Comedy of errors sparked immigration row, Ngapuhi leader says

Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua. File photo / Brett Phibbs

The Ngapuhi leader at the centre of an immigration row says features around Maori hospitality tikanga have been lost in translation to Tongans hoping to be granted citizenship.

It has been reported that Kingi Taurima, a kaumatua at Waitangi's Te Tii Marae, has offered to adopt Tongan overstayers.

At the marae this morning Mr Taurima said a "comedy of errors" which started about a month ago when he met with a Tongan group - has led to the situation.

He said he listened to their immigration problems and then invited them to visit again on February 6 to be formally welcomed by Ngapuhi.

Once the powhiri was completed they would be as one with tangata whenua - as is usual, he said.

"I said 'come and be with my tribe.' Somebody must have taken that out of context. That's how the conversation went. I was rung up by immigration and they said 'what's this about you adopting Tongan overstayers?' I'm just so hoha [annoyed] about it all."

Mr Taurima said he did use the word "adopt" when he was talking to the group but he said that doesn't mean it carries any immigration weight.

Asked about a fee for citizenship, Mr Taurima said he told them about koha.

"I said to them 'when you come make sure you bring a koha. They said 'what's that?' So I said 'it supports the marae. Then they said 'how much?' And I joked 'a thousand dollars each.'"

Mr Taurima said he can't even remember what the Tongan group was called.

"I remember there were two Johns and a Josh but that's it."