03rd August 2016 With heartfelt sympathy Government expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of our 5 brothers who were killed in the fatal accident last night in a crash on State Highway 2 in Tauranga, New Zealand. Their next of kin have now been advised and now Bay of Plenty Police has named the five men.
They were;
- Halani Fine, aged 28 a New Zealand resident
- Uloupini (also known as Stephen) Vaipulu, aged 44 from Ahau
- Koli Vaipulu, aged 21 (Uloupini’s son) from Ahau
- Sione Teulaka, aged 21 from Navutoka
- Samuela Taukatelata, aged 28 from Lavengatonga
Mr Halani Fine of Katikati was the driver. The crash occurred about 8.10pm yesterday as the car the group were travelling in was struck by a truck while turning onto SH2 at Dawson’s Road.
Government will assist and support with facilitating repatriation of the victims and also fellow RSE workers and employers who may be affected by the tragic incident.
Police investigates and any prosecution, if appropriate, is a matter entirely for the NZ authorities. Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Clifford Paxton said the crash was a tragedy for the men and their families, with the driver of the truck also being offered appropriate support.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the families of all five men, including the Vaipulu family, who have lost two loved family members in this tragic crash. The driver of the truck was also left badly shaken and is being offered appropriate support.”
Area Commander Paxton said Police were continuing to liaise with the men’s families in both New Zealand and Tonga, with the assistance of the Tongan consulate. The Police investigation into the crash was continuing, he said.
New Zealand Immigration office in Tonga have kindly offered their team’s assistance to expedite any visa processing of any members from Tonga to visit their loved ones and accompany their bodies back to Tonga.
Support and assistance is offered in a coordinated effort between the Tongan Government, New Zealand Government, Employers, RSE Workers and the Local Community. Tonga’s RSE Liaison Officer, Sefita Hao’uli has travelled to Aongatete this morning where the fatality happened.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and RSE workers and employers. It is indeed a heart breaking news for the whole country.
End.
Issued by the: Ministry of Internal Affairs
