PM names Tongan High Commissioner for new Wellington post [1]
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 07:46. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 16:47.
Hon. Siaosi 'Aho, Tonga's Minister of Police, will be Tonga's first High Commissioner to New Zealand, setting up a new Tongan High Commission in Wellington that is expected to be in operation by May this year.
The Lord Privy Seal, Sateki 'Ahio, will be Tonga's Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand.
The Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, announced the appointments on Television Tonga last night, March 2.
He said that it has been a long-term plan of the government to have a diplomatic mission in New Zealand, but he said that "with the Tongan economy in a better position," the time was right to establish a diplomatic mission in Wellington.
The Prime Minister said that a Tongan High Commission should be in operation in Wellington by early May.
Hon. Siaosi 'Aho is a well-seasoned diplomat, he was Tonga's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in London during the 1990s.
New Zealand is Tonga's biggest trading partner, and home for the biggest Tongan community overseas. Hundreds of Tongans have also found employment in New Zealand under a Seasonal Workers' scheme.
Tonga recently introduced a dual nationality scheme, and a mission in Wellington will speed up the process of Tongans in New Zealand who want to re-apply for their Tongan citizenship.
Meanwhile, a new Minister of Police for Tonga is expected to be appointed by April.