Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, Minister for Trade and Economic Development, led Tonga’s delegation on a joint visit to New Zealand from 4 to 11 October 2025 to review and strengthen Tonga’s participation in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. The mission brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), combining MIA’s annual farm visits with MTED’s discussions on labour mobility policy.

The delegation met with New Zealand government officials, academic researchers in labour migration, industry representatives, individual employers, Tongan RSE workers, and Tongan Liaison Officers. These engagements focused on improving the coordination and management of Tonga’s labour mobility arrangements, including the return processes for workers and the long-term planning of Tonga’s involvement in the scheme.

“This marks 18 years of the RSE programme. What is the future and long-term plan for our participation in these schemes? The financial benefits are clear, but we must also review the challenges and issues that continue to arise. It is only right that we meet the workers face-to-face and ask them these questions,” said Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata.

The Minister further noted that findings and insights gathered from the visit will support policy and operational discussions aimed at strengthening Tonga’s engagement in the RSE scheme and the wider labour migration setting.

The delegation’s meetings included direct discussions with Tongan workers in various farms and companies, offering an opportunity to hear their experiences and concerns first-hand. These conversations, together with consultations held with employers and New Zealand officials responsible for RSE policies, will contribute to ongoing work to improve worker welfare, streamline processes, and uphold the integrity of Tonga’s labour mobility programmes.