Prime Minister John Key seeks assurances regarding Tongan passportsFIONA GOODALL/GETTYPrime Minister John Key has sought assurances from his Tongan counterpart that diplomatic passports are no longer being sold in the country. Tu'ivakano and his government lost power soon after, replaced by current Prime Minister Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva. Speaking after meeting with Pohiva, Key said the passport issue was discussed and the New Zealand Government was "obviously aware of it". But in 2014 Tongan news website NZ Kaniva Pacific reported King Tupou VI ordered then Prime Minister Siale'ataongo Tu'ivakano not to issue passports to Chinese friends of the Queen mother Halaevalu Ahome'e. Bogdonoff was also told to manage a Tongan trust fund worth US$26 million, accumulated through issuing passports to foreigners.

Source: Stuff July 28, 2016 21:23 UTC