Among them are Tongans requiring life saving medical treatment like dialysis. While kidney disease is a common ailment in Tonga, treatment isn't publicly available there.
Renal specialist in Auckland Dr Viliami Tutone said the number of non-residents from the Pacific he treats was definitely on the rise.
Dr Tutone, who is a Nephrologist, said it was a tough and sad reality.
"We do have our fair share at Middlemore of non-residents," he said.