Samoan police

Pastor accused of bringing Samoan police officer to New Zealand under false pretences

Faaofo Fomai and his church, the Everlasting Gospel Church, each face four charges. Fomai, 59, appeared in Hastings District Court on Tuesday and was remanded without plea until later this month.

Stuff.co reports the charges relate to Fomai's dealings with a Samoan police officer, Uasi Siatulau, whom he promised a job as a youth pastor in his Hawke's Bay church.

According to an Immigration and Protection Tribunal ruling last year Siatulau claimed to have been exploited by Fomai, who arranged for him to come to New Zealand in April 2015 with his wife and four children.