Visa hold-up for Tongan Seasonal Workers at height of NZ harvest season

Tongan seasonal workers under the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employers program are affected by the NZ immigration minister's recent decision to hold Tongan visa applications that require police clearances. A first group of 35 workers who were due to leave for New Zealand on Monday remain on stand-by in Nuku'alofa. Another 120 workers who are scheduled to leave over the next two weeks in the height of the harvest season will also be affected by the new rule.