Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’a-ki-Fualu from Otahuhu has been busy delivering food to Tongan overstayers in New Zealand during the current COVID-19 lockdown.

According to Stuff, the overstayers are scared they will be discovered if they get COVID-19 tests, vaccines or food parcels.

Kennedy, who is nicknamed the ‘Tongan Robin Hood’ for helping the needy, delivers food to at least 50 Tongan families or around 250 people who are overstaying in the country.

“With the current Delta situation, there’s a real risk that overstayers can spread COVID-19 like wildfire because you can’t track and trace them,” he told Stuff.

“I'm calling on the Government to be proactive, walk the talk and be kind by offering an amnesty for overstayers and keep New Zealand safe.”

Overstayers have also had difficulty interpreting information in English on the pandemic and the lockdown.

“Ethnic communities should receive information in their own native languages, we’ve been pushing for this,” said Kennedy.

To solve the issue, he aims to create a central online hub for information in Tongan, starting with his Tonga News Hub facebook page.

”That’s something I feel could help solve some of the misinformation problems. A hub run by Tongans, for Tongans. Only a Tongan will understand a Tongan. And a lot of them will go hungry and not really call out. So I am there to bridge the gap.”

“My main concern is this: children are going to bed on empty stomachs, and that thought alone is what keeps the Tongan Robin Hood going. The phone is still ringing, more people, more overstayers need help. But I can’t, we are maxed out. The supplies we get are limited.”

Meanwhile, the food donations delivered by Kennedy are provided by three key supporters including, former All Blacks Sir Michael Jones' charity The Village Community Services Trust, Dave “Butterbean” Letele’s charity BBM, and food rescue company KiwiHarvest.

Healthcare for overstayers in NZ

“People unlawfully in New Zealand should seek medical advice if they are unwell,” said Immigration New Zealand general manager verification and compliance Geoff Scott in a statement.

He said immigration status would not affect access to healthcare, that people’s treatment would be undertaken in full confidence, and their information would not be shared.

“Any decision on whether amnesty may be granted for illegal overstayers would be made by ministers.”