Tonga's indebtedness to China was highlighted as the country's Prime Minister visited Auckland today.

LISTEN ABOVE: Melino Maka, director of Pasefika Solutions Limited spoke to Rachel Smalley

Samuela 'Akalisi Pohiva said his country's indebted to the Peoples' Republic with them even constructing a $40 million building next to his offices in Nuku'alofa.

And he's making no apologies for taking money from China.

"Tonga will not refuse to accept any assistance from any country, including China. We have a huge loan from China."

The loan is around $140 million.

Mr Pohiva met with John Key who said afterwards the message to indebted Pacific nations is always the same from this country.

"It's not for us to dictate to them. The one thing we do say to our Pacific friends is that if you take a loan from China or any other country just be aware that New Zealand is not going to repay that loan. You are responsible for that."

Mr Pohiva said his country's been at the centre of a tug of war between China and New Zealand for four years, over a plane that's been sitting on the tarmac in Nuku'alofa because it doesn't have a safety certificate.

New Zealand three years ago stopped more than $10 million worth of tourism aid to the Kingdom while it continued to use the MA60 plane which has a dodgy safety record.

The plane was grounded and Mr Pohiva said they're still waiting.

"We are still waiting for China to fix the problem and I hope New Zealand supports our attempt to get the aircraft operating as soon as possible."

Another issue raised in talks today was the sale of Tongan passports.

The Prime Minister doesn't think Tonga's still selling passports even though that's what was indicated by his Tongan counterpart today.

Mr Key said it is disturbing that bogus passports, including diplomatic ones, may still be in circulation.

He said Tonga's New Zealand Police Commissioner's working on the issue.

"Passports are probably the most sacrosanct legal document aren't they. In the end, they're the reason another country accepts another individual crossing their borders, because they have confidence the fundamental document."

Mr Key said the problem with the Tongan passports is that they're real but they're not issued in accordance with the law.

Mr Pohiva said he can understand the concerns the New Zealand and Australian Governments have about the bogus passports.

"They do not want this kind of illegal activity to continue on and on. It is an indication of corruption with law and order."