New Pacific Settlement Support Project Empowers Tongan Families Migrating to Aotearoa

A new initiative is transforming the migration experience for Tongan families moving to New Zealand under the Pacific Access Category (PAC) resident visa programme. Reported by RNZ Pacific on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, the Pacific Settlement Support Services (PSSS) has partnered with SIAOLA—a National Pacific Social Service Provider based in Auckland and Gisborne—to provide critical pre-departure preparation and 12-month settlement assistance. The project aims to address common challenges faced by Pacific Islanders, such as housing affordability, overcrowding, and navigating the cultural shift from collective traditional life to Western societal structures. Project representative Cassandra Vaea told RNZ Pacific that the initiative is a "game-changer," ensuring families are mentally and physically prepared before they leave their homeland. By providing advice and information in Tonga, the programme helps migrants avoid unhealthy living environments and financial instability upon arrival. The work is bolstered by high-level collaboration, including support from Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga through her charitable trust in Nuku’alofa. This month, a PSSS team including CEO Mandy Siitia, Sililoa Tuai, and Miss Vaea conducted workshops across Tongatapu, visiting the villages of Kolovai, Malapo, and Nukunuku to meet with successful visa holders and those planning their move. Established in 2019 by Laura Keill-Hall, Mandy Siitia, and Zeprina Fale to assist Samoan migrants, the PSSS has now extended its reach to Tonga. Miss Vaea noted that migration should not begin at the airport but with preparation and confidence. The project is designed to empower participants to succeed in Aotearoa while remaining deeply connected to their Tongan heritage, language, and faith, creating pathways for generational prosperity.