Tonga backs cheaper NZ visas but stays clear of push for free travel

Tonga has welcomed moves to make travel to New Zealand cheaper and easier.

But the government says it will not push for visa-free access, leaving that decision firmly in Wellington’s hands.

Speaking in Nuku’alofa alongside New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday, Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua struck a careful note of support for change without pressure.

For many Pacific families, travel to Aotearoa is not just about holidays. It’s about funerals, church, family duties, and staying connected across the ocean.

That’s why New Zealand’s move to lower visa costs for Pacific travellers has been welcomed across the region and seen as a practical step to make travel more within reach for families.

Fakafanua says Tonga appreciates New Zealand’s recent step to lower visa costs, calling it a practical move that will help more people travel.

Christopher Luxon and Lord Fakafuna deliver their remarks in Nuku'alofa. Photo/Ala Vailala.

“What New Zealand does in their own domestic policy in terms of immigration is up to the New Zealand Government and I respect their position,” he says.

“I support whatever move New Zealand decides to make, whether they want to liberalise the step towards facilitating and making it more affordable in terms of the current visa situation is one that's most welcome. But I don't want to pre-empt anything that's happening within New Zealand's domestic politics.”

He also acknowledged the impact of the reduced visa fees, saying they will help strengthen people-to-people ties between Tonga and Aotearoa, where more than 100,000 people of Tongan heritage live.

Watch as the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Tonga address the media in Nuku'alofa.

The question of visa-free travel, however, remains open. A petition calling for some Pacific nationals to travel to New Zealand without visas is now before a parliamentary select committee. Any final decision will sit with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

Support for the idea is growing in the region. Sāmoa’s Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has spoken about the real impact of visa processes on Pacific families, especially when travel is needed for important cultural events.

In a pre-recorded message presented at the Pacific Justice meeting in Sāmoa House last November, La’auli says travel between both nations should be easier.

“Families travel from Sāmoa to New Zealand for fa’alavelave, church, family and village obligations, but visa challenges always cause delays and blockages for many of us,” the prime minister said.

Tongan leaders and officials, seated left, with NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his delegation. Photo/NZ High Commission Tonga.

“I support this petition and salute Anae for taking these first steps. While he has started this movement, I believe the Government of Sāmoa can bring the authority that this petition needs.”

He said these trips are part of everyday Pacific life, not exceptions. New Zealand says it is listening.

Luxon acknowledged that Pacific leaders regularly raise the issue of travel access and say more could be done.

“Across the Pacific, we're constantly being asked about what more we can do to enable and liberalise immigration and make it easier with respect to visas in particular,” Luxon says.

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon, right, and wife Amanda are given a red carpet welcome in Nuku'alofa. Photo/NZ High Commission.

“We will constantly keep looking for opportunities for us to manage our risk-based immigration system and make sure that if there's any more that we can do, we'll continue to look at that. It's a very dynamic system and we'll continue to look at it.”

Tonga and Fakafanua’s message is clear: make travel easier, keep families connected but let New Zealand make the final call.

Luxon is wrapping up his first official visit to the Pacific for the year on Wednesday in Tonga after two days in Sāmoa.