From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

A Tongan-owned immigration consultancy, started in 1995, has helped over 5,000 Tongans gain legal status in New Zealand.

The director of the Melino mo e ‘Ofa immigration consultancy, Semisi Faka‘osikimuli, welcomed the new Pacific Access Scheme that was launched by the New Zealand Immigration in July, and said that it was a very good approach for Tongans.

“The good side of this scheme is that it allows those people who cannot apply under any other categories to at least test their luck—because this scheme is just pure luck,” Semisi said.

The 250 places that had been allocated for Tonga was a large sum because it gave applicants who were unsuccessful in other categories based on skills and professions, another chance to register.

He believed that the scheme would also help improve the current economic conditions in Tonga at the moment, because the scheme would help to increase the number of Tongans overseas who would be able to work and send money home to their families in Tonga.

Semisi also advises people who might qualify on their own merits that they should apply under that particular policy rather than applying under the Pacific Access Scheme, in order to give other people a chance.

Melino mo e ‘Ofa was established in 1995 and between that period to now Semisi has helped over 5,000 Tongans in receiving legal status in New Zealand. “So far so good because Melino mo e ‘Ofa has been targeting for 1,000 legal status to be granted per annum and we have met that target,” Semisi said.

Semisi believed there were 50,000 to 60,000 Tongans now who had permanent residence in New Zealand.