A new role in the Pacific

Aubrey Tupai-Creagh’s 8 years’ border experience as a senior border officer proved valuable for his role as an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ALO at Fiji’s Nadi airport.

Now back in Christchurch, we spoke to Aubrey last year while he was serving as the first INZ ALO at Nadi, where he stayed for 3 months. The roles are for 3 or 6 months.

ALOs are selected primarily from the Immigration New Zealand ALO pool, who are based in New Zealand, and usually return to their main role after deployment.

Aubrey says his ability to deal with a mixture of people and border queries, and knowledge of the relevant border instructions in the Immigration operations manual was an advantage.

“It’s the first time Immigration New Zealand has placed an ALO in the Pacific region and it’s welcomed by the airlines and airport staff,” says Aubrey.

Born in Upolu Samoa and raised in Canterbury, Tupa'ilevaililigi and Toilolo are Aubrey’s Ali'i Matai titles from the Samoan villages of Papa Sataua and Taga respectively.

Keeping New Zealand safe

He says ALOs enhance border security by helping pre-screen travellers using behavioural targeting at their point of departure to New Zealand and intercept passengers who could pose a risk to New Zealand.

“We provide advice, support, and training to key stakeholders (including airlines and local authorities) to help INZ and its partners keep risk offshore.”

Recently, ALOs have played an important part helping airlines meet New Zealand entry requirements such as pre-departure testing and the completion of the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

“ALOs have no power to remove anyone from an aircraft. These decisions are made by Border Operations and the airline. ALOs can only make recommendations,” says Aubrey.

A day in the life of an ALO

Aubrey’s day at Nadi started at around 4.30am to 5.30am at check-in with a series of meetings with airline staff.

“ALOs always have a pre-flight briefing, so everyone knows what they have to do, and can review any critical updates from Immigration New Zealand,” says Aubrey.

“It is the airline carrier’s decision in the end, who will fly and who won’t. ALOs use intel and experience to identify risks and standard immigration issues, visa validity, old passports, and visa-waiver travel with the Reconnecting New Zealand guidelines.

“We don’t have the same legal authority at an airport in another country as we do as border officers in New Zealand. What we can do is bring a positive influence through formal and informal discussions so customs and immigration issues are dealt with before people depart for New Zealand,” says Aubrey. 

While there can be some pushback from passengers, Aubrey says most travellers are happy to comply when the officer explains they are there to help.

“I had one couple who wanted to take coconuts with them. I pointed out coconuts were considered a biohazard and would not be allowed into New Zealand. They claimed they were first-class passengers and could take anything they liked with them.”

Family time

Aubrey had his wife and baby daughter visit for a few days with him near the end of his ALO stint, enjoying the chance to experience Fiji as a family.

“I spent 6 hours each day on my feet in that role. After doing my daily reports at the end of my shift I was ready to sleep. It was tiring, but worthwhile.”

At the end of a long day, Aubrey reaches for his guitar.

“I find this an excellent way to relax,” he says.

This video was made when Aubrey was serving in Fiji.