While many travellers have been able to board mercy flights home, a 29-strong Tongan rugby team has been stranded in New Zealand and has found refuge at an Auckland church.
Team Tu'uakitau came to New Zealand, hoping to score rugby contracts, when the coronavirus pandemic shut down the world and Tonga completely closed its border before they could get home.
"When we heard that Fiji, Samoa and Niue are taking their people home, and we feel our government should do the same," their coach Tuivaita Ueleni tells The Project. "We have the feeling we've been left behind."
The team has stayed at Tokaikolo Church at the foot of Mangere Mountain during the pandemic and the local community has taken care of them, providing clothing and food.
"We're grateful to the church and the Tongan community around us," says team doctor Tevita Vakasiuola.
"I think it really shows that even though we're from different places, we're human beings and we care for each other."
Tokaikolo's Rev Savaiinaea Tamoua says the church has promised the team a home as long as they need one.
"We just don't feel we lose anything by having them here," he says. "We are blessed and privileged to have all of them here."
According to Pasifika Futures - which supports Pacific families in New Zealand - the rugby team are among thousands of Pasifika stuck in the country, due to border restrictions.
Vakasiuola says the three months away from family have been hard.
"Really, it was tough for the boys, mentally as well... a lot of ups and downs, especially missing families."
Coach Ueleni agrees.
"We had to talk to the boys to think positive of why we're stuck here, and take it easy and think that might be a blessing in disguise.
"The first time I talked to my mum, she was crying because we're stuck here and I believe the others too are trying to cope with that.
"We're just trying to comfort them that we're safe here in our bubble and we won't be infected by the virus."
The Tongan border is expected to reopen on June 12, but for now, the team will continue to take refuge in Tokaikolo Church.
