Three Tongans have been deported from New Zealand while another person left voluntarily as a result of their criminal records being wiped-off by Tonga Police. Australia has also cancelled the visas of three Tongans while a fourth visa is being considered for cancellation.

In Nuku'alofa it is alleged that 15 police officers had taken part in the alleged fraudulent practice.

Immigration New Zealand General Manager Stephen Dunstan told Matangi Tonga on March 19, that three Tongans had been deported from New Zealand while the fourth person had voluntarily returned.

He said they were more among 52 Tongan nationals with wrongly-wiped convictions believed to be in New Zealand and on the list of 172 names provided by the Tongan authorities.

The majority of the 48 on the list who are in New Zealand do not appear to have committed serious crimes, but it was not possible at this stage to be more specific, he said.

"Immigration alerts have been placed on all those names on the list where there is sufficient certainty about the individual's identity."

Mr Dunstan said it was important to note that every case was considered on its merits and that all relevant factors were taken into account before a decision was made.

Australia

Meanwhile, Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has identified 14 people both onshore and offshore with current valid permanent visas which allows them to return to Australia.

These clients had been referred to onshore compliance and cancellations teams for possible visa cancellation consideration.

The department stated that another four had been identified offshore holding temporary visas which would allow them to return to Australia. To date, three have had their visas cancelled under S128 of the Migration Act and the fourth was to be considered for cancellation.

Tonga

Commissioner Grant O'Fee said there are 15 police officers alleged to have taken part in the clearances of police records.

He said some had retired while less than 10 officers who ranged from very high ranking officers to junior officers were still working at Tonga Police. One person had signed around 30 police clearances while others had signed one or two documents, he said.

He said the most serious crime that emerged from the clearances of criminal records was manslaughter followed by grevious bodily harm and assaults.

"The most concerning issue is the damage this has done for Tonga's reputation in which an official document with the police letterhead was sent telling a lie to gain access to another country. Tonga Police continues its investigation which should take another three weeks before I decide on what to do with the officers alleged," he said.

The unwritten practice was a verbal authorization made by a former Minister of Police, now deceased. Tonga Police had identified 172 police records were cleared through letters saying persons had no criminal convictions while clearly they had records.