Tonga PM: Corrupt passport 'ninjas' still a challenge

Prime Minister John Key and Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva (Newshub.)
Prime Minister John Key and Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva (Newshub.)

Prime Minister John Key is urging Tonga to take action on the illegal sale of passports.

Thousands of passports have been sold throughout the Kingdom of Tonga in the past quarter-of-a-century despite an ongoing investigation into the scandal.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Akilisi Pohiva, who is in New Zealand on his first official visit, says the continued problem with illegal passport sales – some of which have been given to Chinese nationals - is an "indication of corruption".

Laws have been passed to tackle corruption, and Mr Pohiva expected a New Zealander may end up fulfilling the role of Anti-Corruption Commissioner. 

He says improving law and order and transparency in the country are priorities for him, but it's a constant challenge as there's always someone who wants to cheat the system.

"There are ninjas all over. You can kill one ninja, and another one [appears]," Mr Pohiva says.

John Key says he's been assured the police in Tonga are treating the matter seriously.

"New Zealand needs the issue to be dealt with. These are not fake passports and we need to have confidence in the system that a passport issued by the Tongan Government is legitimate."

The Tongan Prime Minster being welcomed (Newshub.)

New Zealand gave $22.1 million in aid money to Tonga in the last financial year, part of which was intended to strengthen law and justice systems.

Mr Pohiva, a long-time campaigner for greater democracy in the Kingdom, says he was grateful for New Zealand's friendship and continued development assistance.

Aid from New Zealand aside, Tonga is heavily reliant on loans from China, a country now considered a major player in the Pacific region. Tonga's borrowed about US $140 million from the Chinese, part of which was used to redevelop the capital, Nuku'alofa, after riots in 2006.

Despite China's growing influence in the South Pacific region, Mr Key says New Zealand still has relevance.

"I would not worry about that. If you get below the political leaders, and ask the peoples of these countries who are your best friends, I think New Zealand and Australia come out on top very, very regularly."

He gave New Zealand's swift aid response in Fiji after Cyclone Winston as an example of the close personal relationship New Zealand still has with its pacific neighbours.

He says New Zealand can have an influence with its people, whereas China has traditionally shown its support through cash hand-outs.

"I think China is seen as the place that gives financial support and sometimes has historically built buildings, not always ones that they've necessarily wanted."

Newshub.