Samoan seasonal worker

Today's flight is the last of five Air New Zealand services that have transported more than 700 workers from Apia to Auckland over the past six weeks under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme.

This was confirmed by the ACEO for Labour Employment and Export Programme, Lemalu Nele Leilua to the Savali News.

“The deceased was one of the three men that went to do their Covid-19 tests as required by our Ministry of Health for their return home,” said Lemalu.

“All three were scheduled to return home on the flight that arrived last Friday, 12th of February.”

Lemalu said the men’s tests all came out negative, and after their tests were conducted, they returned to their accommodation, to pack their bags for their flight to Auckland to await their return home.

The 36-year-old has been identified as the man who died in a crash on State Highway 2 near the Sandhurst Drive onramp and Maunganui Rd, in the Bay of Plenty, on Sunday.

New Zealand Herald reports emergency services were called to the scene at 5pm after reports of a single-vehicle crash.

Mati was a passenger in the vehicle, which police have confirmed was a seven-seater.

According to New Zealand media reports, Melota Metuala has elected trial by jury on the two charges.

Police allege the incident took place in Blenheim on September 14. 

Metuala, who was working in Marlborough on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, faces charges of sexual violation and intentionally impeding the breathing of his victim by applying pressure to her throat and neck.

His appearance at the Blenheim District Court was excused on Monday, as he had previously been granted electronically monitored bail to an Auckland address.

A source says the worker, 23, from Sa'anapu village had spent Christmas with some relatives living in Australia when he drowned.

The man worked as a fruit picker in a Victoria farm.

The government is making preparations for the return of the worker to his family in Samoa.

Meanwhile, about 500 seasonal workers in the Hawke's Bay area of New Zealand have donated over $US6600 to Samoa's government for its measles relief programme.

The money was collected during a Christmas carols competition and sports day activity held in Hastings.

The 45 year old married father of two from Sagone village in Savaii Island was thought to have suffered a heart attack.

He had been working at a cool store at Opotiki in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty.

He had worked under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme for several years.

The chief executive of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, said the government was waiting for the coroner's report to confirm the cause of death before the body was flown to Samoa, where the man's funeral will be held.