Samoan man

The 28-year-old Tasi was fatally wounded last Friday in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven following what’s alleged to be a ‘road rage’ incident.

Tagata Pasifika reports despite receiving attention from neighbours who happened on the scene, Tasi could not be saved.

Two teenagers are facing murder charges in relation to his death.

Tasi family spokesperson Peta Forrest says while the death has come as a huge shock, the waves of alofa and support from the community and wider family over the last few days has been a comfort.

Arona Peniamina stabbed Sandra repeatedly and bashed her head in with a bollard.

However, he denies intending to kill the mother of four.

Media reports from Australia said Peniamina admitted causing Sandra’s death and offered to plead guilty to manslaughter.

The prosecutors rejected this at the outset of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial on Tuesday.

Peniamina was convinced his wife was having an affair.

Talalelei Pauga has been in custody in Queensland since August last year after the Samoan government requested his extradition on a charge of conspiring to murder the former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

His lawyer Greg Finlayson says Pauga complained to the AFP about the length of time it took to bring him before a magistrate after his arrest.

"He was arrested on the 20th of August 2020 and he was kept away from his lawyers and in confinement until the first time he was brought before a magistrate ... on the 21st of September," Finlayson said.

WARNING: This story contains graphic details of sexual abuse

The man, known as ‘Mr X’ was in and out of care since the age of nine, when he ran away from abuse that happened at his childhood home.

Speaking at the inquiry’s State Residential Care investigation, the 63 year old's voice was often shaking with emotion while he described the racial discrimination, physical, sexual and psychological abuse he suffered.

Police say the van was carrying RSE workers who were travelling from Hastings to Taupō for a holiday.

The man was in the van's passenger seat when the crash happened just before 10am yesterday (Monday).

Acting Sergeant Nathan Ross said the truck collided with the van as the van turned right into the Tarawera Cafe.

"In the van there were 10 Samoan RSE workers and one New Zealander. The New Zealand Police are currently working with the Samoan Commission to inform the families of the people in the van."

Apelu Saito Lilo was charged in April last year with one count each of child molesting, rape, sexual assault, sodomy, deviate sexual assault, and first degree sexual abuse — all felony charges.

But under a plea agreement read in High Court last week Friday during a change of plea hearing, the defendant pled guilty to deviate sexual assault, which is punishable by not more than 7 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

Samoa News reports with the plea agreement accepted by the court, the remaining charges were dismissed.