga had disappeared Monday evening and it is believed that they were heading to Auckland where one of them have close family members.
He also confirmed that the missing vehicle is linked to their disappearance and there is concern for their safety and those of others as they are not licensed to drive in New Zealand.
It is understood that the town officer for Ma’ufanga has been called into the Ministry of Internal Affairs and he and the families of the two absconders are assisting with the efforts to locate them.
Mr Hao’uli confirmed that the Prime Minister has been informed and is being kept updated on developments here in New Zealand.
Asked how everyone feels about this in light of the recent visit by the Prime Minister, Mr Hao’uli said that like the rest of the workers at the Hastings site, everyone feels let down by what had happened.
“ I can’t answer for the Prime Minister and our staff in Tonga but I can only imagine that they’re also extremely disappointed”, he said.
The absconder who disappeared on arrival at Auckland International airport, Samuela Manuofetoa is believed to be still in New Zealand.
For more information:
Tongan church leaders in NZ search for fruit picker who absconded from airport
PM Pohiva’s visits electrify Hawkes Bay’s Tongan fruit pickers and community
Tongan PM seeks forgiveness from RSE employers after employee fled at airport
