In January this year, there were 2,381 Tongan overstayers living in New Zealand according to recently published estimates from the New Zealand Government’s Immigration Department.

Tongan overstayers made up the largest number of overstayers in New Zealand closely followed by Samoans (2,124 overstayers), the Chinese with 1,226 overstayers, and Indians with 763 overstayers.

However, New Zealand Immigration estimated a large fall in the number of Tongan overstayers over the last 15 years. According to estimates, there were 5,073 Tongan overstayers living in New Zealand in the year 2000.

Apart from the estimated numbers, New Zealand Immigration also made a stern warning in its published report. It stated, “Immigration New Zealand records all arrivals and departures from New Zealand and we are aware when someone has not departed before their visa has expired,

“People who are overstayers, regardless of nationality, must appreciate that if there are no special circumstances that call for the grant of a visa they are expected to leave New Zealand, or face deportation. If a person is deported they face a ban of up to five years from applying to come to New Zealand again.”

New Zealand currently accepts an annual quota that grants residency for up to 250 Tongan nationals. The quota for Samoan nationals however, is significantly higher with the Samoan Quota Scheme granting residency for up to 1,100 Samoan nationals.