Last Tonga prison escapee Liuaki Vi recaptured after weeklong manhunt

The last remaining prisoner on the run after a dramatic escape from custody in Tonga has been caught, ending a week-long search that involved police across the Pacific.

New Zealand national Liuaki Fungalei Kokohu Vi, also known as Michael Tama, was arrested on Sunday after escaping from the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa with two other prisoners a week earlier.

Vi's arrest means all three escapees are now back in custody.

The first to be recaptured was 15-year-old Tongan national Angelico Fa'aoa, who was arrested just hours after the escape.

Fijian national Adam Zabid Hussein was later found, leaving Vi as the focus of an intensive manhunt.

The escape triggered a major police operation with Tongan authorities working alongside regional law enforcement agencies because two of the escapees were foreign nationals.

Fijian national Adam Zabid Hussein was the second of three escapees to be recaptured after breaking out of the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa. All three men are now back in police custody. Photo/Tonga Police

Police also warned the public not to approach the men, describing them as high risk, and offered cash rewards for information leading to their capture.

The three men escaped from the Central Police Station shortly after 7.30pm on Sunday while being held on a range of criminal charges.

Authorities have previously said Vi and Hussein were facing allegations including fraud, the use of a fake passport and theft-related offences.

Watch Tonga Deputy Police Commissioner Tēvita Vailea's full interview (Tongan/English) on PMN Tonga below.

Tonga Police Commissioner Geoff Turner earlier said security upgrades to the holding cells had been planned but had not yet been completed when the escape occurred. The work is expected to begin in early August.

The recapture brings to an end one of Tonga's most closely watched police operations in recent years, after authorities repeatedly urged communities across the kingdom to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the escapees.