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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.