How Tonga Aids New Zealand
The Reasons for Emigration
The Reasons for Emigration
The reasons for emigration are not difficult to find. Tonga's economy is primarily
a subsistence economy, but the attraction of ‘Western’ goods and growing contact with
the affluent ‘West’ make subsistence farming an increasingly unattractive way of life
to most Tongans. This clash of systems is exacerbated by a high rate of population
growth (of a population of about 90,000, over 50% are under the age of 20), an increasing shortage of land, and a Western-oriented, ‘academic’ education system. Every Tongan
male, on coming of age, is entitled by law to an allotment of 8 1/4 acres of land, but many
children who are now leaving school face the prospect of not being able to obtain either
land or gainful employment. Only a very limited number of people find regular salaried
employment with the Government, and others have to rely on casual work with producer
boards, shops, plantations, etc., at a rate of about $1.50 per day. The average wage in
Tonga is about $7.00 per week. No wonder then, that many people have taken the
opportunity to ‘visit’ New Zealand for a three month period for the purpose of seeking
employment. No wonder either that many have illegally overstayed these permits in the
hope of earning a little more than the high cost of their borrowed fares, accommodation
and keep in New Zealand.