Pregnancy tests for Tongan visitors ends

The "rogue" pregnancy testing of Tongan women coming to New Zealand has ended, says Immigration Minister Paul Swain.

Mr Swain said yesterday there had been a policy allowing immigration officials to order pregnancy tests for women coming to New Zealand from visa-required countries.

The policy intended to reduce the 1200 women a year coming to New Zealand to give birth and get citizenship and free healthcare for their children. Of these, 400 were Pacific Islanders.

He said it was clear there had been little or no testing of women from any countries other than Tonga, where officials had taken a "rogue position".