Tongan passports can now be produced at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga in Auckland, reducing the waiting time for people applying for their Tongan Passports in New Zealand.

There is a high consular demand from the Tongan community, with an estimated 85,000 persons of Tongan descent residing in New Zealand.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu launched this new initiative on 29 August.

The installation of the passport printing equipment in Auckland enables the Consulate to process and print Tonga passports there.

“This will better serve the consular needs of the Tongan diaspora in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This service includes the printing of new Tongan passports, the renewal of expired Tongan passports, extensions of Tongan passports and issuance of Certificates of Identity (temporary travel documents),” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nuku’alofa.

They said this service had been longstanding priority of the Ministry to enhance engagements with the Tongan community overseas by providing on site services at diplomatic missions.